Al Hakam - 16 July 2021

Follow your heart to find direction

Eid-ul-Adha, Hajj and sacrifice

The father of prophets A brief look into the life of Prophet Abraham

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The link between sacrifice and Eid-ulAdha

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021 | Issue CLXXIV Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | ISSN 2754-7396

Abraham and his family: Three lessons for the st 21 century Eid-ul-Adha recalls the successful sacrifice of a father’s protection, a mother’s inherent love and a child’s life, for the will of Allah.

It is a story that meanders through trust, even when all odds are against you; belief, despite nothing tangible to hold onto; and sacrifice, whether it made sense or not.

Hazrat Abraham, Hazrat Hajirah and Hazrat Ishmael, peace be on them all, set the stage for the future Muslim ummah and taught us that without utter obedience and sacrifice, we cannot attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty.

Ours is an interesting age – rigorous scientific methods and

endless technological advancements have brought boundless good and development; however, this “new age” also comes with hidden price tags for believers.

In a world where everything is questioned, the logic and reason Continued on next page >>

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

Eid and the Holy Prophet’ssa practice

َ ّ ٰ َّ َ َّ ُ ْ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ‫الﻨ ِ� ّ� َصلى ا�� ُ� َعل ْي ِﻪ‬ ‫ ﻗال � ِ�ﻌت‬،ِ‫ﻋ ِﻦ ال��اء‬ َ َ َ ُ ُ ْ َ َ َّ َ َ ‫وﺳلم ��ﻄﺐ ﻓﻘال‬ َ‫ ﺛ ُ ّم‬،�َ ّ �‫إ َّن أ َ َّو َل َﻣا ن َ ْﺒ َدأ ُ ِﻣ ْﻦ ﻳ َ ْﻮ� َﻨا َه َﺬا أ َ ْن ن ُ َﺼ‬ ِ ِ ِ َ َْ َ ‫ �َ� َ ْﻦ ﻓَ َﻌ َل ﻓَ َﻘ ْد أ َ َص‬،‫� ﻓَ َﻨ ْ��َ َر‬ َ‫اب ُﺳ َّﻨ َﺘﻨا‬ ‫نر ِﺟ‬ Hazrat Al-Barara narrates, “I heard the Holy Prophetsa delivering a sermon in which he said, ‘The first thing to be done on this day [first day of Eid-ulAdha] is to pray; and after returning from the prayer, we slaughter our sacrifices [in the name of Allah] and whoever does so, has acted according to our sunnah.’”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Eidain, Hadith 951)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

A prayer of the Promised Messiah Here are the holy words of a prayer by the Promised Messiah, on whom be peace, as expressed by his own blessed lips: “O Lord of all the worlds! It is beyond me to offer You gratitude for all Your favours. You are most Merciful and Compassionate, and the bounties that You have conferred upon me are countless. Forgive me my sins, lest I am ruined. Fill my heart with sincere love for You, so that I may receive life. Cover my faults and allow me to perform such deeds which become the source of Your pleasure. I seek refuge in Your noble countenance lest your punishment befalls me. Have mercy and save me from the calamities of this world and the Hereafter. For all grace and compassion is in Your hand. Amin, and again, amin.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 241)

Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

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for all steps are demanded and where materialism and a hedonistic environment flourishes, absolute obedience, sacrifice and trust in Allah become huge tests for believers.

Eid-ul-Adha is a good time to reflect, refresh our faith and gain inspiration from the great examples of Hazrat Abrahamas and his family.

Here are three lessons to learn on Eidul-Adha: 1. Obedience Hazrat Abrahamas, on Allah’s command, took his wife, Hazrat Hajirahas and his son, Hazrat Ishmaelas, to “a barren land” in the middle of the desert and left them there with a handful of dates and some water. He didn’t ask questions or demand the logic behind this commandment from Allah, yet he was fully aware of the intensity and danger of the situation.

Allah commends Hazrat Abraham’s untiring obedience in the Holy Quran and calls him “a nation unto himself ”:

َ ً َ ُ َ َ َ ۡ ٰ ۡ َّ ُ ً ّٰ ۡ ۡ ۡ ‫ان ا ّمۃ قانِ ًتا لِّل ِہ َح ِن ۡیفا ؕ َو ل َ ۡم یَک ِم َن ال ُمش ِرک ِی َن‬ ‫ِان ِابر ِہیم ک‬

“Abraham was a nation unto himself, always obedient to Allah, [to Him] ever inclined; certainly not belonging to the idolaters.” (Surah an-Nahl, Ch.16: V.121) Leaving his wife and child, Hazrat Abrahamas called out to Allah the Almighty saying “Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House”. (Surah Ibrahim, Ch.14: V.38) When Hazrat Ishmaelas grows to become a young boy, Hazrat Abrahamas – believing Allah was instructing him (in a dream) to literally sacrifice his young boy – gets ready to place a knife to Hazrat Ishmael’s neck. In fact, he first seeks his son’s approval, who

gives full consent.

Hazrat Abrahamas says to the young Hazrat Ishmaelas:

َ َ ُۡ َ َ َۡ َّ َ ۡ َ ّ َ ‫ٰی ُبن َّی ِانِ ۡۤی ا ٰری فِی ال َمنا ِم انِ ۡۤی اذبَ ُحک فانظ ۡر َماذا ت ٰری‬

“O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering thee. So consider, what thou thinkest [of it]!” (Surah alSaaffat, Ch.37: V.103) Hazrat Ishmaelas, with full obedience, replies:

ّٰ َ َ ۡ ۤۡ ُ َ َ ُ َ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ٰۤ ّٰ ‫الل ُہ ِم َن‬ ‫یاب ِت افعل ما تؤمر ۫ ست ِجدنِی ِان شٓاء‬ ‫الصبِرِیۡ َن‬

“O my father, do as thou art commanded; thou wilt find me, if Allah please, steadfast [in my faith].” (Ibid) Here, Hazrat Ishmaelas demands his father to “do” as Allah commands. He is ever ready to show obedience, without questioning the sacrifice of his own life.

All aspirations, familial love and ties and worldly pleasures were worthless for the young Hazrat Ishmaelas, his eyes were set on gaining Allah’s pleasure through absolute obedience.

Talking of obedience during a sermon on Eid-ul-Adha, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra said that the level of obedience in a Muslim should be such that they: “[…] find no apprehension in their heart and are every ready to act [on the commandment]. Even the thought of refusing, showing arrogance and disobedience should not pass their heart.”

(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 2, p. 65) This was the obedience Hazrat Abrahamas and his family showed.

His wife, Hazrat Hajirahas also rose up and showed immense levels of obedience to Allah. When she asked Hazrat Abrahamas whether Allah had commanded him to leave them in the barren desert and he replied in the affirmative, sheٰ unwaveringly said: ّ ُ �ِ ��‫َر ِﺿيت بِا‬ “‘I am satisfied to be with Allah.’” (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab al-Anbiya)

Just imagine a mother with her baby in the middle of a desert with no continuous supply of water or food, but in obedience to Allah, she is satisfied with the situation.

It isn’t for no reason that the walks during Hajj between Safa and Marwa remind worshippers of the exemplary level of obedience and sacrifice Hazrat Hajirahas showed.

In the 21st century – where any hint of belief in the unseen or obedience is sternly looked down on – absolute obedience to Allah, his prophets and Khulafa becomes all the more important.

In fact, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that an obedient believer was better than a believer who carried out endless worship but had hidden arrogance within themselves and found it difficult to be fully obedient when it came to the commandments of Allah, His prophets and His Khulafa.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa says: “So, a person can offer thousands of prayers, give charity and offer outwardly sacrifices; however, until that pure heart is not present in which it is well established not to compete with God Almighty, not to refuse [his commandments] and not show arrogance and to be ever ready to take up death for God, there is nothing.” (Khutbate-Mahmud, Vol. 2, p. 65) Huzoorra said a person who fulfils the outward commandments and rituals to a lower degree as compared to others, but has a deep desire to show immediate obedience and has no arrogance, is “hundreds of thousands of times better” than a person who offers prayers, gives all his wealth in Allah’s way, but does not fully accept every instruction wholeheartedly. (Khutbat-eMahmud, Vol 2, p. 65-66) If we understood the reality and importance of obedience to Allah, His prophets and His Khulafa, Huzoorra said, then in a short amount of time, “such a

[strong] Jamaat can be formed that even if it were cut with saws, it would not weaken or fall into trial. In fact, it would not even label great trials as problems and would be perfectly truthful, patient and obedient.”

(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol 2, p. 28) The world in the 21st century may scoff or laugh at the obedience believers show.

Ahmadi Muslims are even labelled, by other Muslims, as followers of a “cult” due to their obedience to Khilafat. However, history has shown time and time again that those who were obedient to Allah the Almighty and His vicegerents, always came out on top.

Eid-ul-Adha reminds us that without absolute obedience, like that of Hazrat Abrahamas and his family, our faith remains in deep water.

2. Sacrifice Hazrat Abrahamas was prepared to put a knife to his son’s neck and slaughter him for Allah’s sake. The mother was ready to endure the harsh and unforgiving conditions of the desert with her baby in her hand and without any sustenance or support. The child was ready to end all life aspirations and his future for Allah the Almighty and willingly placed his neck down to be slaughtered.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that the prophecy in the Torah about Hazrat Ishmaelas and his future progeny set the stage for the expectation of sacrifice that Muslims should show.

The Torah foretold: “[…] his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

(Genesis, 16:11) This meant the future progeny of Ishmaelas would bring revolutionary teachings and changes that the world would bitterly oppose. Hazrat Ishmael’s sacrifice was the foundation of greater sacrifices that

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021 were to come. The ultimate inheritor of Hazrat Ishmaelas was Prophet Muhammadsa, who had to sacrifice the most for Allah the Almighty. He brought Islam – a teaching that has often been met with fierce opposition since its inception.

The place Hazrat Ishmaelas migrated to, was where the Holy Prophet’ssa food and water was cut off and the followers of Islam boycotted for six harsh years. It was in this very place – Mecca – where, due to the severe boycott in which Muslims were not even allowed to buy or receive sustenance, the Prophet’s beloved wife, Hazrat Khadijahra passed away from ill-health. Muslims, due to the absence of food and water, became unrecognisable during these six long years.

Muslims are reminded about these great sacrifices in their history, and it’s no different today. Without sacrifice – following Hazrat Abraham’s family and greater yet, the example of the Holy Prophetsa – gaining the closeness of Allah the Almighty and His pleasure is simply not possible.

These are actual events and not mere stories. It is a moment to self-reflect as fathers, children and mothers and see how far we are willing to go and how much we are willing to sacrifice for Allah.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said: “Islam’s core principle is sacrifice.

By sacrificing Hazrat Ishmaelas, Hazrat Abrahamas showed the way to success and closeness to God Almighty to coming generations. And by showing perfect obedience, he openly showed what his religion entails; that until a person does not adopt a type of death for God and is ready to endure every kind of humiliation and disgrace for Allah the Almighty’s pleasure and is not thrown into the thorny mountains and plains of tribulations and is not completely cut off by the world, until then, he is not even accepted.

“Until a person does not adopt the Abrahamic sunnah [practice] and the sacrifice and obedience of Ishmael – the perfect example of which was our Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah the Almighty be on him, who, in Mecca, by showing the epitome of patience and perseverance, presented to us the true example of sacrifice for all times to come […] – one is not accepted by Allah the Almighty, nor do they receive approval [from Him]. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol.2, pp. 64-65) Today, we are not asked to give our lives.

The most we are asked of is to sacrifice some of our wealth or time for the cause of Allah the Almighty, but we do have the ghost of materialism haunting our lives.

It is a point to reflect, dig deep and see how much we are sacrificing for Allah’s cause. How close can we get to the sacrifices made by Hazrat Abrahamas and his family and ultimately, the Holy Prophetsa and his Companionsra?

3. Trust Eid-ul-Adha reminds us to trust Allah, even in the most difficult of situations.

The immense and profound obedience and sacrifice of Hazrat Abrahamas and his family showed they had a deep sense of trust in Allah the Almighty, even when the odds were against them from a worldly perspective.

Hazrat Abraham’sas trust in Allah was such that he left his wife and child in a barren

Taqwa should inspire the sacrifice of animals

“

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa says:

God Almighty has stated that taqwa is the true essence that should inspire any sacrifice of animals we make. This is what is beloved to God. By making the physical sacrifice, the

person making the sacrifice expresses his willingness to forego all his personal desires for God […] The person making the sacrifice should take a lesson from this act of sacrificing an animal and realise that he too should be willing to make every sacrifice of his personal desires for the greater goal of achieving the nearness and pleasure of God Almighty.” (Eid-ul-Adha Sermon on 12 August 2019)

desert with just some dates and water. He had so much faith that he was even ready to slaughter his own young son and, in turn, the son was ready to be sacrificed at the hands of his own father.

When narrating the sacrifices of this model family and Hazrat Abrahamas leaving his family in the desert, the Holy Prophetsa said: “They had a water-skin with them containing some water; Ishmael’s mother used to drink water from the water-skin so that her milk would increase for her child.

When Abraham reached Mecca, he made her sit under a tree and afterwards, returned home. Ishmael’s mother followed him, and when they reached Kada, she called him from behind, ‘O Abraham! To whom are you leaving us?’ He replied, ‘[I am leaving you] to Allah’s [care].’ She said, ‘I am satisfied to be with Allah.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab alAnbiya) In another narration, Hazrat Hajirahas is

reported to have responded by saying:

َ ََُ ً ‫ِإذا لا یض ِّی ُعنا‬

Meaning, “Then God will not neglect us”. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Anbiya) This trust, as we know, bore fruits that we still enjoy today. Hazrat Abrahamas and his family were not only materially blessed; rather, the greatest prophet was sent in their lineage – Prophet Muhammadsa. Even if materialism focuses on always having the upper hand, materially speaking, from Hazrat Abraham’s example, believers can find solace in trusting Allah even when material odds are against them.

In a materialistic world where physical commodities, wealth and status have been advertised as the focus of life, the following verse of the Holy Quran, in relation to sacrificing animals in Allah’s way, speaks volumes on where our focus should be:

ُۡ ۡ َّ ُ َ َ ُ ُ ّٰ َ َ َّ ۡ َ ‫ال الل َہ ل ُحوۡ ُم َہا َو لَا ِد َمٓاؤ َہا َو لٰ ِک ۡن ّینال ُہ التق ٰوی ِمنک ۡم‬ ‫لن ین‬

“Their flesh reaches not Allah, nor does

their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him.” (Surah al-Hajj, Ch.22: V.38) In his commentary of this verse, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, during an Eid-ul-Adha sermon, said: “The meat or blood of sacrificed animals does not reach Allah because blood mixes into the mud and the meat does not reach [Him] because you consume it yourselves.

Bones are thrown away. Then what is the ۡ َّ ُ َ َ benefit of this sacrifice? [It is] ‫َو لٰ ِک ۡن ّینال ُہ التق ٰوی‬ ُۡ ۡ ‫ – ِمنکم‬your righteousness reaches God Almighty and its purpose is to sacrifice your nafs [self]. At the time of sacrificing [an animal] a believer testifies that as this goat has put its neck forward, in the same way, ‘O my Lord, I sever with a knife the thoughts of my inner self that are opposed to Yours’ […]

This the true Eid that every believer should long for.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 2, p. 13) (By Ataul Fatir Tahir, Al Hakam)

Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

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Answers to Part XVIII: Wishing to die, Everyday Heaven and Hell and suffering Issues and overcoming challenges 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

Hadith against wishing to die Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa was asked about the authenticity of a hadith in which the Holy Prophetsa is reported to have said, “Do not harbour the wish to die!” The person also wrote that this hadith was not found in our Jamaat’s literature.

Huzooraa, in a letter dated 4 April 2019, gave the following reply: “The hadith that you have referred to in your letter has been recorded in various books of hadith. Hazrat Imam Bukharirh and Hazrat Imam Muslimrh have also included it in their books. The precise wording of the hadith is as follows: َ ّ ٰ َّ ُ َّ َ َ ُ ْ َ ُ ّ ٰ َ َ َ​َ ْ َ �‫ﻋﻦ أ‬ ‫الﻨ ِ� ّ� َصلى ا�� ُ� َعل ْي ِﻪ‬ ‫ﺲ بْ ِﻦ َﻣال ِكٍ ر ِ�� ا��� ﻋﻨﻪ ﻗال‬ ِ َ‫َو َﺳل َّ َم لَا ﻳ َ َﺘ َم َّﻨ� َ َّ� أ َ َح ُدك ُ ْم ال ْ َم ْﻮ َت ِﻣ ْﻦ ُ� ّ� أ َ َصاب َ ُﻪ ﻓَﺈ ْن �َان‬ ٍ ِ ْ َ ُ ْ َ َ َ ْ ْ َ َّ ُ ّ ٰ ْ ُ َ ْ َ ً َ َّ ُ َ �ِ� ‫ت ا�حَ َياة ﺧ� ً�ا‬ ِ ‫لا بد ﻓاعِ �ا ﻓليﻘل اللهم أح ِي ِ�� ﻣا �ان‬ ْ َ ُ َ ْ ْ َ َ َ َّ َ �ْ ِ � ‫َوﺗ َﻮﻓ ِ� ْ� ِإذا �انت ال َﻮﻓاة ﺧ� ً�ا‬ “Hazrat Anasra bin Malik narrates that the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘None of you should wish for death because a calamity has befallen them, but if a person cannot help doing so, they should say: “O Allah!

Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death becomes better for me.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab alMardaa, Bab tamanni al-mareed al-maut) “In the Jamaat’s literature, this hadith

is mentioned in the commentary of Sahih al-Bukhari by Hazrat Syed Zainul Abidin Waliullah Shah Sahibra. I have also narrated this hadith during the Friday Sermon of 17 August 2012, stating that the Holy Prophetsa had said, ‘Let no man desire death.’ The reason for this is that if he is good, he may increase in good deeds and inherit the bounties of Allah the Exalted, and if he is wicked, he may be able to repent.”

Male cousin as a wali

The girl has appointed her paternal male cousin as the wali for her nikah. However, you have refused to register the marriage, saying that a paternal male cousin could not be a wali.

“Please, tell me according to which fiqh you have refused the registration because a paternal male cousin was appointed as the wali, whereas neither the girl’s father is alive nor does she have any brothers?

“According to the Ahmadiyya fiqh, after the father, the nearest blood relative of the girl who is present can become her wali. As a paternal male cousin is counted among blood relatives, he can therefore become the wali of a girl, provided that none of the immediate blood relatives is alive. So, please register her marriage.”

The true concept of Heaven and Hell

On the occasion of a marriage, a paternal male cousin of the bride was appointed as her wali because her father had passed away. This arrangement was objected to by the rishta nata department.

Huzooraa, in a letter dated 14 January 2020, gave the following instructions in this regard: “Respected Amir Sahib Canada has sent me a marriage registration case where the girl’s father has passed away and she also does not have any brother.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa was asked, “If the concept of physical Heaven and Hell is incorrect, then what are Heaven and Hell? What will Heaven and Hell look like after the Day of Judgement?

Huzooraa, in a letter, dated 4 February 2020, gave the following reply: “Just as there are all kinds of ideas about Heaven and Hell in other religions, Muslims have also concocted erroneous ideas in their minds due to misunderstanding the statements of the Holy Quran and the ahadith about Heaven and Hell and due to their taking them literally. However, the Holy Quran and the ahadith have only given allegorical descriptions of Heaven and Hell in order to make man understand. The words describing Heaven and Hell have been used as metaphors and there is a different truth hidden behind them. Therefore, along with these allegorical descriptions, the Holy Quran also states: َ ‫َفلَا تَ ْع َل ُم � َ ْف ٌس َما ٔاُ ْخ��َ ل َ ُہ ْم م ْن � ُ َّر ِۃ ٔاَ ْعیُن َج َز ًاء ب َما کَانُوا یَ ْع َم ُل‬ ‫ون‬ ِ ِ ٍ ِ “‘And no soul knows what joy of the eyes is kept hidden for them, as a reward for the (good) they used to do.’ [Surah alSajdah, Ch.32: V.18]

“Similarly, it has been narrated in a hadith that the Holy Prophetsa said that the bounties of Heaven were such that: َ ْ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ُ​ُ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ �ٍ �َ‫َﻣا لا ﻋ� ٌ� َرأت َولا أذ ٌن � ِ� َﻌت َولا ﺧﻄ َر َعلى ﻗل ِﺐ ب‬ “‘No eye has ever seen them, no ear has ever heard them, and no human heart has ever conceived them.’ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab bad‘il khalq, baab maa ja‘a fi siffat al-jannah wa annahaa makhluqah] In fact, Heaven and Hell are a reflection of the faith and the deeds of this world.

They are not something new that will come to man from outside; rather, man’s paradise comes from within him. It is his own faith and his good deeds, the delight of which he begins to experience in this very life and the gardens of faith and deeds become visible in a subtle way. Rivers also become visible in the same way. These very gardens will be experienced intensely

in the Hereafter. Hence, the Holy Quran states regarding the people of Paradise: َّ َ ُ َ ً ْ َ ُ​ُ َ ْ ُ َّ ُ َْ ‫کل َما ُرزِقوا ِمن َہا ِم ْن ﺛ َمرَ ٍۃ رِزقا قالوا َہذا ال ِذي ُرزِقنا ِم ْن ق ْب ُل َؤاتوا ِب ِہ‬ َ ‫ُم َتش ِاب ًہا‬ “‘Whenever they are given a portion of fruit therefrom, they will say: “This is what was given us before”, and gifts mutually resembling shall be brought to them.’ [Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.26] “The Promised Messiahas, while elucidating the reality of Heaven and Hell, stated: “‘According to the Holy Quran, Hell and Heaven are both reflections of a man’s life, and are not something new that comes from outside. It is true that in the Hereafter, they will be manifested

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021 physically, but they will be reflections of the spiritual conditions of man in this life. We do not conceive of Heaven as containing material trees, nor of Hell as full of brimstone and sulphur. According to Islamic teachings Heaven and Hell are the reflections of the actions that a person carries out in this world.’ (The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, p. 157)”.

The problem of suffering Someone asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa about their son’s illness and asked, “Why does God Almighty not simply heal my son, when everything lies in His hands?

