Al Hakam - 7 May 2021

BBC report on women and mosques, misleading?

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I am an Arab, and here is why I accepted a non-Arab prophet

Short reminders about LailatulQadr

Answers to everyday issues Part XIV

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021 | Issue CLXIV Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

An exemplary tifl should offer prayers, study the Quran and have good morals UK northern region Atfal ask questions in virtual mulaqat

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

Prayers on the night of Qadr ّ َ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َ ّٰ ُ ‫ قال قال َر ُسول الل ِہ صلی‬،‫ع ْن أبِي ہ َریْ َرۃ‬ ٰ ً َ ْ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ ْ ُ َ ‫اللّہ علیہ وسلم َم ْن‬ ‫یمانا‬ ‫یقم لیلۃ القد ِر ِإ‬ َّ َ َ ُ َ ُ َْ ْ َ ‫واح ِ� َسابًا غفِ َر لہ َما تقد َم ِم ْن ذن ِب ِہ‬

Hazrat Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith 35)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

All the insights of the Holy Quran are comprised in Surah al-Fatihah

On Saturday, 1 May 2021, 77 members of Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya UK from northern regions were blessed with the opportunity of meeting Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual class.

Atfal had the opportunity to ask Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa an array of questions related to faith, religion and matters concerning day to day life.

As the live stream commenced, Huzooraa conveyed his salaam to everyone and enquired which mosque the Atfal had congregated in. Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya, Abdul Quddus Arif Sahib, who was present with Huzooraa in Islamabad, replied that the Atfal were in Darul Aman Mosque. Huzooraa replied, “Yes, I see. The one in Manchester.”

The class then commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Zeeshan Akbar, followed by its English translation presented by Fawad Ahmad Hafeez.

Addressing Mohtamim Atfal, Farhad Ahmad Sahib, who was present in Darul Aman Mosque, Huzooraa asked how many Continued on page 3

If one deeply reflects over Surah Fatihah, which is a subtle outline of the Holy Quran and known as the “Mother of the Book”, one will find that it encompasses in brief all the insights of the Holy Quran. As such, ّٰ ُ ۡ َ the chapter begins with ‫ الحَ ۡمد لِل ِہ‬which means that all laudable qualities belong to Allah. This teaches us, that all the advantages and all the benefits that one reaps in daily life springs forth from Allah alone. For when it is He who is worthy of all forms of praise, then only He can be the true Bestower of all. Otherwise, it will have to be accepted that there are certain types of praise and admiration of which He is not deserving, and this is Continued on page 4

Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM

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BBC report on women and mosques, misleading?

Photo courtesy of Suhaib Ahmad

3 May 2021: A piece published by the BBC today claimed to address why women were not allowed in UK mosques during Ramadan. The start of the article said: “Millions of Muslims around the world are currently observing Ramadan. But some mosques in the UK are not allowing women inside to pray. Some say it is time for change.”

The way the piece was framed inadvertently perpetuated the same tropes of “Islam oppresses women”, however well-intentioned the writer was. This is significant as Islamophobia continues to plague the UK. Using just a few examples of Muslim women, the piece created the sense that all Muslim women believe they are being mistreated and dealt with unfairly.

Religious background and nuance were largely missed out too, and for non-Muslims, these are crucial for a fair understanding of Islam.

In normal circumstances, Islam allows women to make a choice to either pray at the mosque or at home, owing to their immense duties at home – there’s no compulsion for them. Conversely, men are obliged to pray

Guidance concerning e‘tikaf Dr Ibadullah Sahib of Amritsar and Khawaja Kamaluddin Sahib (lawyer) were both observing e‘tikaf. The Promised Messiahas said to them, “It is not compulsory that one must just stay put [the mosque] and not come out. You may sit on the roof where there is sunlight and talk about important matters; here, on the ground, it gets cold.

One must ensure that those matters are essential. Otherwise, every action of [a believer] is a form of worship.”

(Al Badr, 2 January 1903)

in the mosque in congregation; this is their religious duty – an obligation women are exempt from.

In fact, Prophet Muhammadsa said the best prayer of a Muslim woman is at her home (Musnad Ahmad), as they are the cornerstones of their homes, but still, men should not prevent women from praying in the mosque (Sahih Muslim). For women, the spiritual merit will be the same, whether praying in the mosque or not. For men, the story is different.

Of course, these guidelines are for normal circumstances.

With this background, during a devastating global pandemic in which mosques are already limiting worshippers (including men), it is perfectly reasonable to only allow essential worship and for those who have a religious obligation to pray in the mosque – men.

Contrary to the narrative pushed by the article, most mosques are actually responsibly helping to curb the pandemic by limiting attendance.

Though it is true some mosques and Muslim communities fail to accommodate women as they should, the overall picture in the article just fed into anti-Muslim sentiments already spreading across the UK. As the article referred to the Baitul Futuh Mosque of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, it must be mentioned here that the Baitul Futuh Mosque has an equally spacious and beautiful hall for women as for men. While it can be true in the case of some mosques that the women’s area may be smaller than men’s, the Ahmadiyya reason behind it will always be need and statistics orientated which takes the discussion back to women not being obliged to pray in congregation at the mosque.

The report should have spoken more on the freedom Islam gives to women in terms of worship and also needed to clarify the religious obligation to pray in the mosque is only for men and not women.

Certainly, many mosques do need to provide more room for women, but that’s an issue for those specific leaders and mosques, otherwise Islam gives women a lot of freedom in terms of how they can worship.

Any mosque that goes against the teachings of Islam and fails to provide the rights Islam affords to women is accountable for themselves.

Here’s some food for thought: If, due to need, a hospital has a smaller gynaecology ward as compared to the orthopaedic ward, will there be an outcry of inequality against women?

Not everything is about inequality.

Ahmadi Muslim women Ahmadi Muslim women continue to dispel anti-Muslim narratives that seek to misinform the public, especially in terms of women rights. Their vibrant auxiliary organisation, Lajna Imaillah, across the world, holds regular conferences and educational classes from Ahmadi mosques to educate the wider public on Islam.

Despite the pandemic, Lajna Imaillah continues to provide local communities with help and relief, no matter what background or creed, during the pandemic. To follow some of their work see: @LajnaUK @ LajnaCanada @lajnamediausa @lajna_de @ LadjnaNL @lajnaau

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AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021 Continued from page 1

Atfal were sitting in the mosque, to which he replied that there were 77 Atfal seated in the mosque.

Thereafter, a hadith of the Holy Prophetsa was presented by Kazeem-ur-Rahman, and its translation by Mikael Ahmad. After this, Muhammad Mahmud had the opportunity to read out an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiahas. After this, a nazm composed by the Promised Messiahaa, was recited by Nasir Ahmad Konado, followed by its English translation which was presented by Muntaha Ahmad.

After hearing the nazm, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said, “Jazakallah! Well done!”

Addressing Mohtamim Atfal, Farhad Ahmad Sahib, Huzooraa asked what was next. Farhad Sahib replied that there were some Atfal who wished to ask Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa questions.

Ansar Arshad, alluding to the current pandemic, asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa if the Promised Messiahas made a prediction of a virus or plague that would occur in the future.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “It was prophesied by the Promised Messiahas that Allah the Almighty told him that there would be an outbreak of a plague during his lifetime, and that happened.

And, apart from that, he has said that the world would have to face calamities in the future, which can be in the shape of pandemics – the outbreak of pandemics – or earthquakes, or any other type of problem which people would have to face.

So, he did not precisely say that after some time, there would be an outbreak or a pandemic like Covid; but he did say that if people did not realise their duties towards Allah, and if they did not realise their duties towards their fellow being, and if they did not remember the purpose of their coming into this world, then they would have to face some hardships in the future. So, we cannot say that he precisely said that this would happen in this time […]”

Next, Ilyas Rehman asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa if the UK was over the coronavirus crisis or whether there would be another lockdown.

Huzooraa said: “At least, at present, the government claims that they have now fully controlled the situation and [they say] there are only a few cases, only 25 or 30, 40 cases daily of the death toll of people. It used to be very high in the past. So, they say, ‘because 46% of the population has been vaccinated, this is why now we are somehow confident that we have overcome the situation’. But nobody knows. Every day, we see that new variants of Covid are coming up […]”

Huzooraa further stated that if new variants of the coronavirus came, then there may be another lockdown.

Mutal Mahmud asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa if being the Khalifa of the time was a difficult responsibility and asked what the most challenging aspect was of being a Khalifa.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa smiled and stated: “You see, the work of the Khalifa is always challenging because when you see that you are directly answerable for

whatever you are doing to Allah the Almighty – for all your actions and for all your responsibilities you are discharging – then if you have fear of Allah, every moment which passes should make you God-fearing, and that is a great challenge.”

Samar Ahmad Khan stated that due to the pandemic, life had changed drastically and overall stress in the atmosphere had increased. He enquired how one should cope with this situation and further asked if it would improve.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “As long as the fear of Covid remains, we cannot say that you will be able to do your normal activities. So, as I have already told you [Atfal], there is still a fear of a second variant or the reoccurrence of the same Covid even. Although it is said that those who have been vaccinated are secure and safe and they are immune, but nobody is immune to this type of pandemic. If your immunity develops in one type of virus, then another variant is coming.

“But, at the same time, since you are sitting at home, you should change the pattern of your activities. Involve yourself in reading books. Now, schools have been reopened, right?”

To this, the tifl answered in the affirmative. Huzooraa added: “Now you are going to school. So, at least the activities you were doing in school have started now […] The best way of spending your time [after school] is that you should spend some time, after completing your homework, reading the books of the Promised Messiahas or other Jamaat related literature. This is how you can increase your religious knowledge and increase wisdom and increase your faith as well […]”

Kashif Ahmad, 15, asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa what the different ways and methods he adopted for doing tarbiyat of his children were when they were 15.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa smiled and said: “I think my children’s mother played

a vital role in training them, instead of myself. The best way is that a father should set an example for his children. If fathers are offering the five daily prayers, they can ask their children to offer the five daily prayers – offering five daily prayers is the best way to discipline your children.

“Then, when the father is doing tilawat, reading the Holy Quran daily, then the children will know that their father is doing it, ‘So we should also do it’ […] So when you become a father, you should try to follow these instructions.”

Yaqoob Ahmad, 13, asked Huzooraa the qualities and characteristics an exemplary tifl should have.

“An exemplary tifl,” Huzooraa said, “should be very regular and punctual in offering the five daily prayers. After the age of 10, it is obligatory for you to offer the five daily prayers and, if possible, in congregation.

“Then, try to do tilawat - read the Holy Quran daily – even if it is one or two rukus, or a small portion of it.

“Then, an exemplary tifl should morally be very good, well-behaved. When you go to school, students should know that this boy is very well behaved […]”

Next, Jahanzeb Khan, 15, quoting from the Holy Quran, asked Huzooraa why there were so many sects in Islam.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that it was the prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa that in the Latter Days, the Muslim ummah would be divided into sects.

Huzooraa added: “Each sect will think that they are on the right path. They [the various sects] will have different points of view, and each sect will think that their point of view is the best and they are following the true teachings of the Quran and they are following the sunnah of the Holy Prophetsa. In the present Muslim sects, there are some sects who are following the Holy Quran and do not believe in hadith; some are following hadith and give more preference to hadith [than the Holy Quran]. And some others

have different point of views […]

“Now, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘When this happens, then at that time, a reformer will come who will follow my true teachings, who will guide you and he will be called the Messiah and Mahdi, the rightly guided person. And the person who is rightly guided, will guide you in the same way.’

“We believe that that person whose advent was foretold by the Holy Prophetsa came in the person of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian. He said, ‘Allah the Almighty has appointed me as the Messiah and Mahdi of this age, according to the prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa, and He has made the right teachings [of Islam] clear to me. So, I am also the person who will decide what is right and what is wrong.’

He [the Promised Messiah] is hakam and adal […]”

Huzooraa then asked Jahanzeb Khan if his question was answered and said that he may write to him further in a letter.

Following this, Zishan Ahmad, 15, asked Huzooraa how he spent his time on Eid. Huzooraa smiled and said: “Before Eid prayer, normally I spend some time to prepare my khutba. And after Eid, when I come home, I see my children, my family members and also, I call some of my friends, my relatives and say ‘Eid mubarak’, or receive calls from them. And then, normally, I come to my office and start working again.

“Then after the Zuhr prayer, I take lunch with my family members and after that, my routinely work starts again, as I spend on normal days. So, there is not much difference apart from this, that on Eid days, I receive ‘Eid mubarak’ calls from different people and also, at the same time, I sit together with my family members for one hour and take my lunch with them.”

Zain Shakeel, 13, asked if a person, who passes away, is able to meet with his Continued on next page >>

Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM

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beloved ones who have also passed away before.

Answering the young tifl, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated: “Yes, if a person has done good deeds, and he is going to Paradise, he will see all his loved ones who have gone to Paradise.

And also, at the same time, those loved ones who have done good deeds and they are in Paradise, they will also see him there […]”

Zishan Ahmad Ranjid asked Huzooraa how one could focus in class [in school] when there were a lot of distractions.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, answering the question, stated: “[…] You should try to sit at the front […] change your seat; don’t sit with the students who are creating mischief and joking all the time.”

Umair Ahmad Sherani, whilst asking his question, said that Hindus prayed to idols so that God may answer their prayers.

In Islam, he said, unless you send durood on the Holy Prophetsa, then the prayer would not be accepted. He asked how Islam differs from the two.

Huzooraa said: “Hindus have made different gods for different things. And they believe that their prayers are only heard when they pray to Allah through these idols […]

“In the case of durood sharif, it is a different situation. Allah the Almighty says that ‘the Holy Prophetsa is a human being, and he is the person whom I love more than anything and any person in the world’ […]

Allah the Almighty did not say that when we say durood, the Holy Prophetsa would convey our message. Allah says that ‘since I love this person [Prophet Muhammadsa], so when you praise him then I will accept your prayers because you also love the person whom I love’[…]”

Sharib Ahmad asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa how we could bring people towards Islam Ahmadiyyat.

Huzooraa stated that it was important for one to show a good example before the world.

“The first thing,” Huzooraa said, “is your behaviour. If your behaviour is good, people will get attracted towards you. And in this way, you can make more friends.

When you make more friends, they will ask you, ‘Why are you different from others?’

Then you can tell them, ‘Because I follow the true teachings of Islam.’ So, then they will ask you questions about Islam. In this way, you can convey the message of Islam.”

Momin Gondal, 14, said that fasting was not obligatory at his age and asked what response could be given to those who asked and questioned him as to why he did not fast.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “Fasting is obligatory for a mature person […] Your age is the age of nourishment; you are growing. So you can tell them that because of this, Allah the Almighty has said that when a person is fully grown, then he should fast [...]”

At this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa conveyed his salaam and the meeting came to a close.

(Report prepared by Al Hakam)

Mulaqat with Huzoor leaves lasting impression on UK Atfal in Manchester

Farhad Ahmad Mohtamim Atfal, MKA UK

Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya UK were honoured once again by having a virtual mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. The mulaqat was held at the Darul Amaan Mosque in Manchester, in which 77 Atfal participated. This was the third of the three blessed opportunities that the Atfal of the UK had within a period of two weeks.

Whereas on the previous two occasions, Atfal from the South and the Midlands of the UK had the opportunity to be a part of the mulaqat, on this occasion, Atfal from

Continued from page 1

blasphemy. Therefore, what a completely comprehensive teaching of God’s unity is ّٰ ُ ۡ َ ۡ َ contained within the words ‫( الحمد لِل ِہ‬All praise belongs to Allah).

This teaching moves one to understand that everything in this world is bound to the servitude of God and does not possess any inherent ability to be of benefit themselves. Further, it clearly and categorically impresses on one’s mind that every benefit and advantage truly

the North of the UK had the privilege of being in the company of their beloved Imamaa.

Whilst some felt nervous, all were excited and felt blessed to be part of this historic moment.

Fawad Hafeez, 14, from Hartlepool Qiadat, said: “Huzoor’s smile stood out the most.

Huzooraa was very open when answering the questions.”

Zeeshan Akbar of Scotland said: “I was a bit nervous whilst reciting tilawat in front of Huzooraa, but was relieved when it was over as I could enjoy

and inherently comes forth from God Almighty, because it is He alone who is worthy of all commendable attributes.

Hence, give precedence to God Almighty over all benefit and advantage; there is no one other than Him who can come to your aid. If God so wills, even your own children can become enemies, and this does actually happen.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 201-202)

the whole mulaqat peacefully. There was a lot of preparation going into this mulaqat and there were a lot of Jamia teachers and Jamia students helping me.”

Muhammad Ibrahim of Yorkshire expressed: “I was counting the days until the mulaqat; this was my first class with Huzooraa.”

Faris Ahmad from the West Midlands region was over the moon when he was given the opportunity to see Huzooraa.

At first, his name was not amongst those who had the opportunity to be part of the mulaqat in Birmingham and though this brought him despair, he was elated when he heard that he was given the opportunity in the mulaqat taking place in Manchester Mosque as some space opened up there!

Harris Jibrael of Manchester West said: “The mulaqat was very fascinating and educational. It was a once in a lifetime thing.”

Nasir Ahmad of Scotland said: “When I found out I was selected for nazm, I would practice a lot for the nazm, I would practice every day after school.”

When organising the mulaqat, once again the health and safety of the attendees was tantamount and so everyone was tested and all government guidelines were strictly followed in line with the instructions of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa.

The blessings of mulaqats are certainly not restricted to the 270 Atfal who attended the three mulaqats; rather, the precious gems of guidance Huzooraa granted the Atfal and the time Huzooraa spent with the Atfal where Huzooraa spoke to them and did their tarbiyat directly, we hope to try and make sure those gems become a guide for all the Atfal across the UK and we all follow Huzoor’s guidance.

May Allah enable the Atfal to become true devotees of Khilafat and may we value and cherish the guidance of Huzooraa and implement it so the guidance of Huzooraa becomes a daily part of the life of Atfal and Khuddam. Amin.

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AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021

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

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

Can one recite the Holy Quran on a mobile device during menstruation?; Why does the Holy Quran refer to some people who are not prophets as “the chosen ones”?

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa was asked: 1. about the issue of ladies reciting the Holy Quran on mobile devices during menstruation 2. why the Holy Quran had used the َ َ ْ word ‫اک‬ ِ ‫[ اصطف‬He has chosen you] for Hazrat Maryam since she was a woman and not a prophet?

Huzooraa, in a letter dated 14 January 2020, gave the following reply: 1. “A woman may repeat the previously memorised portions of the Holy Quran by way of zikr [i.e. remembrance and reflection] in her heart during menstruation. Moreover, she may also read out a portion of it in order to teach it to children. However, she may not recite it in the regular manner.

“Likewise, a woman is not allowed to recite the Holy Quran in the regular manner during menstruation using computers or mobile devices even though she would not be physically holding the Holy Quran.

