Al Hakam - 13 May 2022

Prophet Muhammad’s display of love during animosity and warfare: A lesson for the world

The story of ‘The Martyr of Kabul’ by an eyewitness – Part III

Sacrifice is the key to nation-building: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s advice to the newly-formed Pakistan

Page 10

The philosophy of invoking durood on the Holy Prophet – Part V

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Page 11

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THE WEEKLY

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www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 13 May 2022 | Issue CCXVII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL, UK info@alhakam.org | ISSN 2754-7396

If we do not play our role in advancing the mission of the Promised Messiah, Allah will do it by some other means

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

Prayer for guidance

َ ّ ٰ َّ َ َ َ َ َ ّٰ ُ ‫ع ْن َ�� ِ ٍّ� قال قال � ِ ْ� َر ُس ْول الل ِہ َﺻلی الل ُہ َ�ل ْی ِہ‬ ّ ٰ ُ َّ َ ُْ ُْ ّ ْ ‫َو َسل َﻢ ق ِل ا�� ُ� َّﻢ اﻫ ِﺪ� ِ ْ� َو َس ِﺪ ْد� ِ ْ� َواذ� ْر بِا��ﺪى‬ ْ َّ َ َ َ َ َّ َ َ َّ َ َ َ َ �ِ �‫الس‬ ‫ِﻫﺪاﻳتك الط ِرﻳﻖ والسﺪا ِد سﺪاد‬ Hazrat Alira narrates that the Holy Prophetsa said to him: “Say, ‘O Allah, guide me and make me upright’ and remember that ‘guidance’ means being guided on the straight path and ‘uprightness’ means being upright and straight as an arrow.”

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Zikr wa al-Dua wa al-Taubah wa al-Istighfar, Hadith 2725a)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

Courage and high resolve

Photo courtesy of Suhaib Ahmad

Nasirat members of Waqf-e-Nau UK attend virtual class with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V On 8 May 2022, nasirat members of Waqf-eNau UK were given the opportunity to meet Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual class. The waqifaat-e-

nau had gathered in Baitul Futuh Mosque.

As the live stream started, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa conveyed his salaam and called Fatihah Nadeem to recite a

portion from the Holy Quran. After the recitation, Eishah Khalid presented the Urdu and English translation. Then, Naimah Continued on next page >>

A person must not lose hope.

Determination is also a high moral quality and a believer is characterised by high resolve. One ought to always be ready to serve and support the Faith, and should never show cowardice. For cowardice is the mark of a hypocrite.

A believer is gallant and courageous, but courage does not imply that they lack good judgement. Any action done without appropriate consideration of the prevailing circumstances is recklessness.

A believer is free from haste. In fact, a believer remains prepared to serve the Faith with immense sagacity and forbearance, and is never cowardly.

Sometimes a person will act in a manner that displeases God Almighty and thereby arouses His indignation. For example, if a person shoves away a beggar, this is harsh behaviour, which results in the displeasure of God Almighty. In turn, such a one becomes deprived of the opportunity to give something to the beggar. However, if a person acts in a gentle and noble manner, and even if he gives the beggar a cup of water, this results in a removal of the spiritual contraction of the heart (qabz).

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 2, p. 15)

Friday 13 May 2022 | AL HAKAM

2 << Continued from page 1

Qamar recited a poem.

Thereafter, the nasirat had the opportunity to ask Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa questions about various religious matters and other day-to-day issues.

Mahnur Goraya, of Bolton Jamaat, whilst referring to Huzoor’saa Eid sermon, asked how one could include the Holy Prophetsa in one’s Eid celebration. Huzooraa smiled and asked her if she had listened to the sermon. Huzooraa said that he had already explained this in his sermon.

He said that one should make efforts to spread the message of the Holy Prophetsa throughout the world, preach his message and practice his teaching. Huzooraa said that one should ponder over the Holy Quran, and read it carefully. “And when we spread the teachings of the Holy Prophetsa in the world in this way, and bring the world under his banner, then the Holy Prophetsa will be included in [our Eid celebration]. That will be [the true] Eid.” Ariana Ahmad, of Newham Jamaat, asked Huzooraa how one should respond to those people who mocked the hijab.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: “If you are determined, if you are strong and staunch in your faith, then you should not bother what the other people say. This is the commandment of Allah the Almighty

that women should wear hijab, they should cover their head and bosom. And we have to follow those instructions, if we are strong Muslims. If people mock us, then don’t care. Tell them, ‘This is my personal choice, my personal view, and I have a right to do whatever I like; and this is my personal liking, and I am doing it because of my religious teachings, because of the commandment of the Shariah and the Holy Quran which has been given by Allah the Almighty in the Holy Quran.’ So, if you are a determined and strong Ahmadi then you will never bother whatever the people say.

“You can ask them, ‘Why don’t you use hijab? Why are you naked on the beaches?

Why are you doing immoral acts, which you feel are moral, but I feel, according to my religious teaching, are immoral? So, if I don’t object to your habits then who are you to ask why I wear a hijab?’”

Farihah Shahid, from Tooting Jamaat, asked Huzooraa if every prayer said during Tahajjud was answered.

Huzooraa explained that only Allah Almighty knew best how one offered their Tahajjud prayer. Huzooraa said that the Tahajjud prayer was a prayer which one usually offered in complete isolation and only God knew what the person was asking for. If one’s supplications were pure, pious, and from the heart, then they would be accepted by Allah the Almighty “whether they are said during Tahajjud, the fara’id,

the sunnah or during the nawafil.”

Huzooraa added that it was Allah alone Who accepted supplications. “Allah knows best what kind of supplications one is making. If you are making prayers against someone, then Allah will not accept them; if you are making good supplications for yourself, He will accept.”

Atiyatul Shafi Uppal, from Hounslow North Jamaat, stated that when one passed away, it was the Islamic practice to bury the deceased as soon as possible. However, at times people had donated their body or organs for research and medicine. She asked if it was permissible to donate a dead body for the purpose of medical research.

Huzooraa said that though Islam taught to bury the deceased as soon as possible, it was permissible to donate organs or the body for research purposes to save human life and for human benefit. Otherwise, one ought to try to bury the deceased as soon as possible.

Aaliya Akbar, from Sheffield Jamaat, asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa that if Ahmadis did not fulfil their responsibilities, would Allah Almighty raise another people, and would those promises that Allah made to the Promised Messiahas be fulfilled through other people.

Huzooraa explained that if Ahmadis did not fulfil their responsibilities, then – as the Promised Messiahas himself has said – Allah would bring another Ahmadi people. The

promises that Allah made to the Promised Messiahas shall be fulfilled. Huzooraa said: “If we do not play our full role in advancing the mission of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, then Allah will do it by some other means.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that there were very sincere people in Africa who understood their responsibilities, preached Islam Ahmadiyyat and brought others to the fold of Ahmadiyyat. Similarly, Huzooraa added, there were other people in Europe, living on various islands and in Indonesia, etc., who understood their responsibilities.

Huzooraa highlighted that it was not only the work of Pakistani or people of Indian heritage to spread the message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat. The Holy Prophetsa came for the whole world as a prophet, and the Promised Messiahas – who came to spread and revive the teachings of Islam – also came for the whole world. “We must spread the message of Islam throughout the world.”

Huzooraa emphasised that Allah assured the Promised Messiahas that He would spread his message to the corners of the Earth.

Sadia Saeed, from Islamabad Jamaat, asked Huzooraa how teenage girls could perform tabligh in this day and age.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that it was important to inculcate good manners, be good role models, and discuss the virtues of Islam amongst girls. It was not necessary, Huzooraa said, to simply tell people to become Muslims. Those who did not know the true teachings of Islam would, in response, say that Muslims were very dangerous people. One should show good morals, behave well in front of friends and teachers and study well. In this way, people would be intrigued and would ask about Islam. And, in this way, an opportunity to preach would be created. And when the time came, those whose hearts were pure and whom Allah wished to guide would accept Islam.

Huzooraa stated, “We cannot force anyone to become Muslim, but at least we can inculcate our Islamic teachings within ourselves and show good manners. In this way, people will automatically gravitate towards us.”

Amatul Shakoor Rana, from Farnham Jamaat, asked Huzooraa if it was permissible to attend school trips that included overnight stays.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa explained that generally such trips should be avoided unless it was a mandatory trip. Huzooraa said that day trips were fine, but residential trips should be avoided.

Huzooraa said that many had expressed to him that their experience of such trips was not good. Even some non-Ahmadi people had informed him of their bad experiences and said that the atmosphere of such trips was not good.

Fozia Ahmad, from South Cheam Jamaat, said that Huzoor’saa visits to Baitul Futuh were very much missed and asked when he would come to Baitul Futuh again.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa answered: “Just pray. When things come back to normal, then I will start coming to the Baitul Futuh mosque for Jumuah prayer again, insha-Allah Ta‘ala. So, it all depends on your prayer and how soon we are free from this Covid pandemic.”

Shaista Jalal, 13, from Mitcham Park

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AL HAKAM | Friday 13 May 2022 Jamaat, said that she attended an all-girls school and wore a burqa there. She said that due to changes in school, she was no longer allowed to wear a burqa in school. She asked Huzooraa what she should do.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that she could take off her burqa at school. Huzooraa said that as there was a uniform in place in school, she would have to wear the uniform within the school; however, Huzooraa said that she should still dress modestly.