One may say that man is punished for his deeds, but my son was born with this condition. What sin has he committed?

these afflictions that keep the desire for research and enquiry alive in man. Thus, scientific research and inventions often seem to be driven by a constant struggle to get rid of human suffering and discomfort.

“The third thing is that the afflictions that befall man are the result of man’s own deeds. Allah the Exalted has made a law of nature to run the system of the world and after creating countless things in the world, He has made man the ruler over them. Now, if man does not benefit from certain things or harms himself by misusing them, then it is his own fault.

For instance, medical science has proven that certain weaknesses of parents affect their children. If full care is not taken during pregnancy, it can sometimes have

in this temporary life, Allah the Exalted in return removes the suffering of such people in the Hereafter which is, in fact, the eternal life. Therefore, it is narrated in ahadith that even if a thorn pricks a believer while walking in this world, Allah the Exalted writes a reward in his account of deeds or forgives his sins.

“Allah the Exalted puts His loved ones through the afflictions of the life of this world the most. That is why the Holy Prophetsa said that prophets were put through trials the most out of all the people. Then, the rest of the people are tried according to their rank. Hazrat Aishara states, ‘I have never seen a man in more pain than the Holy Prophetsa.’

We know that many of his children died, although the grief of the death of even one child is immense.

“Thus, there are many divine pearls of wisdom hidden in worldly suffering and trials, which sometimes the human intellect cannot comprehend. Hence, one should try to bear them with patience and prayer.

“The Promised Messiahas states, ‘Sometimes the divine expediency is that man does not achieve any desires in life.

There are various kinds of calamities, trials, diseases and misfortunes, but one should not be perturbed by them.’”

(Malfuzat [Urdu], Vol. 5, p. 23, Edition 2016) Responsibilities of the members of Lajna and Nasirat

All this is beyond my comprehension.

Please explain this to me.”

In a letter dated 4 February 2020, Huzooraa gave the following reply: “Man’s knowledge is very imperfect and incomplete in comparison to God, Who is All-Knowing. Therefore, it is impossible for man to understand the wisdom of every action of God Almighty.

Thus, it does not behove man to raise such an objection about the Being of Allah the Exalted. This shows one’s ingratitude towards God’s favours, because the blessings which Allah the Exalted has bestowed on man are innumerable, and it is impossible for him to give thanks for all of them. That is why the Holy Prophetsa said that charity was obligatory on every joint of the human body every day because even if one joint was missing, his whole body could become useless.

“Then, another piece of advice that was given to us by the Holy Prophetsa is that when one sees a person who is better than him in terms of wealth or physical build, he should also look at a person who is financially or physically weaker than him.

Following this advice can inculcate real gratitude in man’s heart for the blessings of Allah the Exalted.

“Secondly, there are many secrets of human progress, hidden in these very works of Allah the Exalted. Were it not for these sorrows, afflictions and diseases, man would not even have been moved to think and develop and he would have become a static object like a stone. It is

a detrimental effect on the health of the unborn child. Mothers who are dieting sometimes have weak babies. Girls who have the habit of eating dirt during their childhood sometimes have children with disabilities.

“Thus, afflictions are not created by God Almighty, but are due to the misuse or a lack of moderation with regard to this law of nature which was made for the benefit of human beings. However, Allah the Exalted forgives man many of his mistakes and protects him from their ill consequences. Allah the Exalted has elucidated this subject in the Holy Quran as follows: “‘And whatever misfortune befalls you, is due to what your own hands have wrought. And He forgives many [of your sins].’ (Surah al-Shura, Ch.42: V.31) “Moreover, it is also part of the law of nature created by God Almighty that everything accepts the influence of other things. Due to the same law, children also take good things from their parents as well as bad things: they take health from them as well as illnesses. If they did not inherit diseases or ailments from their parents, they would also not inherit the good things. Were that the case, then man would be a stone that would not accept any effect, good or bad, and thus, the purpose of human life would become void and man’s existence would become worse than that of animals.

“Fourthly, the life of this world is actually a temporary life and its sufferings are also temporary. And those who suffer

During a virtual mulaqat of the national amila of Lajna Imaillah Bangladesh with Huzooraa, which was held on 14 November 2020, Huzooraa drew the attention of the members of Lajna and Nasirat to various aspects of tarbiyat and gave them the following instructions: “The tarbiyat of Lajna [members] should be carried out in a way that it should be their regular habit to dress in a modest way and to observe purdah. When they go out, they should not dress in a manner that could invite the attention of the wicked kind of men to leer at them.

They ought to observe purdah when they go out. You should ensure and always be mindful that Ahmadi ladies, young and old, are distinct from others.

“Moreover, inculcate the habit in members of Lajna Imaillah that every one of them offers the five daily prayers regularly. Try to ensure that every member of Lajna recites the Holy Quran daily.

“You also ought to try and draw the attention of the younger members to find suitable spouses within the Jamaat as opposed to outside of the Jamaat.

“You should inculcate this habit in the women who are working, whether young or old, that they dress modestly in their workplaces and that they observe purdah while at work.

“Likewise, you should hold tarbiyat seminars and invite the younger generation to attend those seminars.

During those seminars, explain to them the commandments of Allah and His Prophetsa and the wisdom behind them and teach them that they should

undertake their tarbiyat according to those commandments.”

During the same mulaqat, while shedding further light on the importance of the tarbiyat of Nasirat, Huzooraa said: “Devise such tarbiyat programmes for the Nasirat which ensure that their tarbiyat is done properly, which means that they develop the habit of offering the Salat regularly, reciting the Holy Quran regularly, praying regularly, and listening to my sermon on MTA regularly. If you ensure the good tarbiyat of Nasirat, they will work more efficiently once they join Lajna Imaillah. If you ensure the good moral training of Nasirat, then inshaAllah, it will greatly raise the standard of the members of your Lajna too. Hence, try that you are able to do good tarbiyat of Nasirat.”

Does Huzooraa take regular days off from work?

During the same mulaqat, a member of Lajna Imaillah said, “Huzoor you are an exceptionally busy person. Do you have any arrangements for some time off from work during the week? How do you find time for your friends and family?”

Huzooraa replied: “I spend time off just like this. I am enjoying my weekly time off at this moment by holding a meeting with all of you. This is my weekly time off.”

How does Huzooraa overcome difficulties?

A member of Lajna Imaillah said, “Huzoor, previously when you were in Africa, the conditions over there at the time were not as they are today. At that time, you would have had to face many difficulties in your work. Huzoor, my question is whether you could kindly share one of your experiences of your time in Africa?”

Huzooraa replied: “The thing is that [...] one has to always face difficulties. Indeed, there were difficult circumstances in those days. At present, the situation is much better.

“The intention was to work and to strive to fulfil the purpose of being sent there. One always has to face difficulties, but these difficulties should not become a hindrance in your religious endeavours.

Thus, my wife and I tried our level best to continue our work without any hindrances.

“During such difficult times, women should support their husbands and the husbands should also take care of their wives. And the work of the faith should also continue.

“When you work and have complete trust in Allah, then Allah the Exalted makes a way for you to deal with the circumstances no matter how difficult.

Alongside the efforts, one should continue to pray and then Allah the Exalted bestows His blessings. It was a simple formula of working hard and praying. As a result, Allah the Exalted provides the solutions. One should not be perturbed by anything.”

(Translated from the original Urdu by Al Hakam)

Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

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This Week in History 16-22 July 16 July 1919: Hazrat Hafiz Muinuddinra passed away. This fortunate companion had joined the company of the Promised Messiahas at a very young age.

The Promised Messiahas brought with him, to his home, a blind boy aged 15 or 16 years who used to wander in the streets of Qadian. Hazrat Ahmadas said to him, “Hafiz, you should now live with me.” He respectfully replied, “Mirza Ji, I am incapable of doing any work.”

Hazrat Ahmadas replied, “Hafiz, you would not need to do anything, we will offer prayers together and you should memorise the Holy Quran.”

Sahib and Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Sahib.

Before leaving for Karachi, this same delegation also met with the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami in Lahore, Maulvi Abul A‘la Maududi. Addressing this delegation, Maudidi said, “You should go and tell your Imam that there is a fierce insurgency against the Ahmadiyya Jamaat at this time and there is a danger of severe bloodshed, so it is better for you to recognise yourself as a non-Muslim minority or adopt any beliefs that we can tolerate, otherwise there is a grave danger.”

18 July 1908: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira instructed to compile a new list of Jamaat members so that published Through this incident, we see the love literature of the Jamaat could be and passion Hazrat Ahmadas had for distributed in a better manner. In July praying in congregation. This young boy 1908, Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin, was later mentioned in Aina-e-Kamalat- Khalifatul Masih Ira launched a scheme e-Islam among the 313 companions. to prepare the tajnid (census) of He was Hazrat Hafiz Muinuddin Sahibra.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. Its purpose was to Hazrat Hafiz Muinuddin Sahibra did bai‘at make the Jamaat a united community on 18 November 1889. and to make the members aware of any instruction from Khalifatul Masih.

17 July 1952: Owing to the ongoing Huzoorra instructed to make a list of disturbing law and order situation for all members of the Jamaat, including Ahmadis in the country, a delegation of their full addresses. The announcement the Ahmadiyya Jamaat had a detailed about this scheme was published in Al meeting with the Prime Minister Hakam of 18 July 1908, p. 8. of Pakistan, Khawaja Nazimuddin in Karachi (then capital city of the 19 July 1980: Hazrat Khalifatul country) to brief him about the Masih IIIrh reached Hamburg from Ahmadiyya concerns. The members of Frankfurt during his tour. He met this delegation were Maulana Abdur with Ahmadis from Hamburg on 20 Rahim Dard Sahibra, Maulana Jalaluddin July. The Ahmadis in Hamburg had Shams Sahibra, Maulana Abul Ata the opportunity to spend time in Jalandhari Sahib, Malik Abdur Rahman

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh in Hamburg

Huzoor’s company. Huzoor remained Promised Messiahas. He stated that it with them for two hours where he spoke was his common practice that whenever about various important issues. he wrote a letter, he would also send some money for the service of Islam. As 20 July 1950: On this day, Hazrat Baba soon as his letter reached the Promised Messiahas, Huzooras called for a new Hassan Muhammadra passed away. register and wrote Hazrat Baba Hassan Hazrat Baba Hassan Muhammadra was Muhammad’sra name at the top of the born on 11 July 1870 in Aujla, district register. of Gurdaspur. He did bai‘at in 1895.

Hazrat Baba Hassan Muhammadra In 1902, he migrated to Qadian. On 5 narrated that the Promised March 1906, he was honoured as the Messiahas held a meeting on that day, first musi. After the establishment of where he notified others about Hazrat Pakistan, he went to Chiniot where he remained till his demise. His burial took Baba Hassan Muhammad’sra wasiyyat.

Huzooras said that the one who did place in the local cemetery of Rabwah a good deed first took a rank over – later, he was moved to Bahishti everyone.

Maqbarah, Rabwah. rh

rh

Hazrat Baba Hassan Muhammadra used to say that Allah the Almighty had arranged for him to migrate to Qadian. After he migrated, he rendered his service for the Jamaat’s magazine, The Review of Religions (Urdu).

He narrates that one day, the Promised Messiahas started writing a book at midnight and ordered the copywriters in the press to leave all other work and compose the article he had written so that it could be published on that day.

This book was Al-Wasiyyat (The Will).

Hazrat Baba Hassan Muhammadra said read it that very night. Then, early in the morning, he officially signed up for the scheme. He said that his land, his house and his life were dedicated to Allah. He sent his request to the

20 July 1976: On this date, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh left for his tour of Europe and America. On this tour, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh had 11 press conferences, addressed 11 receptions and delivered 13 Friday Sermons. Al Fazl published a report about the start of the tour in which they stated that before his departure, Huzoorrh led everyone in silent prayer.

Huzoorrh appointed Sahibzada Mirza Mansoor Ahmad Sahib as the amir-emuqami.

21 July 1938: While studying in England, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh departed for Egypt. He reached his destination on 28 July. Members of the Jamaat in England saw him off on 21 July 1938 at Victoria Station London.

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021

Lesson from the sacrifice of Abraham Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra said:

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra before departing for the Wembley conference, being held in England in 1924

Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh reached Cairo on 28 July 1938. There, members of the Jamaat in Egypt welcomed him and Sahibzada Mirza Mubarak Ahmad Sahib at Cairo Station. During the stay, they met with dignitaries of Egypt and conveyed the message of Islam Ahmadiyya to various people. Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh met with Sheikh-ul-Azhar Mustafa Al-Maraghi and told him about the advent of the Promised Messiah and invited him to accept the Promised Messiahas. He also presented arguments from the Holy Quran in favour of the truthfulness of Hazrat Ahmadas. Sheikh-ul-Azhar Mustafa Al-Maraghi replied that he (Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh) was ajami (non-Arab) and said about himself that he belonged to the people that spoke the language of the Holy Quran and so he understood its meanings better.

Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahibrh and Sahibzada Mirza Mubarak Ahmad Sahib both stayed for about three months in Egypt.

IIIrh inaugurated Masjid Nusrat in Copenhagen, Denmark which was the first mosque of Denmark. The inaugural ceremony was not only aired on Danish television, but also other European countries and some Islamic countries showed great interest in this ceremony; especially Saudi Arabia, where the visuals of this ceremony were shown on television twice. They showed the building of the mosque, the inaugural address and the first Friday Sermon. The ceremony was also shown on television channels of West Germany, which was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover, Morocco’s Radio broadcast the news of this event in its news bulletins three times.

22 July 1924: As the ship, which Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra had boarded en route to Europe, approached the port of Aden, on this date, Huzoorra composed a heartfelt message addressing Jamaat members. In the letter, Huzoorra conveyed his deep love, saying, “Correspondence is equal to half a meeting.”

21 July 1967: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh in Masjid Nusrat, Denmark

“Islam’s core principle is sacrifice. By sacrificing Hazrat Ishmaelas, Hazrat Abrahamas showed the way to success and closeness to God Almighty to coming generations.

And by showing perfect obedience, he openly showed what his religion entails; that until a person does not adopt a type of death for God and is ready to endure every kind of humiliation and disgrace for Allah the Almighty’s pleasure and is not thrown into the thorny mountains and plans of tribulations and is not completely cut off by the world, until then, he is not even accepted.”

(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol.2, pp. 64-65)

It didn’t come Opinion home, but England scored on diversity Ataul Fatir Tahir UK The exhilarating and nerve-racking finals of the UEFA Euro 2020 (held in 2021) between England and Italy will be one to remember. An almost decisive penalty shoot-out – which could have gone either way – led England fans into a jolt of shock and the Italian side euphoric from a win they deserved.

For England, there’s still lots to celebrate.

As Gareth Southgate, the England manager, put it in a BBC interview prior to the final: the tournament brought all “communities and religions” together. It was England’s first international final in 55 years and the diversity on and off the pitch from the England camp has shown the greatness of the human spirit, when united.

As shown by the Museum of Migration – which explores how migration has shaped who we are, “as individuals and as a nation” – 7 out of the starting 11 players in the finals had grandparents born abroad. Scenes of varying communities getting together and supporting the Lions throughout the tournament brought a sense of togetherness and unity in England.

Even within our Ahmadi community on social media, England fans were saying “it’s coming home” while others were cheering “it’s going Rome”; a diversity that is welcome in a good sporting spirit.

After the drag of Brexit, tabloids spinning

stories vilifying immigrants and widespread racism, England’s journey in the 2020 Euros was a breath of much needed fresh air – it proved that in diversity, we flourish.

Nationalities, religions and communities coming together is what Islam celebrates as a means of social cohesion, progression and peace.

“We have made you into tribes and subtribes that you may know one another.”

(The Holy Quran, Surah al-Hujurat, Ch.49: V.14) Through uniting and celebrating our nationalities and colours, mankind paves the way to social peace.

England’s story in the Euros has rekindled the spark of unity for millions; however, the face of racism reared its ugly head on social media and the streets, following the results of the final. Thankfully, voices continue to be raised against this vile racism and the realisation that humanity, as one, is what brings peace and success is engraving itself further.

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Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

Jalsa Salana UK 2021: Updates and behind-the-scenes preparations Zaheer Khan Sahib, a missionary and naib afsar Jalsa Salana UK who supervises the Jalsa Salana UK office and reporting department, spoke to Al Hakam about the latest updates for Jalsa Salana UK and the preparation for it during the pandemic Under the continuous guidance and instructions of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, the Jalsa Salana Committee has been working on this year’s Jalsa since December 2020. All naib officers Jalsa Salana and nazimeen of departments went back and closely reviewed all red book points of the previous Jalsa Salana.

A salient point in the preparations for this Jalsa (in the pandemic) was an instruction the management committee received from Huzooraa that became a guiding principle for us. Huzooraa said that the negative thought of not holding Jalsa Salana should be shunned. With hard work, effort and prayers, the committee should prepare for Jalsa Salana in the best possible manner, whether Jalsa would be held or not. Huzooraa gave the example of the late Chaudhry Hameedullah Sahib who would prepare for Jalsa Salana Pakistan with minute detail even though the Jamaat is not allowed to hold Jalsa Salana there.

On this instruction from Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, the management of the Jalsa committee sent a resolution to Huzooraa saying they would abide by Huzoor’s instructions and try their level best to prepare for Jalsa Salana with hard work, effort and prayers.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graciously approved the dates for Jalsa Salana UK 2021 as 6-8 August 2021. Bearing in mind the pandemic, the dates and the size of Jalsa Salana UK were planned considering government guidelines. Under Huzoor’s instructions, 4,000 members of Jamaat UK are allowed to attend the Jalsa, with an additional 1,000 members who will be carrying out duties. This is to ensure Jalsa is held in the safest possible environment.

The duties’ inspection will not take place a week prior to Jalsa, as in previous years.

This year, the duties inspection will take place one day before Jalsa Salana.

It is important to note that Jamaat members across the world can still enjoy all the live proceedings of Jalsa Salana on MTA International throughout the three days.

Due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, much of the hiring equipment for the Jalsa site had to be finalised in advance. Therefore, marquees etc. were hired, keeping in mind the uncertainty of the pandemic and not knowing exactly how governmental regulations would change. Huzooraa ensured the Jamaat’s assets and finance did not go to waste during this process.

A special Coronavirus committee has been set up that ensures governmental guidelines are followed and all

precautionary measures are implemented and conveyed to Jamaat members. This committee has had continuous meetings and devised suggestions and reported to Huzooraa directly. They also liaised with the Ahmadiyya Medical Committee. The committee has been closely linked with the NHS and has been getting the latest instructions.

With Huzoor’s guidance and approval, the following measures have been decided to ensure Jalsa Salana UK is held in the safest possible environment: • Only 4,000 (plus 1,000 duty staff ) of double vaccinated members will be allowed to attend and must show proof of vaccinations.

As children are not vaccinated, they will not be allowed to attend. Members will attend on invitation only and each day, these invitations will be rotated to ensure as many people can benefit from the Jalsa as possible.

• Rapid flow tests will be required prior to entering the Jalsa site. Members are encouraged to acquire their own tests (available free from the NHS) and some tests will also be available on-site.

• Temperature checks will be carried out before anyone enters the Jalsa site.

• Masks will be mandatory.

• The size of the marquees have remained quite large to allow for adequate social distancing. Members will be given a chair inside the main Jalsa Gah and will have space next to the chair for a prayer mat. Members should bring their own prayer mats.

• The marquees will have a one-way system which everyone should follow.

• Instead of young Atfal distributing water to the audience, this year, water bottles will be made available at the entrance of the Jalsa Gah. • Any areas of the UK where there are strong outbreaks of the Coronavirus may be limited to attend.

• There will be no bazaar (shops) this year.

However, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya will set up stalls for drinks and snacks etc.

• There will be no on-site accommodation.

• Only lunch will be served on site – a take-away dinner will be given to all members in the evening. The menu has been approved by Huzooraa and consists of alu gosht, roti, daal and pasta. In the evening, biryani and pasta will be the takeaway options.

• No external guests are to be invited to the Jalsa.

• All parking will be onsite with no parking at Country Market.

• There will be no academic awards presented at Jalsa.

• Arrangements will be made at larger local centres for members to convene to watch the Jalsa proceedings. Food will be provided for attendees at those centres. Sadrs will inform members who may attend at a local centre.

This year, the store for Jalsa Salana UK in Hadeeqatul Mahdi has been renovated and

re-organised with great effort by the stores team. The arrangement of the store has become more effective and easy to access and control. This required a lot of waqar-eamal, which members passionately carried out.

Likewise, the kitchen has seen new improvements and renovated to abide by the new requirements of the South Downs National Park, which is the new regulator. Previously we were following the requirements of the Hampshire Country Council.

All Al Hakam readers are requested to pray for the success of Jalsa Salana UK.

AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021

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Follow your heart to find direction Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Muslehe-Maudra was requested by a newspaper, Azad Nau Jawan (which started publication in 1929) to write an article on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. This short piece was published by the newspaper on 9 July 1957 and later published by Badr on 1 August of the same year. The English rendering of the article is presented below: I have been requested by the Azad Nau Jawan newspaper to write an article.

When I was well, I could write around 200 columns. My book, Ahmadiyyat Yani Haqiqi Islam [Ahmadiyyat, or the True Islam], which is an immensely beneficial book and has been widely acclaimed in Europe and America, spans 500 pages. This book was written in only three days.

Now, due to old age and various health issues, it is impossible for me to do even one-hundredth of what I was once able to do.

Nevertheless, out of respect for a dear friend’s request, I write these words.

It becomes clear from the Holy Quran, that Allah the Exalted created man with pure nature. Thus, Allah says: َ َ َّ َ َ َ ۡ َّ ّٰ َ َ ۡ ؕ ‫اس َعل ۡی َہا‬ ‫فِ�رت الل ِہ التِی ف�ر الن‬ “[And follow] the nature of Allah after which He fashioned all mankind”. This means that to attain guidance in all his endeavours, man should, in most cases, follow his heart and see whether his heart declares him to be a criminal or it declares him innocent.

The Holy Prophet, may the peace and

blessings of Allah be upon him, says: ‫استفت قلبک ولو ٔافتاك المفتون‬ “Seek the verdict from your heart and follow it, even if thousands of muftis declare verdicts against it.”

Following this principle, man should make it a habit of following his heart’s verdict and should not blindly follow the verdicts of maulvis.

