Al Hakam - 17 September 2021

From the Markaz

From the Markaz

Khuddam from Northern England and Scotland meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih

Members of Nasirat from Midlands Region seek guidance from Huzoor

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Responding to Allegations

Coming from every distant track

The Bible and the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in Qadian

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Page 13

THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021 | Issue CLXXXIII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | ISSN 2754-7396

Becoming true “helpers of Allah” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih addresses Majlis Ansarullah UK’s National Ijtema

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

To love the Holy Prophetsa is a part of faith َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ُ َّ َ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ‫اﻟﻨ ِ� ّ� َﺻﻠﻰ الل ُہ َ�ﻠ ْﻴ ِﻪ َو َسﻠ َﻢ‬ ‫ ﻗﺎل ﻗﺎل‬،‫ﺲ‬ ٍ �‫ﻋﻦ أ‬ َ َ َ ُ ُ َ َ َ ُ ّ َ ّ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ ‫لا ﻳُﺆ ِﻣﻦ أﺣد� ْﻢ ﺣﺘﻰ أﻛ ْون أﺣﺐ ِإﻟ ْﻴ ِﻪ ِﻣ ْﻦ َواﻟ ِ ِد ِه‬ َ َّ َ َ َ َ ْ �َ �‫ﺎس أ ْﺟ َم ِﻌ‬ ِ ‫ووﻟ ِد ِه واﻟﻨ‬ Hazrat Anasra narrates that the Holy Prophetsa said: “None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith 15)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

The meaning of “The Father of Fire” and “The woman carrying firewood”

Islamabad UK, Sunday, 12 September 2021: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressed the final session of Majlis Ansarullah UK’s National Ijtema of 2021.

Ansar members were seated in Baitul Futuh, London and listened to Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa – who was in the new MTA studio at Islamabad, UK – virtually

through MTA International. Huzoor’s address, which was in Urdu, was translated live into six languages, including Arabic, English, German, French and Bengali.

At 15:37 BST, Huzooraa initiated the final session by calling Hafiz Tayyeb Ahmad Sahib to recite a portion from the Holy Quran. The verses recited were from

Surah Al-e-Imran (Ch.3: V.103-106).

The Ansarullah pledge was then read out by Huzooraa in English and all attendees repeated after Huzoor.

Umar Sharif Sahib was called by Huzooraa to recite an Urdu poem, written by the Promised Messiahas.

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The term, “the Father of Fire” (Abu Lahab) in the Holy Quran implies a general connotation and does not refer to a specific individual.

This term refers to any such person who possesses a flaming or fiery disposition. In the same manner, “the woman carrying firewood” (hammala-tal-hatab) refers to any backbiting woman who engages in slandering and lighting the fire of mischief among men. Saadi says:

� � � ‫پی‬ ‫��� ی‬ � �‫��م � ا‬

“The wretched backbiter only adds firewood to the flame.”

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Dr Chaudhry Ijaz Ur Rahman Sahib, Sadr Majlis Ansarullah UK was then called up to present the Ijtema report. In his report, Sadr Sahib reported that the total attendance of the Ijtema was 1,573 Ansar and there were over 8,000 views of the Ijtema proceedings on YouTube.

Qaid Umumi, Muhammad Mahmood Sahib was then called up to announce the alam-e-in‘ami awards.

Next, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered his address.

Huzooraa said that for great and grand tasks, a large number of helpers were needed, and it was for this reason that prophets also asked “Who are my helpers (in the cause of) Allah?”

We could only be called true “Ansar” – helpers – of Allah when Ansar members understood the spirit of being a “helper of Allah”, Huzooraa said. Allah the Almighty has given the grand task of spreading the message of Islam to the Promised Messiahas and his Jamaat – Ansarullah should be at the forefront of responding to this grand task with every fibre of their being.

Merely saying “we are Ansarullah” is not enough, and deep introspection was needed. It is not an easy task to spread the message of religion to the corners of the earth. This requires a constant connection with Allah, higher levels of taqwa, increasing knowledge and following all

the commandments of Allah the Almighty.

Therefore, we should introspect and ask ourselves whether we are trying to strive for this level of commitment. If this is not the case, then being called “Ansarullah” is futile.

Huzooraa said that some khuddam

Photo courtesy of AMA UK

asked him what to do if their elders – the ansar – were not setting good examples. On the one hand, this has a positive element as the youth are worried about the state of their elders; however, ansarullah should ponder and reflect on this concern.

We should reflect and think, “What did the Promised Messiahas desire from us?”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then said he would present some instructions of the Promised Messiahas about the level he wanted his Jamaat to be at.

The Promised Messiahas said ra that the Companions of the Holy Prophetsa performed bai‘at on having themselves killed. The bai‘at of the Jamaat is a bai‘at of repentance, however. The Companionsra would give their lives and also their wealth – their sacrifice was much higher. They never imagined they would be given worldly riches and become kings of the world. They would be ever ready to endure every hardship and pain – they were separated from the world and its glory.

However, Allah the Almighty blessed them and gave them worldly wealth too.

Those who call themselves “Ansarullah” should ponder over their own condition and how closely they are following the Companionsra.

Quoting the Promised Messiahas, Huzooraa said there was no doubt the world was temporal, and true happiness could never be achieved without taqwa.

However, achieving true taqwa is akin to “drinking poison” – a difficult feat.

“Adopt taqwa, for whatever you desire, [God] will grant you”, the Promised Messiahas said.

“The Companionsra imposed a death upon themselves and, in return, found life,” the Promised Messiahas said.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that Ansarullah members should keep in mind that as their ages increased, the distance from death reduced. Therefore, it is essential they ponder over their state and self-reflect to see whether they were “Ansar” in the true sense.

The Promised Messiahas said that the Holy Quran was clear on the purpose of life – to worship Allah. However, mankind had gone opposite to this aim and fell for the world.

It was the task of Ansarullah to cultivate and protect the garden of Allah the Almighty, Huzooraa said.

The Promised Messiahas said the pleasures of the world – such as children, wives and sustenance – were just a means of temporary rest for mankind, as a support in this life. They were only meant to assist mankind in fulfilling the rights of Allah the Almighty and the rights of mankind. They were not the sole purpose of life.

The Promised Messiahas said there were scores of Muslims who thought building large houses and preparing lavish meals were the sole purposes of life. However, Allah the Almighty in the Holy Quran said that Allah would not care of any person if they did not worship and pray to Him. Permissible worldly pleasures are just to assist humans in their worship of Allah the Almighty.

“If we understand this purpose of life, then we will be part of the true Ansar.” It is these people who can be true “helpers”

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AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021 of a prophet.

Talking about how to worship, the Promised Messiahas taught us that worship should be at the level of the care and love a mother gives to her child. We should love Allah the Almighty out of pure love – not from fear of punishment, or with the expectation of reward.

The Promised Messiahas said Allah the Almighty even provided to His enemies, so one should ponder over how He rewards and provides for believers.

If one truly loved Allah the Almighty, they would be blessed in every respect and be shaded in the mercy of Allah.

With regard to faith, the Promised Messiahas said the kernel was needed, not the shell.

The Promised Messiahas said that if a person strived in the path of Allah and tried to attain His pleasure, his efforts would never go to waste.

Huzooraa said that the Promised Messiahas announced that the reason for the existence of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat was that Allah desired taqwa to increase in the world as it had vanished. Allah desired to show the path of taqwa and purity to the world through the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.

Huzooraa said we should reflect and think over whether we have reached this level that Allah the Almighty desired. With “lots of prayers” and “repentance”, we should analyse ourselves, Huzooraa said.

The Promised Messiahas said the Holy Quran guided towards the perfection of knowledge and actions. “Guide us in the right path”, in Surah al-Fatihah, was an indication of the perfection of knowledge, whereas “The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed [Thy] blessings” indicated towards the perfection of actions. Explaining this in another way, the Promised Messiahas said it was like a plant that cannot bear fruits until it was fully nourished and grows.

The Promised Messiahas said the Holy Quran is such guidance that the one who begins to follow it achieves high levels of excellence. Such people grow and bear fruits, as the Holy Quran describes as the

“pure tree”.

We should find the commandments within the Holy Quran and follow them.

We should improve our spiritual conditions and it is then that we can be called true “Ansar”, Huzooraa said.

Those who traverse this path of taqwa, bear sweet fruits as a result.

The Promised Messiahas said that a person was about to convert to Islam by observing a Muslim cleric. However, one day he saw the Muslim cleric drinking alcohol himself. As a result, the person thought that he could never follow such a person who was going against the very teachings he taught. Therefore, it is our actions that are the best ways of guiding others. Mere words prove nothing. Good actions, with patience, are the best means of peaching.

For tabligh, Huzooraa said, these two elements must be kept in mind – to harmonise one’s own actions with their teachings and with patience and endurance, continuing to preach.

Huzooraa said that tabligh in countries such as the UK – where there were no obstacles – could be done in a very effective manner. This should be done solely for Allah the Almighty.

The Promised Messiahas said a person should “burn all desires” and leave only the “love of Allah”. He said that the one who becomes Allah’s, Allah becomes theirs.

“We need to reflect deeply,” Huzooraa said. “We should strive hard to inculcate the love of Allah in our hearts”.

Our actions and endeavours would only be blessed when we followed the path set out by Allah the Almighty, Huzooraa said.

The Promised Messiahas said that we should offer Salat in the best possible manner and constant prayer, and remember Allah the Almighty. In ruku and sajdah, we should pray and prolong our prayers. The Promised Messiahas said that Salat, as a mere ritual, brought no benefits at all. With deep fervour and passion, we should pray before Allah the Almighty, as if one was seeing Him or if not that, then as though He was seeing them.

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Prayer ought to evoke desire Upon hearing an allegation in relation to Surah Lahab, the Promised Messiahas said: Material wealth and worldly rule are not a cause for envy. Prayer ought to evoke our desire. Today, I prayed profusely for all those of my friends whose names or faces I could remember, whether they are present or not. I prayed so fervently that if I had prayed on a dry branch, it would have become lush green. This is a grand sign for our friends. (May Allah reward

you with good in both worlds. – Editor) All praise belongs to Allah that the month of Ramadan has passed. We were blessed with health and vigour during these days. God knows who will live to see the following year, and who knows if they will be present come next year? Then how unfortunate would it be if we were to forget those members of the community that have passed away. The Promised Messiahas stated this when a list of those people was being prepared who were still alive.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 244)

Photo courtesy of Suhaib Ahmad

Huzooraa said that having perfected our worship only then could be called the “helper of Allah”.

Before silent prayer at the end, Huzooraa announced that he was delivering his address from the new MTA studio in Islamabad, UK and in this way, the studio

had been inaugurated. Huzooraa prayed that the studio became a means of propagating the message of Islam and, through MTA International, it was propagated more than ever before.

(Report prepared by Al Hakam)

Friday 17 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

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From the Markaz

The world is heading towards a dark and bleak end Khuddam from Northern England and Scotland meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih

On 11 September 2021, UK khuddam from northern regions had the opportunity to meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa through a virtual meeting.

Malik Takrim Ahmad was called by Huzooraa to read out a portion from the Holy Quran and its English translation. Marghub Ahmad read out a hadith and Safeer Ahmad read out an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiahas. Malik Faraz Ahmad then recited an Urdu poem written by the Promised Messiahas.

After Malik Faraz finished the poem, Huzooraa asked Malik Faraz whether he was the brother of Malik Takrim to which he said he was.

Sarmad Ahmad Anwar was then called

by Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa to read the translation of the Urdu poem that was recited. When he finished, Huzooraa asked whether he was the relative of Syed Anwar Sahib, to which Sarmad said he was his grandfather.

Huzooraa then asked Attiqur Rahman, Mohtamim Tarbiyat what he wanted to do next in the meeting. Attiqur Rahman sought permission for the khuddam to ask any questions they had for Huzooraa.

The first question was by Saqib Mahmud Jajja. On hearing his name, Huzooraa asked, “Are you the son of Dr Jajja?” Saqib said he

was. Huzooraa further remarked, “You are from Scunthorpe then. What do you want to say?”

Saqib asked, “I was told about an incident of the Promised Messiahas in which he handed some papers to Allah in a vision.

Allah then signed the papers with red ink.

When the Promised Messiahas woke up, there were red ink drops on his clothes and the source could not be located. My question is, how can such an incident happen, as it goes against the laws of science?”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa responded by saying: “You see, sometimes, science cannot comprehend all things which are a matter of spiritual things. It happened and there was a witness, Abdullah Sanauri Sahibra, who attested to the fact that it happened. And the drops also fell on his clothes […] First he thought that there might be some lizard on the roof, and sometimes drops come out if there are lizards or some insects are there, but there was nothing of that sort.

“These are miracles – spiritual miracles.

It cannot be proved by scientific formulas, no. So if you have a high spiritual status, then you will understand. And the Promised Messiahas also said there was a witness, there was a presence of some person there […] so we have to believe.

“Science cannot believe you can even make the moon into two pieces, but it happened during the time of the Holy Prophetsa and people saw it. And not only there, it is said that some people in India at that time also saw that miracle. So we have to believe. […]

“There are some miracles which are beyond our comprehension.”

Tanzil Ahmad asked, “It is narrated in a hadith that ‘the person closest to me on the Day of Judgment is the one who sent the most durood upon me.’ If someone lives to the age of 100 and if someone dies early at the age of 20, they will not have the same amount of time to recite durood sharif – so how will it be possible for the younger person to get closer to the Holy Prophetsa?”

Huzoorra replied: “There are quite a number of children who died at their early infancy, but they’re also close to the Holy Prophetsa. […]

“It means that as much time as Allah the Almighty gives you to live in this world, you spend that time on doing good things, good deeds, offering your prayers and sending durood to the Holy Prophetsa. Then you will get the reward and you’ll be close to the Holy Prophetsa.

“Life and death are not in your hand. If Allah the Almighty did not give you that

much life, how can you be blamed? You cannot be blamed.”

Huzooraa said that if such a young person spent his time getting closer to Allah the Almighty and in sending durood on the Holy Prophetsa, “He will get the same reward as a person who lives 100 years […] so don’t worry, Allah is the Most Merciful.”

Hamza Cheema asked, “When you offer Tahajud prayers, what prayers do you make and in which order?”

In response, Huzooraa said: “The Promised Messiahas has explained how he prayed. He said, ‘I pray for myself, that Allah the Almighty gives me sound health so that I can try to get closer to Allah the Almighty more than before’. And then, ‘I pray for my community members, my friends, my children’.

“So, in this way, you have to pray for yourself, for the mission of the Promised Messiahas and the Holy Prophetsa to spread the message of Islam all across the world.

“And then, for your siblings, for your parents and later on, for other people. So in this way, this is the normal order. But sometimes, if any special incident arises, then I pray for that.”

Zain-ul-Haq Sethi was next to asked a question. Seeing him, Huzooraa asked, “Are you a tifl or a khadim?” Zain-ul-Haq said he

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AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021 was a khadim. Huzooraa asked, “16 years of age?” to which Zain-ul-Haq replied in the affirmative.

His question to Huzooraa was, “What did you do for enjoyment and recreation whilst in Ghana?”

With a smile, Huzooraa said: “There was no recreation. Every moment which I spent there – whether sitting, or standing, or moving or doing some work – that was recreation and I enjoyed every moment there. [There was] no special thing. […]

“We didn’t have a television, we didn’t even have a radio, we didn’t have light most of the time. So, the only thing I would enjoy would be, after coming from work, to spend some time with my family and spend some time on reading books. That’s the only thing.”

Farhan Warriach asked, “In Surah alBaqarah, verse 155, it states, ‘And say not of those who are killed in the cause of Allah that they are dead; nay, they are living; only you perceive not.’ My question is, what is meant by ‘living’ of the shuhada [martyrs], can they see or hear us?”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “It is not only Surah al-Baqarah, there are some other verses also […] ‘Don’t say they are dead, they are alive, because they have died in the cause of Allah the Almighty’. And in Allah the Almighty’s eyes, they will remain alive forever and they will be rewarded for that in the heavens.

“If shuhada have died for the cause of Allah’s religion – Allah’s cause – in this world, even they are liked and they are praised and people pray for them, for their higher status.

So you always remember them and their memories are always cherished; not only by their family but by other people as well.” “[…] the shuhada, their name is always remembered and even they will be rewarded in Heaven more than any other person.

This is why Allah the Almighty says, ‘Don’t think they are dead. You think they are dead in this world, but they are living a good life in Heaven – and that is your ultimate destination.’”