However, she can read the Holy Quran on such devices, for instance, to search for a reference or to provide someone with a reference. There is no issue with that.” َ َ ْ 2. “As far as the usage of the word ‫اک‬ ِ ‫اصطف‬ [I have chosen you] by the Holy Quran for Hazrat Maryam is concerned, the Holy Quran and the ahadith show that this word has not only been used for prophets but also for other people ‘chosen’ to carry out any extraordinary or important task. Hence, the word is used in the Holy Quran by Hazrat Abrahamas and Hazrat Jacobas to tell their children that Allah the Exalted had ‘chosen’ an extraordinary religion for them. It reads: ُ ۡ َ َّ َ ُ َ َ َ ّ ُ ُ َ ٰ َ ۡ َ ّ ٰ َّ َّ َ ٰ ‫الدیۡ َن فلا ت ُم ۡوت ّن اِلا َو انت ۡم‬ ِ ‫یب ِنی اِن اللہ اصطفی لکم‬ ُ ‫ّم ۡسلِ ُم ۡو َن‬ ‘O my sons, truly Allah has chosen this religion for you; so let not death overtake you except when you are in a state of submission.’

(Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.133) “Furthermore, the Holy Quran has used this word while describing the superiority of the progeny of Abraham [Aal-e-Ibrahim] and the progeny of Imran [Aal-e-Imran] over the peoples of that era. It states: ٰ ٰۤ َ ۡ َ ّٰ َّ َ َٰ ََٰ ُ ‫اصطفی ا َد َم َو ن ۡو ًحا ّو ال اِبۡ ٰر ِہ ۡی َم َو ال ِع ۡم ٰر َن َعلی‬ ‫اِن اللہ‬ َۡ َ ٰ ۡ ‫العل ِمین‬ ‘Allah did choose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of

Imran above all peoples.’ (Surah Al-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.34) “Similarly, it is mentioned in ahadith that the Holy Prophetsa was asked as to which zikr was most liked by Allah the Exalted. He replied: ُ َ َ ْ َ َ َ‫ان َربّی َوبحَ ْمدہ ُس ْبح‬ َ َ‫اللہ ل َِملَائ َكتہ ُس ْبح‬ ُ ‫اہ‬ ‫ان َربِّی‬ ‫ما اصطف‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ​ِ ِ ِ َ َ ْ ‫و ِبحم ِد ِہ‬ ‘The zikr “preferred’ by Allah for his angels is “Subhana Rabbi wa bi-hamdihi, subhana Rabbi wa bi-hamdihi” [Holy is my Lord and to Him belongs all praise. Holy is my Lord and to Him belongs all praise]’ (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Da‘waat) َ ْ “Thus, the word ‫اص ِطفاء‬ means to choose, to prefer and to select. That is to say, to bring someone closer because of their most excellent qualities or to accord them a station in one’s vicinity on account of their good deeds.

“Although Hazrat Maryam was not a prophet of God, Allah the Exalted had endowed her with such excellent qualities that upon seeing these very qualities, Hazrat Zakariaas, a prophet of Allah, wished to have children like her. Thus, thanks to the prayer of Hazrat Zakariaas, Allah the Exalted blessed him with a son in the form of Hazrat Yahyaas who was also a prophet.

“Owing to the Israelites’ constant disobedience to God’s prophets, and their mockery and denial of them, Allah the Exalted granted Hazrat Maryam a son in the personage of Hazrat Jesusas who was a prophet but none of the men from among the Children of Israel had any part in the birth of that son. Following that, the great blessing of prophethood was taken away from the Children of Israel forever.

“Thus, it is due to her extraordinary qualities, that Allah the Exalted used the َ َ ْ word ‫اک‬ ِ ‫[ اصطف‬He has chosen you] for Hazrat Maryam in the Holy Quran.”

Status of those who died during the Battle of the Camel; A woman’s testimony; The testimony and inheritance of a hermaphrodite Huzooraa was asked: 1. about the status of those who died during the Battle of the Camel 2. about the status of ahadith reported

by Hazrat Aishara, assuming that a woman’s testimony was worth half 3. about the testimony and inheritance of hermaphrodites.

Huzooraa, in a letter dated 14 January 2020, gave the following reply: 1. “The truth of the Battle of the Camel is that the culprits behind this entire episode were the same seditious

insurrectionists who had occupied Medina after killing Hazrat Uthmanra. This war was also provoked by those miscreants by creating a misunderstanding between the two Muslim groups and by instigating many mischievous acts themselves. There are shrouds of centuries obscuring the historical events of that era from our modern-day view. Numerous ambiguous aspects and narrations also pose a barrier. Moreover, many confusions have also been created deliberately.

“However, the eternal truth is that which the Holy Quran has proclaimed. That is that Allah the Exalted the enviable words of ُ َ ّٰ used ُ َ ُ َ ‫[ ّر ِض َی الل ُہ ع ۡنہ ۡم َو َرض ۡوا ع ۡنہ‬Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him] for the Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa and for ‘those who followed them in the best possible manner’. Those who came after them are described as invoking the following prayer for them: َّ ۡ َ ُ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ ‫َربّ َنا اغفِ ۡر ل َنا َول ِ ِاخ ٰونِ َنا ال ً ِذیۡ َن َ َس َبق ٰۡونا بِال ِایۡ ٰم ِن َولا ت ۡج َعل ِف ۡی‬ ُۡ َ َ ۡ ّ ّ ّ َ ۡ ُ ُ ‫قلوبِنا ِغلا ل ِل ِذین امنوا‬ ‘Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in the faith, and leave not in our hearts any rancour against those who

believe.’

“Thus, considering the evidence at hand, we can say with certainty that the victims of the evil and deception of the hypocrites, who were martyred on both sides during this war, were certainly innocent people over whom we have no authority to be the judge or to issue a fatwa on their status.”

2. “The assumption that a woman’s testimony is worth half is incorrect. In the case that it becomes necessary to include a woman’s testimony on matters that women usually do not deal with in their day-to-day lives, the Holy Quran guides that another woman should also be present with the female witness.

(Since the matter would not be related to women,) if the female witness forgets anything for some reason, the other woman may remind her.

Otherwise, the testimony of only that one woman will be considered complete.

“Moreover, in matters particularly relating to women, the Holy Prophetsa would even decide entire cases based on the testimony of a single woman. Hence, it is narrated in Sahih Bukhari that Hazrat Aqabara bin Harith married a lady. Later on, some woman of ordinary standing came and said that she had breastfed both the spouses. The Holy Prophetsa separated the couple, despite the husband denying being breastfed by that woman.”

3. “As far as the hermaphrodites’ share of inheritance is concerned, they will get a share according to the gender that is more pronounced in them. If masculinity is predominant, then the male share of the inheritance will be given and if femininity is predominant, then they will be assumed female and the share of inheritance will be given accordingly. However, if both genders are manifested equally, then, according to the opinion of Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifara, Continued on next page >>

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Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM << Continued on previous page

the smaller of the two shares will be given to such a person.”

Significance of the number 40 Huzooraa was asked whether the number 40 had any special significance in the world of religion.

In a letter dated 14 January 2020, Huzooraa gave the following reply: “The study of the Holy Quran and ahadith reveals that there is a special relationship between the number 40 and physical maturity as well as spiritual perfection. Hence, the Holy Quran, while mentioning human birth states: ً ۡ َ َ َ ٗ َّ ُ َ َ َ َ ‫اِذا بَلغ اشدہ َو بَلغ ا ۡرب َ ِعی َن َس َنۃ‬ ‘When he attains his full maturity and reaches (the age of) forty years[...]’

“The Holy Quran states regarding Hazrat Mosessa: ۤ ُ َ َ​َ​َ ۡ ٰ َۡ َ ً َ َ ۡ ٰ َ َۡ َ ٰ ‫َو وعدنا ُم ۡو ٰسی ثل ِثی َن ل ۡیلۃ ّو ات َم ۡمن ً َہا بِ َعش ٍر فت ّم ِم ۡیقات َربِّ ٖہ‬ َ َۡ َ ۡ َ َۡ ‫ارب ِعین لیلۃ‬ ‘And We made Moses a promise of 30 nights and supplemented them with 10.

Thus the period appointed by his Lord was completed – 40 nights.’

“Our Lord and Master, the Holiest of all the Prophets, Muhammad, the Chosen One, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was elevated to the station of prophethood at the age of 40.

“It is narrated in ahadith that the Holy Prophetsa said that a human being stays in his mother’s womb for 40 days in the form of a sperm [nutfah], for 40 days in the form of a clot [alaqah] and for 40 days in the form of a shapeless lump [mudhghah]. Then, Allah the Exalted sends an angel to breathe the soul into him.

“Similarly, the Holy Prophetsa said that a person who prays in congregation for 40 days being present in time for the first takbir-e-tehrimah will be acquitted of the Fire and hypocrisy.

“The Promised Messiahas performed a chilla in Hoshiarpur for 40 days and Allah the Exalted blessed him with the grand prophecy of the Promised Son to manifest the honour of Islam and the truthfulness and greatness of the Holy Prophetsa.

“Similarly, the Promised Messiahas has said that whoever would stay with him for 40 days would surely see some of the signs of Allah the Exalted.

“Then, the age of 40 is called the age of maturity. That is why the men of the Jamaat enter the organisation of Ansarullah at the age of 40.

“Thus, these examples prove that in worldly terms, the number 40 stands for maturity and it is used to indicate perfection in the spiritual world.”

Who are Gog and Magog [Ya‘juj wa Ma‘juj]?; Did the Holy Prophetsa ever see the Promised Messiahas in a dream?

Huzooraa was asked: 1. who Gog and Magog were 2. whether the Holy Prophetsa ever saw the Promised Messiahas in a dream.

Huzooraa, in a letter dated 14 January 2020, gave the following reply: 1. “Dajjal [the Antichrist], Gog and Magog are specially mentioned among the afflictions and tribulations that Islam was to endure in the Latter Days. Indeed, all of them are various manifestations of the same

trial. Dajjal is the name of the religious aspect of that trial, which means that that group will corrupt the religious beliefs and views of people in the Latter Days.

“The group that would destabilise the state of political affairs and destroy the political peace and order has been referred to as Gog and Magog. What is meant by both of these groups is the worldly power and the religious facet of the Western Christian nations.

“However, Allah the Exalted also informed us through His beloved Prophetsa that when the trials of Dajjal and Gog and Magog would arise and Islam would have weakened, He would appoint the Promised Messiah to safeguard Islam. Muslims would not enjoy material power at that time but the Jamaat of the Promised Messiahas would relentlessly work with prayers and preaching, thanks to which Allah the Exalted Himself will destroy those evils.”

2. “The answer to your second question as to whether the Holy Prophetsa ever saw the Promised Messiahas in a dream is found in ahadith where it is stated that the Holy Prophetsa did indeed see the Promised Messiahas in a dream. Hence, the following hadith is narrated in Sahih Bukhari that the Holy Prophetsa said: ‘Last night, I saw a dream near the Ka‘bah. I saw a man of brownish complexion, better than the best of men you may have seen with a brownish complexion and his straight hair came down up to his shoulders.

Water was dripping from his head and he was performing tawaf [circumambulating] around the House of Allah while placing his hands on the shoulders of two men.

‘I asked, “Who is this?” People replied, “This is Jesus, son of Mary.” Behind him, I saw another person who had very curly hair and was blind in the right eye, strongly resembling Ibn Qatan (a disbeliever) in appearance. He was going around the Ka‘bah while placing his hands on the shoulders of a person. I asked, “Who is this?” People replied, “Al-Masih ad-Dajjal” [the Antichrist].’

“Likewise, in another narration of Sahih Bukhari, the Holy Prophetsa said: ‘(During the night of mi‘raj) I saw Jesus, Moses and Abraham (peace be upon them).

Jesus (peace be upon him) was of a red complexion and had curly hair and a broad chest. Moses (peace be upon him) was of a brownish complexion and a heavy figure.

He had straight hair. He looked as if he was from the tribe of Al-Zutt.’

“Thus, the statements regarding the two different physical appearances of Jesusas mentioned in these two narrations prove that the Holy Prophetsa saw Hazrat Jesussa, the Messiah of the Mosaic Dispensation, who was among the prophets Mosesas and Abrahamas who have passed away.

“They also confirm that he saw his spiritual son and most ardent devotee, the Promised Messiahas, who was to be appointed during the era of the Dajjal to confront him and to defend Islam. He saw him performing a tawaf of the Ka‘bah.”

Preaching to people who are not genuine in their search A virtual mulaqat of the female students and new-converts of the Netherlands with Huzooraa was held on 23 August 2020.

During the mulaqat, a new convert said that

The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah, and whoever obeys the amir I appoint, obeys me, and whoever disobeys him, disobeys me.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Ahkam)

they had been doing tabligh in an online Kurdish forum and amongst the participants were also some mullahs who had studied in Pakistan. She asked whether or not they should continue to do tabligh on the forum if the participants were not genuine in their search.

While guiding her on the issue, Huzooraa replied: “If they simply want to argue for the sake of arguing, then there is no point in wasting your time. It would be better to approach some suitable people who are better than them and to preach to those who actually listen.

“What is the need to waste your time on someone who is obstinate, who only intends to argue and raise objections upon objections and does not have anything sensible to say? If the person has pure intentions, if he wishes to listen and if he speaks within the limits of moral codes, then that is fine and dialogue can continue.

However, if he says foul things, then let go of such a person and look for other people who can speak in a dignified manner with reasonable arguments; those who present an argument to convey their view and then listen to your argument and those who

analyse the entire discourse in a just manner and then determine as to who is truthful and who is wrong.”

Most helpful advice Huzooraa received from his parents During the same mulaqat of 23 August 2020, a student asked Huzooraa, “What advice of your parents has proven to be most beneficial to you?”

Huzooraa replied, “Never lie!”

Should we boycott big brands for failing to give fair wages to factory workers in the developing world?

During the same mulaqat of 23 August 2020, a student said, “These days, the news has spread on social media that big clothing brands are not paying their poor labourers in places like Bangladesh and Pakistan their due wages due to the coronavirus. Most people say that we should boycott such brands. What is Huzoor’s guidance on this?”

Huzooraa replied: “The fact is that the big [foreign] companies do pay their workers. However, they do not approach their labourers or Continued on page 9

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AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021

100 years of outstanding service: Ahmadis awarded highest civilian award by president of Sierra Leone

Abdul Hadi Qurashi Sierra Leone Correspondent

27 April 1961 was the day when Sierra Leone got independence from the United Kingdom and became a free country. Thus, every year, 27 April is celebrated as the Independence Day of Sierra Leone and events are held by the government across the country.

During these celebrations, the

government of Sierra Leone honours individuals, departments, organisations etc. in recognition of their outstanding services to the nation.

This year, Sierra Leone celebrated its 60th independence anniversary and Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Sierra Leone also completed 100 years of its selfless services in Sierra Leone.

Acknowledging the 100-year services of the Jamaat, the President of Sierra Leone, HE

Rtd Brig Julius Maada Bio conferred Jamaate-Ahmadiyya with the Highest Civil Award, Commander of the Order of the Rokel.

Saeedur Rahman Sahib, Amir and Missionary-in-Charge of Sierra Leone, received this award during a ceremony held at the President House Sierra Leone on 27 April 2021.

A brief introduction of Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Sierra Leone was presented there. Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was the first organisation to establish the first Muslim Primary School in Sierra Leone in the town of Rokupr in 1938. Moreover, in 1960, it established the first Muslim Secondary School in Bo town and made it easy for the Muslims of the country to get contemporary education without any hesitation. During the 100 years, the Ahmadiyya Jamaat has established more than 300 Muslim schools in the country and this is by far the largest number of schools in the country by any Muslim organisation. Ahmadiyya Muslim hospitals and clinics have been providing the people of this country with medical facilities.

With regard to humanitarian efforts, the Jamaat has dug water wells and installed hand pumps in the far remote areas of the country to provide the needy people with pure and drinkable water. During the Civil War, mudslides, floods, Ebola virus and now during the pandemic of Covid-19, the Jamaat has facilitated the poor and needy people of this country with food, clothes, medicine and accommodation; this also includes the care of 50 children who became orphans during the crisis of the Ebola virus.

More than 1,400 mosques in the country are providing people in moral, spiritual and educational training and are creating peace and harmony among localities.

Three Ahmadiyya radio stations in the country are constantly busy in the spiritual and moral training of people.

Since 2005, three presidents of the

country have regularly participated in the Jalsa Salana of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sierra Leone. Moreover, vice presidents, former vice presidents, ministers, ambassadors, paramount chiefs and other high-ranked government officials consider it an honour to attend the events held by the Jamaat, as do other members of the public.

During Jalsa Salana 2019, the President of Sierra Leone HE Rtd Brig Julius Maada Bio called the Amir and Missionary-inCharge Sierra Leone, Saeedur Rahman Sahib, the honorary Ambassador of the Human Capital Development. Then, during Jalsa Salana 2020, the vice president of the country applauded the services of the Jamaat and declared the amir and missionaryin-charge the minister of education in the country.

In 2014, acknowledging the services of the Jamaat in the country, the government of that time awarded the Jamaat with the Presidential Gold Medal Award.

We pray that Allah the Almighty continues to bless Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in Sierra Leone and in the whole world and that He may accept us and our efforts. Amin.

Leaving e‘tikaf and attending a court case Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra writes that Maulvi Sher Ali Sahibra said, “Once during the time of the Promised Messiahas, Hakim Fazluddin Sahib Bhervi was observing e‘tikaf.

During those days, he had to leave e‘tikaf to attend a court case. As he was about to break his e‘tikaf and leave for the court at around Asr time, the Promised Messiahas smiled and said, ‘If you were to leave for a court case, then what was the need to observe e‘tikaf in the first place?’” (Sirat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, p. 97)

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Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM

This Week in History 7 - 13 May 9 May 1935: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra stayed in Sindh for a period of 10 days to survey lands there. This was his first journey to Sindh during his Khilafat.

Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, who was serving as nazir talim-otarbiyat, Hazrat Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sayalra, who was nazir-eala at that time, Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Mughni Khanra, then nazir bait-ul-mal, Hazrat Dr Hashmatullah Khanra and Sheikh Yusuf Ali Sahib, who was serving as the private secretary, accompanied him on this journey. Hazrat Mirza Muhammad Ashrafra, then nazim jaidad, had already reached Sindh before.

7 May 1933: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra stepped down from the presidency of the Kashmir Committee.

Under the leadership of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, the centuries-old deprivation of Kashmiri people had started to decrease and, consequently, conspiracies had also begun. The Civil and Military Gazette, published news on 4 May 1933 that some members of the Kashmir Committee had requested that in the future, the president of the committee should be a “non-Qadiani”.

Moreover, some specific members said that there should be new elections for the administration of the committee.

However, the members of the committee themselves had confessed before Hazrat Mulseh-e-Maudra, that it was a temporary committee and it was not necessary to hold permanent annual elections. Then, on 7 May, Huzoorra called a session of the committee and read his written statement in which he presented his resignation and thanked the cooperation of the members. The meeting was convened at Cecil Hotel, Lahore. The committee expressed its regret and accepted the resignation.