If one’s heart says to them, “If my neighbour did the very same thing and it would please me and I would not consider it bad”, then in such a case, doing that act would not be bad. However, if one’s heart says, “If my neighbour was to do this, I would find it abhorrent”, then one should know that that act is in fact bad.

Thus can man perfect his life. One should always bear this principle in mind, for this is God’s command and it is also the guidance of the Holy Prophetsa.

Mirza Mahmud Ahmad (Khalifatul Masih II) (Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 1 August 1957 issue of Badr)

How to reflect on the essence of Eid-ul-Adha Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa says: “There are countless people who mark this Eid and anticipate its arrival merely as a day of celebration and joy. They sacrifice an animal only to impress others and as an expression of joy. However, a true believer recalls and learns from the sacrifice of Prophet Abrahamas and Ishmaelas and its underlying spirit.

“Certainly when we hear or read of their sacrifice, we cannot help but feel emotional and become tearful. However, that alone is not enough; rather, we must analyse whether we ourselves are living up to our pledge that ‘I will be willing to make every sacrifice for the sake of God.’ ” (Eid-ul-Adha Sermon on 31 July 2020)

Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

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Forbidden history: Monumental services of Ahmadis in the Pakistani Armed Forces Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Al Hakam

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, across the world, have great love and make endless sacrifices for their respective countries. In the same vein, Ahmadis of Pakistan have been at the forefront of contributing towards the establishment, stability, integrity and development of their homeland – a history that is often veiled by anti-Ahmadi proponents.

Sadly, despite their immense sacrifices and services for Pakistan, Ahmadis are labelled as “traitors” and “enemies of the country”, a narrative perpetuated by Muslim clerics. Additionally, opponents of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya demand to remove Ahmadis from important positions, such as in the army, judiciary, civil service etc.

During his recent Friday Sermon (9 July 2021), Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “During the Khilafat of Hazrat Umarra, under the Islamic government, many people from other nations held higher positions in the army; it was not that only Muslims could reach the key positions, but instead, non-Muslims and people belonging to other nations were also given higher positions.”

Then, Huzooraa quoted Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra, who said: “During the time of the Khulafa of the Holy Prophetsa, when peace had not yet even been established between all nations, still their rights were accepted. Thus, Allama Shibli Nomani writes that when Hazrat Umarra expanded the military, there was no discrimination for any country or nation, to the extent that there was no restriction on religion or nation […]”.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “Nowadays, [opponents] demand that Ahmadis should be removed from the army as these are very delicate and sensitive positions. Although, when we look back at history, we find that among the officers [of the army], Ahmadi officers offered the most sacrifices for the sake of Pakistan.”

History bears witness that Ahmadis of Pakistan have always rendered great services for protecting their homeland.

In this article, I wish to present a brief introduction to some of the Ahmadis

who served at the higher positions in the Pakistan Armed Forces and rendered great services.

Lieutenant-General Akhtar Hussain Malik Sahib Lieutenant-General Akhtar Hussain Malik Sahib was born in Jalandhar, British India. During the World War II, he joined the British Indian Army as a sepoy. His capabilities were soon noticed by the higher in-command, and he was sent to the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun for training and further military education.

He continued to progress and subsequently was promoted to the rank of captain on 1 April 1942.

After the partition of the Indian subcontinent, Akhtar Hussain Malik Sahib’s regiment was allocated to the newly-created Pakistani Army. He opted for Pakistani citizenship, and continued his military service with the Pakistani Army.

General Akhtar Hussain Malik – an Ahmadi – planned “Operation Gibraltar” and “Operation Grand Slam” under the auspices of the then President of Pakistan, Field Marshal Ayub Khan. As GOC for the 12th Infantry Division, Lieutenant-General Akhtar Hussain Malik Sahib was the overall commander for Operation Grand Slam in the 1965 war.

Agha Shorish Kashmiri, a leader of the Majlis Ahrar-e-Islam wrote a poem during those days and ‫ ت‬said: ‫ی‬ ‫اس�ی‬ ‫و‬ ‫رسزم ےن اکپرا ےہ‬ ‫دیلہ یک‬ ‫ارتخ کلم اک اہھت اٹبےت وہےئ ولچ‬ Meaning, “The land of Delhi has challenged us; let us move forward by assisting Akhtar Malik.”

While this operation was still in progress and was achieving great success, the reins of command were handed over to General Yahya Khan, resulting in extensive delays and eventual failure of the operation.

The weekly Al-Fath of Karachi, of 13-20 February 1976, wrote: “In Chamb Sector, Yahya Khan’s division was deployed. As soon the war began, the command of this division was given to General Akhtar Hussain Malik, who defeated the enemy with immense wisdom, highly specialised capabilities and

bravery, and moved towards the [Indian] Occupied Kashmir.

“Upon this, Yahya Khan said to Ayub Khan, ‘I will command my division myself, Akhtar Malik should be removed from there.’ Ayub Khan accepted Yahya Khan’s demand and Yahya Khan was given the command. After that, the Pakistani Army’s progress in that sector stopped. Army specialists say that if the command had remained with Akhtar Malik, Kashmir would have been conquered.”

In this regard, Qudrat Ullah Shahab, an eminent Urdu writer and civil servant, said: “When General Akhtar Malik started implementing his plan, and had nearly conquered Akhnoor, many generals including General Musa became concerned that if the campaign of General Akhtar Malik succeeded, he would emerge as an army hero. Many army and non-army officials, including President Ayub, did not want Major General Akhtar Malik to emerge as a hero of this war and a deserving [candidate] for the position of next commander-in-chief. Due to the fact that President Ayub had already mentally saved this position for General Yahya Khan, therefore exactly at a time when Major General Akhtar Hussain Malik was proceeding swiftly at the Chamb-Akhnoor Sector, he was removed from the command immediately and General Yahya Khan was put in his position. Perhaps the aim was to prevent the Pakistani Army from conquering Akhnoor. He [Yahya Khan] accomplished this task ‘very successfully’”.

(Shahabnama, p. 885) The former Security Superintendent of Rawalpindi Jail, Colonel Rafiuddin has recorded his memoirs about Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, in a book titled, Bhutto ke Aakhri 323 Din. He stated that one day, they had a discussion about the 1965 war, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto said: “If General Akhtar Malik’s advance at the Chamb-Jaurian front of Kashmir had not been halted, he would have decimated the Indian army in Kashmir. However, Ayub Khan wanted his favourite General Yahya Khan to emerge as the hero. (Bhutto ke Aakhri 323 Din, p. 66) Colonel Rafiuddin states that during this discussion, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto highly

praised General Akhtar Malik, and said: “General Malik was a General of exceptional genius. He was a great commander, a man of courage and guts who understood the art of military strategy.

A General of his calibre has never been produced by the Pakistani Army.” (Ibid) These remarks were also published in The Nation on 5 December 1991.

Mumtaz Hussain Shah Advocate has also mentioned this incident in his book, Aamriyyat Ke Saaye (p. 88). At the end, he writes: “General Akhtar Malik was removed from the Chamb-Jaurian sector, merely because he belonged to the Qadiani Jamaat, and the generals of Pakistani Army did not want a Qadiani General to get the credit for such a great success.”

A detailed and informative article of Brigadier (retired) Shaukat Qadir, was published in the Daily Times of Lahore on 4 October 2003 in which he outlined details of Operation Grand Slam 1965. He stated that General Akhtar Hussain Malik was a brave and courageous commander, who would never got frightened even in highly pressured situations, and would keep calm and instil confidence in his colleagues, officers and soldiers alike.

For his successful handling of the initial phase of the operation at the Chamb-Jaurian area in [Indian] Occupied Kashmir, General Akhtar Hussain Malik was awarded the Hilal-e-Jurrat (Crescent of Courage), the second highest gallantry award of Pakistan’s Army.

After the war, Lieutenant-General Akhtar Hussain Malik was posted to an advisory commanding position for CENTO in Ankara, Turkey, where he passed away in a road accident on 22 August 1969. He was buried in Rabwah, Pakistan.

Dr Shabbir Ahmad of America, in his article published in Nawaiwaqt Sunday Magazine, said: “It is said that when General Akhtar Malik got injured in a dangerous accident in Turkey, he had two words on his tongue during his last moments, ‘Akhnoor, Kashmir’”.

(Nawa-e-Waqt Sunday Magazine, 12 June 2005, p. 10) Ahmad Nadim Qasmi, a prominent journalist, poet and literary critic, said:

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021 “Lieutenant-General Akhtar Hussain Malik was such a hero of the country and nation, whose name is even known to the Pakistani children.” (Daily Jang of Karachi, 4 September 1969)

Sahib served in the Pakistani Armed Forces. He joined the Pakistani Armed Forces in 1953. He got martyred at the Khem Karan front during the 1965 war.

(Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 23, pp. 94-96)

Lieutenant-General Abdul Ali Malik Sahib

Squadron Leader Khalifa Muniruddin Ahmad Sahib

Another Ahmadi, Lieutenant-General Abdul Ali Malik Sahib served Pakistan’s Army. He was born in Jalandhar, and was the brother of Lieutenant-General Akhtar Hussain Malik Sahib.

Lieutenant-General Abdul Ali Malik Sahib joined the Pakistani Army as a cadet-officer and was later posted in the Army Corps of Engineers. He completed his BSc in electrical engineering from the Pakistan Military Academy and served in the civil projects of the Pakistani Army.

Brigadier Abdul Ali Malik Sahib earned distinction for leading the combat engineering formations to mechanised warfare in Chawinda during the 1965 war with India.

He was commander of the 24th infantry brigade in the Sialkot-Phillurah-Chamb sector. It was this place, where the second largest tank battle in history was fought after the Battle of Kursk in World War II. In this regard, the Daily Amroz wrote: “The Force Commander, Brigadier Abdul Ali Malik did not allow the opponent army to succeed in its intentions, despite having more power with respect to weapons and manpower […] The bravery, courage and wisdom of Brigadier Abdul Ali Malik did not let the enemy succeed in its plans […] Brigadier Abdul Ali Malik was awarded Hilal-e-Jurrat [Crescent of Courage] for his great services.” (Daily Amroz, 25 September 1965) Nawa-i-waqt reported on 25 September 1965 that the Commander-in-Chief, General Muhammad Musa distributed awards among the officers and soldiers. It further wrote: “The most interesting and breathtaking moment was when two brothers were awarded Hilal-e-Jurrat. These two brothers are Major General Akhtar Hussain Malik and Brigadier Abdul Ali Malik, who have been awarded Hilal-e-Jurrat for rendering great services during the current war [of 1965].”

When Abdul Ali Malik Sahib was promoted as a Major General, he commanded the 8th Infantry Division in the western sector of the 1971 IndoPakistan War. He retired from the army after commanding the I Corps at Mangla.

Squadron Leader Khalifa Muniruddin Ahmad Sahib, son of Hazrat Dr Khalifa Rashiduddinra, served in the Pakistan Air Force. In 1949, he got admission in Flying Club Lahore. He got selected for the Air Force in 1951, and worked as a Flight Lieutenant in Karachi and Risalpur. He became a top fighter pilot in a very short time, and was promoted as the Squadron Leader in 1963.

He was posted at Sargodha as the Wing Ops Officer during the 1965 War. From 4 to 11 September 1965, he took part in ten operational missions. He got martyred on 11 September 1965. He was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurrat (Star of Courage) for his services. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 23, pp. 97-106)

Air Marshal Zafar Ahmad Chaudhry Sahib Air Marshal Zafar Ahmad Chaudhry Sahib was another Ahmadi who served as the first Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan’s Air Force, appointed in 1972 until 1974.

Zafar Ahmad Chaudhry Sahib graduated from Punjab University, Lahore in 1944 and then joined the Royal Indian Air Force.

Following the partition of the Indian subcontinent, Zafar Ahmad Chaudhry Sahib joined the Pakistan Air Force and qualified as an instructor on the North American T-6G Harvard. He pursued further education at the RAF Staff College in

From top left, clockwise: Lieutenant-General Akhtar Hussain Malik, Lieutenant-General Abdul Ali Malik, Air Marshal Zafar Ahmad Chaudhry, Major General (retired) Nasir Chaudhry, Squadron Leader Khalifa Muniruddin Ahmad, Major General Iftikhar Khan Janjua

Hampshire, England before attending the Joint Service Defence College of the British Army. Before returning to Pakistan, he obtained his qualification from the Imperial Defence College. (Hayes, Grace P & Martell, Paul, World Defence Who’s Who, p. 38 [1974]) In 1965, Zafar Ahmad Chaudhry Sahib served in the Air Headquarters as a Director Air Operations, taking responsibility for planning combat aerial operations during the second war with India.

In 1969, he was appointed as Station Commander of the Pakistan Air Force Station Sargodha. In 1971, he was appointed as managing director of Pakistan International Airlines, which he directed until 1972.

On 3 April 1972, Zafar Ahmad Chaudhry Sahib was appointed as the first Chief of Air Staff for the Pakistani Army and commanded Pakistan’s Air Force. He served as the Chief of Air Staff until his resignation in 1974. As Brian Cloughley puts it in his 2016 book, A History of the Pakistan Army: Wars and Insurrections (p.

212): “He resigned, ‘In fairness to him’, says The Story of the Pakistan Air Force, ‘it must also be stated that his abrupt departure may have been precipitated by the anti-Qadiani sentiment sweeping the country at the time’. (Chaudhry was an Ahmadi). Things are not always what they seem.”

Major General Iftikhar Khan Janjua Sahib Another Ahmadi, Major General Iftikhar Khan Janjua Sahib was one of the most senior Pakistani Army officers to have been martyred while in action. He is known in Pakistan as the hero of Rann of Kutch, as he was a brigadier in command of the 6 Brigade, during the fighting in April 1965 prior to the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965.

He was awarded the Hilal-e-Jurrat (Star of Crescent) for his bravery.

On 8-9 April 1965, clashes broke out between India and Pakistan at a post near

Ding, Rann of Kutch. The outcome of the Rann of Kutch was considered as a positive result for Pakistan’s Army. As described

by Lieutenant-General Gul Hassan Khan, then Director of Military Operations, in his later memoirs: “The set-back in Kutch proved immeasurably disconcerting to the Indian Army. As a result, the Government of India was in a quandary. On the other hand, ours was in a state of euphoria. The high command of our army was intoxicated by our showing and our morale could not possibly have been higher. We were ready for any task that may be assigned to us without any question.” (The Nation, 24 September 1999) After the 1965 War, Iftikhar Janjua Sahib was the divisional commander of the 6 Armoured Division. Then, he commanded the 23 Division based at Jhelum.

In the 1971 War, Iftikhar Janjua Sahib was divisional commander of the 23 Infantry Division. He was assigned the task of capturing Chamb, a strategically important town in Kashmir, which would turn out to be the only decisive victory for Pakistan on the Kashmir front of 1971.

After intense fighting, Mandiawala was captured, then Pallanwala and Chak Pandit, and on 9 December 1971, the first Pakistani troops entered the surrounding area around Chamb under the personal supervision of Iftikhar Janjua Sahib. During the battle, on 9 December 1971, Major General Iftikhar Khan Janjua was martyred when his OH-13S (Sioux) light helicopter was attacked, in which he was travelling to coordinate and position his troops.

Iftikhar Khan Janjua Road is named after him in Rawalpindi, Cannt.

Iftikhar Janjua Sahib was a charismatic leader who inspired his troops to continue to fight. Due to his great leading skills, he is remembered even today by the troops who served under his command, in the 23 Division during the Battle of Chamb.

Captain Nazeer Ahmad Sahib Another Ahmadi, Captain Nazeer Ahmad

Major Munir Ahmad Sahib Major Munir Ahmad Sahib was another Ahmadi who served in the Pakistani Armed Forces, and got martyred during the 1965 war. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 23, pp. 106-113) Major Qazi Bashir Ahmad Sahib Major Qazi Bashir Ahmad Sahib was an Ahmadi who served in the Pakistani Armed Forces. In 1950, he was posted as the Second Lieutenant at the Frontier Force Regiment. He was posted as the Company Commander, during the 1965 war, where he got martyred while fighting bravely.

(Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 23, pp. 113115) Major Afzaal Mahmood Sahib Another Ahmadi, Major Afzaal Mahmood Sahib was martyred while fighting against the militants in Bajaur Agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on 19 June 2009, when he went on patrol with his men on the PakAfghan border. Near Bajaur, their convoy was attacked and he was shot in the head.

On 20 June 2009, his body was brought to Rabwah and was buried with full army protocol.

Major General (retired) Nasir Chaudhry Sahib Major General (retired) Nasir Chaudhry Sahib, was another Ahmadi who served in the Pakistani Army. He was martyred during the Lahore attacks of 28 May 2010.

These were only a handful of examples.

The reality is that Pakistani Ahmadis have always been at the forefront in serving their homeland.

The opponents of Ahmadiyyat can stop Pakistani Ahmadis from holding key positions, but they can never erase the stories of great milestones achieved by the Ahmadis of Pakistan.

The Ahmadis of Pakistan were, are and always will remain true defenders of Pakistan.

Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

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100 Years Ago...

Eid in London, meeting with Turkish ambassador’s son and an English nurse’s conversion to Islam Al Fazl, 18 July 1921

Hazrat Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sayalra (1887-1960)

Eid in London In my previous letter, I could not write anything about the Eid of the London Ahmadiyya Jamaat and other accounts because the letter was written in a hurry.

There were over 50 people on the occasion of Eid, including Muslim, Hindu and Christian friends. Some Hindus also prayed with us. After the Eid sermon and prayer, the audience was photographed and then 60 people were served a meal. Some London newspapers reported on the Eid prayer.

Talks with the son of the Turkish ambassador to London At about four o’clock, Yümi Bey, son of Turkish Ambassador to London, arrived along with Prof Leon [Abdullah Quilliam] and Madam Leon, and a long discussion was held on the current situation of Muslims and the future of Islam. Mr Yümi Bey is a very humble and intelligent man and a senior military engineer and has been admitted to a college in London here to complete his education.

In the conversation, Yümi Bey said, “Those of us who do not yet believe in Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad[as], the reason behind it is that we have knowledge of him yet. Otherwise, all Muslims are waiting for the Mahdi and if the Mahdi is really Mirza Ghulam Ahmad[as], then no Muslim should have an excuse not to believe in him.”

As he was leaving, I presented him some books which he gladly accepted and said, “I will study them myself and also give them to my elder brother to read.”

Lectures I have already mentioned in a previous letter about the lecture of Letchworth. Last Sunday, I had a lecture in a place in East London called Welcome Mission Hall.

The audience, although small in number, seemed to be very intelligent and devout Christians. The subject of my lecture was, Islam is a Religion of Harmony and Peace.

Brother Shamshad Ali Khan Sahib and Malik Muhammad Hussain Sahib accompanied me. I spoke on the said subject for more than an hour and then there was

some discussion over it. As it was [an interesting] subject, it had a great impact on the participants.

Ahmadiyya literature was then distributed among the audience and they even paid and bought some books for themselves. In the end, they said, “We will soon request you again [for another lecture].” The above-mentioned lecture was in the morning.

At four o’clock in the evening, I gave another lecture on Islam Respects and Trains Human Nature at the Ahmadiyya Mosque. The attendees were mostly English Christians. Since a comparative analysis of Christianity and Islam was carried out in the lecture, there was a heated debate in the end

as to whether monasticism was superior or monogamy. The Christians were surprised that we [Muslims] considered monogamy to be superior to monasticism. At the end of the discussion, Christians also agreed that monogamy as a whole was superior to monasticism.

Meeting with Sant Nihal Singh Nowadays, Hindu and Muslim friends often meet us here and it seems that their inclinations are changing because of Allah the Almighty. In this regard, Sant Nihal Singh Sahib, who is a high-level journalist and is a pride of Punjab in a sense, met us three times. He especially admires Islam and

the Promised Messiahas. As he is an expert in the art of tabligh (preaching), he guided me through his experience and valuable advice and said, “The inner condition of [the people of] India at the moment is such that the speech of the Promised Messiah[as], A Message of Peace [Paigham-e-Sulh], should be published frequently. He also said, “It is difficult to preach successfully in this country unless you have small pamphlets with you.”

A nurse converts to Islam The city of London is divided into different areas for medical treatment. The people go to public hospitals for treatment and from there, the doctors diagnose and prescribe medicine. However, there are also nurses in each area who also give medicine and see the patient at home every day and report to the doctor if needed. Such nurses are called district nurses. One such nurse is also present in our area and she came to visit our house several times. We had successive discussions on Islam. Today, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, she has expressed her desire to convert to Islam.

Friends who are being preached to The following friends are being taught about Islam Ahmadiyyat and members of the Jamaat are requested to pray for their Islam: • Mr Walsh is an Englishman who is a resident of Russia and has now come to London. He is very close to Islam.

• Mr Baxon is a civil engineer whom I met through Brother Khalid Bezji. He is a Roman Catholic Christian but has a positive effect after studying the writings of the Promised Messiahas.

Among others include Yümi Bey (son of Turkish Ambassador to London), Syed Al-Sharif (an Egyptian gentleman), Galer Henry, Mr Bamforth, Mr William Barn and some English students of London College.

Apart from them, some are our Hindu brothers. Members of the Jamaat are requested to especially pray for them too.

From Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sayal MA, 2 June 1921 (Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 18 July 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021

Islam spread through truth, not force Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmadra was asked by a newspaper, Azad Nau Jawan (which started publication in 1929) to write an article for them on Eid-ul-Adha. One of the editors also asked about a tabligh tour in South India carried out by Sahibzada Mirza Wasim Ahmad Sahib, son of Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra. This short piece was published by the newspaper on 9 July 1957. The English rendering of the article is presented below: My respected and honourable Nau Jawan readers, assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatahu.

I have received your letter. The tabligh tour of Mirza Wasim Ahmad, may Allah keep him in His protection, and his colleagues was truly very successful, and it produced fruits that were sweeter than expected. As you were part of the tour too, you have also – by the grace of God – partaken of their fruits and blessings.

According to some narrations, it is said that Hazrat Adam, peace be on him, also reached South India. In fact, [it is reported] that after visiting South India, he went to the Ceylon [Sri Lanka] area too.

Whether this narration is true or not, the current situation certainly shows that for the acceptance of the Second Adam, i.e. the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, angels are busy in sprinkling holy seeds across South India.