Syed Umair Ahmad asked, “When Ahmadiyyat spreads in the Western countries insha-Allah, do you think we will face the same persecution as we are facing in Pakistan and some other countries.”

Huzooraa said: “When Ahmadiyyat spreads here in the Western countries – or any of the rich countries from whom the Pakistani government, or the poor countries are getting help and aid – they will stop doing all those atrocities they are committing nowadays against Ahmadis.

“You see, there was persecution of the Christians till the time the Roman king accepted Christianity. And after his acceptance of Christianity, all the persecution and atrocities against Christians stopped. The same is here also. If, by that time, Muslims in some of the Muslim countries – either in Pakistan or somewhere else – do not accept Ahmadiyyat before the Western countries accept Ahmadiyyat, then they will have to see what these Western countries are doing.

“Even now, they are dependent on these Western countries, and at that time, they will also be dependent on these Western countries. Since they are going to be dependent on these countries, and as long

as they are dependent on these countries, they will have to follow what these countries are saying.

“So their God is not the One and Omnipotent God, though they claim that they believe in one God; in reality, their God is these Western countries whom they are following.”

Safeer Ahmad asked, “Why is the Islamic calendar based on the moon?”

Huzooraa said: “[…] The Islamic calendar is actually based on the Hijrah of the Holy Prophetsa, not only the moon.”

Referring to the reason behind following the lunar calendar, Huzooraa said that one reason was because of worship. By following the lunar calendar, Ramadan is rotated each year into a different month.

“Allah the Almighty is rotating Ramadan according to the lunar calendar […]

Sometimes you have long days of fasting and sometimes you have short days. So, in this way, you are covering the whole year for doing your ibadat [worship] – prostrating before Allah, bowing before Allah, praying to Allah the Almighty.

“In this way, sometimes, you get long nights in which you can offer your Tahajud for a longer period, sometimes you have shorter periods of offering Tahajud […] sometimes you fast for six to seven hours – even in some counties, four to five hours – and sometimes it is 19 or 20 hours.”

Huzooraa said, “This can be one of the reasons” for following the lunar calendar.

Fowad Yusuf, who is from Scotland, asked Huzooraa, “Do you think that Scotland will become independent as a nation. And I also wanted to ask, where is your favourite place to visit in Scotland?”

With a smile, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa responded by saying: “You see, I am not a politician.”

Huzooraa further said: “What I believe is that in this present-day world, the safety and security of Scotland, or England, or Wales and Ireland is in joining together and living together and making one country under one banner, one flag.

That would be better.

“But if they want independence, we cannot say anything.”

With regard to his favourite places in

Scotland, Huzooraa said, “I have not visited many places in Scotland, but I like some […]”. Huzooraa said it had been a long time and he didn’t remember everything, but “there is one place, in the Highlands of Scotland, Portnellan, where I visited. I stayed there for some time. I like that place […]”. Huzooraa said he also liked the area where the Falkirk Wheel was situated.

Speaking about the beauty of Scotland, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa remarked: “Scotland is quite a beautiful place, yes.

Wherever I have visited, the places which I have seen, all of them are very beautiful places.”

Rafe Ahmad Butt asked, “If a Muslim who has sinned is martyred, will he get the same treatment as a Muslim martyr who has not sinned?”

Huzooraa said: “It is not to be decided by us. We don’t know. [Do] you know if a person is a sinful person?”

Huzooraa further said: “It is quite possible that because Allah wanted to give him the reward because of some other good deeds, this is why Allah the Almighty ignored his sins, and he had the status of being martyred. So, it is up to Allah the Almighty.

“But Allah says that all those who are martyred in the cause of Allah will be rewarded. That is what we know.

“The Holy Prophetsa says that when a person dies, we should not recall the person’s negative traits; rather, we should remember their good deeds. Every person must have done something good in his life, so always remember that.”

Sarmad Anwar asked, “Did Allah show you any signs for when it was time to move out of London and did any of the signs relate to the pandemic as it was on the horizon?”

With a smile, Huzoor said; “No. No sign […] it might be Allah’s planning that He wanted to let me move to this place – from London to Islamabad.

But I cannot say that Allah the Almighty precisely asked me to do this, no.”

Huzooraa said he was not given any sign for the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic either.

Masroor-ud-Din Mahmud asked, “Why do Jewish scholars fail to recognise the

arrival of the Holy Prophetsa as the final chief of all the prophets?”

Huzooraa said: “Not all the Jewish scholars and clerics rejected the Holy Prophetsa; some of them accepted. There were some of the good scholars [who accepted].”

Referring to a hadith, Huzooraa said: “A Jewish person, who was a scholar, came to see the Holy Prophetsa. He [the Jewish scholar] spoke very filthy language against him, in front of the Holy Prophetsa.

Even then, he did not say anything; the Holy Prophetsa listened to all his ill words against him. And when he [the Jewish scholar] got tired, he stopped and said that I had seen all the signs of the prophet who was to come, the final prophet after Moses […] it was also written in our traditions that he would have a very high level of forbearance and tolerance and I wanted to check whether you had that level or not […] After having seen all these things, now I accept Islam and I declare that you are the final prophet who was to come after Moses’.

“So you cannot say that all the Jewish scholars rejected him, no. There were some others who accepted him.”

Shaik Taimur asked, “Are we permitted to pray behind a non-Ahmadi imam who does not oppose the Promised Messiahas, nor the Jamaat?”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “Just ask him, ‘What do you believe with regard to the Promised Messiahas […] do you believe that he was the same Imam Mahdi and Messiah who was to come in the Latter Days, or do you not?’

“If he says ‘no’, then how can you bear that a person who rejects the Imam of the age, you make him the imam? Can you bear this?”

Shaik Taimur said “No.” Huzooraa continued: “First explain to him that ‘I am an Ahmadi, this is my belief, what do you think?’ He will say, ‘Okay, whatever you believe is right, but because of some other commitments and restrictions, I cannot believe’. Then you say, ‘Alright, then I can lead you in prayer because I am better than you.’”

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Zaki-ud-Din Ahmedi was next to ask a question. Hearing his surname, Huzooraa remarked, “‘Ahmedis’ are spread all across Midlands and Northern regions; there are so many ‘Ahmedis’. Huzooraa then said, “I see, you are Sabah-ud-din’s brother? MashaAllah.”

Zaki-ud-din then asked Huzooraa, “What were your hobbies when you were around our age, between 16 and 19?”

Huzooraa replied: “I don’t remember that I had any hobby; only that I used to play cricket and badminton at that time – that was the only thing. And, for some time, I remember I used to collect postal stamps […] But for some time, I was not very regular in it. So there was no particular hobby.”

Huzooraa then asked Zaki-ud-Din what his hobbies were, to which he said, “I enjoy exercising and travelling.”

Huzooraa, with a smile, replied: “I see, travelling? If you have enough money, you can travel.”

Zaki-ud-Din said he had been to the Gambia recently for waqf-e-arzi too.

Huzooraa replied, “I also did waqf-e-arzi at this age but that was not a hobby.”

Huzooraa then said he did not play any sport to excel in it, rather it was just as a hobby.

Shahzeb Mahmud asked, “How can man have free will when Allah knows what choices you will make?”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “Allah knows that that will be your ultimate choice, but Allah does not stop you from doing it. You see, there are some ‘taqdir’, decrees, which can be changed.

“Although you are free to do whatever you like, Allah the Almighty has given you a free hand, but that is the knowledge of Allah the Almighty; what are you going to do ultimately – that is His knowledge, it has nothing to do with your free will.

“Allah the Almighty does not tell you what you are going to do in the end. Allah the Almighty says, ‘If you do good deeds, I

will reward you’. There are quite a number of people who did not behave well, or did not do good deeds in the early age when they were young, even when they [were] middleaged, but at the end, ultimately, their end was good because they did some good.”

Huzooraa added that although Allah the Almighty gives one a free hand to do whatever they like, and they may spend their life by doing something which is not very good, in the end, if they do something good, ultimately they can be forgiven and Allah the Almighty can reward them. And when the time of their death comes, such people can be rewarded and sent to Heaven.

“So there is Allah the Almighty’s knowledge, and then there is your free will – how can you combine both of them? Allah the Almighty knows you will do this thing, but at the same time, Allah has given you a free hand.

“You see, if you are doing something bad, your people may think that you are doing bad things and you will not be forgiven, but Allah the Almighty knows that ultimately, you will do something good for which you will be rewarded. And, when the time comes, it so happens.”

Labeed Ahmad Khan asked, “What is your opinion on the current state of the world?”

“The current state of the world? The current state of the world with regard to its progress? Financial matters? Or pandemic condition? Or the war conditions?

“You see, if people do not recognise their Creator and their Lord – Allah the Almighty – and do not discharge their duties to Him and what Allah the Almighty has told us to do, if they do not do it, then the world is going to doom itself very fast.

“This is why we are here. We have to let the people understand that ‘if you do not practice what Allah the Almighty has said, if you do not change yourself, then this is going to be your fate’.

“And only those will be saved from a bad end of their lives who remember Allah the Almighty.

“Everywhere you see, there are atrocities,

there are cruelties, brutalities happening – whether it is being done by the big powers to the poorer nations, or whether it is within the nations, within the Muslim ummah or even small countries. Everywhere there is chaos.

“We have to help them understand what their duties are. And this is the duty of an Ahmadi, to inform people and this is a great responsibility on our shoulder.

“This is why I have been telling, all the time, to the people of the world – to politicians, to leaders – that they ought to change themselves and try to establish true justice, absolute justice in the world and discharge their duties to their Creator and their fellow beings.

“Otherwise there is no guarantee [about] what is going to happen, and what we can see is a very dark and bleak end of this world.”

Muhammad Harris Khalid said he was about to study medicine and thereafter, was planning to devote one or two years for the Jamaat along with some other Ahmadi friends. He also wanted to know whether he should do waqf-e-arzi [temporary life devotion for the Jamaat] after his basic foundational training or after specialisation in anaesthesia.

Huzooraa said, “One or two years only?” to which Harris said, “However much, as you like.” Huzooraa continued by advising: “After completing your studies, you want to devote some of your time? At least five years, not one or two – you should devote at least five years […] When you complete your studies, then you should, at least, devote your life for five years. And after that, when you feel that you are enjoying it, you may continue it, and I hope you will continue it.”

Huzooraa also advised Harris to carry out this waqf-e-arzi after all of his studies and specialisation were completed. “That will take you another 10 years […] by that time, you will be 29 […]”, Huzooraa said.

Haseeb-ur-Rahman asked, “Will we be able to recognise our dear ones who have passed away in the afterlife?”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa responded by saying: “Yes. If you are destined to go to the same place in Heaven, yes, you will find those people who are in Heaven. But if you have not done good deeds, where Allah the Almighty is going to put you, I cannot say. I don’t know where you will go, whether you will find them or not.

“But anyway, if you and they are going to Heaven, you will see your loved ones there.

“You must also pray for them that Allah the Almighty sends them to Heaven […]

Also pray for yourself that you go to Heaven and do good deeds, good things and follow Allah’s commandments. And offer the five daily prayers as prescribed by Allah the Almighty and if possible, in congregation; read the Holy Quran and find out the commandments and injunctions given in the Holy Quran.

“If you are doing all these things, Allah the Almighty will send you to Heaven. And pray for your loved ones also, that Allah the Almighty sends them to Heaven and saves them from all punishments of the life after death. So, insha-Allah, you will see them.”

Huzooraa then asked Haseeb-ur-Rahman what he did and his future plan. Haseebur-Rahman said he was doing A-levels and planned to go to university to study computer science. Earlier, Huzooraa asked Haseeb-ur-Rahman whether he was Bengali and at the end, said, “Your name looks like a Bengali name, this is why I asked if you were from Bangladesh. ‘Rahman’ names are very common in Bangladesh.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then turned to Mohtamim Tarbiyat and said that the time had finished and asked if he and the khuddam were happy. Mohtamim Tarbiyat said he was very happy and “they are very happy as well. I think the mulaqats [meetings] have had an amazing impact on the khuddam – from all of us, jazak-Allah!”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then conveyed his salaam and the meeting came to a close.

(Report prepared by Al Hakam)

Despite opposition from Muslim Imams in Bosnia, Humanity First continues charity work Zubair Khalil Khan Director Projects Humanity First Germany for South Eastern Europe

On 7 September 2021, a newspaper published an agonising anti-Ahmadiyya report as a reaction to the Humanity First donation programme of donating school bags to children in need, in a Bosnian city, Zenica.

Reacting to this report, the Mayor of Zenica, Mr Fuad Kasumovic said: “The Bosnian Mullahs [Muslim clerics] are there just to create problems based on blame games. Let them keep doing this.

Humanity First and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is doing a noble and respected job by helping the needy persons of Bosnia.

Therefore, I do not care what these Mullahs say. I stand with the Ahmadiyya Muslim

Jamaat and Humanity First in their humanitarian work.”

He personally accompanied the Humanity First team to the school for the distribution of school bags and also spoke to the TV news channel which had come to cover the event.

During the evening prime time, a news interview of Zenica Mayor thanking the noble humanitarian acts was broadcast as the first news segment on regional TV. On 8 September 2021, the Mayor of a Bosnian city, Ustikolina, received a letter from the imam of the city’s mosque asking him not to let Humanity First donate school bags to needy children at the city school. The reason he mentioned was that the funding of Humanity First comes from the Ahmadiyya Jamaat which is considered non-Muslim by the Bosnian Islamic Centre. He alleged that

under the shadow of Humanity First, the Ahmadiyya Jamaat is trying to penetrate the Islamic community of Bosnia.

When Mr Mojo Soferdzija, mayor of the city read the letter, he called his secretary to prepare the reply to the letter in the following sentence: “You as the mosque’s imam do your job and let me do my job as mayor of the city.”

After signing the letter, he called the postman to deliver this letter to the Imam by hand the same day. In the afternoon, when the in charge of Humanity First Bosnia, Mufeez Sahib met the mayor of the city, he informed him about all that had happened in the morning.

Thereafter, he personally accompanied the Humanity First team and school bags were distributed through the director of the school.

The support, reaction and replies of the two mayors of the Bosnian cities infused new impetus in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Bosnia and Humanity First volunteers and they pledged to continue the humanitarian work with greater zeal and enthusiasm.

7

AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021

From the Markaz

“If you write to me frequently, then I will remember you” Members of Nasirat from Midlands Region seek guidance from Huzoor

On 12 September 2021, members of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya from the Midlands Region, UK were given the opportunity to meet with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual meeting.

The meeting commenced with a recitation of the Holy Quran and its English translation by Sakeena Bonsu.

Following this, a tarana (choral poem) was presented by four nasirat: Hajira, Maimoona, Alishwa and Sakeena.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then turned to Mateen Bhatti Sahiba, Secretary Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya UK, and asked what was planned by the nasirat. She responded that some nasirat had questions they wished to ask Huzooraa.

The first question was asked by Aisha from Stevenage whether waqifaat-e-nau were allowed to work alongside studying.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa answered: “If it is work experience, then you can work, and if you are studying in university, and you need some money to continue your studies to meet your expenses – or

to gain some work experience – then you can work, but with the condition that your dress is modest, and you wear the hijab.”

“It is a conditional permission,” Huzooraa added.

Ishal Noor from Birmingham East said she had two questions. She said that one of the proofs for the truth of Ahmadiyyat was that it was a growing community within Islam; however, she said, there were many other religious groups, such as Sikhism and Bahaism, that were also “rapidly spreading”. She asked if this was proof for their religions also.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked: “Do you have data on Sikhism or Bahaism which are ‘spreading rapidly’?

You have used the word ‘rapidly’. Where did you get this data from?”

To this, the Nasirat member said that she got the data online. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then asked, “How many people join Sikhism and Bahaism every year? Can you tell me? […] 100 or 150, not more than that. Whereas Jamaat-e-

Ahmadiyya is spreading across the world, from Africa to South America, from Asia to Europe […] This is the only community which has a mission spread across the world […] thousands of people are joining us every year […].”

The second question Ishal Noor asked was that if God was All-Knowing and aware of the actions one was to do, why was it that a person was rewarded or punished for the actions and choices God already knew the outcome to.

Huzooraa answered: “Allah Almighty has also given free will,” and that Allah knew the choices and actions one would do but nobody was compelled to do those actions. Right and wrong had been distinguished.

“If you do good deeds,” Huzooraa said, “you will be rewarded. If you do bad things, you will be punished.” Nobody was forced or compelled to do something bad, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa explained.