After that, the condition of the Kashmiri people began to deteriorate day by day. Many prominent people started to request Huzoorra to help them.

7 May 1955: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra arrived at Beirut, Lebanon, and went to visit the ancient remains of the Baalbek.

Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmad Bajwa Sahib and Taufiq Muhammad Sahib had the privilege to sit in the car with Huzoorra.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra also talked about some matters about the Jamaat’s progress in Lebanon.

Later, after the Maghrib azan had been called, Huzoorra led the Maghrib and Isha prayers. Then, some new members met with Huzoorra. A tabligh contact, who was a Christian, had the opportunity to meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masihra. After this meeting, he told a member of the Jamaat: ْ َّ َ َ َ َ ْ ْ ْ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ‫ﺺ‬ ِ ‫والل ِہ لق ِد انشرح قل ِبی ِمن ِزیار ِۃ ہذا الشﺨ‬ “By God, meeting with this person has

11 May 1937: Pir Meher Ali Shah died on this day at the age of 78 in Golra, British India (presentday Pakistan). He was known as a Hanafi scholar leading the antiAhmadiyya movement. He wrote several books, most notably, Saife-Chishtiyai (The Sword of the Chishti Order), which is claimed to be a polemical work criticising the Ahmadiyya Movement. But his encounters with the Jamaat and a critical study of his works are enough to prove the truth.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra at the Baalbek Temple Complex, Lebanon

opened my heart.”

8 May 1955: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra departed from Beirut on an aeroplane. Upon reaching the airport, the driver quickly opened Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’sra door. Huzoorra had only stepped out of the car when the driver, not seeing that Huzoor’sra finger was still in the door, hurriedly and carelessly closed the door.

A medical checkup was carried out in a hospital situated in Zurich on 10 May. Huzoorra met a homeopath specialist, Dr Gizel, in Zurich on 12 May.

11 May 1948: Ahmadi Missionary Rashid Ahmad Chughtai Sahib had a meeting with the king of Jordan. During the meeting, he conveyed the wellwishes and message of Hazrat Musleh-

Though the wound was not too deep, Dr Mirza Munawar Ahmad Sahib wrapped a bandage around the wound. Although the driver was not an Ahmadi, he was ashamed that this incident occurred solely due to his negligence. Later, when Huzoorra was sitting in the airport, the driver asked to meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masiha, and upon his permission, kissed Huzoor’sra injured hand to express his apology.

Passing over Athens and Rome, Huzoorra reached Geneva. He then left for Zurich and reached there on 9 May.

Rashid Ahmad Chughtai Sahib with members of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Damascus

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AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021

Short reminders about Lailatul-Qadr

y

Usama Mubarak Student Jamia Ahmadiyya UK

e-Maudra, to which the king replied positively.

Rashid Ahmad Chughtai Sahib was born on 27 July 1919 in Shahpura, Gurdaspur, to Baba Noor Ahmad Chughtai Sahib.

He studied in Madrassa Ahmadiyya and later went on to pass and complete the maulvi fazil course and became a missionary for the Jamaat. In October 1946, he was appointed as a missionary in the Arabian Peninsula. After serving in Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon for six years, he came to Pakistan and continued to serve in various capacities. Rashid Ahmad Chughtai Sahib passed away on 30 January 2003 at the age of 84 in Rabwah.

12 May 1932: With great effort, members of the Jamaat collected 175,000 rupees to pay off loans because in previous fiscal years, some extra money had been borrowed to run the everyday businesses of the Anjuman.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was very much pleased with the generosity and obedience of members of the Jamaat.

12 May 1954: Hazrat Musleh-eMaud’sra legal statement was recorded at Lalian court in connection with the assassination attempt made on him.

On 12 May, the statements of 12 people were recorded, including that of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

On 25 May, the additional district magistrate gave a verdict and the attacker was sentenced to a five-year imprisonment.

The magistrate also made some irrelevant remarks in his judgment, which were later deleted on the order of the High Court.

13 May 1933: On this day, Hazrat Syeda Sara Begum passed away after giving birth to a child. She was the third wife of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

In her loving memory, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra wrote a eulogy titled Meri Sara (My Sara).

With less than a week left of Ramadan, we still have time to try and attain LailatulQadr – the Night of Destiny – which is better than a thousand months.

Here are some aspects to keep in mind.

When does one seek it?

The Holy Prophetsa said: “Look for Lailatul-Qadr on the oddnumbered nights during the last 10 nights of Ramadan.” (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Fazlu Lailatil-Qadr) Therefore, it may fall on the 21st, 23rd, th 25 , 27th or 29th of Ramadan.

Significance The Holy Prophetsa said: “Whoever stands for the prayers in Lailatul-Qadr [the Night of Destiny] out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, all their previous sins will be forgiven.” (Ibid) A misconception Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa narrated an incident of the Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa to shed some light on a matter that some people still misconstrue today: “It is mentioned in one narration that Zir bin Hubaish asked Hazrat Ubayyra Bin Kaab, ‘Your brother, Ibn-e-Mas‘ud[ra], says that if a person worships and prays for the entire year, he will attain the Night of Decree.’ He responded, ‘May God have mercy on him. He was simply stating this to make people realise not to put all of their hopes and attention on this one night. He knows very well that the actual Night of Decree takes place in the last 10 days of Ramadan.’”

Huzooraa explained: “The Companionsra [of the Holy Prophetsa] knew very well that only the supplications of the last 10 days of Ramadan are not what enable one to experience the Night of Decree.” (Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, Friday Sermon, 27 August 2010)

Continued from page 6

workers directly for this. There are people in such [developing] countries who make contracts with them and then outsource the work. So, the big companies give them contracts and then they hire local labourers to carry out the work.

“If they do not pay fair wages to their workers, then they are the ones who are exploiting them. The fault lies with their own countrymen, not so much with the [foreign] companies. It has generally been observed that these companies do pay their workers with the rare exception of some who may not do so. These big businesses

What to pray during Lailatul-Qadr Hazrat Aishara asked the Holy Prophetsa what to say if one were to experience LailatulQadr. The Holy Prophetra responded by saying following prayer should be recited: ّ ُ ْ َ ْ َ ُّ ُ ٌّ ُ َ َ َّ َّ ُ ّ ٰ ‫العف َو فاعف ع ِ� ْي‬ ‫ا���م ِإنک عفو ت ِحب‬ Translation: “O Allah, You are the Most Forgiving, You love forgiveness, so forgive me.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Dua) The Holy Prophetsa also read the following prayer in great abundance: َ ّٰ َّ َ ‫ا�� ُ� َّم أ ِج ْر�ِي ِمن‬ ‫النا ِر‬ Translation: “O Allah, protect me from the hell-fire” (Sunan Ibn Dawud, Kitab alAdab) The true effects of Lailatul-Qadr Talking about the significance and effect of Lailatul-Qadr, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “If one believes to have experienced are only able to operate because they do fair business and they pay the agreed wages in an honest manner.

“It is a separate issue that the wages they pay are little. It is also a separate issue that they outsource the work to countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, or any other third world countries for that matter, for the sole purpose that they will be able to get more work done for less pay.

“However, whatever wages are agreed upon, they do pay them. The sub-contractors who delegate the contract over to others who then get work done from other labourers, are the ones who are actually cheating the

Lailatul-Qadr – the worship of which night is better than the worship of 1,000 months – and that they do not need any more worship, then they are false. The pleasure of Allah’s love enhances a believer [in rank] as a servant of God Almighty and as being obedient to His commandments, more than before. So when such a level is attained, the beneficence of Allah begins to shower [upon him]. Then Allah states ‘I will listen to your prayers [as] you have endeavoured, stepped forward and strived to gain My nearness; you have fulfilled and taken care of your pledge; now, if you continue to do so, then I will also continue to bless you.’ (Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, Friday Sermon, 27 August 2010) The wisdom behind Lailatul-Qadr is beyond our comprehension. Had this day been attributed to a prescribed date, we may have taken the blessings of seeking it, for granted.

workers.

“So, what benefit would there be of boycotting such businesses? The labourers will lose whatever little incoming they are getting. Whether it is Bangladesh or any other country where such malpractices are going on, they all have their respective justice systems or [labour] laws. They should ensure that their labourers are looked after well and that the contractors are giving the workers what is rightfully due to them.”

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu)

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Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Jubilation on the arri of a missionary of Isla Ghana Al Fazl, 5 May 1921

Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra

Salt pond from Sierra Leone After departing in the evening of 21 February [1921], the ship “Bruto” reached Salt Pond on 28 February at 4:30 pm. About halfway along the way, Bruto anchored in the waters of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.

Liberia is a democratic state of freed African American slaves. I wanted to disembark there and convey the message of truth to the president and the members of the democratic state, but the captain said that there was no time, so I could not go ashore.

After Monrovia, the ship stopped at port Skandi for about two and a half days. The Muslim leaders came on board to meet us.

I carried out tabligh to them and informed them about the arrival of the Promised Messiahas. I also advised them to adorn themselves with the gems of education and to recognise the age [of the Messiah].

They wanted me to stay with them but the circumstances did not allow [me to do so].

As I was in first class on board the ship, I had the good opportunity to carry out tabligh to the first-class passengers.

Moreover, the young officers of the ship and the old captain remained under tabligh throughout the journey. A young English Cambridge graduate also left with a positive impact. Brother Ahmad Bowen not only converted to Islam himself but also carried out tabligh to other young intelligent officers of the ship and spent his time in observing Salat and learning the commandments of Islam, alhamdulillah.

Goodbye to Bruto I said goodbye to Bruto at five o’clock in the evening and boarded the boat which came for me from the shore.

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, I was not a stranger when I got off the ship. The second officer, the newly converted Muslim, Respected Lieutenant Bowen’s lovely face had a special distinction among the officers waving handkerchiefs in a row. This young man kept running from one deck to another to see me until the last moment. He took a few bai‘at forms from me so that he could get other people to sign them after tabligh.

May Allah bless his good intentions and increase his age.

Captain Nelson came for the farewell salaam and waved the handkerchief from

the top deck. The respect and treatment shown to me on the ship by the captain and the officers of the ship was fresh in my heart when I landed at Salt Pond and also motivated me to pray.

May Allah the Almighty enlighten these noble Englishmen with the light of Islam.

Amin.

Host and commissioner of the police The news of my arrival was not fully circulated in the town, but Mr Pedro, my host, was present on the shore. The waves were as high as a mountain near the seashore and I was scared to see them. Finally, I landed safely on the shore and met the host and said, “Alhamdulillah.”

Among those who said salaam to me on the shore was the superintendent of police and he also conveyed the greetings of the commissioner of police to me and said, “He is waiting for you in the nearby office.”

When I went there, the young British officer was waiting very respectfully. After exchanging salaam, I handed over my papers, passport, letter of Sahibzada Aftab Ahmad Sahib, report of the London Times

and my card to him. Moreover, I explained the attributes of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and the purpose of my mission, i.e. defence and promulgation of Islam. An exchange of discourse began with the commissioner and I had the opportunity to carry out tabligh, alhamdulillah.

Salt Pond This town is the hub of the Central District of the Gold Coast [later known as Ghana].

Its population is only 2,700. The original inhabitants are all Christians. The Muslims [present in this region] are from Lagos and Kano. Among the Nigerian Muslims of Lagos, there are two or three young Ahmadis as well. There are two mosques of Muslims. The town has three Christian missions: Catholic, Wesleyan and Zion. The churches and schools of the first two sects are separate. The handful of members of the third sect carry out church proceedings in a house. The whole area is full of Christians.

The Muslims are in small numbers.

Water from the well is not available here, but there are ponds. The milk, butter, sugar, bread, rice, all food items and articles

of clothing come from abroad. The centre of trade is located in the district. Palm oil and the hide of monkey and rock hyrax are exported to foreign countries from here. The horses or animals used for transportation are not seen anywhere. Only small goats are found [in this area].

Costs are higher here than in London.

There is no place for recreation. There is a great opportunity to worship Allah and spend time intoxicated in the pure wine of faith. It is necessary to take quinine and laxatives here.

The chief of Fante The original inhabitants of this region are called Fante. Around 3,000 of them are Muslims and they live in the nearby areas of Salt Pond. They have a grudge against Hausa people. [They consider] Hausa people to be mischievous. The name of the chief of Fante is Mahdi. He started tabligh of Islam 28 years ago. He has grown old now. He wished to revive Islam in his nation and to invite a missionary so he got the postal address from a Syrian of the Cape Coast and wrote a letter to Mufti Sahib at the London mission and

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AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021

ival am in

Ahmadi women hold 17 interfaith symposia across Canada Syed Mukarram Nazeer, Canada Correspondent

also sent him money. I have not met him yet, but two of his leaders and a coordinator have come to confirm my arrival. The chief himself is also going to pay [me] a visit in a few days. It is no wonder that Allah the Almighty may enter the chief Mahdi into the Jamaat of Imam Mahdi. Anyway, he is being awaited.

Hausa and Yoruba Hausa and Yoruba are two Nigerian nations which are part of Islam. The Hausa are of mixed Arab race. The Yoruba are native Africans. The girls of the Hausa people here are singing Arabian desert songs at the moment. One of the girls recites one verse and all the rest sing the second verse together. These people set up fires for light in the morning and evening and children recite the Holy Quran in the light of fire.

The Hausa people are ancient style Muslims.

They consider any modern change to be an innovation. They are completely deprived of education. The Shah Hijaz’s sermon is read out in their mosques. The Yoruba people are civilised and carry out trade. One of their delegations came to meet me. Below is one of the remarks from the answer given in response to my short speech by the amir of the delegation: “Until today, people used to laugh at us that white people are not Muslims. All praise belongs to Allah that now, a white man has come here as a missionary of Islam.”

Prayers needed Dear friends! I – a weak, most distant from the traveller missionaries, living in an unhealthy atmosphere and feeling lonely among the uncivilised people – request you to pray. The beauty of God’s Messiahas witnessed in a divine vision brought comfort to me and the satisfaction that comes from faith is like a shield for me. Dear ones!

Goodbye. Please pray, pray and pray.

My postal address All the friends should write letters to me and share the news of the Jamaat. Moreover, inform me about the news of India because I am far away from the newspaper world. My current address is as follows: C/o Post Master, Salt Pond, Gold Coast, West Africa.

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 5 May 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

In March and April 2021, Lajna Imaillah Canada held 17 “Annual Regional Interfaith Symposia” across the country, reports Lajna Imaillah Canada.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions on in-person gatherings, 16 regional interfaith symposia were held virtually. Alhamdulillah, one region was able to hold their interfaith symposium inperson while observing social distancing guidelines.

Topics presented included “Women’s rights”, “Justice in an unjust world” and “Does a creator exist?” There were also

topics related to Covid-19, including “Responsibilities of the faithful during and after the pandemic” and “Maintaining spirituality in isolation”.

Lajna members took advantage of the online platform to include new features which were different from traditional symposia. For example, interactive aspects were included such as virtual mosque tours, Holy Quran exhibitions, introduction to The Review of Religions and kahoot quizzes.

Lajna Imaillah Canada’s social media department promoted the events by using the hashtags #AhmadiyyaWomenInterfaith and #InternationalWomensDay. Each event showcased video clips of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, delivered in

the past, that addressed the topics of these symposia.

A number of distinguished guests, including ministers, members of parliament, mayors, councillors, police officers, professors and doctors, attended the event.

67 speakers presented the teachings of their respective faiths with reference to different topics. Islam Ahmadiyyat was represented by 17 speakers, while 10 other faiths were represented by 50 speakers.

With the grace of Allah the Exalted, 4,850 Lajna and Nasirat members attended the symposia. Another 1,313 guests attended the events, bringing the total attendance to 6,163.

Talking during e‘tikaf Question: While performing e‘tikaf, can one speak regarding worldly matters such as their business and trade?

Answer by the Promised Messiahas: If it is highly essential, then one may do so. One is also permitted to go outside to visit the sick or to use the toilet. (Badr, 21 February 1907, p. 5)

12

Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM suffice for them. Since everyone had the same spirit, none of them would consider it improper; rather, they appreciated simplicity.

A companion wanted to marry a woman. The Holy Prophetsa asked him if he had anything to give her as dowry. He replied that he possessed only a cloth which he wore on the lower part of the body. The Holy Prophetsa replied as to how would he cover himself if he gave that cloth in dowry and asked him to find something else. If nothing else, only an iron ring would do.

Finally, the Holy Prophetsa asked him to teach her some surahs of the Holy Quran as dowry and solemnised their marriage.

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Faza‘il-ul-Quran, Bab Al- Qir‘atu an Zuhril-Qalb) Hazrat Abu Bakr’sra simplicity Hazrat Abu Bakrra was an affluent and rich man and possessed a high standing in the Muslim society. Besides ancestry nobility and honour, he was the apple of the eye of all the Muslims because of his piety and devotion to Islam. But he led a very simple life; he wore a plain dress and ate simple food. (Tabaqat Ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p. 139)

The exemplary young Companions:

Tough training of Muslim warriors

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

All the Companions , including those who were bestowed riches, always observed simplicity in their meals and clothing. ra

Simplicity despite affluence Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf was a very rich man. After his death, his inheritors had his gold bricks cut with axes to distribute them and the hands of those who cut the gold were badly blistered. Each of his wives, getting one-eighth share, received eighty thousand dinars in cash. Thousands of camels and goats were also included.

Nevertheless, he transcended formalities in food and drink. Though he was liberal in entertaining guests, he did so without any ostentation. Tears would roll down his eyes when he recalled the poverty of the Muslims in the early days of Islam. (Al-Isabah, Vol. 4, p. 290; Usdul-Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 375) Simple diet Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah enjoyed a high and exalted station, but led a simple and plain lifestyle.

Once, some Companionsra visited him at home. At the time, he was eating bread with vinegar. He came out along with his meal and sat down with them. He offered them to partake of his meal and said, “When a person is visited by his friends, he should offer them to eat whatever he has available to him. And the guests as well should not ra

look down on anything and partake of whatever is available as formality ruins both parties” (i.e. the host and guest). (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 3, p. 371) Olive oil considered a dish in its own right In this regard, an account of Hazrat Umarra is worth mentioning.

Once when he visited his daughter, Hazrat Hafsahra, she offered him curry with olive oil on it. He remarked, ‘Two courses in one meal! By God, I will never partake of it.’

One should remember that in Arabia, olive oil too was used as a curry with bread.

(Usdul-Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 654) Revolutionary change after Islam Hazrat Mus‘abra bin Umair was a very handsome young man. His parents were rich. Thus, he was brought up in worldly comforts. He was given to wearing very expensive clothes and perfumes. The Holy Prophetsa would say that no one in Mecca was more handsome, well-clad and brought up in more worldly comforts than Mus‘ab.