May God enable these crops to fully grow and flourish and produce such fruits that are a means of eternal mercy for this country.

This tour has proven the Quranic teaching of:

ۡ ّ َ َّ َ َّ ۡ َ ۡ ّ َۡ َ ۡ َۤ ‫الرُش ُد ِم َن الغ ِ ّی‬ ‫الدی ِن ۙ۟ قد تبین‬ ِ ‫لا ِاک َراہ فِی‬

Meaning, “There should be no compulsion with regard to religion and faith, and human conscience should be given the free choice to decide between truth and faslehood.”

Those who do not have the truth are the ones who compel and force [others to believe] and instead of arguments, they want to make others believe through physical force. However, Islam is pure truth and whoever, with a level mind and with sincerity, studies its teachings can never be left without being impressed by its truth.

The world has done a great injustice by attributing the early history of Islam with forceful conversions and violence even though all the wars fought by the Holy Prophetsa and his Khulafa-e-Rashideen were defensive, or they were to create freedom of conscience and peaceful passages for tabligh in those countries that were oppressive and cruel.

Therefore, in this age, through the advent of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, Allah the Almighty desired to prove that if a

servant and slave of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, can prove the truth of Islam through arguments, then attributing compulsion and force towards the Promised Messiah’s master and chief is severely unjust.

It is the result of this [divine desire] that right now, in lots of countries of the world, Ahmadi missionaries are successfully

preaching Islam with love and the beacon of peace. And the world is returning to the truth of Islam with great force. This very picture can be seen in your recent tour of South India [for preaching] – hundreds of people accepted only through the power of truth. They decorated themselves with the flowers of belief at the feet of Ahmadiyyat.

[The Promised Messiahas said:] “I came

only to sow the seed. That seed has been sown by my hands. It will now grow and blossom forth and none dare retard its growth.”

Wasalam, Humbly yours, Mirza Bashir Ahmad (Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu)

The philosophy of Hajj and sacrifice in Islam The concept of pilgrimage, in one form or another, can be found in almost every religion across the globe.

However, the pilgrimage in Islam is a unique and universal representation of Muslim unity and the believers’ love for Allah the Almighty.

READ MORE: www.alhakam.org/the-philosophy-of-hajj-and-sacrifice-in-islam

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Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

Eid-ul-Adha, Hajj and sacrifice Islamic teachings related to sacrifice

Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Al Hakam

In the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty states: “Their flesh reaches not Allah, nor does their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him.” (Surah al-Hajj, Ch.22: V.38) In his commentary of this verse, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiahas stated: “That is, ‘The flesh of your sacrifices does not reach God, nor does blood reach Him, but your righteousness does.’ That is, ‘Fear Him so much that you die in His way, just like you slaughter sacrificial animals with your own hands. In the same way, you should sacrifice yourselves in the way of God.’ When taqwa [righteousness and true awareness of God] is less than this, it is still flawed.” (Chashma-e-Ma‘rifat, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 23, p. 99, Footnote)

Every religion and nation has different ways of celebrating religious and cultural festivals, but the method of celebration and commemoration in Islam is different from other religions in many ways. One key aspect is that the wisdom behind Islamic festivals, such as Eids, is different from other celebrations.

Islam has taught Muslims how to celebrate Islamic festivals such as Eid. The Holy Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammadsa provide us with complete guidance and direction.

In this article, I will briefly outline some of the Islamic teachings regarding Eid-ulAdha, Hajj and sacrifice.

Takbirat during the days of Eid-ul-Adha

Sacrificing an animal on Eid is obligatory only for those who can afford it

It is recorded in the ahadith (sayings of Prophet Muhammadsa) that the Holy Prophetsa used to recite takbirat after all the obligatory prayers from the dawn of the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah to the last day of the Tashreeq days, that is, the Asr prayer of the thirteenth day of Dhul-Hijjah. The takbirat are as follows: ْ َ ّٰ َ ْ َ ّٰ َ ْ ّٰ ْ َ ّٰ َ ْ َ ّٰ ّٰ َّ ‫ال َح ْم ُد‬ ‫الل ُہ ٔاکب َ ُر الل ُہ ٔاکب َ ُر لَا ِالٰ َہ ِالا الل ُہ َوالل ُہ ٔاکب َ ُر الل ُہ اکب َ ُر َول ِل ِہ‬ Hazrat Alira and Hazrat Ammarra narrated that the Holy Prophetsa used to recite the takbirat from the Fajr prayer of 9 DhulHijjah, to the Asr prayer on 13 Dhul Hijjah.

(Al-Mustadrik lil-Hakim, Book of Eidain, Chapter Takbirat al-Tashreeq)

A letter from a man was presented before the Promised Messiahas that he had put a small amount of money somewhere as part of a sacrificial animal, but they excluded him from that part as he was an Ahmadi.

He asked whether his sacrifice would be accepted if he gave that money to the miskeen fund (for the less privileged) of Qadian.

Huzooras replied: “Sacrifice [of an animal] can only be called a sacrifice by sacrificing [the animal].

It cannot be done by giving money to the miskeen fund. If your funds permit, sacrifice a goat. If there is less and you cannot afford more, then it is not obligatory on you to sacrifice an animal.” (Badr, 14 February 1907, p. 8)

Time for offering Eid prayer The time for Eid prayers is from sunrise to when the sun reaches its zenith.

The jurists agree that the time of Eid prayer starts after the rising of the sun. That is, about half an hour after sunrise and it lasts until the sun reaches the zenith, that is, before the time of Zuhr begins. (Al-Fiqh alIslami, by Wahbah Mustafa al-Zuhayli, Vol. 2, p. 366, Salat al-Eidan) It is also sunnah (custom of the Prophetsa) not to eat anything before the Eid prayer on the morning of Eid-ul-Adha.

Hazrat Abdullahra narrated from his father, Buraidahra, that the Holy Prophetsa would not go for Eid-ul-Fitr without eating, and on the day of Eid-ul-Adha, he would not eat until he had offered the Eid prayer.

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi) Coming and going to the place of Eid prayer from different directions It is narrated from Muhammadra ibn Abdullah that the Holy Prophetsa used to go on foot for Eid and return via a different route than the one he used while going.

(Sunan Ibn Majah) No supererogatory prayers are offered before and after the Eid prayers Hazrat Saeedra bin Jubair narrates from Hazrat Ibn Abbasra that the Holy Prophetsa

How old should a goat be?

went out on the day of Eid and offered two rak‘aat, and no prayer was offered before or after them. (Sahih al-Bukhari) Seven takbirat in the first rak‘ah and five takbirat in the second rak‘ah Kathir ibn Abdullah narrates through his father, Abdullahra, and his grandfather that the Prophetsa recited seven takbirat in the first rak‘ah and five takbirat in the second rak‘ah before reciting [Surah al-Fatihah] on both Eids. (Sunan al-Tirmidhi) Leave hands open after takbirat While reciting takbirat during the Eid prayer, the hands are taken to the earlobes, lowered back down to the sides and left open. Therefore, it is written in Fiqh-eAhmadiyya:

“Both imam and muqtadi [the one following in prayer] should raise their hands to their ears while reciting takbirat and leave them open.” (Fiqh-e-Ahmadiyya, p. 179)

A question was asked to the Promised Messiahas whether it was permissible to sacrifice a one-year-old goat. He said: “Ask Maulvi Sahib [Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra]. The Ahl-e-Hadith and the Hanafis differ on this point.” (Badr, 23 January 1908, p.2) Note by the editor of Badr: “Maulvi Sahib’s research is that according to the Ahl-e-Hadith, it is not permissible to sacrifice a goat less than two years old.”

If someone joins the second rak‘ah of Eid prayer

What are the conditions for a sacrificial animal?

Jurists agree that in the case of someone joining the second rak‘ah of the Eid Salat, the muqtadi should complete their rak‘ah after the salaam of the imam and also perform the takbirat.

For this, they provide the following reference: “Offer the part of the prayer that you could with the imam, and complete the remaining part later.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Azan)

The Holy Prophetsa stated: “On the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, sacrifice such an animal which is musinnatun [grown-up] but if it is difficult to find such an animal, then sacrifice a baby ram.” (Sahih Muslim) In camels, musinnatun is the one that has reached the age of five years and has entered the sixth year. In cows and oxen, musinnatun is the one that has reached the age of two Continued on next page >>

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021 << Continued from previous page

years and has entered the third year. In goats and fat-tailed sheep, musinnatun is the one that has passed one full year of its life and has entered the second year. Therefore, for the sacrifice of these animals, it is necessary for the animal to be musinnatun.

There is a difference of opinion among the scholars regarding a baby ram, as mentioned in the hadith above. According to some, it is a baby of one year, while to others, it is a six-month-old and according to some, a baby of seven months.

Animals that are to be sacrificed must be without fault. The Holy Prophetsa forbade the sacrifice of animals with defects. He said: “The sacrifice of four types of animals is not permissible: an animal whose vision is impaired, a sick animal whose disease is clearly visible, a crippled animal whose injuries or disabilities are clearly visible, and a weak and thin animal.” (Sunan Abi Dawud) Islamic teachings regarding Hajj Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam. A Muslim must perform Hajj at least once in their lifetime if economic and other conditions are favourable. Allah the Almighty states: “And pilgrimage to the House is a duty which men – those who can find a way thither – owe to Allah.” (Surah Al-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.98) The focal point of Hajj is the Holy Ka‘bah, which was rebuilt by Prophet Abrahamas some 4,000 years ago. Today, the Ka‘bah stands in the middle of a large courtyard of Masjid al-Haram, or the Sacred Mosque.

The Hajj is performed during the Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah.

A basic part of Hajj: Tawaf Allah the Almighty states: “Then let them accomplish their needful acts of cleansing, and fulfil their vows, and go around the Ancient House.” (Surah alHajj, Ch.22: V.30) Safa and Marwah Allah the Almighty states: “Surely, Al-Safa and Al-Marwah are among the Signs of Allah. It is, therefore, no sin for him who is on pilgrimage to the House, or performs Umrah, to go round the two. And whoso does good beyond what is obligatory, surely then, Allah is Appreciating, All-Knowing.” (Surah alBaqarah, Ch.2: V.159) Sacrifice and Shaving Head Allah the Almighty states: “And do not shave your heads until the offering reaches its destination. And whoever among you is sick or has an ailment of the head, should make an expiation either by fasting or almsgiving or a sacrifice.”

(Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.197) Prohibitions during Hajj Allah the Almighty states: “The months of the Hajj are well known; so whoever determines to perform the Pilgrimage in these months, [should remember that] there is [to be] no foul talk, nor any transgression, nor any quarrelling during the Pilgrimage.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.198)

The link between sacrifice and Eid-ul-Adha Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Missionary-in-Charge UK

In Islam, there are two main religious festivals or days of jubilations. They are called Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha respectively.

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of a month-long practice of fasting everyday while Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the following day of Hajj, the pilgrimage to the house of Allah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The meaning of Eid in Arabic is “something which occurs or comes again and again”. The simple reason for the adoption of this word to denote the Islamic festivals is that we always wish these joyful occasions to happen again and again.

The celebrations of Eid-ul-Adha are observed for three days starting from 10 Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This festival is distinguished by the sacrifice of an animal, which is offered after the public prayer in congregation is over.

During these days, thousands of lambs, sheep, cows etc. are sacrificed by Muslims all over the world.

The person who offers the sacrifice uses only a portion of the meat, while the rest is distributed among the poor, relatives, friends and neighbours.

The ritual of sacrifice on these days is observed in commemoration of the great sacrifice made by Prophet Abrahamas, along with his wife, Hagaras (Hajirah) and son Ishmaelas some 4,000 years ago.

The story is well known that Hazrat Abrahamas, in a vision, saw himself slaughtering his son Ishmaelas. Considering it a divine commandment for the test of his devotion to God, he immediately got ready to comply with it literally.

When he was about to place the knife on the neck of his beloved son, he was told to stop and to sacrifice a lamb instead.

This historic incident marked the abolition of the savage custom of human sacrifice among the ancients. Hazrat Abrahamas through his immediate and unconditional readiness, set a glaring example of total submission to the will of God which is the distilled essence of Islam.

To imagine that the animal sacrificed is supposed to carry away the sins of the

persons making the sacrifice is an entirely erroneous conception of the teachings of Islam on the subject.

The sacrifice of an animal during these days is a symbol whereby a Muslim declares their willingness and determination to kill the animal within them, to sacrifice themselves, their power and all their beloved ones in order to win the eternal pleasure of their Lord. If such a person does not put in their level best to accomplish that selfabnegation after performing their sacrifice, they are in no way different from the one who kills an animal for the purpose of food.

The Holy Quran, the holy scripture of Islam, has mentioned the significance of sacrifice in these remarkable words: “Neither the flesh nor the blood of your sacrifices reach God, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him”. (Surah alHajj, Ch.22: V.38) A true Muslim, therefore, is he who bows his neck before Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of all the worlds. And for Him, he sacrifices the she-camel of himself and throws it down on her forehead and he does not forget his own death at any moment.

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Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

Duty of the community of the Latter Days

“

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa says:

In this day and age, when we have accepted the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, peace be upon him, it is incumbent upon us to introspect as to whether the manifestation and standard of each and every form of our pious actions is on par with the standards set by the Companionsra of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, or that at the very least, we are endeavouring to reach those standards. If we claim to be the community of the Latter Days, then we must also display an outstanding example.” (Eid-ulAdha Sermon on 12 August 2019)

13th Annual Abdus Salam Science Fair 2021 held in Canada

Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent

The 13th Annual Abdus Salam Science Fair 2021 was successfully held virtually on 26 June 2021.

The event’s planning started more than six months ago, reported National Secretary Talim Canada, Dr Hameed Mirza Sahib. Due to Covid-19, it was decided to hold this year’s science fair virtually. Several meetings were held between the organising teams across Canada. Each talim secretary was given the task to communicate the information of the science fair to the Ahmadis of their local Jamaat. In most cases, information reached almost all households.

An information package for students was also developed. It included a short video outlying steps on how a scientific project can be developed and a video, produced.

Abdus Salam Science Fair had its own website, complete with a registration link.

Students were invited to register and create their profiles. Once their project was ready, they were to submit the link to their project video on the website. This was a huge task that was exceptionally handled by the technical development team led by Shahid Mirza Sahib.

The promotion of the event to the general public was carried out by the team led by Nabeel Rana Sahib and Zafar Nadeem Sahib. Within the Jamaat, promotion was led by Amjad Ahmad Sahib.

Projects could be submitted in one of the following four groups: • Al-Khwarizmi: Boys, grades 5-8 • Ibn Al-Haytham: Boys, grades 9-12 • Abu Ali Sina: Girls, grades 5-8 • Jabir Ibn Hayyan: Girls, grades 9-12 Cash prizes of $150 to $350 were announced for the winning projects of each category.

A total of 147 projects were submitted in all four groups. 22 judges assessed each project against the criteria for its respective group. 130 projects made it through the first round and were reviewed by 14 judges. A total of 24 students were declared winners

in their respective groups.

16 dignitaries participated in the event, while 18 dignitaries sent a video message. 11 dignitaries sent a written message, including Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Premier of Province of Ontario Doug Ford, and Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota.

The virtual event started with a recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by its translation. The Science Fair was then introduced by this year’s coordinator of the Abdus Salam Science Fair, Dr Amir Minhas Khan Sahib. Finally, Dr Hameed Mirza Sahib announced the winners of each category followed by a display of their project, while Nabeel Rana Sahib and Zafar Nadeem Sahib introduced the dignitaries.

The dignitaries expressed their sentiments and appreciated Jamaat-eAhmadiyya for organising the science fair. They also recognised the outstanding contributions of Nobel Laureate Dr Abdus Salam Sahib, the first Muslim scientist to win the Nobel Prize in the field of science.

The keynote address was delivered by Ahmad Salam Sahib, son of Professor Dr Abdus Salam Sahib. He thanked Jamaate-Ahmadiyya Canada for organising the 13th Annual Abdus Salam Science Fair. He highlighted the importance of parents’ involvement in the education of their children. Narrating his personal experience,

he said that even though Dr Salam was extremely busy and would often travel, once he returned, he would make an appointment with the headmaster of the school where his children were studying and take a full briefing about the progress of his children.

He also highlighted that Dr Salam never liked to take shortcuts in his work. At the end of his speech, a lively question and answer session with students was held.

This was followed by the concluding remarks by Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada, Lal Khan Malik Sahib. He appreciated the organisers of the Abdus Salam Science Fair, and highlighted the importance of secular education.

He reminded all attendees that the first revelation of the Holy Prophetsa was “iqra”, meaning “read”. Thus, it was the duty of every Muslim, especially every Ahmadi Muslim, to acquire as much knowledge as possible and pursue higher education. He also highlighted various contributions of Jamaat Canada in the field of education such as talim awards and scholarships etc. which Canada Jamaat grants every year.

At the end, National Secretary Talim Canada, Dr Hameed Mirza Sahib thanked all guests, attendees and students for their outstanding work. He also thanked the dedicated team of volunteers that worked very hard to make this science fair successful, as well as Sadr Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya Canada and Sadr Lajna Imaillah for their continued support. He stressed that all participating students strive hard in their educational endeavours and take full advantage of the opportunities that are offered in science education in Canada.

The session concluded with a silent prayer led by Amir Sahib Canada.

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021

100 Years Ago...

Daily diary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II: In Kashmir and meeting with a Parsi Al Fazl, 14 July 1921

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih in Kashmir Dear Editor Al Fazl, assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

On 4 July [1921], Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] was in good health by the grace of God Almighty. Huzoor[ra] remains occupied in writing work till about 12 noon and after the Zuhr and Maghrib prayers, he sits in the prayer room where discussions continue for a long time.

A lot of outside friends also come to meet Huzoor[ra] and benefit from him.

On 4 July, after the Zuhr prayer, a Parsi who is the dastur [leader] of a large sect of Parsis, came to pay a visit to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra]. He discussed various topics with Huzoor[ra] for about three hours.

Apart from politics, religion was also discussed and I will send a separate, brief report of it later, insha-Allah.

This gentleman is elderly and a very noble person. The time for Asr prayer came between the conversation. Huzoor[ra] led the prayer. At the same time, the Parsi gentleman also prayed with us in his own way. The series of discussions continued after the prayer. The Parsi gentleman left with a positive impression.

After Maghrib prayer, Huzoor[ra] spoke with Khalifa Nuruddin Sahib about predicaments in the expansion of the Jamaat in Kashmir.

On 5 July [1921], Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] was very well by the grace of Allah the Almighty and he said, “Today, after about three months, the temperature has returned to normal.” After Asr prayer, Huzoor[ra] went for an excursion on a boat.

On 6 July [1921], Huzoor[ra] was in good health and the Nasnoor Jamaat came to visit him. He continued to talk to them after Zuhr prayers. After Asr prayer, Huzoor[ra] went for a walk.

On 7 July [1921], Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra], along with ahl-e-bait, the immediate family of the Prophet Ahmadas,

and khuddam, went to Nishat Bagh for recreation. Huzoor[ra] spent the whole day there. After Asr prayer, he had a temperature.

Huzoor[ra] did not lead the prayer himself due to the high fever.

On the morning of 8 July [1921], Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] could not come for the [Fajr] prayer due to a high fever.

However, the Friday sermon was delivered

by Huzoor[ra] himself. His health is now well by the grace of Allah the Almighty.

Humbly yours, Syed Mahmudullah Shah (Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 14 July 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

Three noble examples to remember on Eid-ul-Adha

“

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa says: Only when a man strives to tread upon the Abrahamic example and elevate his own level of loyalty towards Allah the Almighty, will he become the recipient of the blessings of Allah the Almighty. Only when a woman seeks to emulate the standard set by Hazrat Hajirahas, will she be showered with the blessings of Allah the Almighty. And surely, if a young person strives to learn from the example of Prophet Ishmaelas, then will they be the inheritors of Allah’s Beneficence.

That is when true Eid will be attained.” (Eid-ul-Adha Sermon on 31 July 2020)

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Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

154th Canada Day celebrations Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent Canada Day celebrates the anniversary of the formation of the Canadian confederation, which took place on 1 July 1867. On this day, three colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick united into a single Dominion named Canada, within the British Empire. Originally named Dominion Day, the day was renamed Canada Day in 1982.

Traditionally, Canada Day is celebrated with patriotic zeal across Canada.

Celebratory ceremonies are held all day long. The largest event of such kind is held in the national capital Ottawa, where Governor General of Canada, and Prime Minister of Canada address the attendees.

For the second year in a row, these celebrations have been subdued due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada celebrates Canada Day with full patriotic zeal. Virtual events were held in all major Jamaats across Canada including Brampton, Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver, Vaughan and Winnipeg. Local dignitaries including councillors, mayors, MPPs (Member Provincial Parliament), MPs (Member Federal Parliament), provincial ministers, federal ministers, the head of police, attended and delivered their messages.

One such event was held in Toronto West Imarat. The event was presided by the local Amir Toronto West Imarat, Syed Tariq Ahmad Sahib. The ceremony commenced

with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by its English translation. The Canadian national anthem was recited by young children. This was followed by two speeches. The first one was by a missionary, Umran Bhatti Sahib on “Loyalty to the country is part of our faith”. He stressed that Canada is still in the making and assured fellow Canadians that Ahmadis will be the chips and blocks with which this fortress and citadel of security and goodwill will be built.

The second one was by Naib Amir Toronto West Imarat, Brig Abdul Ghafoor

ّٰ َ َ َّ ۡ َ َ‫الل َہ ل ُ ُحوۡ ُم َہا َو لَا د َم ُٓاؤہا‬ ‫لن ینال‬ ِ َّ ُ ُ َ َّ ۡ ٰ َ ۡ‫الت ۡق ٰوی ِم ۡن ُکم‬ ‫و ل ِکن ینالہ‬ "Their flesh reaches not Allah, nor does their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him." Holy Quran 22:38

Ehsan Sahib, on “Importance of Canada Day and our responsibilities”. He thanked God for making Canada our home, a country that is developed, peaceful and rich.

It offers free education and medical aid to its residents. More importantly, it provides freedom of expression. Then he presented some excerpts of Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat.

He was followed by various local dignitaries who joined the event and delivered brief messages.

At the end, a short video was shown, which was prepared by Lajna Imaillah, showing young children offering Canada Day congratulatory remarks.