Next, Maria from Nottingham Jamaat asked if a person, who was not a waqif-

e-nau, was allowed to serve or work for the Jamaat. She added that she desired to become a doctor and serve the Jamaat.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa replied: “There are quite a number of students who study in Jamia Ahmadiyya, who are going to be missionaries, and are not waqife-nau […]” Huzooraa alluded to himself and said, “I am not a waqif-e-nau, but I am serving the Jamaat. The people sitting here [in the office] with me, working with me, are not waqif-e-nau. It is not necessary that you must be waqif-e-nau before you opt for serving the Jamaat”.

Liza Aimal from Birmingham West Jamaat stated that there were some examples of Prophets and Khulafa who were religious leaders and also had political authority. She asked Huzooraa that if he was given the opportunity to have political authority, whether Huzooraa would accept it.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “You see. In the past, not all prophets Continued on next page >>

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Friday 17 September 2021 | AL HAKAM << Continued from previous page

were given political authority. In Islam, the Holy Prophetsa was the prophet who had religious authority, and he was the head of state as well, after migrating to Medina, not before that […] And then, after his demise, four rightly guided Khulafa – Khulafa-e-Rashideen – also had political authority […] But now, in the time of the Promised Messiahas, neither the Promised Messiah, as a prophet, subordinate to the Holy Prophetsa, nor his Khulafa, will have political authority. All the countries will be run by their governments to run their affairs, and the Khalifa of the time will be the spiritual head of those countries”.

Fariha of Birmingham North Jamaat asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa to share a moment where he encountered hardships and how he dealt with them.

Huzooraa said: “Hardships are a part of life […] If I say I faced any hardship, that means I did not understand the spirit of my waqf […]

I never faced any hardship. I always saw Allah’s fazl [grace] on me.”

Next, Safiyya from Leamington Spa Jamaat asked if it was permissible to keep dogs inside homes whilst they were being trained to become guide dogs for the blind.

Huzooraa said that it was permissible to keep dogs as guard dogs, for hunting purposes, guide dogs for the blind and for security and safety purposes. “But,” Huzooraa said, “not in your room, not in your bedroom, not in your drawing room [and] not in your dining room. Make a pen for them outside and keep them there.

You can take them along with you when you are going outside for a walk but don’t allow them to enter your house.

“Even during the time of the Holy Prophetsa, the companions of the Holy Prophetsa used to keep shepherd dogs […].”

Kiran from Nottingham Jamaat said that she was told by her father that Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, prior to Khilafat, was a quiet person and wouldn’t engage much in conversations. She said that now Huzooraa gave many speeches and met with many people. Huzooraa smiled and responded, “I still try not to speak much.”

Upon being asked how he managed meeting so many people, Huzooraa said: “It is God’s work. I did not, with my own will and wish, come in this position.

It is Allah Almighty who has brought me to this position […] It is Allah Almighty who gives me the strength to do all these things.”

Rashida from Birmingham North Jamaat asked why non-Ahmadi Muslims said Ahmadis were disbelievers.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that it was better to ask them. Huzooraa then said: “We believe in the same Prophetsa, we believe in the same book, the Holy Quran – we say: ّ ٰ ُ َ ٌ ُ ّ ٰ َّ ٰ َ ‫لااِل َہ اِلا الل ُہ محمد ّر ُس ْول الل ِہ‬ [...] and we practice all the teachings of Islam; not only practice, but we also preach. Therefore, hundreds of thousands of non-Muslims are accepting Islam through Ahmadiyyat. So, you can show your example. You can set your example before them”.

Huzooraa emphasised that one should explain to them our beliefs. “It is now your duty,” Huzooraa said, “to preach to them and remove all their doubts. […] “[Tell them that] ‘We are Muslims, we believe in one [and the same] thing. The only difference is that you believe that the Messiah of the age who was destined to come, according to the prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa, has not yet come, but we believe that the Messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian.’ And that is the only difference”.

Huzooraa further explained that we believe that Promised Messiahas held the status of a prophet because the Holy Prophetsa declared him as one, whereas non-Ahmadi Muslims say that no prophet would come after the Holy Prophetsa. “We also believe”, Huzooraa explained, “that no other prophet with a new shariah can come after the Holy Prophetsa; but a subordinate prophet can come […]. So, this is the difference. This is why they say we are not Muslims”.

Next, Amtul Sabooh from Birmingham Central Jamaat asked if it was permissible for ladies to lead the Jumuah prayer at home if no male was available.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa answered: “If a male is not available, then yes, you can lead [Jumuah]. If you know a portion of the Holy Quran, and you know Khutbah Thania in Arabic, then you can lead Jumuah prayer. Ladies can be the imam of ladies, whether it is at home, or in the Jalsa gah, or Ijtema gah, even outside wherever you are.”

Farida from Wolverhampton Jamaat asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa how one could overcome their anger.

Answering, Huzooraa said that the Holy Prophetsa explained that when one got angry, they should drink water; and if one was standing, then they should sit down.

Haala from Birmingham Central Jamaat said that boys had previously asked how they could establish a relationship with Khilafat. Huzooraa would tell the young boys to frequently write a letter and to attach a photo of themselves. She asked how girls could also create a bond with Khilafat.

Huzooraa said: “One thing [you can do] is to also be frequent in writing letters. If you are writing letters to me frequently, then I will

remember you”.

Aisha from Birmingham North Jamaat asked how important it was for Ahmadi Muslims to fight climate change.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “Very important. Try to avoid using your car when travelling a short distance; either walk to that place or use a bicycle.

Cycling is also good for your health.

Secondly, every Ahmadi should make it a point to plant two trees every year. This is how you can fight climate change […].”

Hibba from Birmingham North Jamaat asked two questions. She first asked how young students could balance religion and worldly affairs.

Huzooraa stated: “[…] Allah Almighty has made it obligatory to offer the five daily prayers properly, fervently, with full concentration.

This is how you can keep your deen [faith] above everything”.

Huzooraa said that one should study the Holy Quran and learn its meaning and what is mentioned in it. Huzooraa further said that one should discard bad habits.

Thus, by doing these things, a student could give preference to religion over the world. “If you do these things,” Huzooraa added, “it is enough for you”.

Hibba’s second question was with regard to Hazrat Yunusas (Jonah) who was swallowed by a fish. She said that scientists opposed that he was swallowed by a fish as humans could not hold their breath for a long time. She asked how one could explain that he was swallowed by a fish and also survived.

Huzooraa said that firstly, the Holy Quran had not said that he remained in the belly of the fish for three days; rather, that particular number was only mentioned in the Bible. Huzooraa further explained that, “He did not stay there for a longer period [and] even then the Quran says

AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021 that when he came out of the belly of the fish, he was sick, he was unconscious and he was injured. […] And then he became conscious and survived that bad episode.”

Next, Kainat of Birmingham North Jamaat stated that in the Holy Quran, whilst providing a description of Heaven, it was written, “Therein are rivers of water which corrupts not; and rivers of milk of which the taste changes not; and rivers of wine”. (Holy Quran, Ch. 47: V. 16) She asked Huzooraa why “rivers of wine” was presented as a pleasure of Paradise when it was harmful and prohibited.

Huzooraa answered: “That river of wine is not like the one here [in this world]; it is just a metaphor to help you understand […] that type of wine is different; it is something which is pure”.

Huzooraa further told Kainat to read the interpretation of this verse mentioned in the Five-Volume Commentary.

Aliya from Birmingham South Jamaat stated that expressions of speech had changed over time and what children might say now, may be offensive to parents.

She asked Huzooraa for advice on this.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “We have to learn good morals, whether you are speaking to parents, or siblings, or to other relatives. You should not abandon morals […] Be polite and kind to your siblings, to your friends, to your parents”.

Next, Safina of Coventry Jamaat asked how a young girl should pray for a fortunate future.

Huzooraa said: “As a girl, you should pray to Allah Almighty that He makes your future fortunate and, in the Hereafter as well”.

Huzooraa said that one should always remember Allah Almighty and seek His help. Huzooraa added that the following prayer should be recited often: َّ َ َ َ َ َّ ً َ َ َ َ ٰ ۡ َّ ً َ َ َ َ ۡ ُّ َ َۤ​َ ‫َر ّبنا ٰا ِتنا فِی الدنیا حسنۃ و فِی الاخِر ِۃ حسنۃ و قِنا عذ‬ ِ‫اب النار‬ Hajira from Leicester Jamaat asked what prayers could be recited for a nonMuslim who passes away. aa Hazrat Amirul Momineen َّ stated: َ ٰ ۤ ّ ّ َ َ ُ ٰ “You can say ‫ ِانا لِل ِہ َو ِانا ِال ۡی ِہ ر ِجعوۡن‬. You can pray for him that Allah forgives him, if you know him. Otherwise, just pay respect to him […].”

Eisha from Coventry Jamaat asked how nasirat should prepare themselves to make sure they were ready to become members of Lajna Imaillah.

Huzooraa said: “Whether you are ready or not, when you reach the age of 15, you will become a member of Lajna Imaillah. So, you should make it a point that when you enter Lajna Imaillah, you should behave and try to be active in the same way as you are active and well behaved in Nasirat”.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then turned to Mateen Bhatti Sahiba, Secretary Nasirat UK, and asked if she had anything else to say. Mateen Bhatti Sahiba expressed her gratitude to Huzooraa for sparing time for the nasirat.

In the end, Huzooraa conveyed his salaam and the meeting came to a close.

(Report prepared by Al Hakam)

9

100 Years Ago...

Daily diary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II: Updates from Kashmir Al Fazl, 12 and 19 September 1921

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih in Kashmir On 28 [August 1921], Huzoor[ra] went to Chiranbal with some friends for recreational purposes. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih stayed there all day and returned at five o’clock. On the way back, Huzoor[ra] slipped somewhere and sprained his right foot. Due to the severe pain, Huzoor[ra] got on the horse and returned to his residence. After Huzoor[ra] reached the house, his foot was treated and bandaged. Huzoor[ra] felt severe pain throughout the night. […]

On 2 September [1921] Huzoor’s[ra] injury was almost entirely healed. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih came for Jumuah prayer and delivered the sermon. After the Friday prayer, 15 men took bai‘at at the blessed hand of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih and joined the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. May Allah encourage many more to join the Jamaat. […]

On 3 September [1921], at eight o’clock in the morning, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, along with some khuddam, left for Kungwatan on horses. They reached there at around four o’clock and camped for the night. Huzoor[ra] felt a slight fever.

At seven o’clock in the morning of 4 [September 1921], they left for Konsar Nag [also spelt as Kausar Nag]. Following the doctor’s advice, Huzoor[ra] walked for some time.

They reached Mah Nag at around twelve

o’clock and arranged for an overnight stay at the same place. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih proceeded to Konsar Nag and reached there at around half past two and stayed there for two hours. Konsar Nag is a vast lake of clear, fresh water at an altitude of 13,000 feet above sea level. Huzoor[ra] began his return journey at five o’clock […]

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih had not yet reached the camp when a rider from Asnoor brought him a letter from brother Abdur Rahman Sahib in which it was written that the honourable mother of Mian Nasir Ahmad Sahib[ra] had high fever again, so he should return as soon as possible. However, as the sun had set and the route of return was very dangerous, they were forced to spend the night there.

On 5 [September 1921], after Fajr prayer, Huzoor[ra], along with Dr Hashmatullah Sahib, rode to Asnoor and reached safely at 12 o’clock. The health of the honourable mother of Mian Nasir Ahmad Sahib[ra] has been restored by the grace of Allah the Almighty and the fever has gone down.

At eight o’clock in the morning of 6 [September 1921], Huzoor[ra] went along with the entire caravan to see Aharbal waterfall. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih stayed there until five o’clock.

Maulvi Abdullah Sanauri Sahib’s telegram was received from Ludhiana that

said, “Twenty-five rupees have been sent to be presented before Huzoor[ra]. Please celebrate the walima [wedding] of Mian Abdul Qadir.” Hence, a feast was arranged at that place. Many friends of Asnoor and Rishi Nagri were also part [of the walima].

They returned at around five o’clock. Along the way, Huzoor[ra] shed light on various subjects.

Mentioning the Ahl-e-Hadith [a sect of Islam], Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said that these people were very close to our Jamaat and they accepted the truth quickly. The reason behind this was that these people were accustomed to tolerating opposition, so no opposition could hinder them from accepting the truth.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih had a fever on that day as well. There was still some pain in his foot.

Over the last 10 to 11 days, Huzoor[ra] had a fever every now and then. Moreover, Huzoor’s[ra] foot has not yet recovered fully.

All members of the Jamaat are requested to especially pray for Huzoor’s[ra] complete health.

Humbly yours, Syed Mahmood, Srinagar, Kashmir.

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 12 and 19 September 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

10

Friday 17 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

This Week in History 17 - 23 September fervently prayed for the security of this sacred place. (Tarikhe-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 10, p. 160) On 23 September 1947, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra was called by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra from Qadian to Lahore as Hazrat Mirza Aziz Ahmadra was appointed amir-e-muqami back in Qadian after the partition. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 10, p.

162) Tomb of the Promised Messiahas

Bahishti Maqbarah

17 September 1924: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra participated in a event held in London to protest the barbaric killing of Maulvi Nematullah Sahib in Kabul.

According to the diary of Hazrat Bhai Abdur Rahman Qadianira, this event lasted for about two hours in which several hundred people participated.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered an influential speech in English. Hearing this speech, some men and women were overcome with emotion. Apart from Huzoor’sra speech, other nonAhmadi speakers also addressed the gathering. The Daily Telegraph and other newspapers published an account of the meeting.

17 September 1936: Hazrat Muslehe-Maud’sra car was attacked by unknown assailants in Qadian. Huzoorra remained unhurt, by the grace of Allah.

The detail of this tragic accident is that Huzoorra was bidding farewell to his son, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh who was leaving for London.

At the station at 7 o’clock in the evening, on the way back from the station, an opponent threw a stone at Huzoor’sra car, but by the grace of Allah, the stone only hit the roof of the car. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 7, p. 317) 17 September 1947: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra went to the tomb of the Promised Messiahas in Bahishti Maqbarah and led a silent prayer for its protection with some companions of the Promised Messiahas. After the partition of the Indian subcontinent, there was very little security and the situation in the surrounding areas was intensifying by the day. During the prayer, this blessed group humbly and

18 September 1961: Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Abdullah Khanra passed away after suffering from a long illness. He was the son-in-law of the Promised Messiahas. For further reading, please visit: Ahmadipedia.org 18 September 1975: Malik Fazal Hussain Sahib, passed away at the age of 75.

Malik Sahib belonged to a family of Lahore. He was fortunate to join Ahmadiyyat at the tender age of 13-14.

He migrated to Qadian after facing hardships from Hazrat Nawab Muhammad his parents for Abdullah Khanra accepting the Messiah of the age.

For further reading, please visit: Ahmadipedia.org

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra

exhibits Huzoor’sra spiritual greatness and vast knowledge. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 418) 19 September 1924: Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawabra passed away. He was the father-in-law of the Promised Messiahas.

For further reading, please visit: Ahmadipedia.org

20 September 1948: The new Markaz, Rabwah was inaugurated.

According to the schedule, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra left Lahore by car at 9:20 in the morning and arrived in Rabwah at 13:20. Huzoorra was accompanied by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra and various other members 19 September 1912: The Jamaat of the Jamaat. The Zuhr prayer was newspaper, Badr, started publishing offered at around 1:30 pm with the the words of Khalifatul Masih Ira under participation of approximately 250 the title, “Kalam-e-Amir”. in congregation. This was the first congregational prayer that took place Kalam-e-Amir published Huzoor’sra dars in this land, led by Hazrat Khalifatul of the Holy Quran, daily engagements, Masih IIra. etc. Kalam-e-Amir is a treasure Huzoorra then delivered a speech trove of insights and teachings which and led all members in silent prayer.

AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021

11

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra at Wembley’s Conference of Living Religions

(Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 11) 20 September 1975: At around 6 o’clock in the evening, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh visited Richmond Park, London, which is located three or four miles from Fazl Mosque, and remained there for about half an hour.

Huzoorrh returned to Fazl Mosque before Maghrib prayer.

21 September 1924: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra met with Colonel Montagu William Douglas - the judge who acquitted the Promised Messiahas from false charges of murder - during his England tour. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 451) In his diary of this journey, Hazrat Bhai Abdur Rahman Qadianira wrote, with regard to the background of the meeting and searching for Col Douglas: “Our Chaudhry Muhammad Sharif Sahib is a very sociable man and a seemingly quiet, but really hardworking, man.

He would regularly meet with officials returning from India.” In this way, he was able to track down and meet with Col Douglas.