This was only before Islam. After accepting Islam, he was so transformed under the training of the Holy Prophetsa that he ignored all formalities. He was so changed now, that once, when he visited the Holy Prophetsa, he was wearing a muchpatched leather piece that only covered him from navel to knee. To see him, the Holy Prophetsa remarked, “All praise belongs to Allah! Now, the whole world should change itself.”

This was a youngster who, in the whole Mecca, was brought up most comfortably, but the love of God and the Prophetsa had rendered him indifferent to all formalities.

(Tabaqat Ibn Saad, Vol. 1, p. 82) Willingness to offer help in any condition It has been related about Hazrat Salmanra the Persian that he was the governor of Mada‘in. But his lifestyle and dress was very simple. Once, somebody, considering him a labourer, loaded a bundle of grass on his head. An acquaintance of his told him that he was their amir and a companion of the Holy Prophetsa. At this, he became embarrassed and apologised; he hastened to take the bundle down from his head. But Hazrat Salmanra refused and said that he would unload it at his house only. (Tabaqat Ibn Saad, Vol. 4. p. 88) Refusing expensive gifts Like other Companionsra, the lifestyle of Hazrat Abdullahra bin Umar, too, was very simple. Once, somebody gifted him very expensive clothes, but he refused to accept them and said, for fear of arrogance, that he could not wear such clothes. (Tabaqat Ibn Saad, Vol. 4, p. 161) Simple weddings and marriage ceremonies The lifestyle of the Companionsra was so simple that even on weddings, they maintained simplicity. Somebody who is not rich would not embitter their lives by taking a loan; rather, whatever is available would

One of the things which Hazrat Umarra had declared necessary for the Muslim warriors was that they must not be inclined to lead luxurious lives and that bearing adversities and diligence, they should maintain hard work. Therefore, they were prescribed swimming, horse-riding, marksmanship and walking bare feet. They were also not allowed to mount a horse with the help of stirrups, take baths in proper baths or wear soft clothes. They were also directed not to stop eating in the sun. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Khiraaj) Hazrat Umar’sra simplicity This is a misconception that the Companions’ simple lifestyles was due to their privation.

The fact is they led simple lives because this was what they deduced from the life of the Holy Prophetsa and the Islamic teachings.

For them, this was a necessary part of the Islamic teachings.

Thus, after the conquests of Byzantine and Persian Empires, when riches and abundance prevailed, the Companionsra led extremely simple lifestyles.

Once, the mother of the faithful, Hazrat Hafsahra, said to Hazrat Umarra that as Allah had bestowed upon them riches, he should bring in use fine clothing and food.

In reply, he said, “By God, though we have an abundance [of wealth], but I shall follow in the footsteps of my Master.” Thereafter, for a long while, he talked about the simple lifestyle and privation of the Holy Prophetsa, so much so that Hazrat Hafsahra started crying profusely. (Kanzul-Ummal, Vol. 12, p. 635, Hadith 35,958) Once Hazrat Umarra sat down to dine with Yazeed bin Abi Sufyan. The table was laid with delicious and excellent courses, but Hazrat Umarra refused to eat it and said, “In the name of the Lord, Who has control over my life, if you abandon the way of the Holy Prophetsa, you will be distanced from the straight path.” (Kanzul-Ummal, Vol. 12, p. 621, Hadith 35,921) Hazrat Umarra was a ruler of an empire, Continued on next page >>

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AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021

100 Years Ago...

Jinn exist but have no clandestine effect on humans: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II regarding jinn Al Fazl, 2 May 1921

While responding to a letter from someone, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] recently stated: “I believe in the presence of jinn, but I do not believe that people are possessed by them or that they bring them fruits. As people are not possessed by angels, in the same way, they are also not possessed by jinn; just as angels meet human beings, so do jinn, but [they meet people] as far as their natural entity permits them.

“With regard to the teachings of the Holy Prophetsa, I believe they are for both human beings and the jinn, and believing in him is also necessary for the jinn. It is also incumbent on everyone to act on the revelation that descended upon him.

However, this belief of mine has also led me to believe that people can neither be possessed by them [jinn], nor can they bring any fruits for them..

“The Holy Quran states that it was the duty of those who believed in the Holy Prophetsa to help and support him. If jinn had the power to help or aid human beings

[in such manner], why were Abu Jahl etc. not possessed by them? They [jinn] did not even have to make any sacrifices [to achieve this].

“Some say that jinn bring sweets etc. to people, but I do not believe in such jinn who bring sweets to Zaid [A] and Bakr [B], but for the one [the Holy Prophetsa] whom belief was necessary and obligatory – and a party of jinn even came to profess their faith in him – he would starve for three days in a row and they [jinn] would not even bring him bread.

If it were not necessary for them [jinn] to believe in Muhammadsa, the Messenger of Allah, then this would have put us in doubt, that they can harm mankind, but now we are certain that they cannot do so.

“As far as the matter of women being possessed by jinn is concerned, then these are all diseases, illusions or a result of a scientific phenomenon. For example, phosphorus shines at night and it is often seen in graveyards because phosphorus comes out of the bones and it shines,

<< Continued from previous page

Islamic teachings and their frugality was not due to their privation. (Kanzul-Ummal, Vol. 12, p. 637, Hadith 35,959)

yet he never had clothes in excess of what he needed.

Once, for quite some time, he did not come out of his house while people waited outside. When he was enquired about the delay, he replied that his clothes had become dirty and that he was waiting for them to dry after washing them.

Once somebody complained to him about his simple food and that it was difficult for them to eat it. He replied, “It is a fallacy of yours to think that I am not capable of eating excellent food. I swear, in the name of God Almighty, that had I not had the fear of the Day of Judgement, I too would have taken excellent meals.”

Thus, it is clear that the simple lifestyle was not due to the absence of ability; rather, the senior Companionsra considered it a part of the Islamic teachings. (Kanzul-Ummal, Vol. 12, p. 624, Hadith 35,924) Once Hazrat Umarra sent some companions on an expedition to Iraq.

They were clad in splendid clothes when they returned. Upon seeing their splendid clothes, Hazrat Umarra turned his face from them and refused to talk to them. They realised it and departed to their houses to change their clothes with the plain ones.

Hazrat Umarra welcomed them cordially and hugged each one of them when they returned in plain clothes. This is a proof of the fact that to Hazrat Umarra, plain and simple dress was necessary according to the

Hazrat Uthman’sra simplicity Hazrat Uthmanra was one of the rich people among the Arabs and he could have maintained a princely lifestyle if he had wished to do so. But he never used the items used for elegance, so much so that he even avoided the clothes used by the middle class of the Arabs of that time. (Zurqani, Vol. 2, p. 8) Simple wedding of Hazrat Alira and Hazrat Fatimara At the wedding of Hazrat Fatimara, the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophetsa, with Hazrat Alira, she was given in dowry only a bed, bedding, a sheet of cloth, two mills and a water-skin. And the wedding feast consisted of dates, barley bread, cheese and soup, about which Hazrat Asmara said she had not seen a more lavish wedding feast in that age. (Majma al-Zawa‘id, Vol. 4, p. 50) Today the miserable condition of the Muslims only adds to every well-wisher’s agony. The problem is that the masses have no sense of its remedy and the leaders are disinterested in it.

One of the reasons for the misery of Muslims in this age is their aversion to hard work and addiction to comfortable lifestyles. Redundancy is rampant among Muslims and especially the youngsters, who are opposed to working. They avoid

and people attribute it to jinn. Likewise, the swaying of trees etc. [is also taken as jinn]. Scientific research has now clearly shown that these are the reasons behind it

all and you can understand the rest of the occurrences based on this [explanation].”

any job which they consider below their self-styled dignity. In addition, they have made themselves given to formalities and unnecessary extravagance. Evidently, it becomes hard for a victim of such difficulties to make sacrifices in the cause of faith.

The true picture of civilisation and simplicity in lifestyle of the Companionsra becomes evidently clear from the above accounts. Irrespective of their state of privation, one is bound to realise that they led very simple lives. This modest lifestyle was not affected at all in the time of abundance of means.

In no circumstances at all did they neglect the teachings of their divine teacher.

They exhibited extravagance neither in their meals, nor in their dresses, and they maintained this modesty at weddings as well, so much so that the Holy Prophetsa got his daughter married in such a modest way that no Muslim today, even of the least means, would like to have his daughter married in that way.

One is embarrassed to compare the Muslims’ extravagance at weddings today with the practice of the Holy Prophetsa.

Expenditures on weddings to a limited degree are agreeable for a man of means.

But the dilemma of this age is that a man of limited means is overburdened with debt, which in some cases is not paid off for generations. The grandfather’s mistake makes life miserable even for the grandsons.

The mode of sacrifices in the time of the Holy Prophetsa was altogether different from

that of today. Today, monetary sacrifices are the need of the hour. It is evident that without restricting one’s monthly needs and saving up some money, one cannot make financial sacrifices whatsoever.

For this very reason, in order to strengthen the Jamaat in opposition to its adversaries, the Second Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Movement launched a scheme which especially emphasised adopting simple lifestyles i.e. modest meals and clothes, and he forbade getting clothes in excess of one’s needs.

Similarly, he forbade other unnecessary expenses for women such as lace, ribbon and brocade etc. and other expenditures on pointless – rather, ruinous to character – activities such as cinema, theatre and circus etc.

To follow the above-mentioned guidelines, one may be redeemed in the Hereafter on the one hand, while on the other, it frees one from various social and financial anxieties.

This is an extremely useful and farsighted idea, and if Muslims in general adopt this lifestyle today, they will earn the reward by following in the footsteps of the Holy Prophetsa on the one hand, whereas on the other, they will be freed from other social worries. And by the strength of their economic condition, they will be able to progress as a nation.

(Translated from Urdu by Al Hakam)

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

14

Opinion

Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM

I am an Arab, and here is why I accepted a non-Arab prophet

Reem Shraiky Life Devotee, International Arabic-English Translation & Research Office, UK

When I meet non-Ahmadi Muslims, especially Pakistanis, and they find out that I am an Ahmadi Muslim from the Arab world, immediately, the signs of surprise and shock appear on their faces and sometimes they express their astonishment in words.

I recall especially a Pakistani woman I met at an event organised by Lajna Imaillah UK a couple of years ago. Upon learning that I am an Arab Ahmadi, she was utterly dismayed and started raising all types of outdated allegations against the Promised Messiahas.

My responses were calm, but when she started using abusive language, I firmly told her, “I will not tolerate hearing such offensive language against my beloved one; either speak with respect, or there is no need to discuss anything with me.”

Upon hearing this, she remarked, “He [i.e. the Promised Messiahas] was a Punjabi Indian, therefore he is not for you, the Arabs.”

I questioned her: “The Messengersa of Allah is an Arab, so according to your logic, he is not for you; why do you believe in him?”

She was dumbfounded and withdrew herself by saying “I will continue the discussion with you after the end of the programme”, but she never returned.

Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “Allah knows best where to place His Message.” (Surah al-An‘am, Ch.6: V.125) Allah the Exalted has responded in these few words to this ridiculous objection that “the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi cannot be from the non-Arabs”; Allah says to the proponents of such ideas that He knows best to whom He gives His message and sends as a prophet.

Likewise, Allah the Almighty says, “Verily, the most honourable among you, in the sight of Allah, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, Allah is AllKnowing, All-Aware.” (Surah al-Hujurat, Ch.49: V.14) Moreover, in a well-known hadith, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said, “An Arab possesses no superiority over a nonArab except in righteousness.”

Without a doubt, piety is the criterion of superiority in the eyes of God Almighty.

Moreover, Allah has warned us that if we turn away from religion and go astray, then He will bring other people in our

place: “And if you turn your backs, He will bring in your stead a people other than you, then they will not be like you.” (Surah Muhammad, Ch.47: V.39) Thus, religion is not assigned to a specific class or nationality; no one can remain guardians of it until the Day of Judgment; rather, if they move away from the teachings of the religion and indulge themselves in the pleasures and sins of this world, Allah states that He will replace them and give the banner of His religion to other people

who will preserve it and strive to uphold its status.

I say with full conviction and certainty that I carefully studied the claims of the Promised Messiahas, for a period not even exceeding 10 days, before I announced my desire to pledge allegiance to him.

An idea that crossed my mind during that time was, “If he was an Arab and made the same claim and came with the same evidence, I might have taken more time to pledge allegiance to him as the idea that the

Mahdi must come from Mecca has always disturbed my mind.”

I often thought to myself, “Are the Arabs and the people of Mecca the only ones to know the religion of Islam that the Mahdi will be from among them!” And “If this is the case, then why does the Holy Quran declare that Islam is a universal religion?”

To be honest, I always felt that if the Mahdi came from among the Arabs and spoke Arabic, this would mean that only the Arabs could understand Islam. But I knew that this could never happen as it was completely contrary to the claim of universality made by Islam.

I had, for many years, learned, worked with and observed the Arabs around me, and due to the nature of my profession, I have spent time and interacted with Arabs of all nationalities. When I worked and lived among them, we regularly discussed matters of religion. For many years, I studied the writings of Arab scholars and great thinkers; I listened to many of their speeches. Indeed, none of them could have even a trace of such a profound impact upon my heart as was left by the one who was a man of God, a prophet of Allah, a perfect servant of the Holy Prophetsa, blessed with the Holy Spirit and guided by Allah – Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas.

Since childhood, I had been waiting for the Imam Mahdi and Allah had placed in my heart that he would be a prophet. I often asked myself, “How will he not be a prophet, if God Almighty would reveal to him his mission and send him to reform the ummah?

My dear Muslim brothers and sisters, take off this cloak of arrogance and remember that the infidels of Mecca rejected the Holy Prophetsa for the very same reason and said, “Why has this Quran not been sent to some great man of the two towns?”

(Surah al-Zukhruf, Ch.43: V.32) They desired for the Quran to be revealed to a great man “in their eyes” from Mecca or Ta‘if, but our beloved Prophet Muhammadsa was the greatest in the eyes of God Almighty.

Think and reflect over the hadith which Bukhari narrated about the verse of Surat alJumuah: “And among others from among them who have not yet joined them”, where the Holy Prophetsa was asked about these “others” thrice, then he placed his blessed hand on Salman al-Farisira and said, “If faith were to go up to the Pleiades, a man from among these would surely find it.”

Thus, the Messengersa of Allah, who “does not speak out of his own desire – it is nothing, but pure revelation revealed

by God” (Surah al-Najm, Ch.53: V.4-5) has affirmed that the one who will restore faith to the earth will be a non-Arab man.

So, ponder over what I wrote and think if you are among the thinkers and if you are wondering why India has been made the land of the coming of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdias?

I tell you what the Promised Messiahas himself said in one of his Arabic poems: َ ‫ُجعلت ديار الهند أرض نزولها‬ ُّ َّ ً ‫نصرا بما صارت محل‬ ‫تنص ِر‬ “India has been chosen as the landing place of this message so that [Islam] will gain triumph in the country that has become the land of evangelising Muslims.” (Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Nur-ul-Haq)

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AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021

Responding to Allegations

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

Shedding light on the claim of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas with regard to his knowledge of the Arabic language, this series of articles seeks to answer major allegations raised against the Promised Messiah’sas use of Arabic phrases, his God-given eloquence and his command over the language and the usage of sentences taken from past literature.

“And they shall hasten forth from every height.” (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.97)

Muhammad Tahir Nadeem Central Arabic Desk

ُ ۡ َۡ َ ۡ ‫ل ِ ِمث ِل ٰھذا فل َی ۡع َم ِل ال ٰع ِملوۡ َن‬

The position of the Promised Messiah , that if a few phrases or words of old literature found in someone’s work are considered as plagiarism, then not a single book will be exempted from this allegation, holds completely true because the opponents of Islam have even objected to some identical phrases of the Holy Quran and deemed them plagiarism. Moreover, due to not understanding this point, some Christians accuse the Holy Prophetsa of “plagiarising” these verses of the Holy Quran from the poems of the pre-Islamic era. Below are some examples: Allah the Almighty states: as

ۡ َّ ُ ۡ َ ّٰ َ َ َ ‫الس ِب ۡی ِل َو ِمن َہا َجٓائِ ٌر‬ ‫و علی الل ِہ قصد‬

“And upon Allah rests the showing of the right way and there are ways which deviate from the right course.” (Surah al-Nahl, Ch.16: V.10)

The opponents say that the above verse was “plagiarised” from the following couplet of Imru‘ al-Qais: ‫ومن الطریقۃ جائر و ھدی‬ ‫قصد السبیل و منہ ذو دخل‬ “Among the very many ways, one way is that of oppression and the other is of guidance. There is also a way of moderation and yet another way is that of violence.”

َّ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ ۡ َ َ َ ِ‫ال کالفخار‬ ٍ ‫خلق الاِنسان ِمن صلص‬

“He created man from dry ringing clay which is like baked pottery.” (Surah al-Rahman, Ch.55: V.15)

Umayyah bin Abi as-Salt said: ‫کیف الجحود و انما خلق الفتی‬ ‫من طین صلصال لہ فخار‬ “How can a stubborn denial be possible when man is created from ringing clay? For which there is also the sound of ringing.”