Zara Ajmal, from Aldershot Jamaat, asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa that under verse 12 in the tafsir of Surah al-A‘raf, it was stated that the Chief of the Angels was Gabrielas, and the chief of evil spirits was Iblis. She asked what the works of such evil spirits were and how one could be saved from their negative impact.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained that every evil deed was the work of Satan and Satan incited and whispered into people’s ears to commit foul deeds.

Huzooraa said, “We should frequently always recite: َ َّ َ ّ ٰ ُ ُ َ َّ ‫الر ِجیم‬ ‫ان‬ ِ ‫ٔاعوذ بِالل ِہ ِمن الشیط‬ that Allah may keep us safe from the whispers of Satan, the deception of Satan.

Then one should continuously recite: ْ ْ ّ ٰ َّ َ َ ُ َ َ َ َ ‫اح ْول َولا ق ّوۃ اِلا بِالل ِہ ال َع ِل ِ ّی ال َع ِظ ْی ِم‬ ‫ل‬ “‘Allah Almighty possesses all powers and may Allah protect us, take us into His fold and safeguard us from all kinds of evil deeds so that we do not have any foul thoughts. And keep seeking forgiveness َ َُ َْ ُّ ّٰ ْ َ ‫ا ْس َتغفِ ُرالل َہ َربِّ ْی ِم ْن ک ِل ذن ٍب َوات ْو ُب اِل ْی ِہ‬ “[Reciting] these [prayers] protects one against Satan’s whispers.”

Samia Khurram, from Tooting Jamaat, asked Huzooraa why some Muslims celebrated Eid on different days.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa explained that Eid was celebrated on the basis of various moon sightings. The Holy Prophetsa had instructed that “when you see the moon of Eid, celebrate Eid. When you see the moon of Ramadan, start fasting, and if you do not see the moon after 29 days of fasting, complete [Ramadan] by keeping 30 [fasts]. And if the moon is visible, then celebrate Eid.” Huzooraa said that the moon was sighted and seen on different dates according to the region and country of the world one resided in.

Maliha Waqas, from Putney Jamaat, asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa what his advice was for those children who were suffering from depression.

Huzooraa answered that first one ought to find out the causes. A person who was suffering from depression should be taken to a psychiatrist and their parents should have it treated properly. One should pray to Allah the Almighty and also have one’s own willpower and show determination to get out of this phase. In this way, Huzooraa said, insha-Allah, everything would eventually be fine.

Huzooraa added that there were some programmes related to this on MTA too that would help. Huzooraa said, “This is an illness. This illness should be thoroughly examined and treated seriously. One should not make fun of a person who is suffering from depression.”

Maria Chaudhry, from Farnham Jamaat, asked how one could save themselves from the negative impacts of social media.

Huzooraa asked her if she was aware of

Huzooraa highlighted that it was not only the work of Pakistani or people of Indian heritage to spread the message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat. The Holy Prophetsa came for the whole world as a prophet, and the Promised Messiahas – who came to spread and revive the teachings of Islam – also came for the whole world. the negative and the positive aspects of social media, to which she responded in the affirmative. Upon this, Huzooraa said that there was a saying that a person who was asleep could be awoken, but one could not wake a person up who was pretending to be asleep. Huzooraa said that if one was aware of the negative aspects of social media, then they should avoid them and focus only on the good sites on social media.

“This depends on one’s own willpower and determination,” on how much they desire to save themselves from the negative effects of social media.

Bareera Tahir, of Islamabad Jamaat, said that the Holy Prophetsa had taught us how to offer salat. She asked how the prophets before the Holy Prophetsa worshipped Allah.

Huzooraa said that there were different ways people adopted. Some people would prostrate and some would sit. “In my opinion, prostration is found in every religion because we see that among Hindus and also among other [religions], there is a tendency to prostrate.”

However, Huzooraa said, the method of worship in salat was taught by the Holy Prophetsa.

Atiyatul Naila, from Birmingham North Jamaat, studying in year nine, asked Huzooraa if studying business was a useful field for the Jamaat.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa responded, “If you have a lot of interest in this field, then you can study it. […] however, if girls go into [the field of] medicine, or teaching, or in this kind of profession which is beneficial

– or in science or research – then they can be more useful [for the Jamaat]. However, if you are interested in business studies, then you may study it. The Jamaat shall then find some use of your studies when the opportunity arises.”

Maliha Malik, of Morden Park Jamaat, asked why Shias did matam or selfflagellation and why they gave Hazrat Alira more importance than the other rightly guided caliphs.

Huzooraa stated Shi‘ism was an offshoot of Islam that believed that Hazrat Alira should have been the Khalifa after the Holy Prophetsa and that his right to khilafat was misappropriated. Huzooraa said that in his Friday Sermons, he was narrating the incidents of the Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa and proved that Hazrat Alira did bai‘at of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra and then Hazrat Uthmanra and remained obedient to them his entire life.

With regard to matam, Huzooraa said that after the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussainra, it was the very people responsible for his martyrdom who first performed matam. Huzooraa said that as the history behind this was lengthy, the person incharge of Nasirat should publish an article on this in Maryam magazine.

Fareeha Ahmad, of Southfields Jamaat, asked Huzooraa if it was permissible for Waqf-e-Nau girls to go into politics.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that Waqf-e-Nau girls should enter those fields which helped the progress of Islam and were a means of the betterment of humanity.

Sabahah Mansoor, of Islamabad Jamaat, was next to ask her question. Huzooraa asked her if she was the daughter of Mansoor Zia Sahib, to which she replied in the affirmative.

She asked that in a hadith, it was said that there was a gate, named Al-Rayyan, which those who observed fasting would enter Heaven through. She asked if there was any other gate through which the people of Paradise would enter.

Huzooraa smiled and said that her father was well-versed in fiqh and that she could have asked her father this question.

“Have you not asked him this question?”

She replied that her father told her to ask Huzooraa.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa answered that there were many gates of paradise. The Promised Messiahas said that there was also a gate in Paradise which was the gate of forgiveness.

Huzooraa said that there were seven gates of Paradise and the eighth gate, as stated by the Promised Messiahas, was the gate of forgiveness, through which those who come under Allah’s mercy will be admitted.

“Allah is the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, and the Most Forgiving.

So, Allah has placed eight gates of Paradise.

There are fewer [gates] of Hell and more of Paradise.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then conveyed his salaam to everyone and the class came to a close.

(Report prepared by Al Hakam)

Friday 13 May 2022 | AL HAKAM

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This Week 13 merciful and he or she is a person who strives to stay away from immorality, illegal activity and all forms of evil.”

Dignitaries of Japan and Jamaat members with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa

13 May 13 May 2005: During his visit to Tanzania, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered his Friday Sermon at Masjid Salam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (East Africa). On the same day, Frederick Sumaye, thenPrime Minister of Tanzania, met with Huzooraa. The 35-minute-long meeting at the prime minister’s house focused on issues of mutual interest.

On this day, apart from individual and family mulaqats, Huzooraa presided over separate meetings with the country’s national majlise-amila and the amilas of Majlis Ansarullah and Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya and issued guidance and instructions. (Al Fazl International, 10 June 2005, p. 13) 13 May 2006: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressed the closing session of Jalsa Salana Japan. After the Jalsa, Japanese guests had the privilege of meeting Huzooraa. During

President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa, with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa

This mosque, which is the Jamaat’s second mosque in Sweden, was officially opened a day earlier when Huzooraa delivered his weekly Friday Sermon. (“Reception held to mark inauguration of Mahmood

his visit to Japan, in the evening, Huzooraa presided over a meeting with the national amila of Japan.

Separate meetings of Ansarullah Japan’s amila and Lajna Imaillah Japan’s amila were also held. (Al Fazl International, 30 June 2006, pp. 12-13) 13 May 2017: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressed the Annual Symposium of the European chapter of the International Association of Ahmadi Architects and Engineers (IAAAE). The symposium took place at the Baitul Futuh Mosque. (“Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community addresses concluding session of IAAAE Annual Symposium”, www.pressahmadiyya. com, 17 May 2017)

14 May 14 May 2005: On this day, the president of Tanzania had the privilege of meeting with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. Also, on this day, Huzooraa travelled about 200 kilometres from Dar es Salaam to

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivering the concluding address at Jalsa Salana, Uganda, 2005

Morogoro where he was warmly welcomed by Ahmadis. There, Huzooraa inspected Jamia Ahmadiyya and many other sites.

At the end of this busy day, Huzooraa attended a dinner to which dignitaries of the area and government officials were invited.

(Al Fazl International, 17 June 2005, p. 16) 14 May 2016: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered the keynote address at a special reception held to mark the inauguration of the Mahmood Mosque in Malmo, Sweden.

In his address, Huzoor said: aa

“A basic purpose of a mosque is to serve as a place for Muslims to offer their prayers and in Arabic, the word for prayer is ‘al-salat’ which in essence means ‘compassion, love and mercy’. Consequently, a Muslim who offers his prayers with sincerity is a person who is kind, caring and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivering the keynote address at the 2017 IAAAE Symposium

Mosque in Malmo, Sweden”, www. pressahmadiyya.com, 15 May 2016)

15 May 15 May 2005: On this day, during his tour of Tanzania, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated a mosque in Chalinze, held a meeting with missionaries of Tanzania and also addressed a press conference in addition to attending a dinner that evening. (Al Fazl International, 17 June 2005, pp. 11-12) 15 May 2006: After visiting the Far East, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa returned to London after a 12-hour flight from Tokyo, Japan. (Al Fazl International, 30 June 2006, p. 16) 15 May 2013: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa arrived in Canada on this day as his tour of North America continued.