21 September 1957: Dr Muhammad Rashidi, Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan, visited Rabwah and expressed his desire to meet Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, which was fulfilled.

Before his return, on 23 September, he also attended a reception organised by the people of Rabwah. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 18, pp. 484 - 496) 22 September 1946: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra was making his way to Delhi, where he had many meetings with national political leaders to discuss and resolve crucial issues that were causing distress amongst the people of the

time. Huzoorra remained there until 14 October.

The political atmosphere in the subcontinent at that time was one of despair for Muslims, in particular, and for the people of the country in general. In this difficult time, Allah the Almighty informed Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra that God had associated the solution of the problem with him.

As soon as Huzoorra reached Delhi, a series of meetings began. Meetings were held with the following leaders: Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Nawab Sahib Bhopal, Khwaja Nazimuddin, Sardar Abdur Rab Sahib, Feroz Khan Noon, Nawab Sir Ahmad Hameed Khan, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and many more.

(Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 9, pp. 319331) 23 September 1924: Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Zafrulla Khanra read out an article written by Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra at the Wembley Conference.

This essay was admired by many people who attended the event.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra leading the second Salat after migration to Rabwah, 1948

Remembering this day, Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Zafrulla Khanra, in his book, Tehdis-e-Nemat, writes: “When the time came to read the address, the Imam leaned toward me to say in a most affectionate manner, ‘Do not worry, I will continue to pray for you.’

“Every seat in the hall was taken. A large number had to stand. The entire address was heard in eerie silence.”

(Tehdis-e-Nemat, p. 212-213)

Photo of the early days of Rabwah

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Opinion

Friday 17 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

Islam and the imagination of extraterrestrial life forms

Ahmad Kamal Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya Ghana

As early as the 5th century BC, Greek philosophers and mathematicians looked at the movement of the stars and wondered if there was something out there. From that point onwards, man’s fascination and curiosity with the unexplained never seemed to have ceased.

Some months ago, the US Department of Defense officially released intriguing footage of what seemed to be an “unidentified aerial phenomena”.

An article by The New York Times, “No Longer in Shadows, Pentagon’s U.F.O. Unit Will Make Some Findings Public”, deep-dived into the discovery, reviving the century-old debate concerning the existence of aliens. (www.nytimes.com/2020/07/23/ us/politics/pentagon-ufo-harry-reid-navy. html) However, we need to clarify, do aliens exist? And does religion have a say in this seemingly scientific matter?

If we do discover some substantial evidence proving the existence of aliens, how would Christianity fare? The Bible makes it clear that God created everything in the universe – as John declared: “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” (John, 1:3) The Bible never explicitly says that humans are the lone life form in the universe, but then, there is also no mention of extraterrestrials in the Bible which leaves a lot of grey area. Most fundamentalist Christians thus conclude that this proves the absence of any such beings in the universe.

If Christians do choose to believe in aliens, it raises a lot of questions. The first and elementary, of course, is how aliens fit into Christian ideas about salvation. Did Jesus’ death save every living being in the universe, or did it only affect humanity?

Did Jesus Christ’s death on earth offer any redemptive value for any other beings anywhere else in the cosmos? Why would Jesus Christ have come to earth, of all the inhabited planets in the universe, to save earthlings and abandon the rest of God’s creatures?

In this predicament, Islam shows its dominance. It was revealed to an unlettered son of the desert, in a period of scientific darkness wherein man had absolutely no true knowledge of the universe.

It was not until 15 March 1929 that the research of Astronomer Edwin Hubble (1889-1953) helped prove that the universe was expanding. However, the Holy Quran had hinted towards this centuries ago in the verse: َّ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َّ َ ‫اها ِبأيْ ٍد َو ِإنا ل َ ُموْ ِس ُعوْ َن‬ ‫والسماء بنين‬ “And We have built the heaven with

might and We continue to expand it indeed.”

(Surah al-Dhariyat, Ch.51: V.48) Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh directed our attention to the uniqueness of the Holy Quran by saying: “It should be remembered that the concept of the continuous expansion of the universe is exclusive to the Quran. No other Divine scriptures even remotely hint at it.”

(Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth, p. 303) The Holy Quran has proved to contain unlimited eternal truths and insights which unfold as time goes on. The very first leaf of the Holy Quran praises the Lord Who is the Sustainer of all the Worlds. The Arabic ْ ْ word ‫ َر ِّب ال َعال َ ِمي َن‬is used in its widest sense and signifies “all that is besides Allah”, i.e.

both those that have life and those that do not, including heavenly bodies, the sun, the moon, the stars, etc. The knowledge of the Holy Quran nourishes every branch of the human tree.

Islam’s distinctive and unique teachings feature the Holy Quran which is fully capable of guiding humanity in all ages.

Thus a verse in the Holy Quran directly points to the existence of sentient life forms: َّ َ َ َّ ُ ْ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ْ َ ِ ‫او‬ َ ‫الس َم‬ ‫ض َو َما بَث فِ ْي ِه َما ِم ْن َد ّاب ٍة َو ُهوَ َعلى‬ ‫و ِمن آيا ِت ِه خلق‬ ِ ‫ات والأر‬ ُ ‫َج ْمعِه ْم إ َذا يَ َش‬ ٌ‫اء َق ِديْر‬ ِ ِ “And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and [of] whatever living creatures [dabbah] He has spread forth in both. And He has the power to gather them together

whenever He pleases.” (Surah al-Shura, Ch.42: V.30) Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IVrh, in his book, Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth, wrote: “Dabbah covers all animals which creep or move along the surface of the earth. It does not apply to animals which can fly or swim. It is certainly not applicable to any form of spiritual life.

“In Arabic a ghost will never be referred to as dabbah, nor an angel for that matter.

The second part of the same verse speaks not only of the possibility of extraterrestrial life, but it categorically declares that it does exist – a claim which even the most modern scientific researchers have not been able to make so far with any measure of certainty.

Yet, this is not all that the verse reveals.

“Wonder upon wonder is added when we read at the end of this verse, that He (Allah) will bring together the life in the heavenly bodies and life on earth when He so pleases.” (Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth, p. 330) It was impossible to make a statement of this calibre 1,500 years ago when the science of astronomy was in its infancy. This only goes to prove that the origins of the Holy Quran are divine and its grand prophecies will be fulfilled in their own time.

As far as the spirituality of extraterrestrials goes, we turn to Professor Clement Lindley Wragge (1852-1922).

Professor Wragge was an English meteorologist who travelled widely, delivering lectures in London and India.

In one of his travels, he met the Promised Messiahas and below is an extract of the conversation which ensued between them: Professor Clement Wragge asked the Promised Messiahas: “This earth, with which we have a connection, is but one among many thousands and millions of other systems which God has created. Then why would God’s sovereignty and blessings be limited to this earth?”

The Promised Messiahas replied: “This is not our belief. We do not say there is no system other than our earth and sky; rather, our God says He is Rabul-Aalamin, meaning, He is the Lord of all the worlds and wherever there has been a population, He has sent His messengers there. Lack of knowledge does not disprove the existence of something. Why would God – Who created such a vast system for this small earth – not have created provision for all other habitations? He is the Lord for everybody equally and is aware of everyone’s needs.” (www.alhakam.org/ professor-clement-wragges-first-meetingwith-the-promised-messiah/) The universe has 10 million million million suns (10 followed by 18 zeros) similar to our own. One in a million has planets around it. Only one in a million has the right combination of chemicals, temperature, water, days and nights to support planetary life as we know it.

Thus, even though the odds of sentient life forms existing elsewhere are very questionable, we can and we must believe that they do exist because this prophecy of meeting other life forms remains as yet unfulfilled. Ergo, we can only hope and pray that we live long enough to witness the glorious day when we discover them or they discover us.

AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021

Coming from every distant track

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Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in Qadian A series looking at the high standard of morals of the Promised Messiahas and his Khulafa when receiving visitors in Qadian

Awwab Saad Hayat Al Hakam In the history of the Indian subcontinent, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan is a wellknown political leader of the Pashtuns who preached the philosophy of nonviolence in the British era. He was one of the biggest admirers of Mahatma Gandhi.

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s own admirers used to call him bacha khan (king of chiefs) and sarhadi Gandhi (frontier Gandhi).

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was born in 1890 in the village of Utmanzai in the Pakhtun tribal region. It is found, in historical records, that after gaining primary education at home, he studied in different places.

His father, Bahram Khan, belonged to the nobles of the area and was a landowner who kept company with landowners.

He was respected and influential among the British officers. When he was unable to study locally, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was sent by his father to study in different places; however, due to various constraints, he would return.

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s long political career had various ups and downs. In 1919, he entered politics by participating in the movement against the Rowlatt Act and spent six months in prison. Then, in 1920, he joined the Hijrat Movement and went to Afghanistan; however, he later returned due to the failure of the movement.

Thus, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s life was full of many tumultuous events and engagements which lasted till his demise on 20 January 1988.

In 2004, Pakistan’s famous publisher, Fiction House, located in Lahore, published a book, Aap Biti: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, under the auspices of Zahoor Ahmad Khan. On page 17, in the context of his journey carried out during his years as a student, it says: “[…] I turned to education once again.

In those days, I went to Campbellpur [now Attock] with another friend [Abdul Aleem] and gained admission into Campbellpur High School afresh; however, it was extremely hot there and I could not adapt to [the heat]. I then left this place for Qadian [for studies] but I

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, with Mahatma Gandhi to his right

could not adapt to the atmosphere there either.

“There [in Qadian], at night, I had a dream that I had fallen into a beautiful deep well. Meanwhile, a man came and extended his long hand towards me inside the well. I grabbed his hand and the man pulled me out [from the well]. He then looked at me in astonishment and said, ‘Didn’t you see this well? Why do you throw yourself into it?’

“When I woke up in the morning, I narrated this dream to my friend [Abdul Aleem], and we both agreed that we should leave this place. Thus, we returned to our village.”

This is what the abovementioned book says about this incident; however, the account is not entirely clear. Further research reveals that the well-known publisher and bookseller, Popular Prakashan, Bombay, was founded with the help of the Gandhi Peace Foundation, a leading study and research institution founded by Indian politicians. Popular Prakashan’s published author, DG Tendulkar’s voluminous and authoritative book on the life of Bacha Khan, Abdul Ghaffar Khan: Faith is a Battle, states, on page 20: “In those days [after leaving Campbellpur High School], he [Abdul

Ghaffar Khan] had acquired a taste of Arabic studies and the reputation of Maulvi Nooruddin of Kadian attracted his attention. Abdul Ghaffar Khan left his province with a friend. But there too, he did not like the atmosphere and one night he had a strange dream”.

This information tells us that he had arrived in Qadian to acquire Arabic language, inspired by the reputation of Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra. With the blessing of the Messiah of the age, a time was witnessed when Qadian had become the centre of attaining knowledge and faith.

Searching for more details about Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s journey to Qadian, I was led to the book Ghaffar Khan: Ghadar ya Muhib Watan (Ghaffar Khan: Traitor or Patriot), written by Javed Ahmed Siddiqui and compiled by Shabal Publications, in January 1988. On page 91 of this publication, in reference to Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s journey as a student in Campbellpur, it is written: “We [Abdul Aleem and I] took admission (in Campbellpur) and started living in the boarding [school]. There, someone mentioned Qadianis to me and praised them, so we left for Qadian [for studies and enrolled in a boarding school there]. In those days [Hazrat] Hakim

Nuruddin Sahib was the khalifa. “[Once,] we went to visit him. We were impressed by his simple, sincere, lively and loving words. He was a great scholar and a man of high moral character. As we sat there, [Hazrat] Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s son [Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra], who later became the amir [Khalifa] of this jamaat, came [when we were meeting with Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddinra]. In those days, he was studying in a college. We sought permission to leave and went back to our boarding school [in Qadian]. Every student there was talking about the same thing: ‫ا� ی‬ ‫رم� یک �ت � �ڑو‬ � �‫اس � � �م ا‬ “Meaning, ‘Forego the mention of Mary’s son; better than that is the servant of Ahmad’. To hear this was unfamiliar to us. The students there took us to Bahishti Maqbarah. As we became more aware of the condition here [in Qadian], our amazement continued to increase.

“I dreamed at night that there was a big well and I was about to fall into it, but a white-bearded man saved me from falling into the well and told me to be careful.

“The next day, when we woke up, I told [my friend] Abdul Aleem about this dream. He had also seen a similar dream.

So, we decided to return to Peshawar the next day; he enrolled into a school, and I made my way to Aligarh.”

Historical sources of the Jamaat do not explicitly mention Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s arrival and stay in Qadian; nor is it easy to determine the year and month of his brief stay as many people from far and wide used to turn and come to this honourable hamlet. Also, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra was not educated in any worldly institutions. He did not possess any degree from worldly institutes or colleges; however, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmadra did.

One must remember that dreams require interpretation. Many are aware that this world and its attractions are like a beautiful, deep well which becomes a form of imprisonment for materialistic individuals. The Holy Quran and ahadith Continued on next page >>

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Friday 17 September 2021 | AL HAKAM << Continued from previous page

point to the fact that Prophets of Allah are sent to pull human beings out of the dark, deep wells of this transient world mankind has plunged itself into. There is also a discrepancy in the events of his dream in the abovementioned references.

Lastly, we must bear in mind that living in the hamlet of Qadian was not easy for any worldly person, nor is it clear from the abovementioned books and references that Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan disliked Qadian.

Regarding the blessed land of Medina, it is narrated on the authority of Hazrat Jabirra bin Abdillah that a Bedouin pledged allegiance to the Holy Prophetsa and embraced Islam, but he caught a fever whilst in Medina. He then went to the Holy Prophetsa and desired to cancel his pledge. The Holy Prophetsa replied, “Medina is like a furnace, it eliminates impurities (of a bad person) and selects the good ones and purifies what is good.”

Perhaps it is in this context that the chief of martyrs, Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latifra said: “Only he who often recites Durood Sharif and loves the family of the Promised Messiahas can live comfortably in Qadian.”

Morning walk with Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (left) and Mahatma Gandhi

“It is great to be together as people of faith, people of peace”: Ahmadis preach Islam in Mylor, Australia

Atif Ahmed Zahid Missionary, Australia

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Adelaide West, Australia visited the town of Mylor on 5 September 2021 for a Holy Quran exhibition and a visit to the local church. The regional town of Mylor is around an hour drive from the Mahmood mosque in Adelaide.

A total of six Jamaat members participated in this tabligh programme. The Holy Quran exhibition and a bookstall were set up at the Sunday market from 9 am to 1

pm. Many Australians spent time at the stall and engaged in small discussion for several minutes about the Holy Quran, Islam and Ahmadiyyat. The most common topic of discussions were shariah law, the concept of jihad in Islam, freedom of religion and women rights in Islam.

The Holy Quran exhibition and bookstall was very successful and was visited by around 30 people from different walks of life.

On the same day, three Jamaat members led by the missionary, Atif Ahmad Zahid

Sahib, attended the Sunday service in the local Uniting Church.

The delegate met the priest and more than 20 local church members after the service during the morning tea. They warmly welcomed the Jamaat members and many of them engaged with the Jamaat members in discussions on various topics related to religion and current affairs. The discussions helped to convey the peaceful message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to the local church members.

One particular conversation that took

place with a couple of people was their concern about their youth not being actively attached to the Church and moving away from religion. They were very impressed to learn about the engagement of the youth in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and their attachment with religion from very early on and that most of the youth are strongly attached to Islam and regularly attend mosques and other community programmes. They even requested the Jamaat members to visit the church again and to have a sitting with their youth members.

A couple of women from the church expressed their strong desire to visit the mosque as they had not experienced being inside a mosque before. The contact details were exchanged and they will be invited to future Jamaat events, insha-Allah.

Below are some of the comments from church members.

Reverend Ian Dow said: “It is great to be together as people of faith, people of peace, working together. I do wish you all well in your mission of being a peaceful community in Adelaide and the surrounds of Adelaide. We hope to be able to partner with you in something as well.”

A local member of the church, Sue Williams expressed: “When three young people walked into the service this morning as visitors, it certainly gladdened our hearts. It surprised us and got even better because when we got into a conversation over morning tea and discovered what group they belong to and how they were prepared to visit and reach out to other churches that was very hearting.

We all had a very interesting and worthwhile conversation with them. I am hoping that perhaps from the meeting this morning we can extend some kind of further contact in the future.”

AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021

15

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V to his beloved Taalay (A persona poem)

Odyssey of our time O my Lord! My Allah! What station have you brought me to?

Are lay ahead a thousand tasks, that you alone can take me through.

What shall I do? I do not know So I have trust in only You. I raised my head from humble prayer and opened my eyes to see my troops All ready to march, all steady in stance, All armed and alert, all set in groups.