(Diwan Umayyah bin as-Salt, Dar Sadir, Beirut [1998], p. 82)

Allah the Almighty says:

َ ‫َم ۡن ّیُ ۡحی ال ۡ ِع َظ‬ ‫ام َو ِھ َی َر ِم ۡی ٌم‬ ِ

“And falsehood could neither originate any good, nor reproduce it.” (Surah Saba, Ch.34:

“Who can quicken the bones when they are decayed?” (Surah Ya Sin, Ch.36: V.79) Zuhayr bin Abi Sulma said: ‫سیحیی العظام و ھی رمیم‬ “Soon he will revive the bones, even though they are rotten.” (Al-Milal wa al-Nihal,

V.50)

Bab as-Salis, Vol. 3, p. 88)

(Diwan Imru‘ al-Qais, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [2004], p. 131)

God Almighty states:

ُ ۡ ُ ‫َو َما یُ ۡب ِدئ ال َبا ِط ُل َو َما ی ِع ۡی ُد‬

Ibn al-Abras said: ‫اقفر من اھلہ عبید‬ ‫فالیوم لا یبدی و لا یعید‬ “Obaid parted from his family, so today he will not present any couplet at anyone’s request, nor will he return after today.” (Al-

She‘r wa al-Shuara li Ibn Qutaybah, p. 95)

Allah the Almighty says:

َ َ َ َ َ َ َ َّ ‫ان غ َر ًاما‬ ‫ِان عذابہا ک‬

“Surely, the punishment thereof is a lasting torment.” (Surah al-Furqan, Ch.25: V.66) Abi Khazim said: ‫و یوم النسار و یوم الجفا‬ ‫ کانا عذابا و کانا غراما‬،‫ر‬ “There was torment and destruction in both of these two days during the Arabs’ war era.” (Diwan Bishr bin Abi Khazim al-Asadi, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Arabi, Beirut [1994], p. 135)

God Almighty states:

God Almighty states:

َّ ُ ّٰ َ ٌ َ َ ُ ّٰ َ ُ ۡ ُ ‫الص َم ُد۔ ل َ ۡم یَ ِل ۡد َو ل َ ۡم یُوۡل َ ۡد‬ ‫قل ھو اللہ احد۔اللہ‬

“Say, ‘He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Independent and Besought of all. He begets not, nor is He begotten.” (Surah al-Ikhlas, Ch.112: V.2-4)

Qas Ibn Saidah said: ‫کلا بل ھو اللہ احد‬ ‫لیس بمولود ولا والد‬ “Surely, He is Allah, the One. He has not been created nor has He given birth to anyone.” (Al-Milal wa al-Nihal, Bab as-Salis, Vol. 3,

p. 86)

Allah the Almighty says:

َّ َ َ َ ۡ َ ‫الس‬ ُ‫اع ُۃ َو ان ۡ َش َّق الۡقَ َمر‬ ‫ِاقترب ِت‬

“The Hour has drawn nigh, and the moon is rent asunder.” (Surah al-Qamar, Ch.54: V.3)

Imru‘ al-Qais said:

‫اقتربت الساعۃ و انشق القمر‬ ‫عن غزال صاد و نفر‬ “That special hour approached and the moon rent asunder because of that deerlike beloved, whose existence has taken hold of my heart and has now run away.” (Faiz alQadir Sharah al-Jami al-Saghir, Vol. 2, p. 187)

God Almighty states:

ۡ َ َ َ​َ َۡ ُ َۡۡ َ ُۡ َ ََۡ ُ َ ‫ا۔و اخ َر َج ِت الۡا ۡرض اثقال َ َہا‬ ‫ِاذا زل ِزل ِت الارض زِلزالہ‬

“When the earth is shaken with her violent shaking, and the earth brings forth her burdens.” (Surah al-Zilzal, Ch.99: V.2-3) Imru‘ al-Qais said: ‫اذا زلزلت الارض زلزالھا‬ ‫واخرجت الارض اثقالھا‬ “When the earth will be shaken fully and it will bring forth out its loads.” (Faiz al-Qadir Sharah al-Jami al-Saghir, Vol. 2, p. 187)

Allah the Almighty says:

َ َ َ ‫ف َت َع ٰاطی ف َعق َر‬

“And he seized a sword and hamstrung her.” (Surah al-Qamar, Ch.54: V.30) ۡ َ ُ َ​َ ‫فکان ۡوا ک َہ ِش ۡی ِم ال ُم ۡح َت ِظ ِر‬ “And they became like the dry stubble, trampled upon.” (Surah al-Qamar, Ch.54: V.32) There are some examples in Mausuah Abbas. It is stated: ‫مر یوم العید فی زینتہ‬ ‫فرمانی تعاطی فعقر‬ ‫بسھام من لحاظ فاتک‬ ‫فترکنی کہشیم المحتظر‬ “The day of Eid appeared outside with all its glory and it shot me with a killer look.

Hence, that day seized me and hamstrung me. In the end, it left me like a dry stubble, trampled upon.” (Mausuah Abbas, Tawhid wa alAnbiya, Vol. 1, p. 795)

God Almighty states:

ُ َۡ ُ ‫َو ُھ ۡم ِّم ۡن ک ِ ّل َح َد ٍب ّین ِسلوۡ َن‬

“For the like of this, then, let the workers work.” (Surah al-Saffat, Ch.37: V.62) The following couplets are also present in Mausuah Abbas: ‫اقبل العشاق من خلفہ‬ ‫کانھم من حدب ینسلون‬ ‫وجاء یوم العید فی زینۃ‬ ‫لمثل ذا فلیعمل العاملون‬ “The admirers immediately came from behind it. They looked as if they came running fast from a high place. The day of Eid came with its pomp and show. The workers should do the same as the day reminds them to.” (Mausuah Abbas, Tawhid wa alAnbiya, Vol. 1, p. 795)

The above are just a few examples of what the opponents of Islam think, that the said phrases or styles were well-known before the revelation of the Holy Quran and that the Holy Prophetsa “plagiarised” them from there and included them in the Holy Quran. In other words, they object to the Holy Quran of being “plagiarised” from the old literature.

Today’s opponents follow in their footsteps and raise similar allegations against the Arabic works of the Promised Messiahas.

However, the fact is that if the argument of the Promised Messiahas mentioned at the outset is taken into account, then the inclusion of the styles and phrases of preIslamic poems in the Holy Quran is not at all objectionable.

Allama ibn al-Rashiq states: ‫و مما یعد سرقا و لیس بسرق اشتراک اللفظ المتعارف‬ “If prominent words [present in the work of one writer] correspond with [another], then they do not fall in the category of plagiarism.” (Al-Umdatu fi Mahasin as-Sher wa Adabihi, Bab as-Sarikat wa ma Shakilaha, Juz‘ 2, p. 292)

Then, he presents the following examples: “Antarah says: ‫وخيل قددلفت لها بخيل‬ ‫عليها الأسد تهتصر اهتصارا‬ “And I brought my horses closer to the enemy’s horses [for fighting]. I have such lions riding on those horses that completely tear (the enemies) into pieces.”

“Amr ibn Ma‘adi Yakrib says: ‫وخيل قد دلفت لها بخيل‬ ‫تحية بينهم ضرب وجيع‬ “And I brought my horses closer to the enemy’s horses [for fighting]. They exchange Continued on next page >>

16

Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM << Continued from previous page

the gifts of inflicting a severe blow to their [enemies] while greeting them.”

“Khansa Tarsi says: ‫وخیل قددلفت لها بخیل‬ ‫فدارت بین ک�شیہا رحاہا‬ “And I brought my horses closer to the enemy’s horses [for fighting]. Thence, the war flared up between the leaders of these two groups.”

“Another example is: ‫وخیل قددلفت لها بخیل‬ ‫تری فرسانہا مثل الأسود‬ “And I brought my horses near the enemy’s horses [for fighting]. You will see

the horsemen as if they are lions.”

Referring to the said examples, Allama ibn al-Rashiq says: ‫و امثال ہذا کثیر‬ “There are very many examples of this kind.” (Al-Umdatu fi Mahasin as-Sher wa Adabihi, Bab as-Sarikat wa ma Shakilaha, Juz‘ 2, p. 292)

The verses of some very famous poets correspond with each other. At times, the exact same phrases and words are used by both writers and on other occasions, the meanings of their couplets bear sharp resemblance. Below are some examples: Imru‘ al-Qais says: ‫إ�ي حلفت یمینا غیر کاذبۃ‬

‫انک أقلف الاماجبي القمر‬ “I swore on oath and it was not false that [O Caesar of Rome!] You are an uncircumcised person, like a one who has been gathered by the moon.” (Diwan Imru‘ alQais, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [2004], p. 81)

Hazrat Hassanra ibn Thabit said: ‫إ�ي حلفت یمینا غیر کاذبۃ‬ ‫لوکان ل�حارث الجف�ي أ�حاب‬ “I swore on oath and it was not false that if Harith al-Jafni had friends and associates, [they would have surely sided with him].”

(Diwan Hassan ibn Thabit, Dar-ul-Kutub alIlmiyyah, Beirut [2004], p. 30) At another place, Imru‘ al-Qais said:

11th World Religions Conference in Whitehorse, Canada Syed Mukarram Nazeer, Canada Correspondent

The 11th World Religions Conference, Whitehorse, Yukon, was held on 6 April 2021 by the Jamaat. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the conference was held virtually.

Whitehorse is a major city in Yukon Territory, Canada, and is also its territorial capital. Yukon itself is a unique place in the world, situated to the north of beautiful British Columbia, south of the Arctic Ocean and east of Alaska, USA. Though the population is very small compared to the size – about 24,000 – but the territory itself is very beautiful. It is a popular tourist attraction both in winter and summer months due to its beautiful valleys and the Rocky Mountains. The land has rich natural resources of minerals, gas and oil.

For Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya the attraction in this beautiful landscape of Canada is the fulfilment of its aim of conveying the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to the corners of the world.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya British Columbia region hosted the first conference in 2007 after the success of World Religions Conferences in various other cities. These include Dawson City (Yukon), Yellowknife (Northwest Territory), Prince George, Prince Rupert and Terrace (British Columbia) and many more. Through these conferences, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was introduced to these cities for the first time.

Conference advertisements were run on Facebook, Instagram, local radio channels and newspapers. Whitehorse organisations including community organisations, Whitehorse tourism and the chamber of commerce were contacted via telephone and invited to be part of the conference.

The theme of the conference this year was “How to keep faith alive in the present day?”

The event moderator

was Chief Doris Bill of Kwanlin Dün First Nation. Regional President Jamaate-Ahmadiyya British Columbia, Naeem Lakhan Sahib gave the opening remarks.

He also conveyed the message of Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada, Lal Khan Malik Sahib. Hon Larry Bagnall Member of Parliament, Yukon appreciated the efforts of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in helping promote harmony and understanding among various faiths.

The speakers representing their respective faiths were: • Mrs Linda Thorseth of Baha‘i faith • Reverend Beverly Brazier of Christian faith • Missionary Umair Khan of Islamic faith • Mr Rick Buchan of Buddhist faith • Mr Rick Karp of Jewish faith • Mr Vaibhav Nandwana of Hindu faith • Mr Harpreet Singh of Sikh faith The concluding remarks were delivered by the moderator Chief Doris Bill. President Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Abbotsford, Rizwan Peerzada Sahib thanked all attendees and appreciated the efforts of all volunteers. A total of 370 viewers attended the event.

Some impressions of the event are as follows: Linda Thorseth expressed: “Thank you for the opportunity to be part of these presentations with such

wonderful and sincere people devoted to the well-being of all. I learned so much and appreciate the forum your community has created for our ongoing efforts to love and appreciate each other’s teachings.”

Rev Beverly Brazier, Minister of United Church, Whitehorse said: “Simple really. I loved it. I am so glad you went ahead with it […] Part of the goodness of the event compared to other years which were face to face, had food, and all of that, but still, this was very worthwhile. I was so pleased that Chief Doris Bill agreed to moderate too! As you know, it has not been easy in the past to get participants from the First Nations. You did very well, getting her! There’s real value in meeting; however, we can do it every step toward honest conversation and getting to know one another better, is a step toward a better world. Thanks for all you do.”

Rick Karp, President Jewish Society Yukon said: “[…] Please understand that this topic, ‘Sustaining our Faith’, was important to me and I wanted the opportunity to interact with others and share. You are doing a great job and I hope to be able to participate next year.”

‫ويخطوعلی صم صلاب کﺄنہا‬ ‫بطحلب‬ ‫�جارۃ غیل وارسات‬ ٖ “He [the horse] pawed on the hard rocky ground and looked as though he is a hard rock in the running water, which has been turned yellow by the moss.” (Diwan Imru‘ alQais, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [2004], p. 33)

Hazrat Nabigah al-Ja‘dira says: ‫کﺄن حوامیہ مدبرا‬ ‫خضبن وإن کان لم يخضب‬ “Upon its return, it seems that the hooves of this [horse] have been dyed. However, they have not been coloured in reality.” ‫�جارۃ غیل برضراضۃ‬ ‫کسین طلاء من الطحلب‬ “[As though, the hooves of this horse] are as hard as a stone submerged in shallow water on a hard ground, and these hooves are covered with moss.” (Al-She‘r wa al-Shuara li Ibn Qutaybah, p. 34)

Imru‘ al-Qais says: ‫کﺄن الحصی من خلفہا وأمامہا‬ ‫إذا �جلتہ رجلہا خذف أعسرا‬ “It is as if he is throwing stones from the front and back, when his legs hit the rocks.”

(Diwan Imru‘ al-Qais, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [2004], p. 63)

Hazrat Shumakhra said: ‫لها منسم مثل المحارۃ خفۃ‬ ّ ‫کﺄن الح�� من خلفہ خذف أعسرا‬ “His hooves are like the hooves of a camel. It looks as if he is throwing pebbles with great force from the rear.” (Al-She‘r wa al-

Shuara li Ibn Qutaybah, p. 34)

Imru‘ al-Qais said: ‫وقوفا بہا �حبي ع�� مطیہم‬ ‫یقولون لا تہلک أسی وتجمل‬ “At the house of the beloved, I stopped the rides of my friends for my own sake, while the friends were saying, ‘Do not hurt yourself with the sorrow [caused by parting from the beloved] and bear it patiently.’.”

(Diwan Imru‘ al-Qais, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [2004], p. 110)

Al-Farazdaq said: ‫وقوفا بہا �حبي علی وإنما‬ ُ َ ‫الدار بعد التوہم‬ ‫عرفت رسوم‬ “I stopped the rides of my friends before the beloved’s house and I definitely identified the marks of beloved’s house after deep thought.” ‫یقولون لا تہلک أسی ولقد بدت‬ ‫لہم عبرات المستہام المتیم‬ “The friends say, ‘Do not hurt yourself with the sorrow [caused by parting from the beloved] and bear it patiently. However, the tears of a person, who is madly and insanely in love, came out before them [the friends].”

(Diwan Al-Farazdaq, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [1987], p. 524)

In his book, Al-Umdatu fi Mahasin alShe‘r wa Adabihi, Allama ibn al-Rashiq writes: ‫ ويشیر بہ اشارہ‬،‫من التضمین ما يحیل الشاعر فیہ احالۃ‬ “One kind of tazmin [introducing verses of someone else in one’s own work] is to point to a couplet or the subject of a number of couplets and draw attention towards it.”

He further states: ‫فہذا النوع ابعد التضمینات کلہا و اقلہا و جودا و ذالک �حو‬ :‫قول ابی تمام‬ ‫لعمر و مع الرمضاء والنار تلتظی‬ ‫ارق واحمی منک في ساعۃ الکرب‬ :‫اراد البیت الم�روب بہ مثل‬ ‫المستجیر بعمر وعند کربتہ‬

17

AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021 ٌ َّ ُ ْ ّ َ َ َ َ َ ْ ْ َ ّ َّ ُ َ َ ُ َ َ َْ ‫الشعر‬ ،‫جادة‬ ِ :‫ وس ِئل أبو الط ِي ِب عن ِمث ِل ذل ِك فقال‬،‫أل ِسن ِتها‬ ْ َْ َ َ َ َ ‫َو ُربّ َما َوقع الحا ِف ُر َعلى َم ْو ِض ِع الحا ِف ِر‬ “Abu Amr ibn al-Ala was asked: ‘What is your view regarding two poets who use the same words and expressions, but have never met nor heard each other’s poetry?’ Abu Amr replied: ‘These are the minds of men who had the same thoughts.’ Abu al-Tayyib was asked the same question to which he replied: ‘Poetry is like a long road, in which a person’s steps can coincide with the steps of another person.’” (Al-Umdatu fi Mahasin alShe‘r wa Adabihi, Bab al-Sarikat wa ma Shakilaha, Juz‘ 2, p. 289)

‫كالمستجير من الرمضاء بالنار‬ “The second kind of tazmin is rare and its example is present in the following two couplets. Abu Tammam says: “‘I swear by Amr that the heat and flame of this burning fire becomes more harsh and fiery in the time of hardships. “‘The [above couplet] points towards the subject of the second couplet: “‘The one who seeks refuge from Amr in times of trouble is like the one who seeks refuge from the flame of fire.’” (Al-Umdatu fi Mahasin al-She‘r wa Adabihi, Bab atTazmin wa alIjazah, Juz’ 2, p. 88)

Allama Abu Hilal al-Askari states: ‫ربما اخذ الشاعر القول المشھور و لم یبال کما فعل النابغۃ‬ :‫بانہ اخذ قول وھب بن الحارث بن زھرۃ‬ ‫تبدو كواكبه والشمس طالعة۔۔۔‬ :‫و قال النابغۃ‬ ‫تبدو كواكبه والشمس طالعة‬ ُ ‫لاالنور نور ولا الاظلام اظلام‬ “Sometimes poets include famous quotes [from each other words] in their writings without any hesitation. As AlNabigha excerpted from the following saying of Wahab bin al-Harith bin Zahrah: “‘His stars are always [trying] to become apparent even though the sun is shining […]’

“His stars are always [trying] to become apparent even though the sun is shining. So in this case, neither the light is real, nor is darkness really darkness.” (Kitab al-Sinaatain,

Bab as-Sadis p. 197)

Allama ibn al-Rashiq states: ‫ وربما وقع الحافر علی موضع الحافر‬،‫الشعر جادۃ‬ “Couplets should be considered like a path. Just as the footsteps of a horse while walking along a path sometimes fall on the exact same tracks of another horse, so too are the words of one poet which are repeated over and over again by other poets.” (Al-

Umdatu fi Mahasin al-She‘r wa Adabihi, Bab al-Sarikat wa ma Shakilaha, Juz‘ 2, p. 292)

The style of writing mentioned above is called tazmin and it is also found in the works of the Promised Messiahas.

Sharing of identical words, tazmin and congruency are often found in the works of poets and no sane person can raise any objection of plagiarism in this regard.

Hence, Allama ibn al-Rashiq states: ْ َ َ َ َ َّ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ َ َ ‫ان فِي‬ ِ ‫ أ َرأيْت ال‬:ِ‫َو ُس ِئل أبُو ع ْم ِرو بن العلاء‬ ِ ‫شاع َرين يت ِفق‬ ُ َ ْ َ ْ َّ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َْ ُ ْ ٌ ‫صاح َبه‬ ِ ‫واحد ِمنه َما‬ ِ ‫ان فِي اللف ِظ ل ْم يَلق‬ ِ ‫المعنى ويتوارد‬ َ َ ْ َ ُ ُ َ ْ َ َ َُْ ْ َ َْ ْ َ َ ‫توافت َعلى‬ ‫جال‬ ٍ ‫ تِلك عقول ِر‬:‫ولم يسمع ِشعره؟ قال‬

Moreover, Hazrat Anasra bin Malik narrates that Hazrat Umarra said: َ ْ َ ْ َ َّ َ َّ َ ُ َ َ ُ ْ ُ َ َ َ ّ َ ُ ْ َ َ ‫ام‬ ِ ‫ فقلت يا رسول الل ِه ل ِو اتخذنا ِمن َمق‬،‫وافقت ربِي فِي ثلا ٍث‬ ًّ ُ َّ َ ْ َ َ َ َ ًّ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ‫اه‬ ‫يم ُم َصلى‏}‏‬ ِ ‫ِإبر‬ ِ ‫ام ِإبْ َر‬ ِ ‫اهيم ُمصلى فنزلت‏{‏وات ِخذوا ِمن َمق‬ َ ُ َ َ ُ ُْ َ ْ ُ َ َ َ،‫اء َك أ َ ْن َي ْح َتجبْن‬ َ ‫ ل َ ْو أَمَ ْر َت ن ِ َس‬،‫ول اللَّ ِه‬ ‫اب قلت يا رس‬ ِ ِ ‫وآية ال ِحج‬ ْ ُ َ ْ َ​َ​َ​َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ ُّ َ ْ َّ ُ ُ ّ َ ُ ُ َّ َ َ ُ ‫ واجتمع‬،‫اب‬ ِ ‫ف ِإنه يك ِلمهن البر والف‬ ِ ‫‏ فنزلت آية ال ِحج‬.‫اجر‏‬ َّ ُ َ َّ ُ َ ُ ْ ُ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ ‫الن ِب ِّي صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الغير ِة علي ِه فقلت لهن‬ ‫نِساء‬ ْ َ َ َ َ َّ ُ ْ ً ْ َ ً َ ْ َ ُ َ ّ َ ُ ْ َ َّ ُ َ َّ َ ْ ُ ُّ َ َ َ ‫‏ فنزلت‬.‫ن‬ ‫عسى ربه ِإن طلقكن أن يب ِدله أزواجا خيرا ِمنك ‏‬ ُ َ ‫‏‬.‫ه ِذ ِه الآيَة‏‬ “My Lord agreed with me in three matters: (1) I submitted, ‘O Messengersa of Allah! I wish that we take the station of Abraham as a place of Prayer’, and then this commandment of Allah theُ Almighty was ًّ َ َ ۡ ۡ َّ َ revealed: ‫ام اِبۡ ٰر ٖہ َم ُم َصلی‬ ِ ‫‘[ و ات ِخذوا ِمن ّمق‬Take ye the station of Abraham as a place of Prayer’ (2:126)]. (2) I said to the Holy Prophetsa, ‘O Messengersa of Allah! I wish you order your wives to observe purdah [cover themselves], because all kinds of people, good and bad, speak to them’, and then the verse regarding purdah was revealed. (3) When the wives of the Holy Prophetsa made a united front against him owing to their natural sense of honour, I said to them, ‘It may be that, if the Holy Prophetsa divorce you, his Lord will give him instead wives better than you.’