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AL HAKAM | Friday 13 May 2022

in History 19 May

Arrival of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa at Vancouver Airport, Canada, with a ceremonial welcome by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressing a reception held to mark his first-ever visit to Stockholm

15 May 2015: In his Friday Sermon, while mentioning the grandeur of the Promised Messiahas, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that the government of Punjab in Pakistan recently had banned the publication and display of some Jamaat publications. Huzooraa said that people from Pakistan wrote to him expressing their anxiety about the matter. Huzooraa reminded the Jamaat that opposition against the Jamaat was nothing new. Huzooraa said no mother had ever given birth to a child who could halt the divine mission of the Promised Messiahas.

In his sermon, Huzooraa said that he had decided that on MTA, the dars of the books of the Promised Messiahas would be extended and presented more than before and thus, the restrictions placed in one province of Pakistan would bring benefit to everyone as they would have more opportunity to learn about the books of the Promised Messiahas through MTA.

Ahmadis and also held a meeting with Lajna Imaillah Tanzania’s national amila. This was Huzoor’saa last day in Tanzania. (Al Fazl International, 17 June 2005, p. 12)

17 May 17 May 2005: During his visit to Africa, on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa arrived in Uganda from Tanzania. Huzooraa also addressed a press conference. Many officials also had the opportunity to meet with Huzooraa. (Al Fazl International, 24 June 2005, pp. 10-16) 17 May 2013: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Vancouver, Canada by delivering his weekly Friday Sermon from the new Mosque.

17 May 2016: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered the keynote

address at a special reception to mark his first-ever visit to Sweden’s capital, Stockholm.

18 May

On 21 May, during his Friday Sermon, Huzooraa mentioned that as Hafeez Ahmad Shakir Sahib closed his shop late at night, he was shot at close range and was thus martyred. He

18 May 2005: On this day, during his tour of Uganda, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa visited an Ahmadiyya School in Mbiko. (Al Fazl International, 24 June 2005, pp.

10-11)

19 May 19 May 2005: During his visit to Uganda, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graced Jalsa Salana Uganda with his presence. This was also Uganda Jamaat’s first Jalsa Salana in which a Khalifatul Masih was present. (Al Fazl International, 24 June 2005) 19 May 2010: On this day, Hafeez Ahmad Shakir Sahib, an Ahmadi, was martyred in Karachi, Pakistan.

Japanese Dignitaries with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, Japan, 2006

was 41 years old and was a most active member of the Jamaat, a devoted Ahmadi, especially dedicated to the recitation of the Holy Quran.

Huzooraa, in view of the painful situation in Pakistan, reminded Ahmadis around the world to pray for Pakistan.

15 May 2017: The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat held a special reception to mark the 25th anniversary of its 24-hour, global and multi-lingual television channel, Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International (MTA). The historic event was graced by the presence of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa.

16 May 16 May 2005: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa travelled 500 kilometres from one part of Tanzania to another, had mulaqats with

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivering the keynote address at the 25th anniversary dinner of MTA International

Friday 13 May 2022 | AL HAKAM

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Public iftars during Ramadan by Ahmadis in Kosovo Besmir Yvejsi Kosovo Correspondent

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Kosovo organised a total of nine iftars; four in Prishtina, four

The philosophy on the Holy Pro

in Peja and one in Mitrovica. During these events, various discussions and question and answer sessions were held in regards to the importance of Ramadan, fasting, and Eid-ul-Fitr.

Scenes from public iftars in Kosovo

President of Suriname joins Ahmadi Muslims in iftar during Ramadan Laiq Ahmad Mushtaq Missionary, Suriname

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Suriname held many successful activities during the month of Ramadan. One day before the inception of the month, we started to broadcast daily 15-minute programmes on a local television channel. These programmes covered various aspects of Ramadan and Islamic teachings.

Tarawih prayer and duroos were also conducted. Moreover, 10 congregational iftar events were held at the Nasir Mosque.

On 14 April 2022, the president of the Republic of Suriname visited the Nasir Mosque, which was the first time that a head of state visited our mosque. His Excellency, Mr Chandrikapersad Santokhi has regularly been visiting our mosque since 2011, as a member of parliament and leader of one of the biggest opposition parties in Suriname.

After being elected as the president of Suriname, this was his first time visiting the Nasir Mosque in person, after previously holding a virtual meeting with the jamaat last year.

The president, along with other members of his cabinet and dignitaries arrived at the mosque at 6:30 pm. The minister of public affairs, minister of labour and the minister of defence were also present on this occasion.

The guests took part in iftar along with members of the jamaat and other invitees.

Thereafter, the president also took part in Maghrib prayer.

After this, a formal session was arranged in which Samseerali Sheikh Alibaks Sahib, President of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Suriname, welcomed the president and his team. The president then delivered a speech in which he mentioned that he always felt honoured to visit our mosque and that the kindness and hospitality of Jamaat-eAhmadiyya remained memorable for him.

He also requested the jamaat to pray for the state of our country and the economic crisis, saying that our prayers are a powerful weapon for achieving betterment.

After the speech, the president was presented with a souvenir, Jamaat literature and a photo album containing pictures of all his previous visits to our mosque.

Dinner was served after the formal session. Some dignitaries stayed at the mosque and also took part in tarawih prayer.

This event was extremely successful and will Insha-Allah remain a memorable day in the history of Jamaat Suriname. Members of the jamaat worked tirelessly to make this event a success.

On 2 May 2022, Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated at the Nasir Mosque, in which over 250 members were present. Similar to many other countries, this was our first congregational Eid prayer since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

In his book, Hayat-e-Qudsi, Hazrat Maulana Ghulam Rasul Sahib Rajekira states:

Durood Sharif is an extraordinary means of attaining nearness to God Since the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has declared salat as mi‘raj [a means to reach the highest spiritual level] for a momin [believer] and Durood Sharif is also a part of salat, therefore Durood Sharif, in terms of a mi‘raj, is an extraordinary means of attaining the closeness and nearness of God. Therefore, it is found in some narrations that on the night of Mi‘raj [the Holy Prophet’s spiritual

ascension to Heaven], the Holy Prophetsa reached a level that was very close to God, regarding which he said: َّ ٌ ْ ّ ٰ َ َ ٌ َ َ ٌ ُ َ ‫ل ِْى َمع الل ِہ َوقت لا ي َ َس ُع ِن ْى ِف ْي ِه ن ِب ٌّى م ْر َسل َو لا َملك ُمق َّر ٌب‬ [“For me, there was a time with Allah that neither any sent prophet, nor any angel close to Allah has ever reached.”]

That is, with respect to God’s nearness and the state of being close to Him, “I [the Holy Prophetsa] get a time that I am at the highest and closest level of nearness to God, where no prophet can reach and no angel close to Allah has any access.”

According to some other narrations, when the Holy Prophetsa arrived before Allah the Almighty, he said:

7

AL HAKAM | Friday 13 May 2022

y of invoking durood ophet – Part V َّ ُ َ َّ َ ّ ٰ ُ َّ َّ ُ ‫ال� ِ�یات لِل ِہ و‬ ‫الﺼ� ٰ� ت َوالط ِی َبات‬ [“All verbal and physical acts of worship and sacrifices and pure things are due to Allah.”] [A slightly different sequence of the wording is recorded in Sahih Muslim] That is, every kind of verbal, physical and financial sacrifice is for God. In response to this, Allah the Almighty said: َّ َ ُّ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ َ َّ َ ُْ َ ّٰ ُ ‫االن ِب ُّی َو َر ْح َﻤﺔ الل ِہ َوب َ َرکاتہ‬ ‫الس�ام �لیك اﻳﻬ‬ [“Peace be on you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.”]

In this way, God Almighty vouchsafed all the three bounties – salaam [peace], rahmat [mercy] and barakaat [blessings] to the Holy Prophetsa.

Now, the occasion of reciting the said words in salat is qa‘dah [sitting posture during salat] and tashahud [avowing belief in the existence of God]. The tashahud also refers to the station of shuhood [witnessing God], i.e. every believer is bound to attain the status of nearness and closeness to God in the final stage of tashahud with the help of salat which is mi‘raj for believers.

Thus, the believer’s presentation of the words “Attahiyyatu lillahi wassalawatu wattayyibatu” to God is to follow the example of the Holy Prophetsa and attain the status of his mazhariyat [reflection] and fana fir-rasul [the act of following in the footsteps of the Messengersa to the point of annihilating one’s own self] because the said station, in reality and truly, belongs only to the Holy Prophetsa and whoever is granted that status will only be given that as a reflection and an embodiment.

Thereafter, at the time when the believer presents the words “Assalamu alaika ayyuhannabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa

“

barakatuh” to the Holy Prophetsa, he sends blessings on the Holy Prophetsa in the state of fana fillah [following God Almighty so perfectly so as to annihilate one’s own self] clothed in the veil of zilliyat [reflection] of Allah.