I thanked my Lord, glanced proudly at them, There were men of letters, and masters of speech; Their passion, their zeal, as if on fire, And nothing beyond their ardent reach.

Doctors and nurses, and fiery orators, While many were trained as scientists; Masons and builders, teachers and students, And thousands of skills, on scrolls of lists.

I looked across, and left, and right, When hidden away I saw a nook Where stood a boy, all on his own, But in his eyes, a strange, deep look I took my troops, and started to march My time was precious, I had to proceed, I marched, I conquered, I won, I went on, As my battlefield, was the whole world indeed.

But every halt, and every break, Would bring flashbacks, of those bright eyes; So loyal they were, that they shone with love, And his wings were of a falcon, ready to rise.

It was as if he spoke, and I’d hear him say “I might be too young, I may be too frail, “But take me along, and let me fight, You’ll see me endure, and I shall not fail.”

As through my past he treaded, he found some memories buried But for him it was like, he’d found a treasure trove.

I would march on, my troops would follow, We would progress, we would recruit, And then one day, I saw a new face Standing before me, with a firm salute

My long kept, bygone memories, he looked at each of them He wept, and hugged and kissed them, as if he’d hit his goal.

To save them and protect them, he lay inside the trove; And this is how we found him, his body, life and soul.

The boy had grown, he was now a man His eyes were brighter, his wings full blown, “Give me my sword,” he said, “and give me my armour, I’m here my master! To lay flesh and bone.”

In the battle of morals, in a war for peace To give him the best, I looked for a weapon; The Holy Quran, being the best shield and sword I handed it over, and let him step in.

He fought in my troops, but he was distinct While all stayed ahead, he fought at the rear; He rarely was seen, but a tactic it was It was a crucial post, and he wanted to be there He clung to me like armour, he stood by me on guard Fighting by my side, but staying out of sight, I’d only give a hint, and leap he would to obey While guarding the centre, he’d fight left and right.

He cared for my future, my present, my past; Collating every moment, he walked, he flew, he drove.

I knew you always loved me, you did not need to prove But that how much I love you, if only you could know.

This trove is now a treasure, and ought to be laid to rest, So it can always flourish, and love can ever grow.

My soldier! I must tell you, that you shall ever live!

I promise, O beloved! Your soul shall never die!

And never will you walk alone, as many more shall follow, Your heart will keep on beating, your blood shall never dry!

To pay respects shall always come, the pious, the saints and sages, And epics of eternal love, shall save you in their pages.

(An abridged English rendering of Shahnama-e-Shaheed by Asif M Basit)

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Friday 17 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

100 New converts in Kashmir, Ahmadi Years women’s tabligh efforts and preaching Ago... work in East Africa Al Fazl, 15 September 1921 New Ahmadi converts in Kashmir Below are the names of the 15 friends who took bai‘at at the hand of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] after the Jumuah prayer on 2 September [1921] (the name of a person who took bai‘at before Jumuah is also listed): 1. Nizam Shah Sahib, Haripur 2. Khizar Sahib, son of Kamal Sahib, Koral 3. Abdul Aziz Sahib, Muzgam 4. Anwar Dar Sahib, Aarijan 5. Ghulam Rasul Sahib, son of Ahmad Sahib, Asnoor 6. Abdul Rahim Sahib, Phorr 7. Abdul Ahad Sahib Mallah, Muzgam 8. Muhammad Pandit Sahib, Asnoor 9. Wali Muhammad Sahib, Asnoor 10. Abdul Aziz Sahib, Asnoor 11. Abdul Samad Sahib Wain, Asnoor 12. Ahmad Sahib Butt, Raywatan 13. Subhan Sahib Butt, Raywatan 14. Abdul Wahab Sahib, Asnoor 15. Abdul Subhan Sahib, Resh Nagri 16. Khair Baig Sahib, Asnoor From, Syed Mahmood Ahmadi women and tabligh All praise belongs to Allah that very good preaching is being done through the secretaries of tabligh. Apart from men, women are also participating in these preaching efforts. Consequently, we have been informed about the efforts of preaching among women by the [two] secretaries of tabligh – the wife of Muhammad Ismail Sahib in Panipat and the wife of Munshi Ghulam Ali Sahib Mudarris in Sadullahpur.

Acting Nazir Talif-o-Ishaat Preaching work of Ahmadis of East Africa Brother Muhammad Ayub Shah Sahib has stimulated the Ahmadis of East Africa to preach in the issue of Al Fazl, 21 July 1921.

May Allah grant him the best of rewards.

Keeping full regard for the sentiments and emotions of the friends here, I want to express something through the newspaper, Al Fazl.

The friends here take part in preaching work to a considerable extent. Since I came here, the Ahmadis here have made a significant contribution to the financial support of the Jamaat, and on the last appeal of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra], all the friends had given one month’s salary as a special donation and the friends from Nairobi have also taken part in it.

Preaching continues among people here as well. Two months ago, according to the instructions of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra], the secretary of tabligh was appointed, who fulfils his duty of preaching to the best of his ability. The chanda collected here for preaching needs is two hundred rupees.

Our preaching, by the grace of God, is not limited to the Indian people, but includes the Arabs as well as the British, Japanese and the natives.

Babu Sahib has promised to give 10 rupees. Please send this money here along with the amount received from Ahmadi friends. When the friends here have presented one month’s income in special donations, you should also encourage Ahmadi friends and collect donations.

Please inform us about the situation of Ahmadi friends there, so that Allah the Almighty may help the friends here to participate in the service of religion more than before.

Wassalam, Akbar Ali Khan Thekedar, Caldney, British East Africa (Translated by Al Hakam from the original in the 15 September 1921 issue of Al Fazl)

Khilafat Centenary Special Edition—Part 3: Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II

TARIQ | 187

I saw terror against Ahmadis in Indonesia: Response to persecution in Sintang, Indonesia Khalida Jamilah USA

Reading the recent article in Al Hakam, titled, “Persecution of Ahmadis in Indonesia: Mosque and buildings desecrated by 100man mob despite police presence”, my soul was torn apart because it reminded me of a dark day I saw with my own eyes when I lived in Indonesia.

This memory was of the persecution

and attacks that happened at Jalsa Salana in Parung, Bogor in 2006.

On the third day of Jalsa, I could not attend the concluding session because I was not feeling well, so I stayed at my host’s house located nearby the Jalsa location. I remember hearing a group of men shouting “Allahu Akbar” while holding large wooden sticks. I looked through the window and saw that their faces were full of anger.

The angry mob walked past the house I

was staying in. I did not understand what to do. I felt terrified. That moment is very hard to put into words because it was horrific.

From that moment, I have always wanted to bury this painful memory. But whenever I read about Ahmadi mosques being attacked, that memory returns. I feel pain and sorrow. The memory of events that played out during Jalsa Salana Indonesia in 2006 are like a deep wound inside my soul.

My family and I are the only Ahmadis

from Indonesia living in Southern California. In fact, there are very few Indonesian Ahmadis in the USA. But it does not matter, because once we become Ahmadi, the pain of another Ahmadi – no matter the race, or where they live – is our pain.

I pray that may Allah the Almighty always protect Ahmadis in Indonesia and the world over, and may He guide the unjust people there.

17

AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021

Responding to Allegations

The Bible and the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah Part VII

The Promised Messiahas said: “Now, in the end [of the debate, The Holy War, 5 June 1893], insofar as Deputy Abdullah Atham deliberately denies the miracles of the Holy Quran and also denies the prophecies contained in it, and in this very gathering I was mocked at by being presented three sick people implying that if Islam is a true religion and I am a recipient of revelation, I should make them whole, whereas I never made a claim to being the All-Powerful nor was it a demand that met the criteria of the Holy Quran. On the contrary, it is established as a sign of true faith for the Christians as documented in the Gospel that if they are true and honest in their belief, they will certainly be able to cure the lame and the blind and the deaf.

“Nevertheless, I kept praying for this, and last night it was made clear to me after I had prayed to Allah the Almighty with great humility and beseeched Him to give a verdict in this matter and that we are humble servants and can do nothing without His verdict. So, He gave me this Sign in the form of a glad tiding that in this debate, whichever party from among the two is deliberately adopting falsehood and abandoning the True God and is making a mere mortal into God, will be cast into Hell and utterly disgraced corresponding to the very days of this debate—in other words, taking one month for each day, meaning, within fifteen months—on the condition that he does not return to the Truth; and the one who is on the path of Truth and believes in the True God, his honour will be manifested through this; and at the time this prophecy will come to pass, some of the blind will begin to see, and some of the lame will begin to walk, and some of the deaf will begin to hear.” (The Holy War, pp. 287-88, [Jang-e-Muqaddas, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 6, pp. 291-92]) Referring to the above prophecy of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Christian opponents submit that the said prophecy of the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat about the death of Abdullah Atham was not fulfilled.

People – especially Christian and Muslim scholars – show surprising haste when claiming “this prophecy proved false”.

An important and often ignored passage of this prophecy were the words, “on the condition that he does not return to the Truth”. Abdullah Atham repented, stopped vilification of the Holy Prophetsa and Islam, and thus proved through his actions that he returned to the Truth. Consequently, Allah the Almighty spared his life.

Moreover, the Promised Messiahas challenged Abdullah Atham after the time of fifteen months had passed to swear an oath that he did not repent, but he kept

silent. The Promised Messiahas offered him huge sums of cash rewards to take the oath on his life and publicly announce that he did not return to the Truth, but he did not utter a word in response. Surely, if he had not repented, he would have confidently and openly taken these oaths and in return gain handsome cash rewards too.

Regarding this demand of the Promised Messiahas to Abdullah Atham to swear an oath to reveal the truth, Christians say the Promised Messiahas was wrong in doing so as Christians are forbidden to take oaths according to James 5:12.

Once again, the Christians have overlooked several references of the Bible which clearly substantiate that Christians are not forbidden to take oaths. Hence, Paul the Apostle said: “I put you [followers of Jesus] under oath by the lord [Jesus] to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.” (1 Thessalonians 5:27) In another book of the Bible, it is stated: “Who may ascend the hill of the lord?

Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.” (Psalm 24:3-4) At another place, the Bible says: “Woe to you [Scribes and Pharisees], blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is

bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred?

So then, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the One who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the One who sits on it.” (Matthew 23:16-22) Shedding light on the said prophecy of the Promised Messiahas, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra said: “It [not to take the oath] was a device to escape the oath and its penalties. Atham had seen fearful scenes and had become convinced that if he took the oath he must die. That Atham refused to take the oath using false excuses becomes clear also from the fact that among Christians no important religious office is given to anybody unless he takes the oath of loyalty. Protestant Christians, and Atham was a Protestant, have to take two oaths: one of loyalty to the Church, the other of loyalty to the State. When these things were explained to Atham, he was completely silenced.

“The value of the cash reward offered to Atham if he was able to take the oath was raised gradually from Rs 1000 to Rs 4000.

The condition of a year of waiting was

dropped. Atham could claim the cash reward as soon as he had taken the oath. But Atham knew that out of fear of his community he was trying to conceal the state of mind from which he had suffered for fifteen months.

“Knowing all this, he dared not take the oath. He spent the rest of his days in silence.

All his writing and speaking against Islam was over. The preaching of Christianity was also over. The truth of Hazrat Mirza Sahib’sas prophecy became plainer than ever. The retreat of Atham from his belief in the godhead of Christ had, in a way, been admitted by Atham himself. That his earlier thoughts about Islam underwent a change was proved by his refusal to affirm the contrary on solemn oath and by his reply on being challenged to take such an oath.

“The greatness and grandeur of this prophecy quickens the faith of every honest person. In it, one can see the working of the Hand of God. Here was a sworn enemy of Islam, the leader of an important community and its advocate in controversy with another. He had spent all his life preaching and propagating one religion and propagating against another. This man came to entertain thoughts against his own religion and in favour of the other. This hardened antagonist also had terrifying daydreams. In consideration of this change of attitude he was saved from the threatened death for a full fifteen months. These things are beyond human power and human planning.” (Invitation to Ahmadiyyat, pp.

343-45) Another allegation raised against the Promised Messiahas by Christians is that the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat did not even consider himself to be a man, and present the following couplet the Promised Messiahas to support their argument: ِ ‫رِکم اخیک وہں ِرمے پ ی�ارے ہن آدم زاد وہں‬

‫وہں رشبیک اجےئ رفنت اور ااسنونں یک اعر‬ “I am but a worm of the earth – my Beloved – not the progeny of Adam; I am but a target of people’s hatred and reproach.”

(Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V, p. 156 [English translation]) It is clear from the first verse of the above couplet that the words “my beloved” have been addressed to God Almighty. The poem in which this couplet falls is a kind of prayer and the Promised Messiahas humbly beseeched God Alimighty in it. This couplet is thus an expression of his humility before God Almighty, which is an important characteristic of prophets.

Moreover, there are various references of the Bible in which prophets and their followers have used similar words to show humility. David said: “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.” (Psalm 22:6) Considering himself inferior to foxes and birds in humility, Jesus says: “Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the son of man has no place to lay His head.’” (Matthew 8:20) Paul the Apostle said: “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (Romans 7:24) Hence, humbleness and modesty are primary characteristics of prophets that are expressed through the said words. It is sheer ignorance to take literal meanings of these trivial words and draw vile conclusions.

18

Friday 17 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

Belgian government awards Ahmadis for services to vaccination centre in Uccle, Brussels Mohammad Arsalan Belgium Correspondent

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Belgium had the opportunity to serve and help in the organisation at the vaccination centre in Uccle, Brussels for five consecutive months.

As the Belgian government started to open vaccination centres in all localities across Belgium, so was the case in the council of Uccle which was to receive 900 to 1000 people a day to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

The Councilor of Health and Religious Affairs of Uccle, Mr Daniel Hublet asked the Jamaat if we could help them. Immediately, the Jamaat presented its service and started to help at the vaccination centre with the organisers. Other centres had to hire services from professional companies, but alhamdulillah, the Jamaat was fortunate enough to present its services to the local council where Jamaat Belgium’s first mosque, Baitul Mujeeb is situated.

Members of Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya and Majlis Ansarullah were present every Wednesday from 9am to 5pm and sometimes the shifts would continue till 9pm.

Now, as the vaccination centres are closing down, the Belgian government has decided to award all the volunteers who presented their services during these difficult times.

On 12 September 2021, government

officials came to Baitul Mujeeb Mosque and officially presented Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Belgium, its auxiliary organisations and Humanity First with certificates of appreciation for the volunteer work and extraordinary services during these past months.

The event was moderated by Sharif Ahmed Sahib, National Secretary External Affairs, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Belgium.

The event commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran and its French translation by missionary, Mohammad

Arsalan Sahib.

The welcoming speech was delivered by Dr Idrees Ahmed Sahib, Amir Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Belgium.

After this, a short presentation was delivered by the missionary-in-charge, Hafiz Ehsan Sikundar Sahib, in which he highlighted the Jamaat’s services at the vaccination centre.

Honourable guests were then invited to say a few words and express their thoughts.

Amongst the guests were present Mr Daniel Hublet, Councilor of Health and Religious

“Back to School Giveaway”: Ahmadis in Jamaica support children to be educated Misbah Anmol Tariq Jamaica Correspondent

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Jamaica organised a “Back to School Giveaway” event in Jamaica.

It was aimed at helping those deserving students who, despite their desire to study, lack the resources.

On 21 August 2021, this event was held for the first time. The programme was designed to cater for 35 students from three primary schools; however, due to overwhelming response and requests we were able to cater for 65 students.

The event was in collaboration with school administrations, as the regional missionary, Ahmad Forson Sahib approached three different schools to coordinate this event successfully. The selected schools included Falmouth All Age Primary School, Hague Primary and Infant School and Clark’s Town Primary School.

A special request was made by one of

the principals of the schools to include six students leaving primary school for high school. Also, apart from the three selected schools, more than 25 parents called in to register their children for this event.

Each student received a package of educational materials based on their age

and grade. The packages included four textbooks, 12 notebooks, 12 pencils and erasers, a dictionary and a maths geometry set.

After weeks of planning, the event was held successfully on 21 August, alhamdulillah. Over 50 students along with their parents were hosted at our Trelawny Namaz Centre.

Ahmad Forson Sahib introduced Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya to the guests and President and Missionary-in-Charge, Tariq Azeem Sahib distributed the packages.