Then, this very verse was revealed.” (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab al-Salat)

If one reads the Arabic words of this hadith, then in suggesting about taking the station of Abraham as a place of Prayer, Hazrat Umarra has used almost exactly identical words which were later revealed in the Holy Quran in the form of the verse.

Now the question is, did (God forbid) the Holy Prophetsa take good suggestions from his Companionsra and later present them as Divine revelation? Or the position of the Promised Messiahas is true that the words of a person can be included in a Divine revelation? And if this is possible in Divine revelation, then it is certainly possible in the literary works of human beings.

Hence, it is very unfortunate that Muslim opponents do not shy away from raising such objections against the Promised Messiahas that directly target the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophetsa as well. The ones who raise such objections also deprive themselves from the rational arguments of the Promised Messiahas to respond to similar objections of non-Muslims against the Holy Prophetsa and Islam. Consequently, due to the said objections of the opponents against the Promised Messiahas, God Almighty took the blessing of Islam’s defence from them and handed it over to His Promised Messiahas.

(Research conducted by Muhammad Tahir Nadeem Sahib, Arabic Desk UK. Translated by Al Hakam)

Amir Jamaat Niger’s meeting with the president of the national assembly in Niamey, Niger Muhammad Jamal Niger Correspondent

A new federal government has been formed in Niger and new ministers have taken their respective offices.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Niger is trying to establish a healthy relationship with the new federal government of Niger and efforts are being made to introduce the Jamaat and authorities are being briefed on the detailed introduction of the Promised Messiahas and Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya.

In this regard, on 10 April 2021, Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Niger, Asad Majeeb Sahib had a meeting with the President of the National Assembly of Niger, Hon Seini Oumarou at his residence.

Prior to this meeting, Amir Sahib also had a meeting with the wife of the President of the National Assembly and presented an introduction of the true Islam, Islam Ahmadiyyat.

The need for the Imam Mahdi in this era and the system of Khilafat were the main topics which were discussed in detail with the president.

Later, Amir Sahib presented him the Holy Quran with French translation, The

Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam and World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace for better comprehension of Jamaate-Ahmadiyya and its teachings.

The new president said that if Jamaate-Ahmadiyya has any need, he is always ready to help and assured every possible cooperation and expressed the wish to build a strong relationship with the Jamaat.

Alhamdulillah, the meeting proved to be very beneficial.

Ahmadis in Slough, UK continue helping homeless and vulnerable

Atiq Ahmad Bhatti President Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Slough, UK

On 29 April 2021, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Slough donated over 800 non-perishable food items to Slough Outreach as part of their local “Ramadan Big Iftar” initiative.

The items will be used to help support the homeless, elderly and vulnerable people in and around Slough during the coronavirus pandemic.

It was a part of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Slough’s ongoing local community welfare and support initiative to help those most in need during the coronavirus pandemic.

Slough Jamaat has also been running soup kitchens in the town since the first lockdown.

We have been supporting the homeless, elderly and vulnerable in Slough since March 2020, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and we will continue to do so.

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Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM

Golden principles: Importance of good family relations and tolerance Sophia Rajpoot Canada

َ َ َّ ۡ َّ ۡ ّ ۡ ُ َ َ َ ۡ َّ ُ ُ َّ َ ۡ ُ َّ ُ َّ َ ُّ َ ٰۤ ‫احد ٍۃ ّو‬ ِ ‫سو‬ ٍ ‫یایہا الناس اتقوا ربکم ال ِذی خلقکم ِمن نف‬ َ ً َ َ ُ ۡ َّ َ َ َ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ َ َ َ ً ‫ک ِثیۡ ًرا ّو ن ِ َس‬ ‫ٓاء ۚ َو‬ ‫خلق ِمنہا زوجہا و بث ِمنہما ِرجالا‬ ٰ َّ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ ُ َ َ َ ۡ َّ َ ّ ٰ ُ َّ َ َ ‫اللّ َہ ک‬ ۡ‫ان َعل َ ۡی ُکم‬ ‫اتقوا اللہ ال ِذی تسٓاءلون بِ ٖہ و الارحام ؕ اِن‬ ‫َر ِق ۡی ًبا‬

“O ye people! fear your Lord, Who created you from a single soul and created therefrom its mate, and from them twain spread many men and women; and fear Allah, in Whose name you appeal to one another, and fear Him particularly respecting ties of relationship. Verily, Allah watches over you.” (Surah al-Nisa, Ch.4: V.2) According to the verse above, God Almighty places “fear of God” side by side with “respect for the ties of kinship”, emphasising the importance of good treatment of relatives.

I find this concept to be particularly relevant today as now, more than ever,

people are severing the ties of kin. Whether that be through divorce, parents disowning their children or children cutting ties with their parents. Regardless, family sizes have decreased tremendously over the last century and Islamically, kinship is obligatory and surely Allah prescribed us obligations that will serve for our betterment as individuals and as a society.

The reason why tolerance and maintenance of family equate to being the two golden pearls of a beautiful society is that because they are the two factors that instil empathy, understanding and togetherness within the home and outside the home. The Holy Prophetsa said: “Never hate each other; never be jealous of each other; never think ill of each other; never boycott each other; always remain brothers unto one another. (Sahih Bukhari) In another hadith, the Holy Prophetsa said: “Do you know what is better than charity and fasting and prayer? It is keeping

peace and good relations between people, as quarrels and bad feelings destroy mankind” (Sahih Muslim) Even the Western world has begun to understand the notion that there are consequences to society as a whole when the ties of kin are weakened. Well-known Psychiatrist, Dr Karyl McBride writes: “[…] can a child grow up knowing how to provide empathy and nurturing if they were never taught? If children are loved and treated well, they don’t grow up wanting to hurt others; they grow up wanting to help and respect others, and with the ability to provide empathy.” (psychologytoday. com, “The Long-term impact of neglectful parents”) Simply maintaining a family bond is not enough; it is our responsibility to put in the time and extra effort in being there for one another. If we can mistreat or break a bond with our own blood, it will only be easier to hurt others. As a teacher, this is something I have witnessed many times when dealing with difficult students who mistreat their classmates. They tend to have busy parents who neglect them and do not give them the time and attention they need.

Back in 2016, during a peace symposium in Calgary, Canada, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa highlighted this concept in his speech titled, Ways to Establish World Peace. At the beginning of his speech, Huzooraa quoted the golden principle for world peace that the Holy Quran presents: “First of all, I will mention a golden principle for establishing peace that is enshrined in chapter 16, verse 91 of the Holy Quran, where Allah the Almighty says: “‘Verily, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred […]’

“Hence, the Quran does not only call upon Muslims to be fair and just, but rather it has established a far higher standard of treating others. Where Allah the Almighty says, ‘giving like kindred’, He requires a believer to favour others and to always desire the very best for them. It requires Muslims to treat all other people like their

close family members. It obliges that they strive to love others, without any desire for reward, just as a mother selflessly loves her child. Furthermore, the Quran does not say that a Muslim should treat only their fellow Muslims in this way; rather, it says that they should love ‘others’ and this includes Muslims and non-Muslims alike.” (www. alislam.org/articles/ways-to-establish-worldpeace/) Clearly, “giving like kindred”, requires Muslims to treat all other people like their close family members, and that we are obliged to love others, without any desire for reward, just as a mother selflessly loves her child.

But what if a mother does not love her child and does not give her child the support and attention they need, then surely she won’t be able to offer the world any good.

Huzooraa then goes on to discuss the state of certain Muslim countries today; rebels and terrorist groups have formed and it is indicative that people like this who break the peace of this world come from broken homes.

The Promised Messiahas is an excellent role model when it comes to tolerance towards family members. His demeanour with his own family was a beautiful example of gentleness. Those who had the occasion to observe his relations with his family, witnessed the fact that he possessed the most excellent morals in this regard. The Promised Messiahas was the ultimate disciple of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and as such, kept his practices constantly in mind. He was aware of the duties and obligations of a husband, of such sayings of the Holy Prophetsa: “The best among you is he who is best to his wife” (Sahih Bukhari). He, hence, took great care to be an attentive husband and father.

Islam holds family life as the epicentre for social development. The Holy Quran has constantly referred to family life and its importance. If “peace” within a family can be achieved, then the whole society at large will enjoy peace; every person should play their role in establishing this peace, from parents to children.

Chapter 47, verse 22, of the Holy Quran highlights this concept beautifully: “Would you then, if you are placed in authority, create disorder in the land and sever your ties of kinship?”

I pray that may Allah enable us to truly implement the two golden pearls, tolerance and maintenance of kinship, into our lives and to always stay close and connected to our family, friends and communities.

Ahmadis invite local councillors to Baitus Samad Mosque, UK to observe Ramadan practices Aamir Shahzad President Huddersfield South

On 27 April 2021, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Huddersfield South invited two councillors to join and observe Ahmadi Muslims practising the blessed month of Ramadan.

Andrew Cooper, councillor and leader

of Green Party and Andrew Marginton, councillor for Golcar ward Lib Dem party and former police commissioner, arrived at Baitus Samad Mosque in Huddersfield at 8 pm where they were welcomed by the local missionary, Sabahat Karim Sahib, president Huddersfield South Jamaat, Aamir Shahzad Sahib and secretary external affairs, Nadeem

Ahmed Sahib.

A brief introduction to Jamaat-eAhmadiyya was given to them and services to humanity were highlighted by informing them of the newly opened local food bank of the Jamaat.

The councillors then joined the opening of the fast when the sun set, something which

they did with great respect and interest. The guests were then taken to the mosque where they observed congregational prayers.

At the end, they were presented dinner where a productive talk regarding the benefits of Ramadan and fasting took place. They were also given copies of the book World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace.

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AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021

Friday Sermon 9 April 2021 Men of Excellence: Hazrat Uthmanra ibn Affan; the launch of HolyQuran.io After reciting Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: The accounts in the life of Hazrat Uthmanra were being mentioned.

There is a narration with regard to the status of Hazrat Uthmanra and how the companions regarded him during the life of the Holy Prophetsa as well as after him. Nafi‘ relates from Hazrat Ibn Umarra, who said: “During the lifetime of the Holy Prophetsa, we used to declare certain people superior to others from among the people.

We regarded Hazrat Abu Bakrra to be the best [among us], then Hazrat Umar bin Khattab and then Hazrat Uthman bin Affan, may Allah be pleased with all of them.”

This is a narration from Bukhari. (Sahih

harboured rancour towards Uthmanra. As such, Allah the Exalted also holds enmity towards him.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwab alManaqib , Bab fi Manaqib, Hadith 3709)

al-Bukhari, Kitab Fada‘il Ashab al-Nabisa, Bab Fadl Abi Bakrra ba’d al-Nabisa, Hadith 3655)

Another narration in Bukhari is recorded in the following manner: Nafi‘ relates from Hazrat Ibn Umarra, who said: “We were present during the time of the Holy Prophetsa. We would not consider anyone equal to Hazrat Abu Bakrra, following him, Hazrat Umarra and following him Hazrat Uthmanra. We would then refrain from [discussing the rank of] the companions of the Holy Prophetsa besides them and did not consider anyone superior to anyone else.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Fada‘il Ashab al-Nabisa, Bab Manaqib Uthmanra…, Hadith 3697)

There is a narration of Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah with regard to Hazrat Uthmanra being counted among the best people after the Holy Prophetsa. He relates: “I asked my father, Hazrat Alira, as to who was ranked as the best person after the Holy Prophetsa. He replied that it was Abu Bakrra. I then asked who was after him. He said that it was Umarra. I hesitantly asked who followed him and he replied that it was Hazrat Uthmanra. I then said, ‘O my father!

Do you rank after him?’ Upon this, he replied, ‘I am an ordinary man among the Muslims.’” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Sunnah, Bab fi al-Tafdil, Hadith 4629)

The relationship the Holy Prophetsa had with Hazrat Uthmanra and Hazrat Uthman’sra rank in the eyes of the Holy Prophetsa can be gauged by the fact that the Holy Prophetsa did not lead the funeral prayer of an individual who harboured rancour towards

Hazrat Uthmanra.

The details of this incident have been recorded in the following narration: Hazrat Jabirra relates that once, the funeral procession of an individual was brought before the Holy Prophetsa so that he would

lead the funeral prayer. However, the Holy Prophetsa did not do so. Someone said, “O Messengersa of Allah! We have previously never observed you refrain from leading someone’s funeral prayer.” Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, “This individual

With regard to the justice of Hazrat Uthmanra and how he ordered for his brother to be punished after he was proven guilty, there is a narration by Ubaidullah bin Adi in which he relates, “Both Hazrat Miswarra bin Makhrama and Abdur Rahmanra bin Aswad bin Abd Yaguth said to me, ‘What is preventing you from speaking to Hazrat Uthmanra regarding his brother, Walid, as people have said many things about him based on some of his misdeeds.’ So I went to Hazrat Uthmanra and when he went out for prayer, I said, ‘I have a request, and this is something that is beneficial for you.’

Hazrat Uthmanra said, ‘O good man! Did Mu‘ammar say this to you? I believe that he has said this to you’”, i.e. that he has come to deliver their message.

“Following this, Hazrat Uthmanra said, ‘I seek refuge with Allah from you.’ Upon hearing this, he” – the person who came to Hazrat Uthmanra – “left and returned to those people. In the meantime, a messenger from Hazrat Uthmanra came [calling for me] and subsequently, I went with him to see Hazrat Uthmanra. Hazrat Uthmanra enquired, ‘What was the advice that was beneficial for me?” as he had said this earlier. “I replied, ‘Allah the Almighty sent Muhammadsa with the truth and revealed the Book [Qur’an] to him.

You are also amongst those, who accepted the call of Allah and His Messengersa [to Islam]. You participated in two migrations, supported the Holy Prophetsa and witnessed his practices.’ Following this, I said, ‘People have raised many concerns about Walid’”, who was Hazrat Uthman’sra brother. “Hazrat Uthmanra said, ‘Did you witness the time of the Holy Prophetsa?’ I replied, ‘I did not, but his knowledge reached me.” That is, he did not witness his time, but matters relating to the time of the Holy Prophetsa reached him, “and this would even reach an unmarried woman living in seclusion.’ Following this, Hazrat Uthmanra said, ‘Allah most certainly sent Muhammadsa with the truth and I am amongst those who accepted the invitation of Allah and His Messengersa. I believed in

20 everything the Holy Prophetsa was sent with and participated in two migrations, as you have said. I enjoyed the company of Allah’s Messengersa and pledged allegiance to him.

By Allah! I never disobeyed him, nor did I ever cheat him, eventually Allah caused him to pass away. Then after him, in my view, Hazrat Abu Bakrra is to be obeyed in the same manner and I obeyed him, just as it was compulsory to obey Hazrat Umarra as well. Subsequently, I was made the Khalifa; thus, do I not possess the same right as the two previous Khulafa?’ I replied, ‘Indeed,’ to which Hazrat Uthmanra replied, ‘Then what are these matters that I am informed of?

As for the matter you mentioned regarding Walid, insha-Allah, we will hand him the prescribed punishment (i.e. he would be punished according to the crime he had committed).’ After this, he called for Hazrat Alira and ordered for Walid to be whipped.

Subsequently, Hazrat Alira ordered for him to be handed 80 lashes.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Fada‘il Ashab al-Nabisa, Bab Manaqib Uthmanra, Hadith 3696)

In the commentary of this hadith from Bukhari, Hazrat Syed Zain-ul-Abideen Waliullah Shah Sahibra writes: “The allegation against Walid bin Uqbah was for drinking [intoxicants] as a result of which he was punished. Witnesses confirmed that it was not a juice prepared from dates or munakka [beverage made from raisins] and was in fact an alcoholic beverage like those consumed in the days of the Jahiliyya period. Hazrat Uthmanra did not take into consideration his close relationship with him; in fact, owing to his close relationship with him, he ordered double the punishment; instead of handing him 40 lashes, he was given 80 lashes and this amount is proven from the example of Hazrat Umarra.” (Urdu Tarjumah Sahih Bukhari,

Vol. 7, p. 192, Nazarat-e-Ishaat Rabwah)

In another narration, Ata bin Yazid narrates from Hamran, the freed slave of Hazrat Uthmanra, who stated that once Hazrat Uthmanra bin Affan asked for a container to be brought to him. Hazrat Uthmanra then placed both hands inside and washed them with water three times.

He then placed his right hand inside the container and rinsed his mouth and cleaned his nose. He then washed his face and his arms up to his elbows three times. He then passed his hands over his head [Masah] and then washed his feet up to the ankles three times. Hazrat Uthmanra then said, “The Holy Prophetsa used to say, ‘Whosoever performed the ablution as I have done and then offered two rak‘aat [units] of prayer in a manner that was free from all distractions, then all the sins of that individual would be forgiven.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Wudu, Bab alWudu Thalatha Thalatha, Hadith 159)

The additional azan [call to prayer] that is called on Fridays began in the time of Hazrat Uthmanra. Details regarding this is as follows.