Jamaat Malta asked to join fundraising event, attended by president of Malta Laiq Ahmed Atif President Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Malta

Dar tal-Providenza – a home for the disabled held its 12-hour fundraising event on 4 July 2021. The management of this institution requested Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Malta for its cooperation during the fundraising event.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Malta actively participated and members of the Jamaat offered refreshments – food and drink – to all the participants, guests and volunteers.

The food was prepared by the Jamaat members in their homes. Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Malta, Haroon Ahmad Khan Sahib, and missionary, Laiq

Ahmed Atif Sahib, also helped in responding to telephone calls for donations during the event.

The administration and presenters expressed their gratitude for the Jamaat’s presence and active participation. The President of Malta, Dr George Vela and his wife participated in the programme and we had the opportunity to brief them about the services of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Malta.

The programme continued from 12 pm until midnight. A total of eight members of the Jamaat helped with great dedication and sincerity throughout the event. Khuddam were wearing shirts with the Jamaat’s logo and its motto of “Love for all, hatred for

none”.

At the end, a prayer service for all the contributors, benefactors and donors was held at the suggestion of the Ahmadi missionary. The prayer was led by Rev Martin Micallef, the Director of Dar talProvidenza and Laiq Ahmed Atif Sahib, President Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Malta.

After praying in the Maltese language, the Ahmadi missionary also recited Surah Fatihah and a prayer from a hadith for the sick and needy, in Arabic. The prayers had a profound effect on the attendees.

In this event, Khuddam helped with great dedication and enthusiasm. Similarly, three families prepared food.

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021

The father of prophets: A brief look into the life of Prophet Abraham Jalees Ahmad Al Hakam

A short background of Hazrat Abrahamas Hazrat Abraham – Ibrahim in Arabic – also known as Abul Anbiya (father of the Prophets), was a very noble and pious man and a prophet of Allah. His advent was approximately 2,700-2,800 years prior to the coming of Prophet Muhammadsa. He is accepted and revered by the three major religions of today – Muslims, Christians and Jews.

The Holy Quran, in Surah al-Saaffat, states that Hazrat Abrahamas was, in fact, a descendant of Hazrat Noahas: َ ‫َو ِا ّن ِم ۡن ِش ۡی َعت ِٖہ لَاِ ۡب ٰر ِہ ۡی َم‬

“And verily of his party was [also] Abraham”. (Surah al-Saaffat, Ch.37: V.84) Hazrat Abrahamas was sent to a people who worshipped idols and stars. He resided in Iraq and during his life, travelled to Egypt. He married three times. The name of his first wife was Hazrat Sarah, who was a close relative; his second wife was Hazrat Hajirahas, who was an Egyptian and the name of his third was Hazrat Keturahas.

Prophet Abraham’sas eldest child, Hazrat Ishmaelas, was born through Hazrat Hajirahas, and Hazrat Isaacas was born through Hazrat Sarah. Both children of the Father of Prophets became recipients of Allah the Almighty’s immense blessings.

The descendants of Hazrat Isaacas came to be known as Banu Israel, and the descendants of Hazrat Ishmaelas came to be known as Banu Isma‘il, among whom came the greatest man to walk the earth, the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, the chosen one, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

In a hadith of Sahih Muslim, the Holy Prophetsa is reported to have said: “Indeed, Allah chose Kinanah from the children of Ishmael, and He chose Quraish from Kinanah, and He chose Hashim from Quraish, and He chose me from Banu Hashim.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Kitab alMunaqib an Rasulullahsa, Hadith 3606) The truth of Prophet Abrahamas is found in the Holy Quran In the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty states: َّ ً ۡ َ َ ٗ َّ َ ۡ ٰ ۡ ٰ ۡ ۡ ُ ۡ َ ‫ان صِ ِّدیقا ن ِب ًّیا‬ ‫و اذکر فِی ال ِکت ِب ِابر ِہیم ؕ۬ ِانہ ک‬ “And relate [the story of] Abraham [as mentioned] in the Book. He [was

This is said to be Prophet Abraham’sas house in the city of Ur, southern Iraq

a] truthful [man and] a Prophet. (Surah Maryam, Ch.19: V.42) In this verse, Allah has commanded the Holy Prophetsa to relate the story of Abrahamas as mentioned in the Holy Quran, as opposed to what is mentioned about him in the Bible. The Holy Quran clearly states that he was a truthful man, whereas the Bible accuses him of lying.

Did Prophet Abrahamas commit shirk?

A fallacy some people succumb to about Hazrat Abrahamas is that he committed shirk (associating partners with God) as a child. This misconception simply arises in the minds of people when they have not undergone a complete study of his life or a study of the Holy Quran.

The Holy Quran describes Hazrat ًَُ Abrahamas as ‫ ا ّمۃ‬meaning that he was a paragon of virtue and possessed a character َ of great quality; he is also described ‫قانِ ًتا‬ meaning that he was always obedient to Allah. The Holy Quran further states, ُ with regard to Hazrat Abrahamas, ‫َول َ ۡم یَک ِم َن‬ َ ‫ ال ۡ ُم ۡشرک ِیۡن‬meaning that he was not of those ِ who set up equals to God or committed shirk. To think that Prophet Abrahamas, Abul Anbiya, committed shirk, even as a

child, is a thought a true Muslim can never entertain.

So, why has this misconception crept into the minds of others? In Surah alAn‘am, an incident from the life of Prophet Abrahamas has been recorded. Allah the Almighty states: ُ ُ ۤ َ َ َ َ َ ۤ َّ َ َ ۡ ّ َ َ ٰ َ َ ً َ ۡ َ ٰ َ ُ ۡ َّ ۡ َ َ َّ َ َّ َ َ ‫ال لَا ا ِح ّب‬ ‫فلما جن علی ِہ الیل را کوکبا ۚ قال ہذا ر ِبی ۚ فلما افل ق‬ ۡ ٰ ‫الۡافِلِی َن‬ ۤ َ َ َ َ ّ َ َ َ َّ َ ۡ ّ َ َ ٰ َ َ ً َ َ َ َ ۡ َ َ َّ َ َ ‫ال ل َ ِئ ۡن ل ۡم یَ ۡہ ِدنِ ۡی َر ِّب ۡی‬ ‫فلما را القمر بازِغا قال ہذا ربی ۚ فلما افل ق‬ ۡ ّ َّ َ ۡ ِ َ ُ َ ‫لَاکوۡن َّن ِم َن القوۡ ِم الضٓال ِی َن‬ ّ َ َ َ ۡ َ َ َ ۤ َّ َ َ ُ َ ۡ َ ۤ َ ٰ ۡ ّ َ َ ٰ َ َ ً َ َ َ ۡ َّ َ َ َّ َ َ ‫ال ٰیقوۡ ِم ِانِ ۡی‬ ‫فلما را الشمس بازِغۃ قال ہذا ر ِبی ہذا اکبر ۚ فلما افلت ق‬ ُ ُۡ َ ٓ ‫بَرِ ۡی ٌء ِّم ّما تش ِرکوۡ َن‬ “And when the night darkened upon him, he saw a star. He said: ‘This is my Lord!’ But when it set, he said: ‘I like not those that set.’ And when he saw the moon rise with spreading light, he said: ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set, he said, ‘If my Lord guide me not, I shall surely be of the people who go astray.’ And when he saw the sun rise with spreading light, he said: ‘This is my Lord, this is the greatest.’ But when it set, he said, ‘O my people, surely I am clear of that which you associate [with God].’”

(Surah al-An‘am, Ch.6: V.77-79) Those who are not familiar with the practice of Hazrat Abrahamas and the

wisdom he possessed, even as a child, might wrongfully interpret that Hazrat Abrahamas was committing shirk and took the evening star, the moon and the sun for God. However, this is, in fact, far from reality.

We must remember that Hazrat Abrahamas was sent to a people who worshipped stars and idols. The people would derive and associate all their pleasure and happiness from their false deities. Here, in this incident, Hazrat Abrahamas was, in fact, arguing and debating against starworshippers and he adopted this method of debate to help them see that the things they had made and assumed to be their god could not help or avail them in any way.

With regard to these verses, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra stated: “It is clearly written in this verse, ‘If my Lord guide me not, I shall surely be of the people who go astray.’ So, this verse refutes the idea of polytheism and proves that the word of Abrahamas was a form of sarcasm.” (Tafsir-e-Saghir, p.221) Similarly, Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin, Khalifatul Masih Ira – alluding َ to the words ‫ ٰہذا َر ِّب ۡی‬which Prophet Abrahamas said – stated, “This served to

20 indicate contempt.”

When Prophet Abrahamas saw the evening star disappear or set, he said, “I like not those that set”. Similar was the case with the moon and then the sun. Hazrat Abrahamas was trying to convey to his people that all which they assume to be their gods cannot avail them in any way.

He then further goes on to say, “If my Lord guide me not, I shall surely be of the people who go astray.” This clearly shows that his faith in his Lord did not disappear and he was simply demonstrating the error of his people. He is already aware that those who take anything else as worship besides God are people who have lost guidance and who have gone “astray”.

Further to this, under these verses, in The Five-Volume Commentary of the Holy Quran, it is written: “[…] if Abraham was really searching for God and had sincerely taken the star, the moon and the sun, in turn, for his Lord, then the conclusion at which he ought to have naturally arrived, after gradually rejecting the godhead of these three heavenly bodies, should have been that there was no God at all, but instead of declaring that there was no God, Abraham forthwith turned to his people saying: O my people, surely I am clear of that which you associate with God, I have turned my face toward Him Who created the heavens and the earth, being ever inclined to God. This shows that Abraham already knew the true God and believed in Him and was simply trying gradually to draw his people towards Him.” (The Five-Volume Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 887) Prophet Abrahamas breaks the idols of his people Hazrat Abrahamas was very much against the worshipping of idols. From a very young age, he understood that the idols his people worshipped were but mere sculptures and could not hear or accept any prayer. They were lifeless.

The Holy Quran highlights this fact and narrates an incident where Hazrat Abrahamas, who was young at the time, broke the idols in order to expose and demonstrate their weakness: َّ َّ ۡ َ َّ ً ٰ َ َ ‫ف َج َعل ُہ ۡم ُجذذا ِالا ک ِبی ًرا ل ُہ ۡم ل َ َعل ُہ ۡم ِال َ ۡی ِہ یَ ۡر ِج ُعوۡ َن‬ “So he broke them into pieces, [all] except the chief of them, that they might return to it for enquiry.” (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.59) Witnessing their ۤidols broken into َ َ ٰ َ pieces, the people said ‫“ َم ۡن ف َع َل ٰہذا ِبال َِہتِنا‬Who has done this to our gods?” (Surah alAnbiya, Ch.21: V.60) Upon finding out Hazrat Abrahamas was behind this, they called him and asked him if he had broken the idols. In response, Prophet Abrahamas, exposing the weakness of their idols, said: ُ َ َ ُ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َ َ َ َ َ ‫ال بَ ۡل ف َعل ٗہ ۖ٭ ک ِبی ُر ُہ ۡم ٰہذا ف ۡسـَٔلوۡ ُہ ۡم ِا ۡن کانوۡا یَنطِقوۡ َن‬ ‫ق‬ “He replied, ‘Well, somebody has surely done this. Here is the chief of them. So ask [it and] them if they can speak.’” (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.64) Prophet Abraham’sas response served as a mighty blow and demonstrated to the people how weak and futile their gods were. Their gods were lifeless and could not even protect themselves and could not even speak. He highlighted their practices

Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM as being mere actions that did not benefit or profit them even in the slightest.

Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin, Khalifatul Masih Ira, in Haqaiq al-Furqan, under the above-mentioned verse, wrote that Prophet Abrahamas adopted this method to draw the attention of his people towards their false, idolatrous ways.

Allah saves Hazrat Abrahamas and his people from the fire After finding out Hazrat Abrahamas broke the idols, the idol worshippers, enraged and not being able to reply to his wisdom, decided to punish Hazrat Abrahamas. They said: ُ ۤ ۡ ُ ‫َح ّ ِرقوۡ ُہ َوان ُص ُر ۡوا ٰال َِہ َتک ۡم‬ “Burn him and help your gods”. (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.69) Upon this, God’s help descended like rain from the Heavens. As they throw Prophet Abrahamas into the fire, God commanded: ُ َ َ ‫ٰین ُار کوۡنِ ۡی بَ ۡر ًدا ّو َس ٰل ًما َع ٰۤلی ِا ۡب ٰر ِہ ۡی َم‬ “O fire, be thou cold and [a means of] safety for Abraham!” (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch. 21: V.70) And thus, Prophet Abrahamas was saved, and the fire caused him no harm.

In Tafsir-e-Kabir, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra, shedding light on this verse, states: “It seems that the fire was extinguished by some unseen material such as wind or rain. That is why Allah says, ‘O fire, cool down’. He does not say ‘O fire, do not burn.’”

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 5, p. 531)

and silenced.

This confrontation highlights Prophet Abraham’sas courage, faith in God and profound wisdom.

Holy Prophet Muhammad’ssa love for Hazrat Abrahamas It is a common practice that parents give their newborn child a name after a person who is close to their hearts, whom they love and respect.

We even see this practice done by the Holy Prophetsa. After marrying Hazrat Mariya Qibtiyara, the Holy Prophetsa had a son, who, though he passed away at a young age, he named Ibrahim.

On another occasion, a person came to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and said: َ ْ َْ ‫يَا خي َر البَرِ ّي ِة‬ Meaning, “O, the best of creation”.

Hearing this, the Holy Prophetsa replied:

َ Abrahamas. Now, it is true the word ‫ ا ِب ۡی ِہ‬has َ been used; however, the word ‫( اب‬father) can also mean an ancestor or paternal uncle.

Elsewhere, we read in the Holy Quran: ُ َ‫است ِۡغ َف ُار ا ۡب ٰرہ ۡی َم لاَب ۡیہ الَّا َع ۡن َّموۡع َدۃ َّو َع َد َہا ۤا ّی‬ َ‫اہ ۚ َف َل َّما تَ َبیَّن‬ َ َ ‫َو َما ک‬ ۡ ‫ان‬ ٍ ِ ِ ِ​ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ٌ‫ل َ ٗہۤ اَنَّ ٗہ َع ُد ٌّو لّ ِّٰل ِہ تَب َ َّراَ ِم ۡن ُہ ؕ ِا َّن ِا ۡب ٰر ِہ ۡی َم لَاَ َّو ٌاہ َحل ِۡیم‬ “And Abraham’s asking forgiveness for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him, but when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he dissociated himself from him.

Surely, Abraham was most tenderhearted, [and] forbearing.” (Surah alTaubah, Ch.9: V. 114) In this verse, we see that Prophet َ Abrahamas made a promise to Azar, his ‫اب‬, that he would pray for his forgiveness; but when it became clear to Prophet Abrahamas that Azar was an enemy to Allah, he dissociated himself from him.

Hazrat Abraham’s conversation with a king We know through studying the history and life of prophets that they were all blessed with immense knowledge and wisdom from Allah the Almighty. Abul Anbiya is a prophet who is known for his profound knowledge and wisdom. Through history, we know that he was a resident of Iraq and a native of Ur of the Chaldees who was sent to a people who worshipped stars. Their chief god was the sun. Prophet Abrahamas was completely against this futile action of worshipping false deities and strongly preached against them.

In the Holy Quran we read an episode between Hazrat Abrahamas and the king of the time, Nimrod, who also laid claim to godhead.

When Prophet Abrahamas was brought before king Nimrod, he firmly said to the king that he could do him no harm as it was Allah who caused life and gave death. He said: َّ ‫َر ِّب َی ال ِذ ۡی یُ ۡح ٖی َو یُ ِم ۡی ُت‬ “My Lord is He Who gives life and causes death”. (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.259) Hearing this, Nimrod replied: ُ ُ َ​َ ‫انا ا ۡح ٖی َو ا ِم ۡی ُت‬ “I [also] give life and cause death.”

(Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.259) Upon this, in his profound wisdom, Prophet Abrahamas replied: َۡ ۡ ۡ ۡ َ َ ّٰ َّ َ ۡ ۡ ۡ َّ ‫س ِم َن ال َمش ِر ِق فا ِت ِب َہا ِم َن ال َمغرِ ِب‬ ِ ‫ف ِان اللہ یات ِۡی ِبالشم‬ “Well, Allah brings the sun from the East; bring it thou from the West.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.259) Hearing this, Nimrod was dumbfounded

An old scene of Kirkuk, Iraq

َ َّ ْ َ َ ُ َ ْ َ َ ‫السلا ُم‬ ‫ذاك ِإبرا ِهيم علي ِه‬ “That is Abraham, peace be upon him.”

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Fazail, Hadith 2369) This hadith highlights the Holy Prophet’sas love and respect for Hazrat Abrahamas.

Indeed, we know that the Holy Prophetsa is, in fact, as stated by the Holy Quran, the best of mankind and “an excellent model”. For the Holy Prophetsa, who was the personification of perfection, to praise another person is something remarkable and noteworthy.

Misconception about Hazrat Abraham’s father There is a misconception about who Prophet Abraham’sas father really was.

Many Muslims are of the view that his father was Azar, who was known to be an idol-worshipper; however, this is not the case.

This misconception is derived from the following verse: ً ً َ ۡ َ ُ َّ َ َ َ َ ٰ ۡ َ ُ ۡ ٰ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ ‫اما ٰال َِہۃ‬ ‫و ِاذ قال ِابر ِہیم لِا ِبی ِہ ازر اتت ِخذ اصن‬ “And [remember the time] when Abraham said to his father, Azar: ‘Dost thou take idols for gods?’” (Surah al-An‘am, Ch. 6: V.75) Quoting this, many Muslims hold the belief that Azar, who was an idolworshipper, was the father of Prophet

Following this, later on in his life, after the construction of the Holy Ka‘bah, Prophet Abrahamas prayed for his father; َ however, he did not say the word ‫اب‬, but َ َ said ‫وال ِد‬: ۡ َ َّ ُ ‫اغف ۡر ل ِۡی َو ل ِوَال َِد َّی َو ل ِۡل ُم ۡؤ ِمنِی ۡ َن یَوۡ َم یَقُوۡ ُم الۡح َس‬ ‫اب‬ ِ ِ ‫َربنا‬ “Our Lord, grant forgiveness to me and to my parents and to the believers on the day when the reckoning will take place.’”

(Surah Ibrahim, Ch.14: V.42) From this verse, we see that Prophet Abrahamas prayed for his father; however, in this prayer, he said ‫ َوال َِد‬which means “the begetter”, which is used for the biological father.

This unmistakeably highlights that َ Azar, who has been called ‫اب‬, who as Prophet Abraham “dissociated himself from”, was someone other than Prophet Abraham’sas actual father.

Abrahamas settles Ishmaelas and Hajirahas in the valley of Bakkah When Ishmael was still young, Hazrat Sarahra asked Hazrat Abrahamas to settle Ishmael, and his other wife, Hazrat Hajirahas, elsewhere. This caused Hazrat Abrahamas a lot of grief; however, Allah commanded Hazrat Abrahamas to do as Hazrat Sarah had asked. The Bible states that God desired to make a nation from Hazrat Ishmael. Alluding to Prophet Abraham’sas son, Hazrat Ishmaelas, it is

21

AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021 recorded in the Bible, “I will make a nation of him.” (Genesis 21:13) Thus, according to Allah’s commandment, Hazrat Abrahamas took his son, Hazrat Ishmaelas, and Hazrat Hajirahas and settled them in the valley of Bakkah, which later came to be known as Makkah (Mecca).

As there was no water there, Hazrat Abrahamas placed a leather bag containing some dates and some water near Hazrat Ishmaelas and Hazrat Hajirahas. It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari that as Hazrat Abrahamas left, Hazrat Hajirahas said: “’O Abraham! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose company we may enjoy, nor is there anything?’ She repeated that to him many times, but he did not look back at her.

Then she asked him, ‘Has Allah ordered you to do so?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Then He will not neglect us.’” (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Ahadith al-Anbiya, Hadith 3364) Alluding to this incident, the Holy Quran records a prayer of Hazrat Abrahamas on this occasion. Hazrat Abrahamas faced the Ka‘bah and prayed: ۡ َ َۡ َ ّ َۤ​َ َ ُ َ​َ َ ۡ َ َۡ ‫َر ّبنا ِانِ ۡۤی ا ۡسکن ُت ِم ۡن ذ ّرِ ّیت ِۡی ِبوَا ٍد غیرِ ِذ َ ۡی ز ۡر ٍع ِعن َد بَ ۡیتِک ال ُم َح ّر ِم ۙ َر ّبنا‬ ۤ ۡ ۡ ُ َ ّ َ ّ ً َ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ َ ٰ َّ ُ ۡ ُ ‫اس ت ۡہ ِو ۡی ِال َ ۡی ِہ ۡم َو ۡار زق ُہ ۡم ِّم َن‬ ِ ‫ل ِیـقِیموا الصلوۃ فاجعل َّاف ِئدۃ ِمن الن‬ َ‫الث َم ٰر ِت ل َ َع َّل ُہ ۡم یَ ۡش ُک ُر ۡون‬ “Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House, – our Lord, – that they may observe Prayer. So make men’s hearts incline towards them and provide them with fruits, that they may be thankful.”

(Surah Ibrahim, Ch.14: V.38) The hadith further narrates that when the water Hazrat Abrahamas provided had been used up, Hazrat Hajirahas and her child became thirsty in the intense heat of Bakkah. Hazrat Hajirahas, not being able to bear seeing her child like this, started searching for water in agony. During her search for water, she mounted the mountain of Safa to see if she could sight anyone; however, she could not see anyone.

She then dismounted and ran towards Marwa. She reached Marwa and stood on the mountain to see if she could see anyone.

She repeated this seven times.

Alluding to this incident, the Holy Prophetsa said, “This is the source of the tradition of the walking of people between them” i.e. mounts Safa and Marwa, during Hajj.