The parents, the majority of whom were hearing about Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya for the first time through the event, were overwhelmingly grateful for the initiative, particularly due to the constraints put on them during the pandemic. Though the programme has already concluded, many parents are still contacting to be considered for the next event.

affairs of Uccle, Mrs Stéphanie Hugo, Police Commissioner of Uccle and Deputy Director of Brussels Police department, Mr Frédéric Tits, responsible for the Red Cross in the Municipality of Uccle and neighbouring municipalities, Mr Marco, President of the Association of Merchants of Calevoet, and Mrs Fatiha Alami, Honourary Advisor for the Council of Uccle.

Daniel Hublet, Councillor of Health and Religious Affairs of Uccle, said: “The Ahmadiyya Community has been very prompt in every aspect of the way in which they claim their service for humanity. We could notice that you were well organised and humble in your service.

Which helped us a lot […] Our council will always be at your disposal.”

Stéfanie Hugo, Police commissioner of Uccle, expressed: “The service of the Ahmadiyya Community was of a big help for us.

Especially where there could be a necessity for police surveillance, as per the case in most of the vaccination centres, but here in Uccle, we could rely on your help and organisation and concentrate on other issues. On behalf of the police department, I thank you for your services.”

Mr Frédéric Tits and Mr Marco both expressed that the Ahmadiyya Community has done a marvelous job in the service they gave at the vaccination centre. They both expressed a personal thought, that when the project for the mosque was about to be launched and leaflets were distributed in the neighbourhood, they were frightened by the thought of having a mosque in their area and what would happen to them. But they both said that they were wrong and that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya has proven to be peaceful and righteous by its practices and teachings.

At the end, the honourable councillor awarded the certificates and the event ended with a silent prayer led by Amir Sahib Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Belgium.

19

AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021

100 First American Ahmadi, first Ahmadiyya Mosque Years in America and couplets of the Promised Messiah Ago... rendered into English The Moslem Sunrise, October 1921 Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra (1872-1957)

[First American Ahmadi Muslim] Mr Ahmad FL Anderson, the first American Ahmadi Moslem. [He] first corresponded with me in the year 1901 and joined our faith. He is in the First Scientific Station, New York City, [America]. […]

[First Ahmadiyya Mosque in America] On the opposite page is a sketch of the Mosque (Muhammadan Church) built by Mr Muhammad Karroub (whose photo is on the right) in Highland Park, Detroit, at the cost of $55,000. Mr Hussain Karroub, in Arabian dress, who is shown on the left will be the imam (pastor) of this Mosque.

Karroubs are three brothers here, the name of the third being Mr Osman Karroub Ahmadi. They come from respectable family from Mjdal Angar, in Syria, and are now American citizens. Mr Muhammad Karroub conducts a Real Estate Business and owns several apartment houses in Highland Park and Detroit.

A word on the Moslem art How precious are the creations of Moslem art. European amateur nowadays outbid each other in golden offers for its vestiges, hoping through them to introduce into their homes a few gleams of the mirages that inspired their authors. Radiant, stained glass, variegated glassware, stuffs worked with gold or silver wire, sparkling silk, damaskeened, inlaid bronzes, exquisite miniatures in the dwellings of the West, do they not all sing the glory of Islam?

Among these treasures, connoisseurs already begin to prefer those of calligraphy which animates the transcription of the divine verses by the delicate coloring of copies of the Quran, or of thick enamel of earthware. By so doing, the buyers of Europe follow the example of Mussalman princes of the best epoch, who, to possess

a page of a celebrated artist, lavished madly as much money as is given in our time for masterpieces of painters. May not these sacred inscriptions, causing their new possessors to be thrilled with admiration by reason of the refined elegance of their form, reveal one day to their purchasers the sublime beauty of the Islamic soul lurking in these writings? (The Life of Mohammad[sa] – The Paris Club, Paris.)

I and my love Some couplets from the great teacher Ahmad’s[as] poems rendered into English verse by Dr MM Sadiq and Lady Mary Amelia Hunt, the Aurora Poet-Laureate: 1 I am the water, which came From Heavens in time; I am the light of God which has made The Daylight shine.

2 That friend of mine is hidden in me– Hidden from head to feet; O evil-wisher be careful In attacking me when we meet.

3 My heart is the Throne of the Lord.

My nearness to Him has so increased that He And I are now welded together; O! that friend has come down in me.

4 No way is nearer and shorter Than the path of Love–which is my aim The Salik–the spiritual Pilgrim– Crosses thousands of prickly deserts in its name.

5 Love is the only way of getting to Him. Learn the secret, O companions of mine; This is the Alchemy of unlimited gold, A Treasure that will never come to decline.

(Transcribed by Al Hakam from the original in The Moslem Sunrise, October 1921) A sketch of the mosque built by Mr Muhammad Karroub, whose photo is on the right. Mr Hussain Karroub, in Arabian dress, is shown on the left

20

Opinion

Friday 17 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

The media’s obsession with Islam

Jalees Ahmad London

In this day and age, the most influential tool to spread information is press and media. Day in and day out, a plethora of stories are published in newspapers that impact the common reader and society as a whole. With a stroke of a brush (who controls that brush shall be saved for a separate article), the media holds the power to influence, prompt, stimulate, confuse and affect the minds of people around the world.

As the famous American actor, Denzel Washington, in an interview in 2016, very boldly stated: “If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you do read it, you’re misinformed.”

To this, the interviewer asked what one should do. Washington replied, “What is the long-term effect of too much information?

One of the effects is the need to be first, not even to be true anymore.”

Elaborating on this further, he said, “We live in a society where it’s just, first.

‘Who cares, get it out there. We don’t care who it hurts.’” (www.independent.co.uk/ arts-entertainment/films/news/denzelwashington-fences-red-carpet-interviewfake-news-media-a7472521.html) At times, the media wields the power to create chaos and mayhem when stories are published, not backed by facts.

Ever since 9/11, statistics show that

some people have become afraid of Islam.

Hate crimes against Muslims have jumped and fear of Islam has risen. This fear fuels further hatred towards anything remotely Islamic. Most of those who haven’t even met a Muslim are afraid of Muslims “taking over” or spreading Islam. Naturally, this fear stems from the lack of knowledge or understanding of the true teachings of Islam.

The question naturally arises, why is the media so complacent when it comes to reforming its portrayal of Muslims? What is the driving force behind this hatred? Who is the mastermind behind the attempt of ridding the world of Islam? Why does such a strong desire to spread false teachings about Islam exist? Who desires to defame Islam and who benefits from this?

The answer is in fact quite simple. We need only look at the time of the birth and inception of Islam when it was first opposed by those who didn’t understand it, nor did they understand faith. Driven by wealth and power, those who opposed Islam only wanted one thing: to remain in control.

In 610 AD, when Prophet Muhammadsa was commanded by God to address the residents of Mecca, he came with the message of the One God. As time progressed, so too did the message of Islam.

The Holy Prophetsa spread the teachings of the One God and stated that the idols, which the Meccans worshipped, could not avail anyone and were mere statues created by man. It seems, through studying history, the chiefs of Mecca felt threatened by this.

They thought that if the people of Mecca and Arabia were to leave the idols and worship the One God, then, naturally, many would stop coming to Mecca for the annual pilgrimage to honour the idols which were placed in the Ka‘bah. Their concern was leaned more towards the economical benefit they received from the pilgrims.

Mecca served as the hub of Arabia for worshipping idols. The chiefs of Mecca took advantage of this and used it to earn more

wealth and profit. The more people travelled to Mecca meant their trade would benefit further. The Holy Ka‘bah housed around 360 idols. Seeing the progress of Islam and people moving away from the likes of Hubal and other idols, the chiefs of Mecca were enraged and swore to put a stop to the rise of Islam. Their hatred for Islam stemmed from the fear of losing power and control.

The common interest in all countries today, and most wars and battles in the political world, take place as a result of economic lust.

Fast forward to today, the same class of people who vigorously attempted to halt the spread of Islam is at it again. The materialistic attributes of the likes of Abdul Uzza ibn Abdil Mutalib – commonly known as Abu Lahab – and Amr ibn Hisham – known as Abu Jahl – are found within people even today; people who wish to extinguish the light of Islam, people who wish to control territories and the world, people who spread false teachings and slander against Islam

and the Holy Prophetsa. These are the people who hate to see peaceful teachings of Islam spread into the hearts of men.

It is regarding these bitter people that the Holy Quran states: َّ ُّ َ َ ُّ َ َۡۤ َ َ َ ‫ یَ ۡح َس ُب ا ّن َمال َ ٗہ اخل َد ٗہ‬- ‫ ال ِذ ۡی َج َمع َمالًا ّو َع ّد َد ٗہ‬-ۣ ‫َویۡ ٌل ل ِک ِ ّل ُہ َم َز ٍۃ ل َم َز ِۃ‬ “Woe to every backbiter, slanderer, Who amasses wealth and counts it over and over.

He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal.” (Surah al-Humazah, Ch.104: V.2- 4) The driving force that led the chiefs of Mecca to oppose Islam was their love for wealth and its accumulation; they hoarded riches and desired to remain in control of the land of Mecca and Arabia as a whole.

And so, a lesson can be learned from this angle of history.

Those who first stood against Islam, opposed it due to their desire of remaining in control and power; and the same can be said for those groups who vehemently oppose Islam today through deceptive ways.

21

AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021

Friday Sermon 20 August 2021

Men of Excellence: Hazrat Umarra ibn al-Khattab After reciting the tashahud, ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated: Accounts from the life of Hazrat Umarra were previously being mentioned, including the various battles that were fought. One of those battles is the Battle of Junday Sabur.

After Hazrat Abu Sabrah bin Ruhum had conquered the Sasanian cities, he advanced with his army and set up camp in Junday Sabur, which is a city in Khuzestan.

Skirmishes took place with the enemy day and night but the enemy firmly stood their ground. This continued until one of the Muslims made a proposal of granting them protection. The enemy was in their fortress and whenever the opportunity presented itself, they would come out and attack.

When one of the Muslims, who was not one of the chiefs, but an ordinary individual, made this proposal, they immediately opened the doors of their fortress. Their animals came out, the markets were opened and people could be seen everywhere. The Muslims asked them what had happened to them. They replied, “You granted us protection and we have accepted it. We will pay the jizya [tax for non-Muslim citizens] and you will protect us.”

The Muslims said that they had not done anything of the sort. They replied that they were not lying. Following this, the Muslims asked each other and enquired about the matter, upon which it came to light that this was done by a slave called Miqnaf. When Hazrat Umarra was asked about him, he said, “Allah the Almighty has given great importance to honouring one’s pledge. You cannot be truly sincere until you fulfil this pact that has been made”, even though it was made by a slave. “Give them respite for as long as you remain in doubt and treat them with sincerity.” Hence, the Muslims acknowledged this pact and returned. (Ali Muhammad al-Salabi, Sirat Amir al-Momineen Umar bin al-Khattabra [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Ma‘rifah, 2007] p. 425) (Syed Umar Khattabra, Shakhsiyyat kar namay, p. 689, Maktabah al-Furqan, Khangarh, Pakistan) (Mu‘jam al-Buldan, Vol. 2, p. 19)

This battle marked the end of the conquest of Khuzestan. (Tarikh Islam ba Ahd

Hazrat Umarra, Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 135)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has also mentioned a similar incident, stating: “During the time of Hazrat Umarra, an Abyssinian slave formed a treaty with a nation that such and such provisions will be given to them. When the Muslim army approached them, the people of that nation said that such and such pact had been made with them. The commanding officer of the army was hesitant to accept this treaty. The matter reached Hazrat Umarra and he said that the words of a Muslim should be free of falsehood, irrespective if one was a slave.”

(Baz Zururi Umur, Anwar al-Ulum, Vol. 12, 405)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states: “During the time of Hazrat Umarra,

an opposing army was besieged and they believed that they could no longer be saved.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra is elaborating on the aforementioned incident in his own words. “The people thought that the commander of the Muslims was intent on conquering their fortress and if he succeeded in doing so, they would be treated as other conquered nations were treated.

Every Muslim understood the difference between being conquered and entering into a treaty. In the case of a conquest, the general Islamic law would be implemented and in the case of a treaty, they could make conditions or seek as many additional rights as they pleased”, i.e. the other party could do so. “They thought that they should adopt an approach through which reconciliation would be achieved with lenient conditions.

“Hence, one day, an Abyssinian Muslim was collecting water. They went to him and said, ‘In your opinion, is it not better to reconcile rather than fighting?’ He replied: ‘Yes, it is better.’” This Abyssinian man was of a simple disposition. “They said, ‘Why not reconcile on the condition that we are left to live freely in our country, without anyone troubling us. Our wealth will remain with us and your wealth will remain with you.’

“Upon this, he said that this was perfectly fine. Following this, they opened the doors of their fortress. Subsequently, the Muslim army approached and the enemy said that they had already made a treaty with them. The Muslims asked, ‘Where was the pact made and which officer made it.’

They said: ‘We are unaware of who it was, as we do not know who your officers are. A man was collecting water here. We spoke to him and he said this to us.’ The Muslims said that a slave had set out from here, ask him what happened. They mentioned this to the Abyssinian slave and he replied, ‘Yes, I said this.’

“Upon this, the Muslims said that he was merely a slave. Nobody had given him the authority to make this decision.

Hearing this, the enemy said, ‘How are we to know whether he is your officer or not? We are people of a foreign land and we believed him to be your general.’” The people acted shrewdly. “The officer said, ‘I cannot accept this. However, I will write the incident to Hazrat Umarra.’ When Hazrat Umarra received this letter, he said, ‘Make an announcement for future, that no pact can be made other than with the commanderin-chief. However, it is not possible that a Muslim gives his word and I go against it.

You must now accept whatever pact this Abyssinian man has made. However, make this announcement for future reference that no one besides the commander-in-chief can form any kind of treaty.’” (Sair-e-Ruhani (7), Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 24, pp. 293-294)

Regarding the factors that compelled

Hazrat Umarra to conquer Iran, it has been mentioned that it was Hazrat Umar’sra heartfelt desire that it would be better if the Battles of Iraq and Ahwaz would bring an end to this deadly fighting as there was no benefit to be acquired from fighting. Since the enemy was attacking them, if they were able to stop them and weaken their power, then the fighting could stop once and for all.

Hazrat Umarra repeatedly expressed his desire of having a barrier between them and the Iranians so that they could not come to them and nor could they go there. However, the continuous military operations of the Iranians did not allow this desire of his to be fulfilled.

In 17 AH, a delegation consisting of the commanders of the Muslim army came from the battlefield and appeared before Hazrat Umarra. Hazrat Umarra asked the delegation why there was repeated violation of treaties and rebellion in conquered lands. Hazrat Umarra expressed the notion that perhaps the Muslims were causing hardship for the people in those areas, which is why they kept violating their treaties. The delegation denied this notion and stated that according to their knowledge, the Muslims were working with true sincerity and excellent administration.

Upon this, Hazrat Umarra enquired as to what then was the reason for the disorder.

The other members of the delegation could not provide a satisfactory answer; however, Ahnaf bin Qais submitted: “O Leader of the Faithful! Allow me to inform you of the true state of affairs. The fact is that you have forbidden us from carrying out any further military action and engaging in any further warfare. And you have instructed us to remain in the lands which have already been conquered.

However, the King of Iran is still alive and so long as he lives, the Iranians will continue to fight against us. And it is not possible for two governments to coexist in one country.

One will ultimately expel the other. Thus, either the Iranians will remain, or we will.”

He further stated, “You are aware of the fact that we have not seized any land but only acquired it as a result of the enemy instigating an attack.”

They had not initiated the fighting, and this was the instruction of Hazrat Umarra.

The enemy would launch an attack against them, and they would be left with no other choice but to fight them. Consequently, those lands were conquered.

In any case, this has made it evidently clear for those amongst the Muslims who unnecessarily seek to justify their own wars. It also answers those critics who raise allegations against Islam: Muslims never fought battles in order to acquire lands or to conquer countries. In fact, they would be attacked first, and they would only engage

in battle in order to establish peace and subsequently they would achieve victories as well.

Nonetheless, they said that these armies came from their king and their conduct would continue until Hazrat Umarra permitted them to take steps to attack and expel the king from Iran. In this way, the Persians’ hopes of another victory could be crushed. And this truly was the case. (Tarikh Islam ba Ahd Hazrat Umarra, Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 136-138 [2009], p. 162) (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012] pp. 502-503)

Considering this to be sound advice, Hazrat Umarra realised that there was no other option than to advance further in Iran.