Zuhri has narrated from Saib bin Yazid who stated that during the time of the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Umarra, the first azan for Jumuah would be called when the imam sat down on the minbar [pulpit]. In the time of Hazrat Uthmanra, when the Muslim population increased significantly, he ordered for a third azan to be called from Zaura. Abu Abdillah states that Zaura was a place in the market of Medina. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumuah, Bab

Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM

“I asked my father, Hazrat Alira, as to who was ranked as the best person after the Holy Prophetsa. He replied that it was Abu Bakrra.

I then asked who was after him. He said that it was Umarra. I hesitantly asked who followed him and he replied that it was Hazrat Uthmanra. I then said, ‘O my father! Do you rank after him?’ Upon this, he replied, ‘I am an ordinary man among the Muslims.’” al-Adhan Yaum al-Jumuah, Hadith 912)

This incident has also been mentioned in Fiqh-e-Ahmadiyya in relation to this hadith that in the time of the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Umarra, only one azan was called on Fridays from near the minbar – which was always placed inside the mosque. Later, in the time of Hazrat Uthmanra, the second azan was initiated which was called from a rock named Zaura situated near to the door of the mosque.

(Fiqh-e-Ahmadiyya [Ibadat] p. 122)

In Ni‘mat-ul-Bari, a commentary of Sahih Bukhari, under this hadith, it is written: “Ibn Shihab Zuhri narrates from Saib that the mention of the third azan in this chapter is including the Iqamat [call before the prayer begins].” (Ni‘mat al-Bari fi Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 2, p. 837, Hadith 912, Rumi Publications Lahore, 2013)

There were two azans previously and a third one was added later. In the narration I read earlier, it was stated owing to the increase in the Muslim population, a third azan was called at Zaura. The third azan was as such that the first and second azan would be called, then the takbir [for iqamah] has also been referred to using the word azan.

Thus, in this way people were called to prayer three times.

There is also a narration regarding being exempt from the Friday prayers when it falls on the same day as Eid. Abu Ubaid, the freed slave of Ibn Azhar narrates that once on the day of Eid-ul-Adha, he offered the Eid prayers behind Hazrat Umarra. Hazrat Umarra led the prayers before delivering the sermon to the congregation in which he stated, “O people! Verily the Holy Prophetsa forbade from keeping a fast on both Eid days; one Eid day commemorates the end of the fasting month, whilst the other Eid day is the day on which you eat the meat of the sacrificed animals.” Abu Ubaid states that he also offered the Eid prayer behind Hazrat Uthmanra and which fell on a Friday. Hazrat Uthmanra led the prayers prior to the sermon. He then addressed the people and said, “O people! Today is a day in which you have been blessed with two Eids. Thus, those living on the outskirts of Medina who are able to wait for the Friday prayers may do so and whosoever wishes to return, they have my permission to leave.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adahi, Bab ma Yu‘kal min

Luhum al-Adahi wa ma Yatazawadu minha, Hadith 5571-5572)

There is something mentioned in Fiqhe-Ahmadiyya regarding which I am yet to see any evidence to support it. In Fiqh-eAhmadiyya it is written that if Eid falls on a Friday, then after the Eid prayers, the Friday prayers should not be offered, nor should Zuhr prayers be offered. Instead, the Asr prayers are to be offered at Asr time. There is a narration from Ata bin Rabah who states, “On one occasion, Eid fell on a Friday.

Hazrat Abdullahra bin Zubair said, ‘Since two Eids have been joined on the same day, they will be offered together.’ Thus, Hazrat Abdullahra bin Zubair offered two rak‘aat for both prayers before the afternoon.

Subsequently, no prayers were offered until the Asr prayers”, i.e. on that day, only the Asr prayers were offered. (Fiqh-e-Ahmadiyya [Ibadat] p. 177)

More research needs to be done in this regard. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh also said the same thing and carried out research.

(Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 6, p. 374, Khutbah Jumuah 29 May 1987)

Initially, I also thought that perhaps there was no need [to offer the Zuhr prayers], but no other narration has been found which directly indicates the practice of the Holy Prophetsa whereby the Zuhr prayer was not offered. There is only this narration stating what Hazrat Abdullahra bin Zubair did.

Therefore, further research is needed in this regard.

Fiqh [Ahmadiyya] is being revised again and in my view, this narration ought to be checked thoroughly again to see how accurate it is in that the Zuhr prayer does not need to be offered. It is correct that the Friday prayer does not need to be offered, but to say that even the Zuhr prayer does not need to be offered, aside from the aforementioned narration, we do not find any narration which has been quoted directly from the Holy Prophetsa or from the Khulafa-e-Rashidin. Also, from the research I asked to be carried out, no narration has come to light as of yet.

With regard to bathing on Fridays, there is a narration in which Hazrat Abu Hurairahra states, “Hazrat Umarra bin Khattab was delivering the Friday Sermon before a congregation when Hazrat Uthmanra bin Affan entered. Hinting towards Hazrat Uthmanra, Hazrat Umarra

said, ‘What is the matter with the people that they arrive late after the azan has been called!’ Upon this, Hazrat Uthmanra stated, ‘O Leader of the Faithful! As soon as I heard the azan, I performed the ablution and made my way straight here.’ Hazrat Umarra stated, ‘You only performed the ablution?

Have you not heard the Holy Prophetsa say that whosoever goes for the Friday prayers, they ought to bathe?’” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab alJumuah, Hadith 1956)

If there is water available and one has access to water, it is imperative to bathe.

With regard to the narrations of ahadith, compared to other companions, there are very few marfu‘ hadith narrated by Hazrat Uthmanra. In total, Hazrat Uthmanra narrated 146 traditions, out of which three are present in both Bukhari and Muslim (i.e. Muttafaq Alayh), eight are mentioned only in Bukhari and five mentioned only in Muslim. In total, 16 ahadith narrated by him are present in the Sahihhain [Bukhari and Muslim].

The reason why he narrated such few ahadith was that Hazrat Uthmanra was extremely cautious with regard to stating the traditions of the Holy Prophetsa. He would say that the thing that prevented him from relating traditions of the Holy Prophetsa was that he thought perhaps his memory was weaker than that of other companions. He said that this would stop him in case he narrated an incident and his recollection was not as clear as some of the other companions, in which case their statement would be more accurate.

For this reason, he was very cautious with regard to mentioning narrations. However, Hazrat Uthmanra said, “I testify that the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Whosoever attributes a narration to me that I have not stated, they will prepare a place for themselves in hell due to it.’” For this reason, he would be very careful with regard to narrating ahadith.

Abdur Rahman bin Hatib narrates, “I have not seen any companion who would explain himself more clearly and unambiguously than Hazrat Uthmanra but he would show hesitance when it came to narrating Ahadith.” (Sheikh Shah Moinuddin Ahmad Nadvi, Siyar al-Sahabah, Khulafa’ Rashidinra, Vol. 1 [Karachi, Pakistan: Dar al-Isha‘ah, 2004], p. 204)

Humran bin Aban states, “Once Hazrat Uthmanra bin Affan asked for water to be brought for ablution. He rinsed his mouth and cleaned his nose with the water. He then washed his face three times, washed his arms three times and performed masah over his head and feet, after which he laughed. He then asked his companions, ‘Will you not ask the reason why I laughed?’

They asked, ‘O Leader of the Faithful! Why did you laugh?’ Hazrat Uthmanra stated, ‘I saw the Holy Prophetsa when he was near this place; he asked for water to be brought and performed the ablution in the same manner as I just did. He then laughed, and then asked his companions, “Will you not enquire as to the reason why I laughed?” We said, “O Messengersa of Allah! Why did you laugh?” The Holy Prophetsa said, “When a person requests for water and then washes their face, Allah the Almighty forgives all the sins committed by their face. Then when they wash their arms, the same happens, i.e. sins are forgiven, the same is the case when they perform masah over their head and similar is the case for when they wash their feet.”’” (Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad Ahmad

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AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021 bin Hanbal, Vol. 1, Musnad Uthmanra bin Affan, Hadith 415[Beirut, Lebanon: A‘lam al-Kutub, 1998], 201.)

In actuality, this narration should have been mentioned alongside the previous narration regarding ablution. Nonetheless, it has been narrated here.

With regard to the marriages of Hazrat Uthmanra and his children, it is narrated that he married eight times, all of which took place after he accepted Islam. The names of his wives and children are as follows: Hazrat Ruqayyahra, daughter of the Holy Prophetsa, with whom he had Abdullah bin Uthman.

After the demise of Hazrat Ruqayyara, Hazrat Uthman married Hazrat Umm Kulthumra, the daughter of the Holy Prophetsa.

Hazrat Fakhtah bint Ghazwanra, the sister of Hazrat Utbah bin Ghazwanra, from her Hazrat Uthmanra had a son named Abdullah, who was known as Abdullah AlAsghar.

Hazrat Umm Amr bint Jundub Azdiyya, with whom he had Amr, Khalid, Aban, Umar and Mariam.

Hazrat Fatimah bint Walid Makhzumiara with whom he had Walid, Saeed and Umm Saeed.

Hazrat Umm Al-Baneen bint Uainah bin Hisn Fazariahra with whom he had a son, Abdul Malik.

Hazrat Ramlah bint Shaibah bin Rabi‘ahra, with whom he had Aishah, Umm Aban and Umm Amr. Hazrat Nailah bint Firafithah bint Ahwasra; she was previously a Christian but had accepted Islam before she was married and proved to be a faithful Muslim. From her, Hazrat Uthmanra had a daughter named Mariam and according to narrations it is said that they also had a son named Ambasah.

According to one narration, when Hazrat Uthmanra was martyred, the following four wives were with him: Hazrat Ramlahra, Hazrat Nailahra, Hazrat Umm AlBanin and Hazrat Fakhtahra. According to one narration during the days of the siege, Hazrat Uthmanra divorced Hazrat Umm Al-Banin. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 5, Thumma Dakhalat Sanah Khams wa Thalathin … [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Fikr, 1998], p.

200) (Sirat Amir al-Momineen Uthmanra bin Affan, p.

17, Vol. 1, Dar al-Ma‘rifah, Beirut, Lebanon, 2006)

Explaining the commentary of Surah alNur, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira states: “Allah the Almighty states that one form of nur [spiritual light] is the light of divine cognisance as a result of which one is able to distinguish between good and bad. This spiritual light is found in those homes in which Allah the Almighty is remembered morning and evening. Those who dwell in such homes are like merchants, whose houses may be small but one day, Allah the Almighty will grant them bigger abodes.

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra compiled the Holy Quran, then after him, it was Hazrat Umarra.

Hazrat Uthmanra was the one to circulate it and through Hazrat Alira its spiritual verities were conveyed to the world.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira stated that he learnt various verities of the Holy Quran directly from Hazrat Alira. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira further states: “In these rukus, Allah the Almighty also revealed that Khilafat will never be amongst the Ansar; rather, it will remain among the Muhajireen. It also states that they will be opposed by the Muslims as well

as the disbelievers. This is precisely how the opposition was for Hazrat Abu Bakrra as some of the people were not in favour of Khilafat. Allah the Almighty has given the example of both groups as follows; one who considers a mirage in a desert to be like actual water whilst the other is those who will oppose despite being in the deep sea of Shariah.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira further states: “The ultimate result will be that the vultures will eat their flesh. Among the Khulafa-e-Rashideen, Hazrat Abu Bakrra had to face great difficulties. While the army under the command of Hazrat Usamara had been sent [for an expedition], an uprising of rebellion began in the Arab land. The people in Mecca were almost on the verge of becoming a part of this; however, a wise man came in time and reminded them that they were the last ones to accept Islam and now they were going to be the first ones to leave Islam. Upon this, they refrained from being a part of this.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira further states: “The group mentioned in the following words:

َ َ ُ ُ ْ ‫ِاذا ف ِریْ ٌق ِّمن ُہ ْم ّم ْعرِضوْ َن‬

“[a party of them turn away. (24:49)] was never successful, nor did they receive any divine support; neither in the time of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra, Hazrat Uthmanra, nor in the time of Hazrat Alira.

This group was never successful.

“The other group was the one described as:

َ َ​َ َ ‫َس ِم ْعنا َواط ْعنا‬

“[We hear and we obey. (24:52)] and these were the ones who were always successful.

“Thus, it states in the Holy Quran: ْ ْ َ ُ ‫َو اولٰٓ ِىٕک ُہ ُم ال ُمفل ُِحوْ َن‬ “[And it is they who will prosper.

(24:52)].” (Haqa‘iq al-Furqan, Vol. 3, p. 223) The Promised Messiahas states: “I know for certain that no one can be deemed a true believer, nor a Muslim until they instil within themselves the qualities of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra, Hazrat Uthmanra and Hazrat Alira, may Allah be pleased with them all. Their hearts were pure from the love of this world, instead they devoted their lives in the way of God Almighty.” (Lecture Ludhiana, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, 294)

The Promised Messiahas further states: “It is vital to believe that Siddiq-e-Akbarra [Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra], Hazrat Farooqe-Umarra [Hazrat Umar Farooqra], Hazrat Dhun-Nurainra (i.e. Hazrat Uthmanra) and Hazrat Ali Murtazara were all the custodians of the faith. For Islam, Abu Bakrra was the second coming of Adam; similarly, if Hazrat Umar Farooqra and Hazrat Uthmanra did not show sincerity in the trust bestowed upon them, then it would be impossible for us to consider even one verse of the Quran to be from Allah the Almighty.” (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, p. 151, Maktub Number 2, Maktub Banam Hazrat Khan Sahib Muhammad Ali Khan Sahib, Rabwah)

The Promised Messiahas states: “By God, Allah the Almighty enabled the Sheikhain” i.e. Hazrat Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Umarra “and Dhun-Nurain [Hazrat Uthmanra] to be like the doors to Islam and they were at the forefront of every army of the Holy Prophetsa, who was the best of the creation. Thus, one who denies their

lofty honour and discredits the clear and irrefutable arguments in their favour and does not show respect to them but rather dishonours them and vilifies and speaks ill of them, then I fear that he may meet a terrible end and will become completely devoid of faith. And those who caused them grief and cursed them and levelled allegations against them, consequently their hearts became hardened and they incurred the wrath of the Gracious God. I have countlessly observed and have openly expressed this as well that to hold malice and enmity against these noble men is one of the main factors that severs man’s bond with God, Who is the Bestower of blessings. Whoever bears enmity against them becomes completely deprived of mercy and benevolence and the doors of divine cognisance and wisdom are never opened for them and they are left to partake in the desires and pleasures of the world and they are thrown into the abyss of carnal desires and He casts them away from His divine threshold and they remain deprived.” (Sirr-ul-Khilafah Urdu Tarjumah, pp. 2829, Nazarat Ishaat Rabwah)

The Promised Messiahas then states: “Whatever progress of Islam was made after the Holy Prophetsa was through these three companions, that is Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Umarra and Uthmanra.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 6, p. 414) Then whilst mentioning the Ahl-e-Tashi [Shias], the Promised Messiahas states: “What can be said about your verbal abuse because save a few, you hurl abuse against all the companions. Moreover, you curse the wives of the Holy Prophetsa, the Mothers of the Believers. You also claim that there has been some addition and abrogation in the Holy Quran and allege that the current Quran is the Quran of Uthmanra and not from God Almighty […]

You consider Islam to be like an abandoned land which is completely dry and barren” i.e. it is completely empty of the righteous servants of God).

The Promised Messiahas further states: “After having transgressed all bounds, what honour do you now possess?” (Hujjat Allah, Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 12, 184-185)

The Promised Messiahas states: “I have been granted in-depth knowledge from my Lord regarding Khilafat. And just like any scholar, I have also been able to delve into the depth of the matter and my Lord has revealed to me that Siddiq [Hazrat Abu Bakrra], Farooq [Hazrat Umarra] and Uthmanra, may Allah be pleased with them all, were pious believers, who were among the chosen ones of Allah the Almighty and were favoured with the special bounties of the Gracious God. “Furthermore, many of the wise have borne witness to their virtues. They left their lands for the pleasure of the Honourable and Glorious God, they entered the furnace of every battle, and they cared not for the scorching midday heat of every summer, nor the cold of the night of every winter; rather, they marched forward upon the paths of their faith like youthful men, inclining neither to their own people, nor to others and they bade farewell to everything, all for the sake of the Lord of all the Worlds. Their actions were imbued with a sweet fragrance and their deeds with an aroma.

“All of this points to the gardens of their rank and the orchards of their good deeds. Likewise, the aromatic breezes of their zephyr [soft, sweet-smelling wind]

reveal their intricate qualities and their light becomes manifest to us with all its radiance.

Thus, you ought to ascertain their illustrious rank from the aroma of their fragrance and do not show haste and follow those who think ill. And do not rely on just certain narrations because they are filled with poison and exaggerations and they cannot be trusted. Many of those narrations are like a powerful and destructive wind and like the lightning which deceives one into thinking there is going to be rain. Thus, fear Allah and do not follow such narrations.”

(Sirr-ul-Khilafah Urdu Tarjumah, pp. 25-26, Nazarat Ishaat Rabwah)

This concludes the accounts from the life of Hazrat Uthmanra and accounts from the life Hazrat Umarra will, insha-Allah, start next.

The Alislam team have prepared the first version of a new Holy Quran search website – holyquran.io. This website can be accessed separately from the alislam website. One can research any chapter, verse, word or subject matter in Arabic, English and Urdu through its latest search engine. The search results can be viewed through Ahmadi and nonAhmadi translations. Under each verse, one can read its commentary, articles and various other verses in relation to it. Further work in producing content is on-going and its next version will be ready by Jalsa Salana UK 2021, insha-Allah.

Apart from this, a new modern version of the readquran.app on the Alislam website has also been prepared through which one can read, listen and search the Holy Quran.

Along with the English commentary, it also has the Tafsir-e-Saghir notes, English splitword translation of the Holy Quran and an index of all its subjects. It has also included various other features which would be beneficial for the daily recitation of the Holy Quran.

May Allah the Almighty enable this project to become a means of spreading the beautiful teachings of the Holy Quran across the whole world and may the members of the Jamaat also derive full benefit from it.

I would also like to request you to pray for the Ahmadis in Pakistan. May Allah the Almighty improve their conditions and create ease for them. Similarly, may Allah the Almighty grant steadfastness to the Ahmadis in Algeria and improve the conditions they are currently having to endure.

I will now mention details of some deceased members and will also offer their funeral prayers [in absentia].

Many requests are submitted and it is difficult to read the details of each and every one here. However, I will mention a few but I have included the rest [in the funeral prayers] without mentioning their names.

May Allah the Almighty grant His forgiveness and mercy to all of them. In any case, those members who are going to be mentioned, I will now read their details.

Among them is respected Muhammad Sadiq Sahib Durgaram Puri from Dhaka, Bangladesh. He passed away on 14 November 2020 at the age of 75: َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

Apart from the various other services he rendered, he served for a long period of time as the National Secretary Waqf-e-Nau. He would regularly travel to far off jamaats in

22 order to organise classes with the waqifeene-nau and their parents. Until his health allowed, he would regularly attend the mosque. He was a musi [member of the AlWasiyyat institution] and he leaves behind his wife, three sons and one daughter.