Thus, Durood Sharif, in this way, is the best explanation of the reality of salat with respect to the meaning of mi‘raj because Durood Sharif helps [a believer] to attain the status of fana fir-rasul and fana fillah and become a reflection of Allah and the Holy Prophetsa. Our desire [is to attain the said status]. May God fulfil our wish.

In the same way, all the believers who enjoy the blessings of mi‘raj through salat are all included in the Aal-e-Muhammad [spiritual progeny of the Holy Prophetsa].

Consequently, the Holy Prophetsa did not limit the salaam presented to him by God Almighty in the words “Assalamu alaika ayyuhannabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh” to his own person, but also included his aal [progeny] in this salaam by saying: َ ُ َ َّ َ ْ ّٰ ّٰ ٰ �َ ��ِ �ِ ‫الﺼ‬ ‫ام َ�ل ْی َنا َو َ�لی ِع َبا ِد الل ِہ‬ �‫الس‬ [“Peace be on us and on the righteous servants of Allah”], as his spiritual progeny includes ibadillah al-salihin [righteous servants of Allah]. ُّ Likewise, in the statement of ‫ﻳ ُ َﺼ� ۡ� َن‬ َّ َ َ ‫الن ِب ِ ّی‬ ‫(“[ �لی‬Allah and His angels) send blessings on the Prophet”], [the Holy Prophetsa] included the words Muhammad and Aal-e-Muhammad [in Durood Sharif] under the explanation of the word al-nabi.

Similarly, in the phrase, “Assalamu alaika ayyuhannabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,” the Holy Prophetsa included the words “Assalamu alaina wa ala ibadillah

al-salihin” under the explanation of the word nabi, and by using the first-person َ َ plural pronoun “‫”�ل ْینا‬ (which is in the state of majrur [genitive]), the Holy Prophetsa clarified the inclusion of ibadillah al-salihin.

This means that al-Nabi [the Prophet] requires the presence of the righteous servants of God for the continuation of his prophethood, so that after the end of the personal life of the Prophet, the Aal-eMuhammad and ibadillah al-salihin may become the heir to his teachings and be entrusted with his prophethood.

Thus, just as the Holy Prophetsa after the sentence “Assalamu alaika ayyuhannabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh” included ibadillah al-salihin by saying “Assalamu alaina wa ala ibadillah al-salihin,” in the same way he presented the inclusion of the words “Wa alaa aal-e-Muhammad” after “Allahumma salli alaa Muhammadin” and “Allahumma baarik alaa Muhammadin”. In the words of salaam, those who were called by the attribute of ibadillah al-salihin [the righteous servants of Allah], were referred to as Aal-e-Muhammad in the statement of salat [Durood Sharif].

With this explanation and inclusion, the promising good news given by the Holy Prophetsa revealed that all the excellences of closeness and nearness to God present in the Holy Prophetsa can be inherited by his spiritual progeny. It is for this reason that ْ ُ ُ َ ْ ُ ٰ َّ the Holy Prophetsa said: ‫الﻤﺆ ِمن‬ ‫الﺼ��ۃ ِم�راج‬ [“Salat is a means whereby a believer can reach the highest spiritual level”] and did َّ ُ َ ْ ُ ٰ َّ not say: ‫الن ِبی‬ ‫“[ الﺼ��ۃ ِم�راج‬Salat is a means whereby a prophet can reach the highest spiritual status”]. That is, every believer being a follower of His prophet has a fair share in this mi‘raj [spiritual ascension] as

a reflection.

A unique point in the title of alNabi It is a fact that the Holy Prophetsa has passed away and is not present, but then what is the reason for sitting in qa‘dah and addressing َّ َ ُّ َ the Holy Prophetsa with the words “‫االن ِب ُّی‬ ‫”اﻳﻬ‬ [O Prophet]?

As far as the said address is concerned, it is not on a personal level. This is the reason َ ُ َ َ ُ َ َّ َ why it is not said: ‫ام َ�ل ْیك ﻳَا ��َ ّﻤ ٍﺪ‬ �‫الس‬, and where the word Muhammad is mentioned َّ ّ in Durood Sharif, there, the words ‫ا�� ُ� َّﻢ َﺻ ِل‬ َ َ ُ ُ َ َ َ َّ َ َ ‫آل ��َ ّﻤ ٍﺪ‬ ِ ‫ �لی ��ﻤ ٍﺪ و�لی‬are addressed to God Almighty and Muhammad and Aal-eMuhammad are presented as third-person pronouns. The reason for using the words َّ َ ُّ َ ‫االن ِب ُّی‬ ‫ اﻳﻬ‬is that the believer may attain the highest level of spirituality in the last part of salat and in its final stage, for the attainment of which the salat is declared as mi‘raj, and consequently, not only witness the personage of Muhammad but in fact observe the glory of the prophethood of Muhammad on the level of its reflection. Moreover, while witnessing the blessings of prophethood, [the believer] may not just covertly say alNabi, but as a witness of the manifestation of the truth and of the prophethood, say the following words clearly: َّ َ ُّ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ َ َّ َ ‫االن ِب ُّی‬ ‫الس�ام �لیك اﻳﻬ‬ [“Peace be on you, O Prophet.”]

Hence, the said title and the address is not just for the sake of utterance but to consciously experience it with all one’s heart and soul. May God grant this status to every believer.

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu published in Hayat-e-Qudsi, pp. 612-615)

An essential teaching for you is that you should not abandon the Holy Quran like a thing forsaken, for therein lies your life. Those who honour the Quran will be honoured in Heaven.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Noah’s Ark, , p. 24)

Friday 13 May 2022 | AL HAKAM

8

100 Years Ago...

The story of ‘The Martyr of Kabul’ by an eyewitness – Part III The Review of Religions [English], March, April & May, 1922

Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif Shaheedra standing in the middle

[Syed Ahmad Nur, the eyewitness]

[The return of the blessed martyr of Kabul from Qadian to Saidgah, Afghanistan] When the blessed martyr reached Saidgah (his residence), the Raises of the vicinity came to see him with great delight thinking that the Sahibzada Sahib had returned from the pilgrimage of Mecca. But the blessed martyr plainly told them that he could not start to Mecca for a pilgrimage, but that he was detained at Qadian, a place in the Punjab, and that there he had seen a person who had laid claim to prophethood and who said that he was sent from God for the reformation of the world and that he had appeared at the appointed time according to the divine word and the words of the [Holy] Prophet[sa] and that he had seen that person (the Promised Messiah[as]) and that he had made every enquiry about him and found his words, deeds and claims correct according to the Quran and the traditions – and that they should also accept him and reap the benefit. Of course, they were at liberty to decide for themselves but he on his part had accepted him and believed in him.

The Raises requested the blessed martyr not to talk of such things and told him that the former Amir of Kabul, Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, had taken these things very ill, and had therefore murdered his disciple Maulvi Abdur Rahman of the Mongal tribe, in 1901. The blessed martyr told these people that they had two gods whereas he believed only in One and that they were afraid of the Amir to the extent of their fear of God. How could he give up the order of God for the sake of the Amir and renounce the Quran and

Hadis for his sake? He for one could never do so, even if the hell made its appearance before him and that he would go on talking these things. The Governor of Khost also came to him and requested him not to talk of these things and his relatives and relations also wrote to him to sever connection with the Ahmadiyya movement and asked him to desist from his propaganda, but the blessed martyr never desisted and was firm as a rock in his resolution.

Not-withstanding his being in such a critical position, he wrote five letters to the five grandees of the Kabul Darbar. One letter was addressed to Mirza Mohammad Hussain Khan, Governor of Kabul, another to Mirza Abdul Rahim Khan Daftri, 3rd to Shah Ghashi Abdul Qadus Khan, 4th to Haji Bashi (a person who is in-charge of the outgoing pilgrims for Mecca), and the 5th letter to a very big man, most probably the Qazi-ul-Quzat.

The subject matter of these 5 letters was as follows: “I had left the country for pilgrimage to Mecca, but on reaching India, I went to a place named Qadian. There lives a person named Mirza Ghulam Ahmad[as] who claims that he has been sent by God for the reformation of this age and that he has made his appearance at the appointed time according to the Quran and Hadis, and that his claim was exactly according to the word of God and of the prophet and that he was sent by God and his prophet for serving the religion of his master, Muhammad, may peace and the blessings of God be upon him, at this troublesome time.

“I passed three months at Qadian to see with my own eyes and hear with my own ears the conduct and claims of this man and test their truth in every possible way. I found

him and his claims all in perfect accordance with the Quran and Hadis and by seeing him and living with him, I grew nearer to God and the [Holy] Prophet[sa].

“Therefore, I inform you people that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad[as] of Qadian was sent from God and that he was the same person about whom Muhammad[sa], the prophet, may peace and the blessings of God be upon him, had prophesied and that he was the same person for whom we were waiting. I have accepted him and that you should do the same so that you may be saved from the kindling wrath of God and that good may be done to you. You are at liberty, but it was my duty to inform you of his mission and after conveying this message to you I absolve myself of the duties laid upon my shoulders.”

When these letters were written, the blessed martyr of Kabul called on one of his men to carry them to Kabul to the 5 persons named, and hand them over to them. That man asked permission to take clothes, etc., with him as it was winter time.