It was otherwise not possible to establish peace, or else Muslims would continue to be killed and battles would be waged. However, Hazrat Umarra officially decreed this after about two years, in 21 AH, after the Battle of Nahawand, when the Iranians marched forward with powerful forces and a ferocious battle ensued in Nahawand. (Tarikh Islam ba Ahd Hazrat Umarra, Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 136-138) 2009], pp. 138-139)

The Battle of Nahawand is also called the “Victory of Victories”. In Iran and Iraq, three battles are considered decisive among the Muslim battles, namely the Battle of Qadisiyya, the Battle of Jalula and the Battle of Nahawand. In terms of its results, the Battle of Nahawand was so significant that it came to be known amongst the Muslims as “Fath-ul-Futuh” i.e., the Victory of Victories.

After their previous two losses, the Battle of Nahawand was a last-ditch effort by the Iranians.

The details of this battle are as follows; the King of Iran, Yazdegerd, who was now situated in Merv, or, according to Abu Hanifa Dinawari, resided in Qom, started to actively gather troops to fight the Muslims. Through his letters, he had stirred a movement in the country from Khorasan to Sindh, and Iranian troops from all places assembled at Nahawand. (Futuh al-

Buldan, p. 184, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2000) (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 521) (Akhbar al-Tiwal, Waq‘ah Nahawand, p. 192, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001) (Tarikh Islam ba Ahd Hazrat Umarra, Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, pp. 136-138) 2009], p. 139)

Nahawand is a city in Iran which is located east of Kermanshah and is approximately 70 kilometres south of Hamadan, the capital city of the Hamadan Province. (Atlas Futuhat Islamiyyah, Vol. 2, p. 118,

Maktabah Dar al-Islam, Riyad, 1428 AH)

Nahawand mountains. (Ali

was

surrounded

by

Muhammad al-Salabi, Sirat Amir al-Momineen Umar bin al-Khattabra [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Ma‘rifah, 2007] p. 426)

22 Hazrat Saadra wrote to Hazrat Umarra in Medina informing him about this army.

(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 522)

A few days later, when Hazrat Umarra relieved Hazrat Saadra from his duty, and Hazrat Saadra was able to go to Medina, Hazrat Saadra verbally conveyed this intelligence to Hazrat Umarra. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 523)

After the deposition of Hazrat Saadra, this key post was assigned to Hazrat Ammar bin Yasirra by Hazrat Umarra. Hazrat Ammarra continued to send the intelligence reports he received on the Iranian military operations to Medina. (Akhbar al-Tiwal, Waq‘ah

al-Qadisiyyah, p. 192, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001) (Futuh al-Buldan, p. 170, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2000) (Tarikh Islam ba Ahd Hazrat Umarra, Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 136-138 [2009], p. 140)

Hazrat Umarra convened a majlis-emushawarat [consultative assembly] in which he stood at the pulpit and delivered a speech, saying: “O Arabs! Allah the Almighty assisted you through Islam, and united you after dissension, and enriched you after starvation, and granted you victory in whichever field you had to face the enemy.

Hence, you were never left behind, nor overcome. Now, Satan has gathered some forces in an attempt to extinguish the light of Allah. This here is a letter from Ammar bin Yasir stating that the inhabitants of Qumis, Tabaristan, Nambawand, Jurjan, Isfahan, Qom, Hamadan, Mahan and Sabzan are gathering around their king to march forth against your brothers in Kufa and Basra and, after expelling them from their homeland, to attack your country. O people! Give me your counsel, for this is an important matter.” (Akhbar al-Tiwal, Waq‘ah Nihawand, p. 192,

Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001)

“I do not want you to talk much and disagree amongst yourselves; rather, I want you to advise me concisely whether it would be wise for me to personally depart for Iran and, halting at an appropriate place between Basra and Kufa, to assist my army from there; and if, by God’s grace, victory is achieved in this battle, whether to advance my army further into enemy territory.”

(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 523)

After Hazrat Umar’sra speech, Hazrat Talhara bin Ubaidullah stood up and after glorifying Allah, he submitted: “O Leader of the Faithful! Managing the affairs of the kingdom has made you wise, and experience has made you intelligent.

Do as you please, and act upon your own judgment. We are with you. Command us and we will obey you. Call us and we will respond to you. Send us ahead and we will set out. If you wish to bring us along, then we will be with you. Decide on this matter yourself, as you are well-informed and experienced.”

Talhara said this and sat down. However, Hazrat Umarra desired counsel. He said, “People, say something because this day will have long-lasting consequences.” At this, Hazrat Uthmanra stood up and said, “O Leader of the Faithful! It is my opinion that you should send orders to Syria and Yemen that the Muslim soldiers stationed there

Friday 17 September 2021 | AL HAKAM should depart for Iran.” (Muhammad Ibn Jarir alTabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], pp. 523-524)

“Likewise, send orders to the soldiers of Basra that they too should set out, while you yourself should head towards Kufa with the soldiers of Hijaz.” (Akhbar al-Tiwal, Waq‘ah

Nihawand, p. 193, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah [2001])

“In this way, the threat of large enemy forces which you are sensing will be removed. This occasion truly is one that will result in long-lasting consequences; hence, it is important for you to give your own opinion and to be present among your companions.” (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari,

Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 524)

In other words, he should go to the frontline himself.

The majority of those present in the gathering liked this suggestion of Hazrat Uthmanra and Muslims from all directions expressed their approval. (Akhbar al-Tiwal,

Waq‘ah Nihawand, p. 193, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah [2001])

Hazrat Umarra did not accept this suggestion and sought further consultation.

Hazrat Alira stood up and delivered a lengthy address wherein he stated: “O Leader of the Faithful! If you instruct the army in Syria to leave, the Byzantines will take control of the area and if the Islamic army is removed from Yemen, the Abyssinians will take control there. If you depart from here, upon hearing news of this, the Muslims from every part of the land will come forth to join you and the fact that this land will be empty [of its men] will pose a greater danger than the danger you are heading to challenge.”

Instead, Hazrat Alira presented the suggestion that Hazrat Umarra should write an instruction to Basra that the entire army should be divided into three sections.

He stated: “One section of the army should be assigned to protect the homes and territory in the lands which are inhabited by the Muslims. One section should be sent to those lands which have been conquered and a peace treaty has been formed with its people, this is so that they do not cause any rebellion after violating their treaty. The other section should be sent to Kufa to help the Muslims there.” (Muhammad Ibn Jarir alTabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 523)

“Similarly, a message should be written for the people of Kufa that they should keep one section of the army to remain there and the other two sections should be sent to fight against the opponents. And the people of Syria should be instructed for twothirds of the army to remain in Syria and one-third should be sent to Iran. Similar instruction should be sent to Oman and other neighbouring lands.” (Akhbar al-Tiwal,

Waq‘ah Nihawand, p. 193, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah [2001])

“It is not appropriate for you to personally go to the battlefield for you hold the position of a thread through which pearls run through. If the thread is cut loose then the pearls shall scatter and will not be gathered again. Moreover, if the Iranians learn that the leader of Arabia has come to the battlefield, they will exert all their efforts and use all their might in order to engage in battle. As for your mention of the enemy’s movements and plans, Allah the Almighty

is most displeased with their actions. And Allah the Almighty possesses the power to change whatever He is displeased with.

“You also mentioned the strength of the enemy’s number, however in the past we have never fought on the basis of our strength in numbers, rather we fought with our absolute trust in the help of God and our victory or defeat is not dependent on the number of soldiers. This is the religion of God and He has caused it to triumph. This is the army of God to whom He has granted His succour and has supported them through angels as a result of which it has achieved the honour it has today. God Almighty has promised us and He will surely fulfil His promise and grant His army support.” (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 523)

Upon this, Hazrat Umarra stated: “Yes, this is correct. If I go there then all of the Muslims from every direction will come forth and the Iranians will come with force to support their fellow men. They will say, ‘The leader of the Arab land has entered the battlefield; thus, if we were to win this battle then we have defeated the whole of Arabia.’ Therefore, I deem it appropriate not to travel.”

In other words, if the enemy won, then they would take control of the whole of Arabia. Therefore, it was not appropriate for him to travel.

[Hazrat Umarra further stated:] “You should all present your suggestions as to who should be appointed as the commander of the army. However, present the names from among those who have previously had the experience of fighting in the battles in Iraq.”

The people stated to Hazrat Umarra, “Your Holiness has the most knowledge about the people of Iraq and its army for their delegations have come to visit you and you have had the opportunity to assess them and speak to them.” (Muhammad Ibn Jarir alTabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 524)

Owing to his foresight and perception, Hazrat Umarra appointed Hazrat Nu‘man bin Muqarrinra for this task, who was from among the noble companions of the Holy Prophetsa. (Akhbar al-Tiwal, Waq‘ah Nihawand, p.

193, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah [2001])

According to one narration, Hazrat Nu‘manra was offering his Salat in the mosque when Hazrat Umarra entered. Upon seeing him, Hazrat Umarra went and sat near him. When Nu‘manra concluded his prayer, Hazrat Umarra stated to him, “I wish to appoint you for a certain role.” Hazrat Nu‘manra replied, “If it is a military role, then I am ready for it, but if it is for the collection of tax, then I do not like such a role.” Hazrat Umarra stated, “No, it is a military role.”

(Futuh al-Buldan, p. 183, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2000)

However, the narration from Al-Tabari seems more close to the facts. In relation to Hazrat Nu‘manra being appointed [as commander] in the battle in Nahawand, there is a narration of Al-Tabari, as I just mentioned. The narration is as follows: Ibn Ishaq states that with reference to the incidents in Nahawand it is mentioned that Nu‘manra bin Muqarrin was appointed as the tax collector in Kaskar. He wrote to Hazrat Umarra and stated that Saadra bin Abi Waqas had appointed him to collect the tax revenue but his wish and desire was to

take part in the Jihad. Subsequently, Hazrat Umarra wrote to Saad bin Abi Waqasra and stated, “Nu‘man has written to me and informed me that you have appointed him to collect the tax revenue, however he does not like this role and instead desires to take part in Jihad. Therefore, send him to Nahawand, which is one of the most important battlefronts.” Thus, this important duty was assigned to Hazrat Nu‘manra bin Muqarrin and he departed from there in order to fight against the enemy.

While he was perhaps in Kufa, Hazrat Umarra wrote a letter to him – and this letter also supports the fact that he was not in Medina but in Kufa. At the time, he was in Kufa and the letter read as follows: “In the name of Allah the Gracious, the Merciful. To Nu‘man bin Muqarrin, peace be upon you.”

It then stated: “I praise Allah the Almighty, Who has no partner. I have come to learn that a powerful army of the Iranians has gathered at Nahawand to fight against you. When you receive my letter, then with the command of Allah the Almighty and with His help and succour, depart with your fellow Muslims.

Do not take them onto a terrain which is dry, consequently making it difficult for them to walk. Do not fail to fulfil their rights lest they become ungrateful and nor take them onto marshland for the life of a single Muslim is dearer to me than even a 100,000 dinars. Peace be upon you.”

In fulfilment of this instruction, Hazrat Nu‘manra departed in order to fight against the enemy. Alongside him there were certain distinguished and brave Muslims, for example, Huzayfara bin Yaman, Ibn Umarra, Jareer bin Abdillah Bajali, Mughirah bin Shu’bahra, Amr bin Ma’di Karib, Tulayhah bin Khuwailid Asadi and Qais bin Makshooh Murad. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir alTabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 518)

Hazrat Umarra had instructed that if Nu‘manra bin Muqrin was martyred then Huzayfa bin Yaman would become the leader and after him, Jareer bin Abdillah Bajali.

After him, it would be Hazrat Mughirah bin Shu‘bahra and if he was martyred as well then Ash‘ath bin Qais. Regarding Amr bin Ma‘di Karib and Tulayhah bin Khuwailid, Hazrat Umarra stated, “Amr bin Ma‘di Karib and Tulayhah bin Khuwailid are both with you and they both are outstanding horseman from among the Arabs, thus seek consultation from them in military affairs; however, do not appoint them as officers for any task.” (Akhbar al-Tiwal, Waq‘ah Nihawand, p.

194, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001)

In any case, the Muslim army departed and through his men, who were assigned to gather intelligence, Hazrat Nu‘manra realised that the route to Nahawand – where the enemy had gathered – was fine. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 525)

Hazrat Nu‘manra was informed from beforehand that the enemy was gathering in large numbers. Historians have reported this army to be 60,000 strong and also 100,000. (Futuh al-Buldan, p. 183, Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, Beirut, 2000)

However, according to the narration in Bukhari, it is stated that it was 40,000. (Sahih

al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jizyah wa al-Mawadi‘ah, Bab alJizyah wa al-Mawadi‘ah ma‘a Ahl al-Dhimmah wa alharb, Hadith 3159)

23

AL HAKAM | Friday 17 September 2021 In other words, the figures of 60,000 and 100,000 are exaggerated figures. According to the narration in Bukhari, the enemy was 40,000. The enemy wanted the Muslims to send someone to engage in talks with them.

And so, Hazrat Mughirah bin Shu‘bahra went.

The Iranians had organised a very extravagant gathering and the Iranian commander-in-chief was wearing his crown and sitting on a throne made of gold. The royal courtiers had displayed their weapons in such a manner that one would be left astonished. A translator was also present.

The Iranian commander repeated the same story in which he mentioned that the Arabs were a very lowly people in every aspect of life. He also stated, “The only reason I am not commanding my officers to finish you off is that I do not want their arrows to become impure from your filthy bodies” (God forbid). He further stated, “If you turn back even now, we will leave you, otherwise your dead bodies will be seen lying on the battlefield.” However, what could such mockery and threats do to them?

Hazrat Mughirahra stated, “Those days have long gone which existed before the advent of the Holy Prophetsa. A great transformation has taken place since the advent of the Holy Prophetsa.” (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 520)

In any case, the talks failed and both armies prepared for battle. The Muslim army was under the command of Nuaim bin Muqarrin and the two flanks of the army were under the command of Huzayfara bin Yaman and Suwaid bin Muqarrin. Qa‘qa bin Amr was commanding the Mujarradah – Mujarradah is the cavalry at the front line.

And the rear side of the army was under the command of Mujashi. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir alTabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 525)

Skirmishes broke out; however, the condition of the battlefield was extremely unfavourable for the Muslims because the enemy remained protected in their trenches, fortresses and houses, whilst the Muslims were in the open plain. Whenever the enemy felt the time was right, they would come out and launch a sudden attack and then return to their secured posts. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-

Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 526)

The situation of the weapons that the enemy possessed was such that one of the narrators states that he saw them crossing from one side to the other and it seemed as if they were a mountain made of iron.

(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 520)

In view of the circumstances, the Commander-in-Chief of the Muslim army, Nu‘man bin Muqarrin called an assembly of all the experienced and wise men from among the army to seek consultation. He addressed them and stated, “You all can see how the enemy has protected itself through its fortresses, trenches and buildings.

Whenever they will, they come out and the Muslims can only fight them when they themselves decide to come out and fight.

(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 526)

“Moreover, the enemy is continuously receiving reinforcements. (Akhbar al-Tiwal,

Waq‘ah Nihawand, p. 194, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001)

“As you can see that the Muslims are facing great difficulty in this situation.

Therefore, what shall we do in order to force the enemy out and engage in battle in the open field?”

Upon hearing these words of their Commander-in-Chief, the most senior in age among them in this gathering, Amr bin Subai stated: “They have protected themselves in their fortresses, but in this way the siege we have laid is continuing to prolong. To endure this for an extended period of time is far more difficult and challenging for them than us. Therefore, let them be and continue to prolong it. Of course, those who come out to fight, you should fight against them.”

However, the gathering did not approve this suggestion of Amr bin Subai. After this, Amr bin Ma‘di Karib stated, “There is no need to become worried or fearful. We should advance forth with full strength and attack the enemy.” This suggestion was also rejected.

Commenting on this suggestion, the more experienced men stated that they in such an instance would not be fighting against their men but instead will come up against their walls and the walls serve as a support for the enemy. In other words, the enemy was protected inside the fortresses.

Upon this, Tulayhah stood up and stated, “In my view, both suggestions are not correct. In my opinion, a small unit should be sent forth against the enemy and when they reach near them they should shoot their arrows and entice them into coming out and engaging in battle. The enemy will come out to attack this contingent. Upon this, our contingent will start retreating and making it seem as though they are running away from defeat. Hopefully, the enemy will come outside in their aim for victory; then when they come out into the open plain, we will see to them.” (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari,

Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 526)

Hazrat Nu‘manra accepted this proposal and assigned Hazrat Qa‘qara to begin its implementation. He implemented Tulayhah’s advice and the events transpired just as he had stated. Hazrat Qa‘qara began retreating slowly as if they had been defeated and becoming intoxicated with their impending victory, the enemy continued advancing, to the extent that all of them came out of their fort. Only those guarding the door remained in their positions inside the fort. The enemies came out from their secure position and continued edging closer towards the Muslim army to the extent that some of their arrows injured some Muslims.