Hazrat Abraham’s sacrifice After settling Hazrat Ishmaelas and Hazrat Hajirahas in Bakkah, Hazrat Abrahamas would sometimes travel back and forth to meet them. When Hazrat Ishmael grew up to an age whereby he was able to work with his father, Hazrat Abrahamas saw in a dream that he was slaughtering his son. The Holy Quran narrates this instance in Surah al-Saaffat: ُۡ َ َ َۡ َّ َ ۡ َ ّ َ َ َ َ ۡ َّ ُ َ َ َ َ َ َّ َ َ ‫ال ٰی ُبن َّی ِانِ ۡۤی ا ٰری فِی ال َمنا ِم انِ ۡۤی اذبَ ُح ٰک فانظ ۡر‬ ‫فلما بلغ معہ السعی ق‬ َ ّ َ َ َ ۡ َ ‫ال ٰۤیاَبَ ِت ۡاف َع ۡل َما تُ ۡؤ َمرُ ۫ َستج ُدنِ ۡۤی ِان ش‬ َ ‫اذا تَ ٰری ؕ َق‬ ‫م‬ ‫ٓاء الل ُہ ِم َن‬ ِ ٰ ّ ‫الصبِرِیۡ َن‬ “And when he was old enough to work with him, he said, ‘O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering thee. So consider, what thou thinkest [of it]!’ He replied, ‘O my father, do as thou art commanded; thou wilt find me, if Allah please, steadfast [in my faith].” (Surah alSaaffat, Ch.37: V.103)

Thus, as Hazrat Abrahamas laid his son down and was about to commence in fulfilling the dream, an angel of Allah called to him and said: ّ ‫َق ۡد َص َّد ۡق َت‬ ۚ ‫الرُ ۡءیَا‬ “Thou hast indeed fulfilled the dream.”

(Surah al-Saffat, Ch.37: V.106) Hazrat Abrahamas was then commanded to release Hazrat Ishmael and sacrifice a ram in his stead.

Referring to this episode, The FiveVolume Commentary of the Holy Quran states: “Abraham’s preparedness to sacrifice Ishmael was perpetuated in the Islamic institution of ‘Sacrifice’ which forms an integral part of the ceremonies of Hajj.

As long as Islam lasts – and it shall last till the end of time – Pilgrimage to Mecca will continue to be performed and on the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah goats and rams will continue to be slaughtered in hundreds of thousands in Mecca and all over the Muslim world in commemoration of Ishmael’s sacrifice. It is this institution of ‘Sacrifice’ that seems to have been referred to in this verse in the words ‘And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice’.” (The Five-Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, pp. 2699-2700) Raising the foundations of the house of Allah Many are of the opinion that Hazrat Abrahamas and Hazrat Ishmaelas were the first to build the Holy Ka‘bah. However, this is yet another misunderstanding.

The Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa are very clear on this matter.

Allah states in the Holy Quran:

ُ َ ۡ َ َّ َّ َ​َ َ​َ ۡ َۡ ‫َو ِاذ یَ ۡرفع ِا ۡب ٰر ٖہ ُم القوَا ِع َد ِم َن ال َب ۡی ِت َو ِا ۡس ٰمع ِۡی ُل ؕ َر ّبنا تق َّب ۡل ِمنا ؕ ِانک‬ ۡ ُ ۡ َ َ ّ ‫ان َت‬ ‫الس ِم ۡیع ال َعل ِۡی ُم‬ “And [remember the time] when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House, [praying,] ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us; for Thou art the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (Surah alBaqarah, Ch.2: V.128) This verse highlights that Hazrat Abrahamas and Hazrat Ishmaelas raised the foundations of the Holy Ka‘bah and did not ۡ َۡ build it anew. The words ‫ القوَا ِع َد ِم َن ال َب ۡی ِت‬point to the fact that the foundations of the house existed prior to this incident.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, addressing this very matter, stated: “Here, Allah the Almighty did not ُ َ say ‫یضع القواعد‬, but said ‫یَ ۡرفع القواعد‬. If there was a mention of laying the foundation, then the [root]word ‫ وضع‬would have been used. This shows that the House of Allah already existed, but its buildings had been destroyed. Hazrat Abraham, on whom be peace, under Allah the Almighty’s commandment raised its foundations.”

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 2, pp. 177-178) Furthermore, it is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari that when Hazrat Abrahamas settled Hazrat Ishmaelas and Hazrat Hajirahas in the valley of Bakkah, he made a prayer. Before praying, he raised his hands and “faced the Ka‘bah”. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Ahadith al-Anbiya, Hadith 3364) “Raise up among them a Messenger from among themselves” After raising the foundations of the Holy Ka‘bah, Hazrat Abrahamas prayed to Allah to raise a messenger who may recite God’s

signs and purify people.

Abul Anbiya’s prayer is recorded in the Holy Quran: َ ُ ۡ ۡ َ​َ ۡ ۡ ّ ُ َ ‫َر ّبنا َو اب َعث فِ ۡی ِہ ۡم َر ُسوۡلًا ِّمن ُہ ۡم یَ ۡت َلوۡا َعل ۡی ِہ ۡم ٰا ٰیتِک َو ی َعل ُِم ُہ ُم ال ِک ٰت َب َو‬ ُ‫ال ۡ ِح ۡک َم َۃ َو یُ َزک ِّ ۡیہ ۡم ؕ ِانّ َک اَن ۡ َت ال ۡ َعزیۡ ُز ال ۡ َح ِک ۡیم‬ ِ ِ “And, our Lord, raise up among them a Messenger from among themselves, who may recite to them Thy Signs and teach them the Book and Wisdom and may purify them; surely, Thou art the Mighty, the Wise.’” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.130) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, in relation to this verse, writes in Tafsir-e-Kabir that though Hazrat Abrahamas was promised that his progeny would be blessed and that many prophets would be raised, he still prayed for “a Messenger” to be raised from the progeny of Hazrat Ishmaelas. He did not say ‫( ُر ُسلًا‬messengers) but he said ‫( َر ُسوۡلًا‬a messenger). This heartfelt prayer was fulfilled with the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, who recited God’s signs, taught the Book and wisdom and purified the world.

As we approach the blessed days of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha, let us remember the sacrifice and life of Hazrat Abrahamas.

Indeed, through the Holy Quran, we can learn about the lives and examples of the previous prophets who were blessed

by God. Let us continue to reflect on their examples and become true followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. َ َ َ َّ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َّ َ ُ َ َ ّ َ َّ ُ ّ ٰ َ ‫اه‬ ‫يم‬ ِ ‫آل مح ّم ٍد ك َما صل ْيت على ِإبْ َر‬ ِ ‫اللهم ص ِل على محم ٍد وعلى‬ َ َ​َ َ َّ َ َ ْ ٌ َ ٌ ‫اه‬ ‫يم ِإنك َح ِم ْيد م ِج ْيد‬ ِ ‫آل ِإبر‬ ِ ‫وعلى‬ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َّ َ ُ َ َ َ َّ َ ُ َ َ ْ َ َّ ُ ّ ٰ َ ‫اه‬ ‫يم‬ ‫آل محم ٍد كما ب‬ ِ ‫اركت على ِإبْ َر‬ ِ ‫اللهم با ِرك على محم ٍد وعلى‬ َ َ​َ َ َّ َ َ ْ ٌ َ ٌ ‫اه‬ ‫يم ِإنك َح ِم ْيد م ِجيد‬ ِ ‫آل ِإبر‬ ِ ‫وعلى‬

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Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

Introducing Islam to Australians in Mylor: A faith-inspiring day Atif Ahmed Zahid Regional Missionary, South Australia

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Adelaide has started a special campaign to convey the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat in regional towns across Australia.

On 4 July 2021, members of Jamaate-Ahmadiyya Adelaide South gathered at Noor mosque for Fajr prayer. After prayers, Atif Ahmed Zahid Sahib, a missionary gave some advice to the members on various matters related to tabligh and led the silent prayer, and then the journey for a small town of Mylor began. Mylor is situated in Adelaide Hills on the outskirts of Adelaide.

The total population of the town is around 1100.

The exhibition and bookstall was set up in the main market area. In the exhibition, translations of the Holy Quran in 10 different languages were displayed along with a variety of literature, such as Life of Muhammad, The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace and Islam’s Response to Contemporary Issues, etc.

At 9 am, the exhibition was opened for the public. Due to the extreme cold weather and heavy rain not many people came to visit the market. Some of the Jamaat members were very disappointed at this. Atif Ahmed Zahid Sahib advised the members to engage themselves in prayers and recite to recite

durood sharif.

By the grace of Allah and with the blessings of durood sharif, within few minutes, the rain stopped and the sun came out and people started coming to the market in large numbers. Very quickly the Jamaat’s exhibition and bookstall became the busiest stall in the market, alhamdulillah.

More than 200 people visited the market and around 100 people from different walks of life visited the exhibition and bookstall.

Atif Ahmed Zahid Sahib along with Jamaat members gave them a brief introduction to Islam Ahmadiyyat. Apart from the introduction, detailed discussions about the religion of Islam were held with many visitors. The most common questions of discussion were: • The existence of God • Purpose of life • The concept of Jihad • Women rights in Islam • Freedom of religion • Service to humanity

The local councillor of Adelaide Hills area, Mr Leith Mudge also visited our bookstall and appreciated the efforts of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in promoting peace, love and interfaith harmony. He also gave an interview to MTA, in which he said: “It is great to see this Muslim community coming and talking about their faith and

trying to spread peace. So, it was great to hear from them today.”

He also took some pictures of the exhibition and later in the afternoon shared them on his Facebook page with the following message: “I dropped in early this afternoon to the Mylor Market and caught up with the members of the Muslim Community who had a stall spreading a message of peace […]”

At the exhibition, it was observed that many people were scared to touch a copy of the Holy Quran. They were under the false assumption that they were not allowed to hold or read the Holy Quran.

It was explained to them that the Holy Quran is a universal book and contains guidance for all of mankind. Furthermore, they were informed that for the benefit of mankind Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya has translated the Holy Quran in more than seventy languages of the world.

A person came to visit the exhibition and the missionary explained to him that Jamaate-Ahmadiyya is a law-abiding community and its members are loyal citizens of their respective countries, and in order to express our love for Australia and to inculcate this teaching into our members, we celebrate

Ahmadiyyat in Ecuador and dinner with Counsel General of Ecuador in Toronto

Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent

Ecuador is a small country straddling the equator on South America’s west coast.

Despite its small size, nature has blessed it with a diverse landscape. This includes the Amazon jungle, Andean highlands and

the wildlife-rich world-famous Galápagos Islands to name a few. Its capital is Quito, which is located at an elevation of 2,850 metres in the Andean foothills. Quito is known for its largely intact Spanish Colonial centre with 16th- and 17th-century palaces.

Ecuador’s official language is Spanish.

In 2000, Mubashar Ahmad Sahib

became the first Canadian waqif-e-arzi to visit Ecuador, reported Mahboob ur Rahman Shafiq Ahmed Sahib, a missionary and Spanish language lecturer at Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada, as well as in-charge Canada Spanish Desk.

In 2010, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa assigned the responsibility of tabligh efforts

Australia Day every year across the country.

Coincidently, that person was one of the organizers of the Australia Day event for the town of Mylor. He invited Jamaat-eAhmadiyya to the next year’s Australia Day event and requested us to organize a similar Quran exhibition at the event. In this way, God Almighty Himself opened new avenues of tabligh for the Jamaat, alhamdulillah.

The event was very successful. One copy of the Holy Quran, eight copies of The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, three copies of World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace, five copies of Selected verses of the Holy Quran and other pamphlets were distributed among different people and thus the message of true Islam was conveyed to many people.

in Ecuador to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada.

The same year, Mahboob ur Rahman Shafiq Ahmed Sahib became the first missionary to be assigned to Ecuador. It was also in 2010 that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya established its first mission house in Ecuador. In 2012, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya successfully registered with the Ecuadorian Government as a religious organisation.

In 2019, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada received a letter from the Chief of the Shuar Community called Númpaim, an indigenous tribe living in the Amazon Jungle of Ecuador. Númpaim requested the Jamaat’s help in resettling of their ancestral lands. A request was forwarded to Huzooraa for approval. Huzooraa approved the request and formed the following three-member committee to visit Ecuador: • Chairman IAAAE Canada, Kamran Ashraf Chaudhry Sahib – chairperson of committee • Missionary and in-charge Spanish Desk Canada, Mahboob ur Rahman Shafiq Ahmed Sahib • Tariq Attaul Momin Sahib from the International Spanish Desk, Spain In 2020, this committee visited Ecuador, where they were joined by the missionary of Quito, Abdul Basit Sahib. Accompanied and guided by Númpaim, travelling by road, river and jungle, they reached the ancestral land of Númpaim. After the visit, the committee submitted a detailed report Continued on next page >>

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021

The philosophy and wisdom behind the institution of Hajj

The Promised Messiahas states:

“

In the world of love, the human spirit always circles around its lover and gives a kiss towards its threshold. Likewise, the Holy Ka‘bah

<< Continued from previous page

to Huzooraa on how to provide solar power for the settlement of the ancestral land.

The Counsel General of Ecuador in Toronto, Ms Beatriz Katerine Romero Sigcho played a very important and helpful role in the Jamaat’s growth in Ecuador. She helped with matters relating to establishing Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in Ecuador as well as with the Ecuadorian immigration matters.

Recently, she completed her term in Toronto.

On 23 June 2021, a farewell dinner was organised in her honour in Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Durham. She attended along with her husband and two daughters.

Her husband had also served in Ecuador as Minister of Trade and Production.

Missionary-in-charge Canada, Abdul Rasheed Anwar Sahib also attended the event.

Guests were given a mosque tour along with an introduction to Islam Ahmadiyyat.

During the dinner, Abdul Rasheed Anwar Sahib explained how the sun and lunar eclipse prophecy was fulfilled in favour of the Promised Messiahas. Guests were also given gifts and Jamaat literature.

is a physical manifestation for all the fervent lovers [of God]. Allah states that this is His house and the Black Stone [Hajr-e-Aswad] is the stone of His threshold. He gave this order so that a person could practically express their ardent love. Hence, pilgrims physically walk around it [the Ka‘bah] at the occasion of Hajj, in a way that they are intensely in love with Allah. They put aside their beauty, shave their head, and walk around the Ka‘bah. They kiss the Black Stone with the thought that it is the stone of the threshold of Allah.

“This physical passion creates spiritual warmth and love, and the body circles His house and kisses the threshold’s stone, and with this, the spirit circles its true lover and kisses its spiritual threshold. Similarly, the soul circulates the true Beloved and kisses

His spiritual threshold.

“There is no Shirk [associating partners with Allah] involved in this practice. When a friend receives a letter from a beloved friend, they kiss it as well. No Muslim worships the Holy Ka‘bah, nor do they ask anything from the Black Stone, but only considers it a model of God’s manifestation which has been established by Allah. Just as we lay prostrate on the ground and this prostration is not for the material earth, in exactly the same manner do we kiss the Black Stone, but that kiss is not for the Black Stone. A stone is merely a stone and can neither benefit anyone, nor cause any harm, but it has been bestowed from the hands of the Beloved, Who has declared it to be a manifestation of His threshold.”

(Chashma-e-Ma’rifat, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 23, pp. 101-102)

24

Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Lectures at Hyde Park, Rabindranath Tagore, Mufti Sadiq’s work in Detroit, good news from Africa and Ahmadiyyat in Arabia The Review of Religions (English), July 1921

London mission Mr. Mubarak Ali, BA BT, one of our workers in England, says in one of his reports: “Thank God our lectures at Hyde Park are producing some effect. Christian missionaries see this and hence they are taking a very hostile attitude. In last night’s discussion, thank God, all the audience, except two bigots, were with me. They supported me in my view that Jesus was a prophet and not God. After the lecture, one old educated gentleman followed me and saw me in the way. We had a long talk on Islam. He seems to agree with all our principles. He has promised to see us at Putney.”

Besides lectures at Hyde Park our brethren deliver weekly lectures at the mosque in Putney, and at their former head quarters in the Star Street. About one of these lectures, Mr. Mubarak Ali writes that he read out from The Review of Religions for January an article on “Did Jesus rise to Heaven?” A lively discussion followed and a learned English lady who claimed to believe in Christianity admitted that she did not believe either in the ascension of Jesus or in the doctrines of Trinity and Atonement.

Mr. FM Sayal MA was to sail for India on the 15th of July [1921]. In his letter, dated the 6th of June [1921], he announces the conversion to Islam of Mr. Abdullah Benjamin, an Israelite, and the initiation into the Ahmadiyya movement of Dr. Yoosaf Sulaiman, a native of Natal.

other Asiatic countries. Strength of India lay in the unity of her people and religion was the only basis for such unity; and among religions Islam alone could supply the common platform on which all the children of Asia could stand.

The poet-philosopher saw the force of this argument and said that his business would be to bring the best representatives of all religions together and to let them decide for themselves. Mr. Sayal said that the best way to sink the differences was not to ask the people to forget the differences but to give them a common inspiring ideal the pursuit of which should divert attention from the differences altogether.

The poet admitted this also, and then took leave of our brethren with great regret, for many other people were waiting outside for interview.

Our American mission In his report dated the 4th May 1921, Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq says that since the last report one gentleman and six ladies have accepted Islam.

Besides the above, 9 Muslim gentlemen living in America have joined the Ahmadiyya movement.

Christian Ministers have become alarmed at our Brother’s visit to America.

The following quotations from the Sioux City Journal of 5 April 5 1921, will be read

Interview with Sir R Tagore On 10 April [1921], Messrs Sayal, Osman, Banerjee and Mubarak Ali saw the poetphilosopher, Sir R Tagore, who had recently returned from America. He received them very kindly and gave them about an hour though many big people were waiting to see him.

He spoke about his scheme of an International University at Bolepur, Bengal, and invited the members of Ahmadiyya Community to found a chair in his university.

Mr. Sayal replied that the Ahmadees would welcome such an opportunity. He added that the advancement of Asia must begin from India, which owing to its weakness due to religious differences had become the first victim of the downfall of Asia and had directly or indirectly led to the downfall of

Rabindranath Tagore

with interest: “Consternation is ripe in the ranks of Sioux City Ministers with the coming to the city of Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, a native of India and the first Muhammadan Missionary to be admitted to the United States.

“Christian Ministers are incensed over Dr. Sadiq’s attacks on the work of the Christian missionaries in India and the far east. Various ways of getting Dr. Sadiq out of the city were suggested by the pastors of the churches. Some of the Ministers suggested warning their congregations at the Sunday services of the presence of this man and what he was preaching. That the Ministerial Association protest against the presence of the Mohammedan Missionary and the doctrines which he is advocating, was the sentiment expressed by some of the pastors.”

Dr. Sadiq is now attracting a good deal of attention in the United States and reports

of his work continue to appear in the press.

We can find place only for two.

The Daily Argues Leader, Sioux Falls, SD, says in its issue of 19 April [1921]: “Muhammadanism will gain some converts in Sioux Falls and South Dakota, if Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, Moslem Missionary from India who is in the city, has his way. He is here to open a campaign for additions to the Islam faith he represents.

“Mr. Sadiq finds most people sympathetic to his purpose, although he encountered some opposition in Sioux City. […] He plans meetings here in the interest of his faith.”

Another paper describes our brother in the following words: “Dr. Sadiq is a little man with a gentle disposition and a brilliant mind. He speaks English fluently and can speak six other languages. He has followed missionary work for more than 20 years. He is 50 years old.

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021

When lecturing or on the street he wears a green turban and a bright green flowing robe. He is always attired in the native clothes of India.”

The Eid-ul-Fitr day in America The Detroit New of 5 June 1921 says: “Moslems of Detroit will observe Tuesday as the day of Idul-Fitr which is one of the most solemn festivals of Muhammadanism.

A parade from 74 Victor Avenue to the Moslem Mosque at 242, Victor Avenue, led by Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, Moslem Sheikh, will be part of the picturesque ceremonies at the festival opening. The line of march will be on Victor and Woodward Avenues and John R Street in the vicinity of the newly dedicated mosque, constructed

by Muhammad Karoub, wealthy Highland Park real estate man.

“At 5 am, Tuesday services will be held in the completed part of the new mosque.

A feast will follow the services. The feast is to be provided by Mr. Karoub the builder of the mosque. […] The Moslem devouts contribute money for charitable work on the festival day.

“Mufti Muhammad Sadiq came to Detroit several months ago to organise in the local Muslim community a congregation of the Ahmadiyya movement, which has as its leader the Prophet Ahmad[as] of Qadian, hailed as the promised Messiah, Mahdi and holy reformer. The present head of the movement is Hazrat Mahmud[ra]. The Mufti comes from India as a Missionary.

“Syrian-Arabians constitute in Detroit the principal bulk of the Muhammadan population, and have several Sheiks.

Detroit is said to have the largest Moslem community in the United States, and when the new mosque is completed, it will be the only Moslem temple on the NorthAmerican continent.”

Our mission in West Africa: Happy news We have already published the very welcome message from our missionary in West Africa that 4,000 Fanti Muslims have joined the Ahmadiyya movement. On the 6th of June [1921], he sent another telegram announcing that 10,000 more persons had joined the movement. God be thanked.

The African Messenger publishes a long interview which the editor of the paper had with our missionary. In the interview, Mr. Nayyar explained to the editor the principles underlying the Ahmadiyya movement and the object of his mission to West Africa.

Speaking of the British government our brother said, “As an experienced man who has had the opportunity of seeing the rule of French, Italian, German and other foreign governments, I can say the British rule is the best, in spite of the mistakes often made by individuals, it is the most constitutional and the most advanced. America with all her boasted progress and advancement has not been able to protect the coloured inhabitants of their very soil from the outrages committed upon them by other sections of Americans, but you cannot find such instances in England.”

The West Africa Mail and Trade Gazette publishes the following news in its issue of 26 February 1921: “Among the passengers by the SS Abinsi which arrived in port from Liverpool on Saturday the 19th [February 1921] instant was a Muslim missionary, Moulvi Abdur-Rabim Nayyar by name, connected with the Ahmadiyya Mission which has its headquarters at Quadian in India.

“A wireless having been received on the 18th by Mr. Hadir-ud-Deen from the Moulvie saluting the Muslims of Sierra Leone the information was circulated among the Alimamis (Imams) and arrangements were forthwith made for the reception of the distinguished visitor. Accordingly on the

arrival of the ship a party composed of representatives of the several Muslim communities in Freetown met the missionary on board and after greeting him escorted him on shore and from government wharf motored with him to Foulah Town where, by arrangement, the Alimamis with their leading men and others were already assembled for the reception. At the Mosque the Moulvie was warmly greeted by the Alimamis after which Alfa M u h a m m a d Alghali, JP, on behalf of the Alimamis and the Muslims of Sierra Leone, in a neat speech welcomed the venerable Moulvie to these shores and prayed Allah to preserve his health and strength during his stay in West Africa. The Moulvie made an appropriate reply thanking the Muslim brethren for the cordial reception accorded him and explaining to them that the object of his mission is to advance the cause of Islam and the Muslims in West Africa. He was subsequently conducted to his lodgings.