Hearing this, the martyr of blessed memory was displeased and took back all the letters from him and said that he was not fit to do this duty. Meanwhile another of his disciples, named Abdul Ghafar (brother of Maulvi Abdus Sattar) who later on migrated to Qadian and who now lies buried in the [Bahishti Maqbarah] “Celestial Cemetery,” rose up and readily offered his services for the conveyance of those letters to Kabul and their deliverance to the persons concerned.

The martyr was pleased at it and made over all the letters to Abdul Ghaffar.

It was a dreary winter and the mountains were covered with snow which fell in great quantity. Abdul Ghaffar took the letters and conveyed them to Kabul to the persons

named as he was very well acquainted with those persons on account of the great personality of the blessed martyr. Abdul Ghaffar asked those persons to hand over to him the reply of those letters, but Mirza Muhammad Hussain Khan Sahib, Governor of Kabul, told him to go back and informed him that the reply will be sent to the blessed martyr by post. Eventually, all those 5 letters were made over to the Amir who sent for all his trusted Maulvis and asked them what they thought of those letters.

The said Maulvis said that the man who laid claim to the Promised Messiahship partly disbelieved the Holy Quran and so he was a Kafir [disbeliever] and that whoever believed in him was also a Kafir and a renegade, and that if Sahibzada Abdul Latif was free to preach this mission, many persons would turn heretics and renegades.

On this, the Amir of Kabul sent an order to the Governor of Khost to arrest the Sahibzada Sahib forthwith and send him to Kabul with a guard of 50 horsemen and that he should not be allowed to talk to anybody and that nobody should be allowed to talk to him or see him.

Maulvi Abdul Ghaffar, who had carried the letters to Kabul, had returned to Saidgah some 3 weeks before the issue of these orders and had informed the martyr that no reply was handed over to him and that Mirza Muhammad Hussain Khan, Governor of Kabul, had informed him that the reply would be sent by post. Maulvi Abdul Ghaffar also said to the blessed martyr that in all this he apprehended danger. But the blessed martyr did not care in the least for all this apprehension of danger. For three weeks no reply was received.

One day, the blessed martyr, his servant Abdul Jalil, and I were going out for a walk

9

AL HAKAM | Friday 13 May 2022 when the blessed martyr looked at his own hands and said, “Have you the power to wear handcuffs?” And then addressing me said, “When I am killed, you should convey the news of my being done to death to the Promised Messiah[as].” On hearing this, tears came out of my eyes and I told him that I was with him and would not leave him. On this, the martyr of blessed memory said that “It could not be,” for when I had asked the Promised Messiah[as] that I could not go out of Qadian, the Promised Messiah[as] had told me that I should accompany the blessed martyr home and then come back, therefore, he said, “the order of the Promised Messiah[as] was clear” about me but not about him, i.e., (the Martyr of Kabul).

Meanwhile, no orders about the arrest of the martyr had, as yet, been received from the Kabul Darbar. Many friends of the blessed martyr came to him and said that if he wished to go to Bannu, they would accompany him and escort him there for they apprehended danger. On this, the blessed martyr said that he could not do so. He would not go to Bannu, because he very often received the following revelation, “Go to Pharoah.” It mattered little if he was killed for much good would accrue to them from his death and that they would receive much help from God. That is why he never thought of going to Bannu.

On the day the 50 sawars [horsemen] arrived at Khost from Kabul for the arrest of the blessed martyr, he had written a letter to the Promised Messiah[as] about the despatch of those letters which he had addressed to the 5 grandees of Kabul, [and] the manner in which they were delivered and received and eventually presented to the Amir. As the letter was addressed in very pleasing terms to the Promised Messiah[as], I requested the blessed martyr to hand over the letter to me promising that [I] would return it to him after keeping a copy of it. The blessed martyr put the letter into his pocket and told me that the letter will come into my possession.

When the time of the afternoon prayer came, those 50 sawars began to come one by one. The blessed martyr conducted the prayers. When they were finished the sawars came to him and said that the Governor of Khost desired to see him and wanted to know whether the martyr himself would come or the Governor should present himself. On this, the blessed martyr replied that the Governor was his superior and that therefore he would go himself. He ordered a horse to be saddled for going to the Governor, but one of the sawars got down and offered his own horse for the purpose.

The martyr mounted this horse and made over to me the letter referred to above and did not say anything more. I followed the martyr and when we had gone out of the village, the martyr told me that when I had first met him, he had thought that an eagle had come into his possession and that he had become very glad and talked to me on this topic at great length. When I went along with him for a long distance, the martyr told me to go home, but I requested him to allow me to accompany him for attendance on him. At this, the blessed martyr forbade me directly and said that my going alone with him was forbidden and referred me to the Quranic text: ُ َ ُ ُۡ َ ُ َّ ‫لَا تلقوۡا ِبایۡ ِدیۡک ۡم ِالَی الت ۡہلک ِۃ‬ “Do not throw yourself knowingly into

the mouth of death,” and ordered me to leave that place for home. Accordingly, I started for home and the martyr went with the sawars to the Khost cantonment. On reaching there, the Governor informed him that orders from Kabul regarding him were to the effect that no one should see or talk to him and that he also should not look at or talk to anyone and therefore for this purpose a separate house was given to him and a guard was appointed to watch that house.

But the Governor made this concession in his favour that his sons and relatives could come to this house and see him. And when his disciples and relatives came to see him, they requested him to allow them to take him and his family, saying that their number was so large that the men of the Governor would not be able to resist them.

But the martyr; Sahibzada Abdul Latif, on this occasion said that he hoped that God would certainly utilise him for some divine end and he forbade his disciples to do anything against the Government; so that no harm be done to him in the house where he was stationed.

The blessed martyr was detained in Khost simply for the reason that the Governor had thought that if he sent him to Kabul forthwith, his disciples would attack the escort in the way and getting him released will take him away. But when after two or three weeks, the Governor found out that the martyr himself had forbidden the people to do any such thing, he sent him to Kabul with a guard composed of a few horsemen. The horsemen relate, though I cannot vouch for its truth, that on his way to Kabul the blessed martyr disappeared twice and then reappeared in the same riding posture again. The story goes that the blessed martyr then told the horsemen that they could not take him to Kabul but that

he was going there of his own accord. The horsemen further relate that they took him with great respect and reverence to Kabul.

When the blessed martyr reached Kabul, he was taken before Sardar Nasrullah Khan, the brother of the Amir of Kabul. Sardar Nasrullah Khan without any conversation with the blessed martyr ordered that all his property be looted. On this, the horse, luggage and the way money of the blessed martyr was wrested from him by force and then it was ordered that he should be sent to the dungeon of Arq where great men are imprisoned. In that dungeon, the blessed martyr was put to a great deal of hardship but never swerved from the path of rectitude, and he always recited the Quran [and] remembered his God. He remained in that dungeon for about 4 months.

Once when I was in Saidgah during the time of the blessed martyr’s imprisonment, the news was received that he stood in need of money for his expenses. The members of the family of the blessed martyr informed me that he had stood in need of money to meet his expenses and that there was no one to take the money to him; hence they asked me whether I would take the money to him. I replied that I would certainly do it.

It was winter and the way was mountainous.

However, I started alone with the money.

When I reached the country of Mangal, I saw that heavy rain was coming from my rear. I was very much frightened seeing that the rain was heavy, the way was rough and the season was extremely cold, and I thought that I should very likely die on the way on account of cold. When I was in this condition, I addressed the coming rain as follows: “Today two servants of the Promised Messiah[as] are in difficulty – one is in the dungeon, while the other is taking for him his expenses. You are sent by God and we

are also God’s creatures. I beseech you not to rain on me but keep at a distance from me.”

Then I walked on and the rain followed me at the distance of some 18 or 20 paces.

I walked on for 8 kos in this condition till I gained the house of one of my friends.

When I put my foot in, the rain began to fall in torrents and so I passed the night there.

In the morning, I started again because the rain had stopped. At night when I reached a place named Gharak, I saw that goats and camels of the Kuchi people were lying dead in hundreds in the way on account of heavy rain and the fall of snow.

I had to reach Khushai, a station away from Gharak, but when I reached the mountain of Gharak, the shades of night were already falling. Khushai was far away but I had to reach it for there was no other place to stop in. Here also rain and hail-stones began to fall and I ran on for protection to a cave and hid myself in it. After a short time, the rain stopped, the clouds dispersed and the sun appeared in the heaven and began to shine. Then I prayed to God to enable me to reach Khushai at sunset as the place was still very distant and there was no hope of my reaching it. My prayer was heard and accordingly I reached the place in time. God be thanked for this.

At night I stopped in a mosque of Khushai and the next day I reached Kabul after finishing this hard journey. I stopped with Haji Bashi for two days and through him I sent the money to the blessed martyr.

Haji Bashi was a special friend of the blessed martyr.

(To be continued...)

(Transcribed by Al Hakam from the original published in The Review of Religions, March, April & May, 1922)

Ahmadi Muslims continue assisting the world’s most underdeveloped country: Niger Muhammad Jamal Niger Correspondent

Due to the severe economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, most developed countries are facing burdensome challenges to feed the needy and the world’s most underdeveloped country, Niger – bearing the 189th rank out of 189 countries in the human development category and with the harshest climate – is more prone to the effects caused by this devastating period.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya has always been there to help the underprivileged in every corner of the world and has engaged in activities to provide relief to the needy and deserving people.

Thus, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Niger came to rescue the inhabitants of the village of Bopu – an Ahmadi village – where the inhabitants are facing burdensome challenges in the fight against terrorism.