The next is Mukhataran Bibi Sahiba, wife of Rashid Ahmad Athwal Sahib of Dar-ul-Yaman Rabwah. She is the motherin-law of Naeem Bajwa Sahib, who is currently serving as the principal of Jamia Mubashireen in Burkina Faso. She passed away on 16 January [2021]: َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

She had the opportunity to serve in the majlis-e-amila of Lajna for Dar-ul-Yaman Gharbi for a total of 17 years. She also had the opportunity to offer financial sacrifices for [projects in] various countries and sacrificed hundreds of thousands of rupees.

Even a few hours before her demise, when she slightly gained consciousness, she asked for her bangles and then instructed her son to immediately go and sell them, which were approximately 350,000 rupees in value, and then told him to give the money to Sadr Sahib so he could arrange for an MTA satellite dish.

Two of her sons died in 1995 owing to a car accident in Germany and she endured this loss with great steadfastness. She would never speak of this incident, nor utter any word of complaint and remained content with the will of God and showed patience.

She had great passion and desire for tabligh and she would travel extensively in order to do tabligh in the villages nearby Rabwah.

She had a great passion for the Holy Quran and apart from regularly reciting the Holy Quran herself, she would also teach the Holy Quran and Yassarnal Quran to the children of the local area.

She was a musia and leaves behind her husband, one son and four daughters. Three of her daughters reside in London and the other daughter is in Burkina Faso. The daughters who are here are also rendering service to the Jamaat. May Allah the Almighty grant her His forgiveness.

The next funeral is of Manzoor Ahmad Shad Sahib, who passed away on 17 January [2021] at the age of 82. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

Ahmadiyyat was introduced to his family in 1903 through his father, Hazrat Mian Abdul Karim Sahibra, a companion of the Promised Messiahas, when the Promised Messiahas had travelled to Jhelum for the case of Karam Din. Shad Sahib moved to Karachi in 1956 where he served as the qaid of the district of Karachi and carried out exceptional work under Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. Then he served as the local president of Drigh Road Colony and the naib amir of Karachi as well.

In 1984, he was part of the group that welcomed Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh in Sukkur and remained with him until his departure at the airport. He moved to London in 2010; he used to volunteer at the homoeopathic dispensary at Baitul Futuh.

At the time of his demise, he was serving as the secretary tarbiyat and secretary tarbiyat for new converts for the Norbury Jamaat.

He was a musi. Three of his grandsons are

Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM

“Allah the Almighty states that one form of nur [spiritual light] is the light of divine cognisance as a result of which one is able to distinguish between good and bad. This spiritual light is found in those homes in which Allah the Almighty is remembered morning and evening. Those who dwell in such homes are like merchants, whose houses may be small but one day, Allah the Almighty will grant them bigger abodes.” missionaries and are serving here in the UK. May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy on the deceased.

The next funeral is of Hameeda Akhtar Sahiba, wife of Abdur Rahman Saleem Sahib of USA, who passed away on 19 January [2021] at the age of 92. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

Allah the Almighty granted the deceased the opportunity to serve Lajna Imaillah [women’s auxiliary organisation] in Karachi and Rawalpindi for about 50 years; including as the general secretary, as sadr Lajna, as well as nigran qiadat. She had a deep love for Khilafat and would also advise her children to establish a sincere relationship with Khilafat.

She was regular in offering prayers and Tahajud [pre-dawn voluntary prayers] throughout her life. She paid special attention to reciting the Holy Quran and teaching it as well; she taught her children and her grandchildren as well. She was fortunate to have performed Umrah.

She was a musia. She is survived by five sons and two daughters. Many from among her progeny have dedicated their lives for the faith and are serving the Jamaat in various capacities, [such as] Dr Abdus Salam Sahib and Dr Khalil Malik Sahib who are rendering great services. May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon the deceased.

The next funeral is of respected Nasir Peter Lutzin Sahib, a German Ahmadi, who passed away on 20 January [202]: َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

His daughter writes: “One day, in 1983, my parents passed by the central market in Hannover when they saw a stall which comprised of a single table that had some books on it, and there were two foreign youths standing behind the table. They met them and learned that they were Muslims representing the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. Thus, they asked the youths

some questions and took some literature as well. After reading the literature, my parents got in contact with the youths and met with them. The three Ahmadis invited them to dinner with them.”

She further writes: “As it was the month of Ramadan, they called them over for iftari [meal to break the fast] and so my parents went to their home.

They had laid out the food on the floor on top of old newspapers as there was no place to sit. Hence, they laid out newspapers on the carpet and served food in this way.

My parents liked the food very much; however, they appreciated and enjoyed their simplicity and hospitality even more.”

She then says: “After that night, they would frequently visit each other’s homes. After a few months of studying and researching, in 1984, my parents performed the bai‘at [pledge of allegiance] and joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

“It was the occasion of Eid and respected Nasir Sahib went to Hamburg along with a few other local people, where he had the fortune to pledge allegiance. He also once had the opportunity of delivering a speech at Jalsa Salana [Annual Convention].”

She further writes: “My mother had a special attachment to religion, and her interest in the search for the true religion led her to Ahmadiyyat.

Subsequently, she was able to establish a living relationship with the Living God and saw signs of the acceptance of prayers many times, and Allah the Almighty showed her many signs as well.”

She continues: “My mother’s vision was impaired in one eye. In 1986, she was attending the Jalsa Salana in the UK when all of a sudden, some of her vision was restored. Up until this point, she was unable to see anything with that eye. However, she was able to see a little from that same eye.”

She then writes: “For someone who had completely lost her eyesight [in one eye], this was nothing short of a miracle, which came after 11 years of being unable to see. This was solely

the result of prayers and due to attending the Jalsa and praying that she received this blessing.”

She further says, “In London, she would stay at the home of a German Ahmadi, Khadija Sahiba. One day, my parents left her home to go out for sightseeing and went out to quite a distance and forgot the way home. As it became darker, they grew more worried. They were standing by a street that had heavy traffic and they had no idea where they were. When it became very dark and they lost the path, my mother said, ‘Let us pray.’ They had just finished praying when they saw respected Khadija Sahiba’s sonin-law had stopped his car in front of them and asked them to sit inside so he could take them home. This incident of the acceptance of prayer was a means of increasing and strengthening their faith.”

Laiq Munir Sahib, a missionary in Germany, writes, “Lutzin Sahib’s entire family joined Ahmadiyyat. At that time, we used to say that this was the only German Ahmadi family. He was very sincere, he would speak little and was very respectable.

Lutzin Sahib would also be at the forefront of presenting financial sacrifices. He would deliver lectures in tablighi programmes.

Whenever he heard the name of the Promised Messiahas, it would bring tears to his eyes. Once, during a tablighi meeting, the deceased expounded upon the teachings of Islam in such a beautiful manner that a 70-year-old German came to me and said that the knowledge he gained about Islam on that day, he had never learnt before.”

May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon him and keep his children steadfast upon Ahmadiyyat.

The next funeral is of respected Raziyya Tanveer Sahiba of Canada, who was the wife of Khaleel Ahmad Tanveer Sahib, a missionary and the vice-principal of Jamia Rabwah. She passed away in Canada on 27 January at the age of 58. She was suffering from cancer.

From a young age, the deceased took an interest in her faith, and this passion remained until her demise. She served for 22 years in the office of the women’s auxiliary

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AL HAKAM | Friday 7 May 2021

organisation in Pakistan as well as in various capacities for the monthly magazine, Misbah, including as an accountant in the office. She continued serving in this capacity until her demise. She had the opportunity to work quite a bit with Hazrat Choti Apa and learned a great deal from her and was fortunate to receive many prayers from her.

May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon her.

The next funeral is of Mian Manzoor Ahmad Ghalib Sahib, son of Mian Sher Muhammad Sahib of the district of Sargodha. He passed away on 7 February [2021] َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

In 1955, his elder brother accepted Ahmadiyyat; he would then accompany his elder brother to Rabwah on various occasions and there he too accepted Ahmadiyyat. His son in Belgium, Bashir Ahmad Sahib, says, “He had a deep bond of love for Khilafat and would not deviate in the slightest when it came to obedience to Khilafat; rather, he would implement exactly what was instructed.”

I knew him personally and he truly did serve the Jamaat with sincerity and loyalty and was obedient to Khilafat. He was a

servant of the faith who gave precedence to his faith over worldly pursuits. He was hospitable, extremely devout, took care of the poor, sociable, extremely kind and was loved by all. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, he was able to serve in Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya [youth auxiliary organisation], Ansarullah [elder’s auxiliary organisation] and in the Jamaat at the district level in Sargodha as the finance secretary, secretary for Waqf-e-Jadid and Tahrik-e-Jadid. He carried out his duties in an excellent manner. One of his grandsons is a missionary, Safir Ahmad, who is currently working in the private secretary’s office.

May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon the deceased.

The next funeral is of respected Bushra Hameed Anwar Adani Sahiba, wife of Hameed Anwar Adan Sahib of Yemen. She was the mother of Muhammad Ahmad Anwar Sahib, one of our volunteers in MTA and the mother-in-law of Munir Ahmad Odeh Sahib who is the director of production for MTA. She passed away on 14 February at the age of 69. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

She was the granddaughter of Hazrat Haji Muhammad Din Sahib Tehalvira, a

companion of the Promised Messiahas and Hazrat Husain Bibi Sahibara.

The deceased had the opportunity to work in MTA as well. She worked regularly for quite some time in transferring all the data for the programme of Liqa Ma‘al Arab and also served in [MTA] Al-Arabiyyah. It pleased her greatly to be able to serve the Jamaat in any capacity. She was very patient and grateful. May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon her.

The next funeral is of respected Noorus Sabahuz Zaffar Sahiba, wife of Muhammad Afzal Zafar Sahib who is a missionary in Eldoret, Kenya. She passed away on 25 March [2021] at the age of 62. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

She was the youngest daughter of the late missionary, Maulana Muhammad Saeed Ansari Sahib. She was also the sister-in-law of Naseem Bajwa Sahib from the UK. Her husband, Mian Muhammad Afzal Sahib, writes: “By the grace of Allah, she was regular in offering the five daily prayers; she regularly offered Tahajjud and would recite the Holy Quran every day. She had complete conviction in prayer; she always remained occupied in prayers herself and would also advise her children to pray as well. She would also listen to the sermons of the Khalifa and for the sake of her children’s moral training, she would later explain very intricate points to them. She would always relate faith-inspiring stories from ahadith [sayings of the Holy Prophetsa], history and books of the Jamaat. She would always advise them to serve the faith and to remain attached to Khilafat.

“By the grace of Allah, she was also a musi. She was extremely prompt in giving alms and she would take part in every financial scheme. Allah the Almighty granted her a very kind heart when it came to hospitality.”

He then says, “She and I had a 21-year companionship; throughout which she exhibited compassion and sympathy.” This friendship was very praiseworthy. Whilst Zafar Sahib was serving as a missionary in Fiji, his first wife passed away in an accident along with their four children; that is three daughters and a son. Hence, this was Zafar Sahib’s second marriage. From the first marriage, he had two daughters yet she loved them like a mother, regarding which the daughters themselves have expressed that she never made them feel as though they were without a mother. She always raised and taught them well, and this [treatment] was not limited to the children as Zafar Sahib says that she even treated his first inlaws so well that they too were captivated by her good morals.

Her daughter says: “When she entered our lives, she came as a light, a support and a loving mother.

She showed us so much love that we never felt that we lost out on the love from our own mother. She had a daughter of her own, yet she never differentiated between the three daughters. She was a selfless woman who always made sacrifices. She had complete faith in God Almighty and she always advised to remain firmly attached to Ahmadiyyat and Khilafat. She would always teach about the respect of relatives and reconciling between them.”

May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon her.

The next funeral is of Sultan Ali Raihan Sahib, father of Muhammad Ahmad Naeem Sahib, a missionary serving in the Central Arabic Desk, UK. He passed away on 26 March [2021] at the age of 83. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

Muhammad Ahmad Naeem Sahib writes: “Having undertaken his own research, our uncle took the oath of allegiance in 1958. Thereafter he preached to my father and sent him to Rabwah for the Jalsa Salana.

After reading a few books, by the grace of Allah, my father also took the oath of allegiance. After accepting Ahmadiyyat, both brothers faced severe persecution and attempts were made on their lives, but God Almighty protected them.

“The clerics would come to the villages and ask them why they could not even kill two of their youths, but in any case, God Almighty continued to safeguard them.

Despite all this, they continued till the end to maintain a relationship with the nonAhmadi relatives and the villagers. Despite their opposition, they continued to treat them well.”

He had two sons and six daughters. May Allah grant him forgiveness and mercy.

Muhammad Ahmad Naeem Sahib was also unable to attend the funeral of his father.

The next funeral is of Maulvi Ghulam Qadir Sahib, missionary and life devotee of Kalabun in the Rajouri district in Jammu Kashmir. He passed away on 26 March [2021] at the age of 56. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

Ahmadiyyat was introduced to Maulvi Ghulam Qadir Sahib’s family through his grandfather Bahadur Ali Sahib. By the grace of Allah, 13 members of this family are currently serving the Community. He had the honour of serving as a missionary for 34 years and six months. Wherever he would be posted, he would continue to fulfil his duties in teaching and moral upbringing very cheerfully and with maximum effort and zeal. He was very skilled in preaching and was always at the forefront in conveying the message. He would remain resolute in the face of opposition; he was an extremely patient, grateful, content and courageous missionary. He is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters. One of his sons, Bashiruddin Qadir, is studying in the final year of Jamia Ahmadiyya Qadian.

May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon him.

The next funeral is of Mahmoodah Begum Sahiba, wife of Muhammad Sadiq Sahib Arif, a darwesh of Qadian. She passed away on 1 April [2021] at the age of 85 due to heart failure. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

She was the granddaughter of Hazrat Qazi Ashraf Ali Sahibra – a companion of the Promised Messiahas – of Alipur Khera, Mainpuri district, in the Uttar Pradesh province. She was the daughter of Qazi Shad Bakht Sahib. She was married to the late Muhammad Arif Sadiq Sahib Darwesh.

24

Friday 7 May 2021 | AL HAKAM

The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the people of the Book is the eating of suhoor.”

(Musnad Darimi, Baab Fazl al-Suhoor)

During the period of hardship, she spent her time exhibiting patience and gratitude.

She would always show patience, even when faced with starvation and she never expressed any sign of their poverty in front of anyone. She was very punctual in offering her prayers; in fact, even in her final illness, she was restless with regard to offering the prayers.

She was very diligent in reciting the Holy Quran. She was very regular in giving alms. She had a great bond with Khilafat and would always advise her children to do the same. She was a musia and is survived by three sons and two daughters. May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon her.

The next funeral is of Khalid Saadullah al-Misri Sahib of Jordan, who passed away a few days ago at the age of 60. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

He was the first Ahmadi in his family.

He was very sincere, regular in offering his prayers and giving alms, and attached to the Jamaat. He was very kind, hospitable and friendly. He was very calm and had a habit of speaking little. He considered the word of the Khalifa of the time to be decisive. He would watch MTA regularly, especially the Friday Sermon.

May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon him.

The next funeral is of Respected Muhammad Muneer Sahib of Darul Fazl, Rabwah, who passed away on 1 April [2021]

at the age of 73. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return] He took the oath of allegiance in 1972 at the hands of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh. The rest of his family were not Ahmadis, so for this reason, they tortured him repeatedly to deter him from Ahmadiyyat.

In fact, in 2003, he was given an offer that if he left Ahmadiyyat, he would be given enough money whereby even his children would not have to work, but he remained steadfast upon Ahmadiyyat. His daughter, Qamar Muneer Sahiba is the wife of a lifedevotee serving here in Islamabad. [He is survived by] his wife, his son Tahir Waqas, who is also a life-devotee.

May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon him. He was a very pious and sincere individual. He would always have a smile on his face and never showed any anger. He was regular in offering the five daily prayers and was prompt in donating towards all chandas.

His relative, Hafiz Saeedur Rahman Sahib, says: “My father taught him to work because his non-Ahmadi relatives did not treat him well.” So he went to his father whose shop was nearby. He taught him to work in his shop and then he began staying at his home.

He says that he was very regular in going to the mosque to offer his prayers where he would sit in the first rows. He developed such a great zeal for preaching that even his wife would often travel with him to

the neighbouring villages of Rabwah to preach. May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy upon him.

The next funeral is of Master Nazeer Ahmad Sahib of Darul Barakat, Rabwah, who passed away on 4 April [2021] at the age of 80. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫اج ُع ْو َن‬ ِ ‫اِنا لِل ِہ واِنا اِلی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

Ahmadiyyat was introduced to his family through his father Mian Umar Din Sahib, son of Mian Karam Din Sahib, of Data Zaid Ka in the Sialkot district. He was 15 years old when he found the path of guidance and either in 1914 or 1915, he attended the Jalsa Salana and took the oath of allegiance at the hands of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. He was guided by means of a dream.

Then, Master Nazeer Sahib moved to 99 North, Sargodha. He was boycotted by the schoolteachers there. It was in this very school that his nine-year-old son, Naseer Ahmad, was injured in a knife attack by another student, yet Master Nazeer Sahib showed great patience. His son survived this attack but later passed away of a fever.

Whilst lowering the body of his son into the grave, Master Nazeer Sahib said with great patience and forbearance, “My son, I am proud that you depart with a mark on your body which is a sign of the truthfulness of the Jamaat.”

Whilst he was serving as a teacher in that village, there was no need for any muallim or missionary, as he would undertake this work himself. Then he was posted near

Rabwah and subsequently moved there, where he continued to offer his services. He taught numerous children the Holy Quran.

After his retirement, he learnt the tarteel of the Holy Quran from Qari Ashiq Sahib and he began giving Tarteel-ul-Quran classes in his local area. He tried his best to make sure that every boy and girl who has passed their matriculation exam was able to read the Holy Quran. If there were such who could not, he would go to their home to teach them the Holy Quran.

He was regular in offering Tahajud prayer from a very young age. When the coronavirus restrictions were put in place in Rabwah, whereby no one over the age of 60 could go to the mosque, he would be very diligent in offering his prayers and the Friday prayers at home. He was convinced through a dream of his that he would pass away at the age of 80, and this came true.

He has four sons and one daughter as well. In any case, his three sons are life devotees. One is Aziz Sahib who is serving here in Islamabad. The other is Naseem Ahmad Sahib, a missionary in Rabwah.

The third is Saeed Ahmad Adeel Sahib, a missionary in Niger. He too was unable to attend the burial.

May Allah the Almighty grant forgiveness and mercy to the deceased and grant the families of all these deceased members patience and forbearance and enable them to continue their good deeds.

(Original Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International, 30 April 2021, pp. 5-10.

Translated by The Review of Religions.)

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