“On Sunday the 20th instant the Moulvie addressed three meetings, viz., 8 o’clock am, at the Mosque at Fourah Bay, 12 noon at the Islamia schoolroom (Magazine Cut.) 7 pm at the Amaraia Schoolroom. This last meeting was specially arranged for the Christians. Unfortunately, the short time in which the meeting was got up did not admit of the arrangement being widely known among Christians of the educated class. Happily, however, a few were present at the meeting, chief among whom being Professor O Faduma, Messrs EE Parker, IJ Baxter, JD Gooding, DE Carney and others.

“The subject of the address was Judaism, Christianity and Islam; their points of difference and agreement and the truth of the mission of the Prophet Muhammad[sa].

“The Moulvie dealt very ably with the subject quoting abundantly passages from the Old and New Testaments in support of his arguments in favour of Islam and he appeared to have struck oil. He concluded by inviting questions and discussion.

“Professor Faduma then rose and made a brief but pithy and tactful speech but he raised no question. A few other Christian gentlemen essayed one or two points only to readily abandon them when cornered by the erudite Moulvie.

“On the whole the meeting which is the first of its kind between Muslims and Christians in Sierra Leone was most successful and the address was very very instructive and interesting to both elements.

If the address failed to incline the hearts of the intelligent Christians who were privileged to hear it towards Islam, it at

least, undoubtedly changed the erroneous view they had hitherto held concerning that grand Faith.

“The Moulvie is travelling on the Coast with the object of selecting stations for his Mission. He had booked his passage direct to Saltpond but that town not being one of the ports of call for the Abinsi he had to break his voyage in Free-town to await the arrival of the Burutu on which he continued his journey on Monday the 21st instant.

“The Ahmadiyyah Mission has stations in London, Chicago, Mauritius, Ceylon, etc.”

Our mission in Arabia We are glad to announce that now an Ahmadiyya mission has been established even on the sacred soil of Arabia and already 78 persons have joined our movement.

The gentleman who has gone to Arabia with the object of propagating Ahmadiyya doctrines among the Arabs is a learned Syed of Hyderabad, Mir Muhammad Saeed by name. We wish him every success.

Another missionary, a young man of noble family named Mumtaz Ali Khan is on his way to Hedjaz. He is one of a band of young men who have offered to devote their lives to the service of Islam and who will work as honorary missionaries of the Ahmadiyya movement.

This year about 15 Ahmadees have gone on pilgrimage to Mecca. Ch. Fateh Muhammad Sayal MA, our London missionary, is also among the pilgrims. He is accompanied by another Ahmadi young man named Shamshad Ali Khan MA. The latter had gone to England for the Indian Civil Service Examination and God be thanked that he is coming back successful.

He is the first Ahmadi member of the Indian Civil Service.

The Indian press on our American mission The following note has appeared in The Pioneer and many other English papers in India, under the heading “Islam in America”: “There seems to be now a regular Islamic propaganda in the United States. Reports of progress are published from time to time in Islamic journals in India whence the propaganda is at least partly supported.

Since the last report, six new ladies and one gentleman in America have accepted Islam.

The missionary named Mufti Muhammad Sadiq reports that he has delivered 15 lectures on Islam during the last three months in different towns of the United States of America and published 18 articles in different journals. He says that there are two main difficulties in the way of Islam in the States: (1) The Balkan and Greek Christians have well-supported missions in the States for creating prejudice against Islam in Turkey. Agents stump the country, lecturing against Islam and distributing literature. The chief motive is political but everything is purposely dyed in the dye of religion; (2) Christian missionaries try to raise money in the States for sending missions to Islamic countries. They consider it necessary for their financial success to raise a prejudice against Islam.”

(Transcribed by Al Hakam from the original article in The Review of Religions [English], July 1921)

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Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon 18 June 2021 Men of Excellence: Hazrat Umarra ibn al-Khattab After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:

Recently, I have been narrating accounts from the life of Hazrat Umarra.

When the time of the demise of Hazrat Abu Bakrra drew near, he called for Hazrat Abdurra Rahman bin Auf and said, “Tell me about Umarra.” Hazrat Abdurra Rahman bin Auf replied, “O Khalifa of the Messengersa of Allah! By God, Hazrat Umarra is even better than the opinion you hold about him, except for the fact that he is strict in his disposition.”

Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakrra replied, “He is strict because he sees that I am compassionate in nature. However, if he

was entrusted with the leadership, he will give up many of his habits because I have observed that when I treat someone in a strict manner, he tries to convince me to be happy with them and when he sees that I am overly lenient with someone, he tells me to be strict with them.”

Thereafter, Hazrat Abu Bakrra called for Hazrat Uthmanra and asked about Hazrat Umarra. Hazrat Uthmanra said, “His hidden qualities are even better than those qualities which are apparent. There is no one like him amongst us.”

Hazrat Abu Bakrra then said to both

these companions, “Whatever I have said to you should not be disclosed to anyone else. And if I do not choose Umarra, then I will look no further than Uthmanra.” (In other words, according to Hazrat Abu Bakrra, both of these individuals were worthy of doing justice to the station of Khilafat.)

“And they both will have the authority to govern your affairs in the most proper manner. It is my desire now to move away from governing your affairs and join those who have passed away from among you.”

During the days of Hazrat Abu Bakr’sra

illness, Hazrat Talhara bin Ubaidillah approached him and said, “You have made Hazrat Umarra the Khalifa of the people, even though you can see how he treats people in your presence. What will be the situation when he is alone and you will meet your Lord and He will question you about your subjects?”

Hazrat Abu Bakrra told him to sit up.

Hence, they sat him up with some support and he said, “Are you making me fearful of Allah? When I will meet my Lord and He will question me, I will say, ‘I appointed the best among Your servants as their

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021 Khalifa.’”

Following this, Hazrat Abu Bakrra called Hazrat Uthmanra to see him in private in order to write a will in relation to Hazrat Umarra. Hazrat Abu Bakrra then said, “Write: ‘In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. This is the will of Abu Bakr bin Abi Quhafah for the Muslims.’”

Having said this much, he became unconscious and Hazrat Uthmanra wrote [further] on his own accord, “I have chosen Umar bin Khattab as your Khalifa and I have not left any shortcomings in providing good for you.”

Hazrat Abu Bakrra then regained consciousness and said, “Read to me what you have written.” Hazrat Uthmanra read it to him upon which he said, “Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]!” He went on to say, “I believe that you became anxious about not causing divisions among the people if I had passed away in this [state of] unconsciousness.”

Hazrat Uthmanra replied in the affirmative and said that this was indeed the case. Hazrat Abu Bakrra said, “May Allah reward you on behalf of Islam and the Muslims.” (Al-Kamil Fi Al-Tarikh, Ibn Saad, Vol. 2, pp. 272-272, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [2003])

In other words, the sentence Hazrat Uthmanra wrote of his own accord regarding Hazrat Umarra becoming the Khalifa was not objected to by Hazrat Abu Bakrra.

In Tarikh al-Tabari it is written that Muhammad bin Ibrahim bin Harith relates, “Hazrat Abu Bakrra called Hazrat Uthmanra alone and said to write, ‘In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. This is the will of Abu Bakr bin Abi Quhafah for the Muslims. Following this […]’” – the narrator says after saying this much, Hazrat Abu Bakrra became unconscious.

Following this, the same took place as has been mentioned earlier. Hazrat Abu Bakrra regained consciousness, had the same conversation and asked Hazrat Uthmanra to read it out. After hearing what was written, as has been mentioned, Hazrat Abu Bakrra said “Allahu Akbar.”

Hazrat Abu Bakrra further said, “May Allah reward you in the best manner on behalf of Islam and the Muslims for having written this sentence.” Hazrat Abu Bakrra kept the written statement intact and did not make any changes. (Tarikh Al-Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 353, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [1987])

In one narration it is mentioned that Hazrat Abu Bakrra called for Hazrat Uthmanra and said, “Suggest to me a person to be chosen as the Khalifa. By Allah! In my eyes, you are worthy of giving me advice.” Upon this, he said, “Hazrat Umarra!” Hazrat Abu Bakrra then told him to write this down and he began to write.

As he reached the name, Hazrat Abu Bakrra fell unconscious. When Hazrat Abu Bakrra regained consciousness, he said to write, “Umar.”

In another narration it is mentioned that Hazrat Aishara relates: “Hazrat Uthmanra was writing the will of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. Hazrat Abu Bakrra became unconscious and Hazrat Uthmanra wrote the name of Hazrat Umarra. When

Hazrat Abu Bakrra regained consciousness, he enquired what he had written. He replied, ‘I have written Umar.’ Hazrat Abu Bakrra said, ‘You have written what I had intended to say to you. Even if you had written your own name, you would have been entitled to it.’” (Sirat Umar bin Al-Khattabra, Ibn Juzi, pp. 44-45, Al-Azhar, Egypt)

In another narration it is mentioned that when Hazrat Abu Bakrra fell ill, he sent a message to Hazrat Alira, Hazrat Uthmanra and to some individuals from among the Muhajireen and the Ansar, saying, “You can see that the time has come and there is no one in position to give you orders.

If you wish, you may choose an individual from among yourselves and if you so desire, I will do so on your behalf.”

They replied, “You may do so for us.”

Hazrat Abu Bakrra told Hazrat Uthmanra to write, “This is the will of Abu Bakr bin Abi Quhafah, which he made as his final will prior to departing from this world and as his first will entering the Hereafter, where a sinner will repent, a disbeliever will believe and a liar will testify to the truth. The will is as follows: ‘I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammadsa is His servant and Messenger, and I appoint as the Khalifa […]’” Having said this, he fell unconscious and Hazrat Uthmanra wrote Umar bin Khattab of his own accord. When Hazrat Abu Bakrra regained consciousness, he asked, “Have you written anything?”

In reply, he said, “Yes, I wrote Umar bin Khattab.” Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakrra said, “May Allah have mercy on you. Even if you had written your own name, you were entitled to it. Nevertheless, write that I have chosen Umar bin Khattab as your Khalifa after me and I am content with him for all the Muslims.” (Sahih Tarikh Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, p. 126, Dar Ibn Kathir, Damascus [2007])

Once the will had been written, Hazrat Abu Bakrra said, “It should be read out to the people.” As such, Hazrat Uthmanra gathered the people and sent his freed slave with a letter. At that time, Hazrat Umarra was with him as well. Hazrat Umarra would tell the people to remain silent and listen to the words of the Khalifa of the Holy Prophetsa, as he had not left any shortcomings in providing good for them. Subsequently, the people sat down quietly and the will was read out to them.

They listened to it and obeyed.

At that time, Hazrat Abu Bakrra turned towards the people and said, “Are you satisfied with whom I have appointed as Khalifa, as I have not chosen a relative?

I have most certainly appointed Umar as your Khalifa! Hence, you should listen to him and obey him. By Allah, I have not been negligent in reflecting and pondering over this.” Upon this, the people replied, “We have heard and obeyed.”

Following this, Hazrat Abu Bakrra called Hazrat Umarra and said to him, “I have appointed you as the Khalifa of the Companions of the Holy Prophetsa and have advised you”, i.e. Hazrat Umarra, “to be fearful of Allah.”

He further said, “O Umarra! There are most certainly some rights due to Allah, which are fulfilled during the night and which He does not accept during the day, and there are some rights to be

discharged during the day, which He does not accept during the night. Moreover, He most certainly does not accept voluntary deeds unless and until the obligations are fulfilled.

“O Umarra! Do you not see that the scales of those very individuals are heavier [in the balance of good], whose scales will also be heavier on the Day of Judgement as a result of following the truth?” That is, those who follow the truth, their scales will be heavier on the Day of Judgement.

He further said, “And in the times to come, something heavier will be placed upon these scales.

“O Umarra! Do you not see that the scale of those very individuals will be lighter, whose scales will also be lighter on the Day of Judgement as a result of following falsehood?” In other words, they were not following the truth and performing virtuous deeds. As such, those who do not follow their scales will be lighter on the Day of Judgement.

“Moreover, it is certain that whenever falsehood is placed in the scale, it will be lighter. O Umarra! Do you not see that the verses pertaining to glad-tidings were revealed alongside the verses relating to punishment, and likewise, the verses relating to punishment were revealed

alongside the verses granting glad-tidings?

And this was so that the believers remain in a state of hope as well as fear”. On the one hand, they aspire to perform virtuous deeds, and on the other, they instil the fear of Allah the Almighty within them, “and so they do not harbour any desire which has no connection with God and nor to fear from anything which Allah has established Himself.

“O Umarra! Do you not see that Allah the Almighty has mentioned the inmates of the Hellfire owing to their ill deeds?

Thus, when you mention them, then you should say, ‘I hope that I am not from among them.’ And Allah has mentioned the dwellers of Paradise owing to their virtuous deeds and Allah overlooked their ills. Thus, when you mention them, you should say, ‘Are my deeds the same as their deeds?’” (Al-Kamil Fi Al-Tarikh, Ibn Saad, Vol. 2, pp.

273-274, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [2003])

In other words, one ought to seek the answer from their heart.

When the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr’sra demise drew close, he stated, “Whatever wealth of the Muslims was entrusted to me should be returned to them for I do not wish to take anything from that. And my land in such and such place is to be used to return the wealth of the Muslims which I

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took from the treasury [bait-ul-mal] to be used for my personal expenses.”

Hazrat Abu Bakr’sra land, camel, assistant and a cloak which was worth five dirhams were all given to Hazrat Umarra.

When Hazrat Umarra saw all of this, he stated, “He”, i.e. Hazrat Abu Bakrra, “has placed the one who will come after him in great difficulty.” (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p. 143, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [1990])

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira states, “Someone once stated that Hazrat Umarra no longer possessed a stern disposition as he did in the era of Jahiliyyah [era of ignorance prior to the advent of Islam].

Upon this, Hazrat Umarra replied, “I still have that sternness in my disposition, but it is now used against the disbelievers.”

(Haqaiq-ul-Furqan, Vol. 1, p. 206)

Hazrat Musleh Maudra states: “People said to Hazrat Abu Bakrra, ‘You have appointed Umarra as your successor and this would cause a lot of unrest for he has a very sharp temper.’ Hazrat Abu Bakrra replied, ‘His temper will only be fiery whilst I am present, and once I depart [from this world], his temperament will soften.’” (Anwar-e-Khilafat, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 3, p. 151)

The Promised Messiahas states: “It is reported with relation to Hazrat Umar, Allah be pleased with him, that someone asked him about his anger and remarked that he was a man of fiery disposition prior to his acceptance of Islam.

Hazrat Umar responded by saying that the anger was just as before, albeit, in the past it would manifest itself inappropriately, but now it is exercised at the appropriate occasion.” (The Advent of the Promised Messiahas, p.

45, Islam International Publications Ltd, UK [2016])

Jami‘ bin Shidad relates from one of his close relatives that he heard Hazrat Umarra

Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

bin Khattab state: “O Allah! I am weak, grant me strength and I am stern in my disposition, thus soften my temperament, and I am miserly, grant me the ability to spend with an open heart.”

There are varying narrations regarding the first address delivered by Hazrat Umarra after becoming Khalifa. According to one narration, Humaid bin Bilal who was present at the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq’sra demise narrates, “When Hazrat Umarra returned from the burial of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, he cleaned the soil of the grave from his hands and then stood at his place and said, ‘Surely, Allah Almighty has tried you through me, and has tried me through you, and after my two friends, he has now placed this trust upon me. I swear by Allah, whenever your matters are brought to me, no one other than me will tend to them.

If it is a matter which is distant from me, then I will appoint able and trustworthy people; they will be appointed to oversee your matters. If people treat me well, I will treat them well and if they misbehave, then I will punish them.”

Hasanra says, “In our view of the first address delivered by Hazrat Umarra, he glorified Allah the Almighty and then said, ‘After this, I have been tried through you people and you have been tried through me. After the departure of my two friends, He has now placed this trust upon me.

And so, any matter that is brought to me, I will tend to it myself, and any matter that is distant from me, I will appoint able and trustworthy people. Whoever does good, I will increase them in good and whoever does evil, I will punish them. May Allah forgive me and you.’”

Jami‘ bin Shidad relates on account of his father that when Hazrat Umarra stood

at the pulpit, the first thing he said was: َ َ ٌ َ ّ ّٰ َ ٌ َ ّ َ​َ ٌ َ ّ ‫الل ُه َّم ِانِ ْى ﺷ ِدﻳْد ﻓل ِّي ِﻨ ْى َو ِانِ ْى ﺿ ِﻌ ْيﻒ ﻓﻘ ِّﻮنِ ْى َو ِانِ ْى � ِ� ْيل‬ ّ َ ‫ﻓ َﺴ ِﺨ ِﻨ ْى‬ “O Allah, I am strict, so make me kind. I am weak, so make me strong. I am miserly, so make me generous.” (Al-Tabaqaatul-Kubra, Ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p. 208, Dar-ul-Kutub alIlmiyyah, Beirut [1990])

Jami‘ bin Shidad relates on account of his father that when Hazrat Umarra was chosen [as the Khalifa], he stood at the pulpit and said, “I am going to say a few things to which you should say, ‘Amin’.”

These were the first words that Hazrat Umarra said after becoming the Khalifa.

Hussain Murri states that Hazrat Umarra said, “Arabs are like a reined camel which walks behind its leader, and it is the leader’s job to be mindful of where he is leading the camel. As far as I am concerned, by the Lord of the Ka‘bah, I will surely guide them on the straight path.” (Tarikh Al-Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 355, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [1987])

In the previous narration it was said that they should say “Amin” to what he said, but there are no further details mentioned. Or perhaps this narration about the reins is the explanation [of the earlier narration]. In any case, on the third day after becoming the Khalifa, Hazrat Umarra delivered a detailed address, which was that when Hazrat Umarra learned that people were afraid of him, he had an announcement made in a loud voice, saying, “The prayer is about to commence”.

Upon this, people gathered and he sat at the pulpit, in the same place where Hazrat Abu Bakrra used to put his feet.

When everyone had gathered, he stood up and glorified Allah in a befitting manner and then sent salutations upon

the Holy Prophetsa. Then he said, “I have been informed that people are afraid of my stern temperament and they say, ‘Umar was strict with us even when the Holy Prophetsa was present among us, and continued to be strict with us when Abu Bakrra ruled over us. What will happen, now that all the matters are in his hands.’

Whoever has said this is correct. No doubt I was with the Holy Prophetsa and was his slave and servant and he was such that no one could match his kindness and kind-heartedness. Allah the Almighty had bestowed these qualities upon him and had given him two titles from among His attributes; the compassionate and the merciful. I was a wielded sword; if the Holy Prophetsa chose, he could put me in a sheath or he could let me loose and I would go forth smiting. Then the Holy Prophetsa passed away in a state of being pleased with me and I am grateful to God that I was honoured in this way. Then Abu Bakrra became the leader, and he was from among such people whose benevolence, grace and kindness cannot be denied, and I was his servant and helper.

“I would combine my strictness with his tenderness. I became the unsheathed sword at his disposal; if he so willed, he could place me back in the sheath and if he so willed, he could unleash me to go forth smiting. Hence, I remained with him in this manner until God Almighty brought about his demise whilst he was pleased with me. All praise belongs to Allah that I remained so blessed in this regard!

“Then, O people, I have now been appointed as a guardian over your affairs.

Know well that my anger has subsided, but it shall be manifested to those who wrong and oppress the Muslims. It has subsided for you, but shall be evident against the enemies. As for the pious-natured, devout and virtuous people, I shall be more tender towards them than what they show to one another. If I ever find a person who acts unjustly and oppresses, I shall place his cheek on the ground and my foot on his other cheek, until he fully understands what the truth is”, that is to say, he will be very stern. “And O people, you have many rights over me which I mention. You may call me to account over them. One right you have over me is that I hide not whatever wealth is to be spent for your sake, nor of the spoils which God Almighty has sent for you, unless it is that which I hold for the works of God Almighty. Another right of yours over me is that the wealth be spent at its appropriate occasion. Your right over me is that I continue to grant you your allowances. A right of yours over me is also that I do not place you into ruin and when you leave your homes to join the army, I shall be like a father to your children until you return. I say this and seek Allah the Almighty’s forgiveness for you.” (Izaalatul Khafa An Khilafat Al-Khulafa, translated by Shah Walliullah Muhaddith Dehlvi, Vol. 3, pp. 226-228, Qadeemi Kutub Kahana Karachi)

Whilst mentioning the era of Hazrat Umarra, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states: “Muslims always kept in their minds the following verse: ٰ َ ُ ُ َ ‫ت َؤ ّدوا الْا ٰمن ِت ِالٰٓی ا ْہ ِل َہا‬ “That is, ‘Only those individuals

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021 should be given this trust who are worthy of it and have the capability to deal with administrative issues.’ The people who were given this trust always remained mindful of the Quranic injunction that they must rule with integrity and justice. They knew that if they were unmindful of justice and were not entirely honest, or betrayed their trust, they would be answerable to God and would be punished for their sin. The above-mentioned Quranic injunctions were so deeply instilled in the personality of Hazrat Umarra that one will find it astounding. He was the second Khalifa of Islam, who made tremendous sacrifices for the progress of Islam and Muslims.

“Even those European writers who routinely criticise the Holy Prophetsa – accusing him, God forbid, of dishonesty in his dealings – cannot but admit that the way Hazrat Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Umarra worked tirelessly and selflessly in the service of mankind is unparalleled in history. These authors are especially complimentary to Hazrat Umarra.