They are seeking refuge in the nearby town “Tera” as they have been forced to leave their homes and fields by militants and these waraffected people are in dire need of assistance to cope with normal life.

Jamaat Niger distributed 100 ration bags to them, which contained 12 kilograms of rice, two kilograms of sugar, two litres of oil, three packets of pasta and teabags.

In this noble act, Jamaat Niger was supported by IAAAE, the International Association of Ahmadi Architects & Engineers. May Allah accept their donations, amin.

The second phase of these humanitarian activities began in the middle of Ramadan 2022 when Humanity First Niger in collaboration with Humanity First Norway launched the food hampers distribution programme. 350 food hampers were distributed to 350 families in Dogondoutchi, Gaya, Kore Mairoua and Niamey. The most vulnerable members of society; women, widows and the elderly were prioritised for this distribution.

During the last phase of Ramadan, Lajna Imaillah Belgium reached out to Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Niger to help the needy people, and thus, a preliminary plan was drawn up to help the community at large through collective iftar and distribution of iftar packets.

Packed food prepared for distribution

Alhamdulillah, this programme took place on 29 April 2022, at the Central Mission House of Birni N Konni, Niger, where more than 150 people attended the collective iftar and the next day 100 iftar packets were distributed among the homeless and needy people on the streets and public places.

May Allah the Almighty reward the donors for this gesture and accept the sacrifices of everyone who assisted in these projects, amin.

Friday 13 May 2022 | AL HAKAM

10

Prophet Muhammad’s display of love during animosity and warfare: A lesson for the world

Masjid al-Nabawi, the mosque initially built by the Holy Prophetsa and his Companionsra in the city of Medina

Ali Fatty Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya International, Ghana

It sounds strange and inconceivable to show love to your enemy in warfare and animosity. To some, that is insanity. In fact, a short perusal of the history of wars reveals that most countries will always want total annihilation of enemy groups and opponent countries at every opportunity.

For example, during the current invasion of Russia in Ukraine, news stories report that Russian militaries are destroying lifesupporting social facilities in Ukraine in the pretext of war – even though this is against the Geneva Convention.

United Nations agencies for Human Rights Watch issued a statement in condemnation of the actions of the Russian troops in Ukraine. It stated: “UN agencies on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to attacks on healthcare professionals and facilities in Ukraine, which have killed a dozen people, describing them as acts of ‘unconscionable cruelty.’” (www.france24. com/en/live-news/20220313-un-agenciescondemn-attacks-on-health-care-in-ukraine) Yet, what’s so alarming is that this has long been the modus operandi of many countries in war times.

Another example in history is when “in 1347 Mongol soldiers catapulted plague-infested corpses over the walls of a besieged city to infect and thereby kill off

the inhabitants, and in 1763 British troops passed blankets infected with smallpox among Native American tribes, who were then wiped out by a terrible epidemic”. (www. reviewofreligions.org/38456/advancedbiological-weapons-vs-nationwide-cyberattack/) Conversely, Islam has taught that Muslims must always remain committed to the ethics of war and in no circumstances does Islam allow them to trespass these limits. History furnishes not a single example whereby Muslims – since the era of Prophet Muhammadsa until the Khulafa-eRashidun – went for an expedition or war (in defence) and they betrayed these limits.

The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa of Islam himself observed this in his practical life.

Moreover, the Prophet Muhammadsa did not just follow the rules of war but even went so far as to exhibit love during warfare with the Meccan enemies of Islam, who were hellbent on killing Muslims. The Holy Prophetsa and the Muslims suffered 13 years of incessant persecution at the hands of the Quraish people of Mecca during early Islam.

Even after the infidels of Mecca forcefully made the Muslims migrate from their homeland, the Quraish still pursued them and forced them to fight in the battle of Badr and Uhud. Nevertheless, even then, the Holy Prophetsa never abandoned the act of showing mercy and being compassionate to fellow kith and kin.

Once, while the Muslims were returning

from the Battle of Uhud, Abu Sufyan bin Harb gave a challenge to the Muslims to meet at Badr for war again. The Holy Prophetsa accepted this challenge. In the following year, in four Hijra, at the end of the month of Shawwal, the Holy Prophetsa set out from Medina with 1,500 weak and unskilled companions with meagre weapons to confront the outrageous and wretched people of Quraish of Mecca. (The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets, Vol. 2, p. 386) The Holy Prophetsa appointed Hazrat Abdullahra bin Abdullah bin Ubayy as the Amir of Medina behind him for the period of this expedition.

From the enemies’ site, Abu Sufyan bin Harb also set out from Mecca with an army of the Quraish, consisting of 2,000 skilled and fortified men with superior weapons. Abu Sufyan’s heart was full of fear and ill intention against the Muslims – despite the fact that they were somewhat victorious against the Muslims in Uhud, he decided to gather a large army before he could go out to the battlefield to confront the Muslims.

Abu Sufyan, before departing with his troops for the battle, sent a man to Medina by the name Na‘im to purposely scare and fabricate unfounded stories to the Muslims so that they do not set out for war. This man came to Medina with fabricated stories that the Quraish were preparing for this war with enthusiasm and strength and that it

was better for Muslims to withdraw. Due to this, some Muslims of weak disposition started to show fear of participating in the expedition. However, the Holy Prophetsa encouraged the Muslims to participate and stated: “We have already accepted the challenge of the Quraish and we have promised to set out on this occasion; therefore, we cannot turn back. Even if I am required to go alone, I shall go and stand firm in the face of the enemy.” (The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets, Vol. 2, p. 387) This address of the Holy Prophetsa removed all sorts of anxiety and fear in the hearts of the Muslims due to the sinister conspiracy of Abu Sufyan through Na‘im.

The Holy Prophetsa, as the commanderin-chief of the Muslim army, set out with 1,500 companions and reached Badr as promised by both parties. Nevertheless, Abu Sufyan came out with 2,000 Meccans to some distance, then decided to retreat and addressed his army stating: “This year the famine is very severe, and people are facing financial difficulty.

Therefore, it is not wise to fight at this time. We shall attack Medina with greater preparation when a time of affluence is at hand.” (The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets, Vol. 2, p. 387) When the Muslims became aware that Abu Sufyan and his troops had retreated to Mecca, the Muslims stayed in Badr for eight days and participated in trade with the indigenous people. After the eight days had passed and the Meccans did not come, the Holy Prophetsa commanded the Muslim army to return to Medina.

The famine that struck Mecca continued for a while; both the poor and the rich were not saved from its repercussions. When the Holy Prophetsa received knowledge of this, as an act of compassion, he sent some silver to the less fortunate of Mecca. (The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets, Vol. 2, p. 405) Moreover, this compassionate act of the Holy Prophetsa vividly shows that he was only an enemy of the false doctrines that were found within the people and the religions, which he was always ready to obliterate at all times without fear and delay.

Another incident is also secured in historic accounts. Mecca was struck by famine for a second time. Due to the severity of the famine, Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraish of Mecca, presented himself before the Holy Prophetsa and represented the Quraish who sought the Prophet’s prayers for deliverance from the famine. Abu Sufyan stated: “O Muhammad! You order people to obey Allah and keep good relations with kith and kin. No doubt the people of your tribe are dying, so please invoke Allah for them.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Istisqa) This act of the Meccans sending Abu Sufyan bin Harb on their behalf requesting the Holy Prophetsa to pray for them indicates that they wholeheartedly accepted the righteous nature of the Holy Prophetsa and his close relationship with Allah the Almighty. However, it was their selfish egos, arrogance and the teachings of Islam being in contrast to their idolatrous practices that stopped them from accepting him as a true prophet of Allah.

AL HAKAM | Friday 13 May 2022

11

Sacrifice is the key to nation-building: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s advice to the newly-formed Pakistan Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Al Hakam In 1949, Malik Sahib Khan Sahib Noon, retired Deputy Commissioner requested Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra to visit Sargodha and address the locals, which was accepted

by Huzoorra, and thus, he delivered a lecture on 11 November 1949 at the Company Bagh.

The lecture was delivered after the Jumuah Prayer and lasted for two hours. It was attended by hundreds of people from all walks of life, including the district officials, local dignitaries and many non-Ahmadis.

(Al Fazl, 13 November 1949, p. 1) During this lecture, Huzoorra gave indepth guidance to the government and the people of Pakistan, suggesting how the newly-formed Pakistan could be led to progress and stability.

In the beginning, Huzoorra stated: “I believe the main difference between human beings and animals is that human beings contemplate, but animals do not.

Animals have been living the same way since the world’s beginning, but human beings have invented new ways through continuous contemplation. And whenever human beings have abandoned this prescribed path, they have faced downfall, instead of advancement.

“The main point on which we need to emphasise and pay attention is that we should not leave our habit of contemplation – which has been declared necessary for our progress by Allah the Almighty. If we choose a path for ourselves without any thought, then certainly we will never progress, instead, we will stand still at the same place. And this is a law of nature that whoever stands still, regresses and cannot sustain their position.

“Allah the Almighty has created this world in such a way that human beings would either progress or regress, there is no place where they could standstill. Glance into the world’s history ever since the history of mankind is known – and we learn about the world’s history from the Holy Quran, as it has narrated the history since the time of Adamas – it seems that people either progress or regress; human beings have not been granted the power to remain in the same state. Thus, there is no point in being motionless; without change.