However, Hazrat Nu‘manra had not given the order for the battle to commence. Hazrat Nu‘manra loved the Holy Prophetsa, and it was the practice of the Holy Prophetsa that if the battle had not started in the morning, then he would begin the fight after the sun had passed its zenith, when the intense heat subsided and a cool breeze would blow.

Some Muslims were eager to engage in battle.

Then seeing some of the Muslims injured from the arrows only added to their passion and zeal to fight. These Muslims would go to the commander-in-chief and request permission [to fight], but he would tell them to wait a little longer. Hazrat Mughirah bin Shu‘bahra became agitated and said, “If it was

me [as commander-in-chief], I would have given permission.” Hazrat Nu‘manra replied, “Wait a little and show patience. Indeed, when you were commander, you organised matters in an excellent way, but even today, Allah will not disgrace you or me. What you wish to attain in haste, I am hopeful that we will attain it by showing patience.”

When the heat of the afternoon subsided, Hazrat Nu‘manra mounted his horse and went around the army. Under each flag, he would deliver a passionate speech (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], pp. 526-527) and would pray to be martyred

in such a heartfelt manner that those who would hear it would weep.

After this, he stated: “I will raise the slogan, ‘Allah is the greatest’ three times and will wave the flag at the same time. When I raise the slogan for the first time, prepare yourself; on the second cry, prepare your weapons and be ready to launch an all-out attack; on the third cry and when I wave the flag I will cut the enemy ranks; each one of you should attack the ranks directly opposite you.”

After this, he prayed: “O Allah! Grant honour to Your faith and help Your people. Allow Nu‘man to be the first martyr.” This is what the commanderin-chief prayed for. When Hazrat Nu‘manra raised the slogan for the third time, the Muslims launched a forceful attack on the enemy ranks.

The narrator states: “The passion among the Muslims was such that each and every one of them did not want to return without being martyred or gaining victory.” Nu‘manra took the flag and attacked the enemy so swiftly that it seemed that it was not a flag, but an eagle was launching an attack. Thus, the Muslims attacked with their swords in unison; however, the enemy ranks stood resolute in face of this attack. The clangs of iron against iron resounded thunderously and owing to the earth being drenched in blood, the Muslim cavalry began to slip. Hazrat Nu‘manra was injured during this battle and his horse also slipped as a result of which he fell to the ground. He was prominent due to his white tunic and cap. His brother – Nuaim bin Muqarrin saw him fall down; owing to his quick-wittedness, he managed to grab hold of the flag before it fell down and covered Hazrat Nu‘manra with its cloth.

He took the flag and went to Huzayfa bin Yamanra, who was the deputy commander.

Hazrat Huzayfara took Nuaim bin Muqarrin to where Nu‘man was [martyred] and raised the flag aloft. In accordance with the suggestion of Hazrat Mughirahra, news of Hazrat Nu‘man’sra demise was concealed until the battle concluded. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 521, 527)

In Al-Akhbar Al-Tiwal, it is written that when Hazrat Nu‘manra was injured and fell to the ground, his brother took him to his tent. He wore Hazrat Nu‘man’sra clothes, took his sword and mounted his horse. Most people were under the impression that he was Hazrat Nu‘manra. (Akhbar al-Tiwal, Waq‘ah Nihawand, p. 195, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001)

The historian, Tabari has written that this was an excellent example of showing obedience to a commander despite the precarious circumstances. Hazrat Nu‘manra had announced, “Even if Nu‘man is killed,

do not leave the battle and turn your attention to me. Continue the fight with the enemy.”

Ma‘qil says, “When Hazrat Nu‘manra fell down, I went towards him, but then I remembered his orders. Subsequently I turned back and continued fighting.”

(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 533)

Nonetheless, a fierce battle ensued the entire day. As soon as night fell, the enemies retreated and the battlefield was occupied by the Muslims. Many prominent Iranian commanders were killed. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], pp. 527-528)

Ma‘qil says, “After we gained victory, I went to Hazrat Nu‘manra, who was breathing his last. I washed his face with water. He asked for my name and asked about the outcome for the Muslims. I gave him the good news of the victory granted by Allah and through His support. Hazrat Nu‘manra said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah. Inform Umarra.’” (Futuh al-Buldan, p. 183, Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, Beirut, 2000)

Hazrat Umarra was eagerly awaiting the outcome of the battle. The evening that the battle was expected to take place, Hazrat Umarra was restless the entire night and barely slept. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh

al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, 2012], p. 528)

The narrator states that he spent the night praying in so much pain, that it seemed as though a woman was experiencing labour pains. The emissary came to Medina with news of the victory. Hazrat Umarra proclaimed, “All praise belongs to Allah” and then enquired about Nu‘manra. The emissary informed Hazrat Umarra about his demise. Hazrat Umarra was overcome with grief (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, 2012], p. 521) and placed his hands

on his head and began to weep. (Futuh alBuldan, p. 184, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2000) The emissary mentioned the names of the other martyrs and then said, “O Leader of the Faithful! A lot of other Muslims were martyred, many of whom you do not know.”

Hazrat Umarra spoke through the tears and said, “If Umar does not know them, then this does not harm them in any way because God knows them (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari,

Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 521). Although they may

not be well-known amongst the Muslims, God has bestowed them the honour of martyrdom. Allah knows who they are, so what if Umar does not know of them!”

After this battle, the Muslims chased the enemies up until Hamadan. The Iranian commander Khusro Shanum had formed an agreement on the condition that the Iranians would not attack the Muslims from Hamadan and Dastavi. The Muslim army captured Nahawand. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-

Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 524)

And owing to the later outcome, this proved to be pivotal as after this, the Iranians were not able to unite in order to attack. The Muslims began calling this victory “Fath al-Futuh” [Victory of all Victories]. (Futuh al-

Buldan, p. 184, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2000)

With regard to the suggestion about launching an attack against Iran, it is written

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Friday 17 September 2021 | AL HAKAM

that although the Muslims were morally and legally within their right to break the imperious power [of the Iranians] and be at ease – as the enemy would constantly launch attacks – however, Hazrat Umar’sra compassionate heart was averse to further bloodshed. It was the heartfelt desire of Hazrat Umarra – who was a true servant of the “Mercy for all the Worlds ” [i.e. the Holy Prophetsa] – that after the defeat, the Iranians would remain in the frontier areas and stop all forms of warfare and fighting. Hazrat Umarra not only expressed this desire from time to time, but also he forbade the armies in Iraq and Iran from launching an offensive themselves. However, this desire of Hazrat Umarra could not be fulfilled owing to the constant attacks by the enemies and owing to the rebellions instigated by them in the conquered areas. After speaking to a group of experienced fighters, Hazrat Umarra came to the conclusion that there was no option but to launch an attack. This took place in 17 AH, yet despite this Hazrat Umarra did not permit the army to advance for a long time.

However, as has been mentioned earlier, the situation was such that it would not allow the Muslims to do nothing. Hazrat Umarra realised that every year, Yazdegerd would send his armies and fuel the fire of war. Many people advised Hazrat Umarra that as long as he remains on the throne, he will not change his ways, and the Battle of Nahawand further strengthened this opinion. Compelled by these circumstances, after the Battle of Nahawand in 21 AH, Hazrat Umarra was left with no choice but to give permission to the army to advance. He formed a plan for the conquest of Iran and sent it to Kufa, which at the time was a garrison town used for these expeditions. Hazrat Umarra assigned various commanders for various areas and he organised flags for each one of them that were prepared in Madinah. The flag for Khurasan was given to Ahnaf bin Qais; the flag for Istakhr was given to Uthman bin Abi Aas, the flag for Ardashir and Sabur was given to Mujashi bin Masud, the flag for Fasah and Darabjird was given to Saria bin Zunaim, the flag for Sijistan [Sistan] was given to Asim bin Amr, the flag for Makran was given to Hakam bin Amr and the flag for Kerman was given to Suhail bin Adi. Flags were sent for the conquest of Azerbaijan to Utbah bin Farqad and Bukair bin Abdillah. They were commanded to invade Azerbaijan from the right side from the direction of Hulwan and from the left side from the direction of Mosul. The flag for the expedition of Isfahan was given to Abdullah bin Abdillah. (Tarikh Islam ba Ahd Hazrat Umarra, Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 136-138 [2009], pp. 164-166)

With regard to the conquest of Isfahan, it is written that it was assigned to Abdullah bin Abdillah. He was in Nahawand when he received a letter from Hazrat Umarra which stated that he should advance towards Isfahan and appoint Abdullah bin Waraqah Rihaee as head of the vanguard and to appoint Abdullah bin Waraqah Asadi and Asmah bin Abdillah to command the flanks.

On the outskirts of Isfahan, they came up against a contingent under the command of the Persian commander Astandar. The commander of the enemy vanguard was Shahr Baraz Jazwiah, an experienced and elderly man. He attacked the Muslims with his contingent and a fierce battle ensued.

Jazwiah called out for a duel as a result of which Abdullah bin Waraqah stepped up and killed him. After an intense battle, the enemy suffered defeat and fled. The commander-in-chief, Astandar entered into an agreement with Abdullah bin Abdillah.

Next, the Islamic army advanced towards Isfahan, which was known as Jae, and laid siege of the city. One day, the governor of the city, Fazusfan came outside and said to Abdullah bin Abdillah, commander of the Muslim army, “Instead of both armies fighting, let us fight a duel; whosoever overcomes their rival will be the winner.”

Abdullah accepted this proposal and enquired whether he would strike first or should he. Fazusfan attacked first but Abdullah stood resolute. Owing to the strike of the enemy, Abdullah’s saddle of his horse was cut. Abdullah sat firmly on the bare back of his horse and before he launched his attack, he said to Fazusfan, “Remain there.” Fazusfan said, “You are an extremely intelligent and brave man. I am ready to enter into an agreement and hand the city over to you.” Thus, they entered a treaty and the Muslims gained control of the city. According to Tabari, this conquest took place in 21 AH. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], pp. 531-532)

The historian Baladhuri has stated that rather than Abdullah bin Abdillah being appointed as the commander of the Muslim army in this battle, it was Abdullah bin Budail bin Waraqah Khuza‘i. (Futuh al-Buldan,

p. 188, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2000)

The historian, Tabari writes that some people have confused Abdullah bin Waraqah Asadi – who participated in the battle and was the commander of one of the flanks – with Abdullah bin Budail bin Waraqah, whereas in the time of Hazrat Umarra he was very young, and during the Battle of Siffin, he was killed at the age of 24. (Tarikh Islam ba Ahd Hazrat Umarra, Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 136-138) 2009], pp. 166-168)

Then there was the rebellion and recapturing of Hamadan. After the battle of Nahawand, the Muslims also conquered Hamadan. The people of Hamadan then violated the peace treaty by assembling an army with military support from Azerbaijan.

Hazrat Umarra instructed Nuaim bin Muqarrin to go there with an army of 12,000. After a fierce battle, the Muslims conquered the city. (Ali Muhammad al-Salabi,

Sirat Amir al-Momineen Umar bin al-Khattabra [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Ma‘rifah, 2007] p. 431)

Hazrat Umarra was especially worried about the result of this battle. The messenger brought glad tidings of the victory. Hazrat Umarra then sent him back with the instructions to Nuaim bin Muqarrin to appoint someone as his deputy in Hamadan, and to then advance to Rayy. There he had to defeat the army and remain there, as it was central to all the areas around it. (Tarikh Islam ba Ahd Hazrat Umarra, Syed Mir Mahmood Ahmad Nasir Sahib, p. 136-138 [2009], p. 169)

Nonetheless, details of this and of other battles and conquests that took place in the time of Hazrat Umarra shall continue, inshaAllah.

Now I shall mention some deceased members and lead their funeral prayers [in absentia] after the Friday prayer. The first is of Muhammad Diantono Sahib of Indonesia, who passed away on 15 July at

the age of 46.

َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانالل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ [Surely to Allah we belong, and to Him shall we return.]

His wife writes: “He was born into a non-Ahmadi family, but he was always keen to go to the mosque since his childhood, and was different to the other children. He enjoyed remaining in the mosque for long hours, learning about the Islamic teachings and remembering God Almighty. He would say that this was all a blessing for him in order to attain the nearness of God. He had a friend in his village who was an Ahmadi. When they were studying in high school, he learnt about the Community through his friend.

He took the oath of allegiance in the Chilidu and Chirigun Jamaat. When his father found out about his conversion, he was extremely upset and threw him out of his home, as he had deemed his son to have gone astray.

They would not even open the door to him and he had to sleep outside. This was the case for some time before they began to allow him to come home once more.

“In 1997, the office-bearers in the local Jamaat suggested that he should go to study in Jamia as they saw qualities within him to become a missionary. Since his childhood he had a passion for preaching. Therefore, he joined Jamia and graduated in 2002. His first posting was in Jeneponto, and due to his passion for preaching, he would go with the Da‘iyan [callers to faith] and preach from village to village. By the grace of Allah, he had the opportunity to bring hundreds of people into the fold of Ahmadiyyat in the villages. When the construction of the mission house began, he would participate in the construction himself. There was no mission house in the area prior to this.”

His wife says: “I remember living in a very modest home on rent. It was very simple and there was nothing even in the home. All in all, there was just a duvet, a pillow and a mat to sleep on. Furthermore, the pot we had for cooking would be used for everything, be it to cook food or to keep water in it etc.”

She then says: “One day, the head of preaching, Suyuti Azeez Sahib and the provincial missionary Saiful Uyun Sahib came to our house.

Having seen the state of our home, they were astonished. The Jeneponto Jamaat requested the centre to build a mission house, and thus it was constructed. Thereafter, a mosque was also built there.

“Before this, a mosque was shared by the Muslims to offer prayers, but due to opposition they banned them from praying there any longer. Then they would offer their prayers in someone’s home, and there were many hindrances in their desire and efforts to construct the mosque. The workers refused to work and the village chief issued threats saying he would not permit it to happen.

“In any case, they did not lose hope or give up despite all these hurdles, and they continued to construct it with great determination. If the workers refused to work, the khuddam and atfal would help in the labour work, and even non-Ahmadi youths who they had good relationships with would participate. And in this way, the mosque was built.”

She says:

“When he was posted to Jakarta there was a lot of fierce opposition there. But when there were heavy floods, those same opponents took refuge in our mosque. The floods continued over a period of two years and these people continued to take refuge in our mosque. On the one side, they continued to oppose us, but on the other, they would keep coming back to seek refuge. That is when the situation improved.”

One of his outstanding achievements is that he made arrangements for presenting the message of the Community and the live translations of the Khalifa’s sermons to be spread via Indonesian radio and Internet. This was at a time when the live broadcast of the sermon via YouTube had not yet commenced. As it were, he made wonderful efforts his entire life and he was an exemplary missionary.

“He is survived by his wife and five children. May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy and elevate him in rank. May his children be enabled to continue his good deeds.”

The next funeral is of Sahibzada Farhan Lateef Sahib of Chicago, USA, who passed away some time ago. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانالل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ [Surely to Allah we belong, and to Him shall we return.]

He was the great-grandson of Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Lateef Sahib Shaheedra.

Farhan Sahib was an active member of the Chicago Jamaat. He was always ready to render his services and assist. He always had a smile on his face and a distinction of his was that he was always first to greet others.

He would always present himself for any work in the mosque, be it big or small, and he was always in the frontline to serve.

He served as the auditor in Chicago in a wonderful manner. He was a Musi. He is survived by three young children and his elderly parents.

He passed away at the age of 45. May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy, and enable his children to always remain firmly attached to the Community.

The next funeral is of Malik Mubasher Ahmad Sahib of Lahore who passed away on 21 November [2020]. It has been quite some time since his demise, but his funeral prayer was not offered. His son wrote a request for his funeral prayer to be offered.

He was the son of Hazrat Malik Ghulam Fareed Sahibra, a companion of the Promised Messiahas and commentator of the Holy Quran. Aside from serving as the sadr of Daud Khel in the Mianwali district, he also had the blessing of serving in various capacities in Hyderabad. He also had the opportunity to work towards the completion of the dictionary of the Holy Quran. It was after the demise of his father, Malik Ghulam Fareed Sahibra that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh assigned to him and his younger brother to arrange it. May Allah the Almighty bestow His forgiveness and mercy.

As I mentioned, after the Friday prayer, I shall lead all their funeral prayers [in absentia].

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

Translated by The Review of Religions.)

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