According to them, he was a man who worked with total dedication day and night to spread the message of Islam and to advance the Muslim cause. However, despite his tireless effort, countless sacrifices and the pain and suffering he endured for the sake of Muslims, what was his assessment about himself? He remained mindful of the following: ٰ َ ُ ُ َ ُ ْ ّٰ َ َ ‫ِا ّن الل َہ یَا ُمرُک ْم ا ْن ت َؤ ّدوا الْا ٰمن ِت ِالٰٓى ا ْہ ِل َہا‬ “And: ُ َ َ َّ َ ْ َ ْ ُ ْ َ َ َ َ ْ ‫اس ا ْن ت ْحک ُموْا ِبال َع ْد ِل‬ ِ ‫و ِاذا حکمتم بین الن‬ “That is, ‘When you are appointed to an office of trust by the decree of God, and your countrymen and brethren appoint you to the responsibility of governance, it is incumbent upon you to rule with justice and spend all your efforts and faculties for the welfare of mankind.’

“How painful is the following episode of his life! When a person – out of foolishness and ignorance that Hazrat Umarra had been unjust – fatally stabbed him, Hazrat Umarra lay in anguish on his deathbed with the following words on his lips: َ َ َ ّٰ َ َ َ َ ّٰ َ ‫الل ُھ َّم لا َعل َّی َولال ِْی۔ الل ُھ َّم لا َعل َّی َولا ل ِْی‬ “His only thought was, ‘O Lord! You gave me this authority and trust. I do not know if I truly fulfilled my duty. Now the time of my death is near and I am about to leave this world and return to You. O my Lord! I do not ask for any compensation for my services and I do not seek any reward. Instead, I only seek your mercy. If I have done any wrong in discharging the responsibilities that were assigned to me, I seek your forgiveness.’

“Hazrat Umarra was a man of such high calibre that it is hard to find other examples in history that come close to his sense of equity and justice, yet he died under the weight of the Quranic injunction: ُ َ َ َّ َ ْ َ ْ ُ ْ َ َ َ َ ْ ‫اس ا ْن ت ْحک ُموْا ِبال َع ْد ِل‬ ِ ‫و ِاذا حکمتم بین الن‬ “Even at his death he was restless and troubled. He was not satisfied with all the services that he had rendered for the betterment of his people and for advancing the cause of Islam. He had given such tremendous service for his people that not only his own people, but others also recognised them. His services were

appreciated during his own time but also thirteen hundred years later and by people who were otherwise inclined to attacking his master. Yet, all of these services were nothing in Umar’sra own eyes and he restlessly pleaded to God: َ َ َ ّٰ َ ‫الل ُھ َّم لا َعل َّی َولال ِْی‬ ‘I was given a trust but I do not know if I fulfilled that trust as it was meant to be fulfilled. Therefore, I beseech You to forgive my faults and save me from punishment.’” (The Economic System of Islam, pp.

12-15, Islam International Publications Ltd. UK [2013])

Then, in a speech titled Benefactor of the World, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said: “It was Hazrat Umarra regarding whom Christian historians also write that his governance was such that it is unmatched in the world” although the speech was about the Holy Prophetsa. “They use foul language against the Holy Prophetsa, yet commend Hazrat Umarra. A person who remained in his company at all

times, longed during his final moments to be given a place in his nearness to the Holy Prophetsa. If any action of the Holy Prophetsa showed that he strove for anything other than attaining the pleasure of God, then after having attained the level he did, would Hazrat Umarra have desired to be given a place near him?” (Dunya Ka Mohsin, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 10, p. 262) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra is proving that it was servitude to the Holy Prophetsa and his moral training which enabled Hazrat Umarra to be just and have this fear of God. With regard to Hazrat Umar’sra love for the Ahl-e-Bait [family of the Holy Prophetsa] Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states: “Hazrat Aishara remained alive for a long time after the Holy Prophetsa. During the era of Hazrat Umarra, when Iran was conquered, flour mills were brought over, which ground very fine flour. When the very first mill was established in Medina, Hazrat Umarra instructed that the first batch of fine flour should be presented to Hazrat Aishara as a gift. Hence, according

I remember the days when the Holy Prophetsa was passing through the final stage of his life; he had become weak and could not eat hard food. Yet even in those days, we used to grind wheat with stones and would make bread from it and present it to him.’ Then she said, ‘The person because of whom we are reaping these benefits left before he could enjoy these things, and we who are honoured only because of him and are benefitting from these bounties.’ When she said this, she took the piece of bread out of her mouth and said, ‘Take this bread away from me.

Recalling the time of the Holy Prophetsa, my throat is closing up and I cannot eat this bread.’” (Ainda Wohi Qaumein Izzat Paien Gi Jo

to his instruction, that fine flour was sent to Hazrat Aishara and her maid used that flour to make thin bread. The women of Medina, who had never seen such fine flour before, converged and gathered at Hazrat Aisha’sra home so that they may see this flour and how its bread was prepared.

The entire courtyard was filled with women waiting to see the bread baked with this flour.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was addressing women and said, “You must be thinking that it was some type of unique flour. It was not a unique type of flour; rather, that flour was of lesser quality which you eat on a daily basis; in fact, it was of even lesser quality than the flour which today is used by the poorest women. However, that flour was of a higher quality than that which was usually available in Medina. In any case, bread was prepared with that flour, which the women were astonished to see. In their astonishment, they began touching the

Hazrat Ibn Abbasra narrates that during the era of Hazrat Umarra, the Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa conquered Midian which was where Chosroes ruled from. He [Hazrat Umarra] instructed that a leather

bread and would immediately exclaim, ‘This bread is wonderful. Is there any flour in the world better than this?’ The bread had been baked, but this is where the love of Hazrat Aishara and her feelings for the Holy Prophetsa become manifest.

“Hazrat Aishara took a small piece of the bread and placed it in her mouth. All of the women who were standing there were looking at her to see how Hazrat Aisha’sra expressions would change as she would savour eating the soft bread and were expecting her to express her happiness and delight. However, as soon as Hazrat Aishara placed that piece of bread in her mouth, it remained in her mouth as if her throat had become closed and her eyes began to fill with tears. The women said, ‘The flour is so good, and the bread is incredibly soft. Why are you unable to swallow it and have started to cry? Is there something wrong with the bread?’ Hazrat Aishara said ‘There is nothing wrong with the bread. I know that this bread is very soft and we have never seen something like this, but I am not crying because there is something wrong with the bread; rather,

mat should be placed on the floor of the mosque and instructed that the spoils should be emptied onto the leather mat.

Then, the Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa gathered and the first one to take their share of the spoils was Hassan bin Alira. He said, “O leader of the believers, grant me my share of the wealth which Allah the Almighty has bestowed upon the Muslims.” Hazrat Umarra instructed with great happiness and honour that he should be given one thousand dirhams.

Then, Hassanra left and Hussain bin Alira came forward and said, “O leader of the believers, grant me my share of the wealth which Allah the Almighty has bestowed upon the Muslims.” Hazrat Umarra instructed with great happiness and honour that he should be given one thousand dirhams. Then Hazrat Umar’sra son, Abdullah bin Umarra came forward and said, “O leader of the believers, grant me my share of the wealth which Allah Almighty has bestowed upon the Muslims.” Hazrat Umarra instructed with great happiness and honour that he should be given five hundred dirhams. Upon this,

Maali O Jaani Qurbaaniyo Mein Hissa Lein Gi, Anwarul-Uloom, Vol. 21, pp. 155-156)

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Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

Abdullah bin Umar said, “O leader of the believers, I am a strong man who used to stand in front of the Holy Prophetsa, wielding my sword. At that time, Hassanra and Hussainra were children who used to wander the streets of Medina. You have given them one thousand dirhams each and have given me only five hundred.”

Hazrat Umarra replied, “This is true. Find me a father like their father, a mother like their mother, a maternal grandfather like their maternal grandfather, a maternal grandmother like their maternal grandmother, a paternal uncle like their paternal uncle, a maternal uncle like their maternal uncle and a maternal aunt like their maternal aunt. Surely, you will not be able to do so.” (Izaalatul Khafa An Khilafat Al-Khulafa, translated by Shah Walliullah Muhaddith Dehlvi, Vol. 3, pp. 292-293, Qadeemi Kutub Kahana Karachi) (Furhang-e-Sirat, p. 264, Zawar Academy Karachi [2004])

Abu Ja‘farra narrates that Hazrat Umarra decided to assign stipends to people and his view was better than that of all others.

People told him that he should begin with himself, but he did not agree. Instead, he began with the closest relatives of the Holy Prophetsa; thus he began by determining a stipend for Hazrat Abbasra and then Hazrat Alira. (Izaalatul Khafa An Khilafat AlKhulafa, translated by Shah Walliullah Muhaddith Dehlvi, Vol. 3, p. 241, Qadeemi Kutub Kahana Karachi)

Hazrat Umar bin Khattabra respected and honoured Hazrat Imam Hassanra and Hazrat Imam Hussainra and would tend to and provide for them just as he provided for their father. Once, some clothes arrived from Yemen and he distributed them among the sons of the Companionsra, but did not give any to them two [i.e.

Hazrat Imam Hassanra and Hazrat Imam Hussainra]. He said that there was nothing among those clothes which he deemed worthy enough for them. He then sent a message to the governor of Yemen who then had clothes made which were suitable for them. (Al-Badaya Wa Al-Nahaya, Vol. 4, pt. 8, pp. 214-215, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990)

I will continue narrating accounts in the future, insha-Allah.

At present, I will mention details of some members who have passed away, and later lead their funeral prayers [in absentia].

The first is of Suhaila Mehboob Sahiba, wife of the late Faiz Ahmad Sahib Darwesh of Gujrat who was nazir bait-umal. Suhaila Sahiba passed away at the age of 90. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, she was a musia [part of the scheme of AlWasiyyat].

She belonged to an educated family from Bihar. Her father was not an Ahmadi; however, her mother did her own research after her father did bai‘at and then she too joined the Jamaat. She then endured great hardships for three to four years since her husband had not accepted [Ahmadiyyat]; however, she remained steadfast upon Ahmadiyyat.

Although her husband never accepted Ahmadiyyat, he eventually stopped his

opposition and their daughters were even married into Ahmadi households.

Similarly, Suhaila Sahiba was also married into an Ahmadi household as well.

In 1958, the deceased’s mother travelled to Qadian for the first time along with her daughter, Suhaila Mehboob.

Suhaila Mehboob said that she developed a great love for Qadian and she prayed a great deal that somehow she may be able to settle there. She decided to devote her life.

At the time, the nazir khidmat-eDarweshan was Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra. In response to her letter for life-devotion he said: “I have been informed that you are devoting your life. This step you have taken is praiseworthy. Being a life-devotee, your foremost responsibility is to learn about the faith and model your actions according to the teachings of Islam and Ahmadiyyat so that you can establish an excellent example.” Hence, she dedicated her life.

In 1964, she got married to Chaudhry Abdullah Sahib Darwesh with whom she had a daughter; however, they separated

after some time. Then her second marriage took place with Chaudhry Faiz Ahmad Sahib Darwesh of Gujrat, with whom she had a son; however, he passed away in his childhood. Up until her retirement, the deceased served for almost 30 years as the headmistress of the Nusrat Girls High School in Qadian.

Next is Raja Khurshid Ahmad Munir Sahib, a missionary who had been serving in Australia which is where he passed away. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

He was a musi. He served as a missionary for quite some time in various regions of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. He was a fearless missionary of the Jamaat.

Whilst serving in Azad Kashmir, he had to face a great deal of opposition. During the disturbances of 1974 he endured opposition with great bravery.

Once, in a meeting, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh said regarding him, “We have a very brave missionary there.” Hence, he gave him the title of “brave missionary”.

Raja Khurshid Ahmad Munir Sahib had a house in Rawalpindi which he had donated as a gift to the Jamaat and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh accepted this gift.

After the partition of India, Raja Sahib moved to Ahmad Nagar, and then upon its establishment, he studied in Jamia Ahmadiyya. In order to make ends meet, he opened a store in a small room.

Then, in 1948, he was part of the Furqan Battalion. In 1949, he passed the maulvi fazil exam and passed the first Shahid exams of Jamia [Rabwah], after which he served as a missionary at various places in Pakistan and Kashmir.

In 1974, his house was attacked but he faced this with great bravery. He was injured as a result of the mob pelting stones but everyone in the home remained safe. He always advised to be steadfast and would say that divine communities are made to face such trials and tests.

Even under these conditions, he would bravely visit jamaats [local chapters of the Ahmadiyya Community]. He would visit people’s homes, and sometimes during his visits to homes of members of the Jamaat, he would be apprehended and beaten, yet he never complained.

He is survived by four sons and four daughters. These days, he was in Australia which is where he passed away.

Next is Zameer Ahmad Nadeem Sahib, who passed away at the age of 56. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

He had been suffering from cancer.

It was through his paternal greatgrandfather, Rahim Bakhsh Sahibra, who was a companion of the Promised Messiahas, that Ahmadiyyat was introduced into his family in 1897. When his great paternal grandfather heard that the Imam Mahdi had appeared, he went from his village Shikarpur Machiyan which was in the District of Gurdaspur to attend Jalsa Qadian, which was where he accepted Ahmadiyyat.

He had informed one of his relatives, Mehr Deen Sahib [about the Imam Mahdi] and so he also went and accepted Ahmadiyyat. Then, as a result of his preaching, almost the entire village became Ahmadi. After completing Jamia, Zameer Sahib served in the field for some time under islah-o-irshad Muqami and then he was appointed to the daftar mansuba bandi committee after which he served under nazarat islah-o-irshad markaziyya.

From 2005 until his demise, he served as muawin [assistant] nazir Wasiyyat shu‘ba istiqbaliyya. Allah the Almighty bestowed upon him a son and a daughter. His son is also a missionary.

He knew how to build connections; he was also a good basketball player which helped in building connections. He would then use these connections for the benefit of the Jamaat. He was regular in offering tahajjud [pre-dawn voluntary prayers] and he had a high degree of trust in Allah the Almighty. It was his habit that whenever faced with some difficulty, he would immediately offer voluntary prayers and write a letter to the Khalifa. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, his prayers

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AL HAKAM | Friday 16 July 2021 and voluntary prayers would be granted acceptance.

The following funeral is of Issa Mwakitalima Sahib of Tanzania, who passed away a few days ago. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

He was born in a Christian household.

At the age of 19, he began showing an interest in religious dialogue due to the influences around him. Then, he had the honour of accepting Islam. A few years later, he became acquainted with the teachings of the Ahmadiyya Community, and after carrying out his research, he entered the fold of the Community in 1992.

He underwent a pious change after taking the oath of allegiance. This was clearly felt by his family and having witnessed this transformation, his wife also pledged her allegiance. After taking this oath of allegiance, he made great efforts to increase his religious knowledge and he would not let any opportunity slip from his hands to preach the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat, even whilst he was at work. He was always at the forefront of giving alms. On many occasions, he would say that giving in the way of Allah attracts blessings in one’s business and wealth. He had a business.

He was very a friendly, well-mannered and humble person. He showed great respect to life-devotees, office-bearers and workers of the Jamaat. He was a musi and is survived by two wives and ten children.

The missionary in-charge in Tanzania writes: “He was appointed as the regional president of Darus Salam. Humility and simplicity were always evident in him, which would attract others towards him.

He was a pious man who quietly rendered his services. He was then appointed as the naib amir of Tanzania and served in this capacity in an excellent manner.

“He possessed very sound opinion in matters and always kept in mind the respect and honour of the system of the

Jamaat. He always admonished Ahmadis to live with one another in harmony and to remain firmly attached to Khilafat. He also gave consideration to the needs of the workers of the Community. He always strived to cooperate where possible, and in fact, he would take his car and drive the workers to the office in the morning whilst on his way to work, so that they would not lose time in travelling by bus. He kept a room in his home as a prayer centre, where prayers would be offered. When he was encouraged to give his Hissa Jaidad [contribution payable according to the income of a Moosi], he immediately picked out his two most valuable properties and presented it.”

The next funeral is of Sheikh Mubashar Ahmad Sahib, supervisor of the constructions department in Qadian.

He was the son of Sheikh Asrar Sahib of Kirang Batesha, India. He also passed away in the last few days due to the coronavirus at the age of 33. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

He was Ahmadi by birth and belonged to a family which has been Ahmadi for a long time. He was an extremely wellmannered servant of the Jamaat who was regular in prayer, and always ready to render his services to his faith. He had a bond with the mosque since childhood.

For the last eight years, he continued rendering his services to the construction department of Qadian, in a wonderful manner. He was very earnest in his work and would pay great attention to detail.

He is survived by his wife, parents, two brothers and a sister.

The next funeral is of Saif Ali Shahid Sahib who passed away in Sydney. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

By the grace of Allah, he was a musi.

On his maternal side, he was the greatgrandson of Chaudhary Muhammad Ali Sahib, a companion of the Promised Messiahas, and the grandson of Chaudhary

Gamay Khan Sahib. His brother is Haider Ali Zafar Sahib, a missionary in Germany and also the naib amir. He says: “In 1961, he completed his matriculation exam and began working in Hyderabad. He then continued to cover the education costs and other expenses of my brother and I, and he served our parents in a very selfless manner. He was extremely sociable, soft-spoken and humble. He had great love and affection for children and the youth. He possessed a bond of utmost love and obedience for the Community and Khilafat. He always taught his children to also have love and obedience for Khilafat. He showed great respect to office-bearers and never tolerated even hearing an ill word against them. He was very regular in offering his prayers. He would offer his Tahajud and would perform the prayers in an excellent manner.”

Whilst he was in Pakistan he had the honour of serving as the finance secretary and secretary Waqf-e-Jadid. Then, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh appointed him as the sadr of Jamaat Mirpur Khas, and he remained there as the sadr until it became an imarat.

After the martyrdom of Dr Abdul Mannan Siddiqi Sahib, he had the honour of serving as the local amir and amir of the district. He remained as the amir of the Mirpur Khas district right up until he departed for Australia. He also served in various roles within the auxiliary organisations. Likewise, he served as a member of the qaza board in Australia, as the naib sadr awwal for Ansarullah and also, he was serving as the rishta nata secretary of the jamaat there since 2016.

Two of his sons passed away during his lifetime, but he bore the losses with great forbearance. He is survived by his wife and four sons.

The next funeral is of Masood Ahmad Hayat Sahib, son of Rasheed Ahmad Hayat Sahib. He passed away at the age of 80. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ [Verily, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]

Ahmadiyyat was introduced to his family through his paternal grandfather Hazrat Babu Umar Hayat Sahibra, son of Chaudhary Pir Bakhsh Sahib. In 1898, Hazrat Umar Hayat Sahibra took the oath of allegiance at the age of 14 and entered the fold of Ahmadiyyat. Initially, he worked in the army then moved to Kenya. Masood Hayat Sahib travelled to the UK in 1967 and remained there permanently after moving from Kenya. He was very pious natured, regular in fasting and offering prayers and he was a well-mannered, friendly, hospitable and kind person. He had the honour of performing Hajj on two occasions.

He had the honour of driving and working in security during the tours of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh to various countries.

When the Baitul Ahad Mosque in Walthamstow was purchased in 1983, the largest donation was from him and his wife, the late Tahira Hayat Sahiba. Allah the Almighty had showered His special grace upon him in his wealth, and he would regularly give a large portion of that in the way of Allah.

When the Redbridge East London Jamaat was divided, that jamaat did not have its own mosque. When he became aware of this he devoted a part of his house to the Community, and this remained the jamaat centre for three years, where various activities of the Community were held.

He leaves behind two sons and his second wife. His first wife passed away.

May Allah the Almighty have mercy on all the deceased and enable their progenies to remain attached to Ahmadiyyat. May their prayers for their future progenies, and that of their forefathers be accepted.

After the prayer, I shall lead their funeral prayers.

(Original Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International, 9 July 2021, pp. 5-9. Translated

by The Review of Religions)

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Friday 16 July 2021 | AL HAKAM

َ َ َ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ َ َ َ َ ْ ّ َ َ َ َّ َ ْ َّ َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َّ َ َ ْ َّ َ َّ ُ ّٰ َ ْ َّ َ ‫النعمۃ لک و المک لا � ِریک لک‬ ِ ‫ إن الحمد و‬،‫ لبیک لا � ِریک لک لبیک‬،‫لبیک اللہم لبیک‬

The Rituals of Hajj First day of

Second day of Hajj 9 Dhul-Hijjah

Third day of Hajj 10 Dhul-Hijjah

Fourth day of Hajj 11 Dhul-Hijjah

Fifth day of Hajj 12 Dhul-Hijjah

Depart from Mecca to Mina in the state of ihram

After offering the Fajr prayer in Mina, travel to Arafat

After offering the Fajr prayer at Muzdalifah and the sojourn at Arafat, travel to Mina

In Mina, repeat Rami al-Jamrat anytime between noon to sunset

In Mina, repeat Rami al-Jamrat anytime between noon to sunset

On this day, in Mina:

Sojourn at Arafat after noon

First: Perform Rami al-Jamrat at Jamrah al-Sughra (the small pillar)

First: Perform Rami al-Jamrat at Jamrah al-Sughra (the small pillar)

Offer Zuhr prayer

Offer Zuhr & Asr prayers in Arafat

Perform Rami alJamrat (the act of throwing pebbles at three stone pillars in Mina) at Jamrah al-Kubra (the big pillar)

Hajj 8 Dhul-Hijjah

Offer Asr prayer

Offer Maghrib prayer

At sunset, travel to Muzdalifah

After arriving at

Spend the night in Mina

Shave or trim hair and open ihram

Then: Perform Rami alJamrat at Jamrah alKubra (the big pillar)

Muzdalifah, at Isha time, offer both

Offer Isha prayer

Offer animal sacrifice

Then: Perform Rami al-Jamrat at Jamrah al-Wusta (the middle pillar)

Maghrib and Isha prayers

Spend the night in Muzdalifah

You can go to Mecca to offer Tawaf and Sa‘ee

Spend the night in Mina

If you did not perform Tawaf and Sa‘ee yesterday, then you may do it today

Spend the night in Mina

Then: Perform Rami al-Jamrat at Jamrah al-Wusta (the middle pillar)

Then: Perform Rami al Jamrat at Jamrah al-Kubra (the big pillar)

If you did not perform Tawaf and Sa‘ee yesterday, then you may do it today

If one intends to stay till 13 Dhul-Hijjah, then you may perform Rami al-Jamrat before noon.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE MANASIK (RITES AND CEREMONIES) OF HAJJ. FOR A DETAILED READ AND FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, PLEASE REFER TO FIQH-E-AHMADIYYA

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