“And to progress, we must understand our objective, and we need to have enough capability to create a path [towards progress] after pondering over all aspects. Therefore, to progress, we need to make a habit of contemplating, reflecting and acting with thought. And then we need to try to act on those beneficial matters which we learn after enough contemplation.

“If we do so, we would make ourselves

Company Bagh, Sargodha, Pakistan, where Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered his lecture on 11 November 1949

beneficial and benefit from our lives in true spirit. But if we do not contemplate and reflect, or do not try to act upon those beneficial matters which we learn after much thought and contemplation, then we forget the purpose of our life and tread on such a path which leads a person towards ruin and destruction, instead of success and progress.” (Al Fazl, 28 November 1962, p. 2) Huzoorra further said: “You had demanded Pakistan and, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, you have got it now. [...] Pakistan – which has been given to you by God Almighty – is an inanimate thing, but you are animate; you can speak, understand, walk, pick up or pull something, but Pakistan does neither speak nor contemplate or understand. [...] And it is a law of this world that it is the animate things which always protect the inanimate things. [...]

“Therefore, you will have to protect Pakistan, instead of Pakistan protecting you. [...] If you do not take care of Pakistan, it will be spoiled. [...] Thus, you all need to understand that you demanded Pakistan and eventually got it, but when you had demanded it, did you not know the fact that in case you get it, you would have to take care of it?

“When a mother prays to Allah the Almighty for a child, and says ‘O God, grant me a child by your grace’, she also understands that she would need to stay awake during the nights for [taking care of] the child. [...] You are [just like] the mothers of Pakistan, and Pakistan is [like] a child which has been granted to you by God Almighty. [...] Now, only you hold the responsibility for the advancement of knowledge, trade and industry, the religious and moral state of the people, and good governance in the country.” (Ibid, pp. 2-3) Huzoorra continued: “The nature of sacrifices required from the people of a well-established country is

far different from the sacrifices required from the people of a country which has a newborn government. And such a newborn government is just like a plant without firm roots. [...] Thus, there is a huge difference between the government of Pakistan and the American, French, English, Russian and German governments, and that difference is that Pakistan is an infant and they are mature. The rules vary for the mature and the infants. A mother does not have to stay awake the whole night for a young child, but she does stay awake for an infant. [...]

“Therefore, until you recognise the responsibilities which are incumbent upon you towards Pakistan, you can never satisfy your heart by some similarities that such and such happens in America, England, France, Germany, and Russia as well. I get surprised whenever I read such articles in newspapers that such and such happens in America, England and France. Why don’t they [the authors] understand that those countries are like a 40-year-old strong man and Pakistan is still [like] an infant? Anyway, a Pakistani will need to offer sacrifices differently, if they wish to retain their country. [...]

“This is an obvious fact that governments function with money, but when Pakistan was established, there was lawlessness [during the early days]. When I came from Eastern Punjab [Indian Punjab], some high officers of the railway met me and told me that the state of Muslims is such that they forcefully aboard the train without a ticket and say that ‘Now that the British have gone and we have our own government, why should we buy a ticket?’ We indeed have our government, but the question is, does one ought to protect their own possession with more care or less? [...]

“If [you claim that] Pakistan belongs to you, then you will need to offer sacrifices for its strength. You cannot get away from those sacrifices by saying that ‘this is our belonging, so it is our right to keep it in

whatever way we like’; rather, ‘our belonging’ implies that you will have to offer sacrifices more than others.” (Ibid, p. 4) After this, Huzoorra advised the people of Pakistan to pay all of their due taxes with complete sincerity, which would ultimately be used for the betterment of the country.

He said: “[Sargodha] is a district of landowners and they cannot evade their tax because the government knows about the amount of land and earnings of a certain landowner.

A government employee also cannot get away, as the government is paying them and knows how much they earn. But, other people continuously evade their taxes.

“During British rule, one could have argued, ‘Why should I pay my money to the British rulers?’, but now Pakistan is [like] your own child and you must offer sacrifices for your ‘child’ and would necessarily have to spend your money. If there will be no money [through taxes], then how could the armed forces be sustained, and how could the government carry out its responsibilities.

“But even though they have their own government and one ought to offer more sacrifices for their own possession, traders are still committing the same fraud which they used to do in the past. For instance, I have noticed that there are very few traders who put sales tax [on their items] and sell their items at very high prices, by not implementing the sales tax [on the buyer]. [...]

“In short, this is the method of traders that on one hand, please the buyer by not putting the sales tax in the count, and selling the item at a high price as well.

The government had estimated the annual income through sales tax to be between 70 to 100 million rupees, but the previous year’s total income through sales tax was 25 million rupees. In other words, around 70 to 80 million rupees were evaded by traders.”

(Ibid, pp. 4-5) While addressing the youth, Huzoorra said: “Intellectual advancement happens through colleges and schools, but I observe that still, our youngsters are spending their time in unnecessary games and vices. [...]

Pakistan can attain respect only when it achieves such a status that all nations of the world feel compelled to pay their respect.

And this cannot happen until every school student commits that they will make every effort and study with full passion to achieve such a position where the world starts seeing them with jealousy. Similarly, it cannot happen until every college student makes the same effort and strives hard to succeed in their education.

“But the situation is such that instead Continued on next page >>

Friday 13 May 2022 | AL HAKAM

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of enhancing their educational level, the youngsters go to the cinemas, sing unethical songs and waste their money on other vices. [...] Pakistan cannot attain any respect until our youth are on par with the youth of other nations. Until our youth surpass others in all kinds of disciplines, they cannot lead them at all. This responsibility is completely in the hands of the youth. [...] Always remember that independence does not mean merely a government; rather it means to instil such reformations in oneself which strengthen the country. [...] If you do not advance your country in every aspect, then this independence will merely be a toy.” (Ibid, p.

5) Huzoorra continued by saying: “Pakistan cannot be strengthened without practical sacrifices. [...] We had demanded independence and a sovereign country for our progress – and Allah the Almighty granted it to us – so now we need to offer sacrifices practically. And practical sacrifices include hard work, selflessness and honesty.

“The authorities need to leave the habit of taking bribes and need to purify their character. Though it was a bad habit earlier as well, now it is a curse from the national perspective, and it needs to be eradicated as soon as possible. Similarly, they must make the public act on their commands with love and tenderness, instead of force and might.

It is a big mistake to neglect the valid rights of the nation and govern them with force due to power hunger.

“Therefore, the public needs to pay all their taxes, the youth needs to exert their full effort in attaining knowledge, the governmental authorities need to ensure that even a thought of taking bribes should not come to their mind, and every person who goes to an officer, should return with the belief and certainty that the government has brought such a revolution in the country, that though the government officials used to take bribes in the past, now they refrain from it.

“Just imagine, if our country starts acting upon these three points, it will bring a huge revolution; that is, every one of you pays their taxes, traders pay their income tax, professionals pay their sales tax with sincerity, landowners pay their tax, no one travels on the railway without a ticket, government officials refrain from taking bribes and every shopkeeper and trader advise each other not to evade their sales tax – then Pakistan’s income would increase abundantly. Currently, Pakistan’s annual income is 800 million rupees, but if all people start paying their taxes with sincerity, then this income could reach 1.5 billion [rupees].” (Al Fazl, 5 December 1962, p. 2) After this, Huzoorra spoke about the ongoing demand for an Islamic constitution in Pakistan and stated that Pakistani Muslims needed to inculcate Islamic teachings in their hearts, before making such a demand.

Huzoorra said: “There are around 900 commandments in the Holy Quran, from which perhaps two or three commandments are such in which a government can be involved; the rest are directly related to individuals and they can act on them without any hindrance, if they

are willing to do so.

“Therefore, one is amazed on seeing the uproar in newspapers that an Islamic government should be established [in Pakistan]. Even during British rule, there was no hindrance in acting on these commandments and now there is freedom in every aspect. [During British rule] one could think that people are showing negligence in acting on the Islamic commandments due to the influence of English people, but now they have left. So, what kind of hindrance is there for us in acting on these commandments and what halts us? If there is no hindrance, then what does this uproar for establishing an Islamic government mean?

“There can be only two possibilities about this uproar which is being raised in the newspapers; either it is a demand of the whole country or it is not. [...] If a majority of the country demands to implement the Islamic law, then the question arises; are they acting on Islam [at an individual level]? “[...] Whenever one picks up a newspaper, it says that ‘the state of Pakistan is doing nothing to establish an Islamic government.’ [...] Who stops you from offering prayer, observing fasts or going for Hajj? [The reality is that] you are not doing the acts which are completely in your own control, but blaming the government instead.” (Ibid, pp. 3-4) Towards the end, Huzoorra said: “Merely raising slogans does not indicate a nation’s progress. [...] But if all people start acting on those matters which I have mentioned here [during the lecture] – traders start paying their taxes, the public does not travel on the railway without a ticket, the youth enhance their knowledge instead of wasting time on immoralities, strong youngsters join the armed forces, officers leave the habit of taking bribes and act with honesty and hard work – then Pakistan would get stronger and stronger practically. Consequently, if you do not say ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ [long live Pakistan] even once, the ultimate result would always be: ‘Pakistan Zindabad.’” (Ibid, p. 6) On the day of the lecture, there was a hockey match being played in a playground adjacent to the venue. On one occasion, as a player came to fetch the ball, he did not return to the ground and stood in the audience and started listening to Huzoor’s lecture. Then, one by one, they all assembled in the Company Bagh and stood there listening to Huzoor’s insightful words. They all remained amazed and silent and became part of the large crowd that sat and listened to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra in pin-drop silence, and were awe-stricken and fully immersed in Huzoor’s words. (Al Hakam, 19 February 2021, Issue 153, pp. 20-21) If the government and the people of Pakistan had acted on Hazrat Musleh-eMaud’s valuable and timely guidance – which was hugely praised at the time – the country would have progressed immensely, and it could have avoided many setbacks, which were faced in the following years and in present-day Pakistan.

‫ ہ ی‬‭‫‬ہك‬‭‫‬اگ‬‭‫اِک وتق آےئ‬ ‫‬ولگ‬‭‫‬امتم‬‭‫‬ےگ‬‭‫‬ك‬ ‫‬ركے‬‭‫‬دخا‬‭‫‬رتمح‬‭‫ىئ‬ہپ‬ ‭ ‫س‬دفا‬ ‭ ‫‬ا‬‭‫تلم ےك‬

“The time will come when everyone will say, ‘May God have mercy on this devotee of the nation.’”

100 Years Ago...

Lecture on Isla poem in praise The

Photo taken at Westminster. Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra, who served in the UK as a missionary before going to America, can be seen standing in the back row Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra (1872-1957)

To whom it may concern “At the rooms of Grand Rapids Lodge Theosophical Society Dr MM Sadiq gave a most illuminating lecture on the subject, ‘What Islam Really Is,’ which was the subject requested or formulated by his audience.

The doctor unmistakably cleared up the old superstitions in regard to his religion and gave us a new view of it. It is a pleasure to recommend Dr Sadiq to all who are interested in Truth.

“Respectfully, Erma T Mclouth, FTS. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 7 November 1921.”

No VP system For the information of our readers abroad, we beg to state that there is no VP system between India and America and all orders for American books and goods must be accompanied with the approximate price in Indian currency notes sent in registered envelopes (not insured).

Mirza Kabir-ud-Din Ahmad [Mirza Kabir-ud-Din Ahmad is] a volunteer evangelist of Ahmadia Movement who is always ingenious in carrying the word of God to every corner of the society and around Lucknow, the old capital of Mughal kings of Hindustan. We give below an

extract from his article specially written for this journal, [The Moslem Sunrise], on [Jehad]:

Jehad “Islam never allowed the use of the sword for spreading the religion. On the other hand, it strictly prohibits compulsion in matters of faith. It has the plain injunction in the Quran, ‘There shall be no compulsion in religion.’

“When the idolators of Arabia, exasperated at the progress of Islam, came down upon them the Moslems in Medina to extirpate them, only then the Moslems took up the swords to defend their women and children and themselves from aggressing enemy.

“The Moslem battles were, therefore, not undertaken for gaining converts, but to protect innocent Moslem lives.

“It must also be stated here that permission for self-defence and murdering the enemies of Islam was not given to the Moslems until the Arabs had, on account of their excessive oppressions and outrages and innocent bloodshed, rendered themselves culpable and liable to be punished with death. But a clemency was even then shown to such of them as embraced Islam. The unity of religion established the relation of brotherhood and all past wrongs were forgotten. It is here that some opponents of Islam have stumbled and from this they

13

AL HAKAM | Friday 13 May 2022

am, a mosque in Paris and a e of God by MM Sadiq Sahib Moslem Sunrise, April 1922 have drawn the conclusion that their new religion was forced upon the unbelievers. In fact, the case is just the reverse of what the objectors have thought.

“The Islamic truths had been brought home to them and they well understood the futility of idol worship, therefore His Mercy offered them an opportunity, even after the sentence was justly pronounced against them, for imploring His pardon and the forgiveness of their sins.

“Islam had to grapple with many difficulties. Religious prejudice was so strong at the time that if a member of any tribe adopted the faith of Islam, he was either put to death or threatened with it, and persecution was so severe that life seemed a burden to him. Islam had, therefore, to face the difficulty of establishing freedom of religious exercises and for this noble object it had to undertake wars. It is deplorable that even in these days of civilization and peace, the barbarous prejudiced nominal Christians cannot conceal their hereditary enmity towards others.

“The recent wanton and unprovoked attacks of the Italians and the Balkan states on the poor Muhammadans in Tripoli and Turkey, accompanied with barbarous slaughter, and the cruel treatment meted out to the poor helpless Moslem women and children coupled with the pope’s declaration of the Holy War have reminded us of the Crusades of the middle ages. While some Christian nations in the East aggressively practicing Jehad, while the poor Moslem is being slaughtered for being a Moslem, the Christian writers are still busy in writing articles to say that Islam preached Jehad.

“However, as a British subject, I must express my thankfulness to the British Government for the religious freedom we are all enjoying in India.”

East meets West Our learned Sister Rahatullah has been married to our dear brother Mr Mustafa Taha, Ahmadi, with the dowry of 51 dollars and we honestly hope and pray that this marriage will be as successful and happy as many others between the Eastern and Western lovers have been. Allah bless Mr and Mrs Taha with a blissful married life, the sun of love shining through. May joy, peace and happiness be their lot through life, and may we some day meet them both with good Bashir at our headquarters in India.

Love knows no limits of East or West.

Marry the boy you find the best.

West meets East and East meets West.

A mosque in Paris The cornerstone of the Moslem Mosque has been laid in Paris in sight of Notre Dame Cathedral. It is to occupy whole block

dominated by the municipality in the old historic quarters of Paris. The institute will have a library, hotel and Turkish bath in addition to the mosque. […]

I love the Maker I love the Maker when I see what He has made.

From flowers the praises of the Gardener I recall – Through every beauty doth my love pervade.

My love, my Lord, my wondrous All-in-All. Wondrous His beauty, who made the beauteous face – Wondrous His wisdom, who made man so wise – How great is He, who planted through His grace, The seed of His great love in man to rise.

The world is full of nights and full of days.

The nights are dark, but the glad days are bright – When it is day, I revel in the sun’s warm rays, When darkness falls, I kindle my inward light.

So, I am never in the dark, for with my clear searchlight, Which has been granted [to] me through His grace, I search to find rare pearls and diamonds bright, And, searching, find my prizes, though they’re somewhat scarce.

Pearls there are in words – diamonds in deeds.

In roses, and in rosy faces everywhere they are.

But best of all, the lofty mind that leads All to Heaven’s bliss, from both near and far.

I admire those minds of old and new, From Adam to Noah, Abraham and Moses, Elijah, David and all the Prophet Hebrew Muhammad[sa], the Master-mind, and lowly Jesus.

Buddha, Zoroaster, Krishna Celestial – All spring from the One Great and Good Guardian.

So taught my Master the latest of them all The Prophet Ahmad[as] of Quadian in Hindustan.

Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, Ventor, IW. December 1917.

[The degree of the Doctor of Orientalistic Sciences] Oriental University

Washington, DC Classical, Commercial, Agricultural,

Engineering and Psychic Science Colleges, Theological, Philosophical, Medical, Law and Art Schools, Theomonistic and Oriental Seminaries.

To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting Be it known that, by the authority of the State of Virginia and the United States of America, in academic jurisdiction vested in us, we hereby confer upon: Mufti Muhammad Sadiq who has satisfied the requirements of this University School, the degree of: Doctor of Orientalistic Sciences according to the ancient and universal custom of adding dignity to general merit, as with all the rights, privileges and honors, so with all the duties pertaining to this distinction.

In Testimony Whereof, the Board of Trustees by their President and Secretary, and by the Dean of the Oriental University’s Orientalistic Seminary hereunto have subscribed and have affixed the corporate seal in the City of Washington, DC, this second day of January in the year … one thousand nine and twenty-two.

Oriental University Seal District of Columbia HP Holler, PhD STD, President M Liferock, PLD, Dean Makine Maroon, DC M Burtrum Crabill, DOPC, Secretary JB Holland, PLG MB Geo De Salij, DD (Transcribed by Al Hakam from the original in The Moslem Sunrise, April 1922)

Friday 13 May 2022 | AL HAKAM

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Friday Sermon 15 April 2022 Men of Excellence: Hazrat Abu Bakrra After reciting the tashahud, ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: Accounts from the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra were being narrated two sermons ago, and various references were given which prove that the apostates were not punished by Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra on account of their apostasy; rather, it was in response to their rebellion and waging war. In relation to this the Just Arbiter of this age, the Promised Messiahas has also connected the apostasy during the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra to rebellion and insurgence. Whilst mentioning Hazrat Abu Bakr’sra level of courage and bravery, the Promised Messiahas states: “It is no secret to historians that the Caliphate of Abu Bakr was a time of fear and trials. A host of trials and difficulties befell Islam and the Muslims after the demise of the Holy Prophetsa. Many hypocrites became apostates and the apostates became bold in their speech. One group made a claim to prophethood and many bedouins flocked around them, to the extent that Musailimah, the liar, amassed nearly 100,000 ignorant and wicked people around him. Trials erupted, afflictions increased, calamities engulfed all near and far, and the believers were shaken severely. All of the people were tried in that time, and a dreadful and shocking set of circumstances had developed. The believers were so helpless that it seemed as though brands of fire were lit in their hearts or as though they had been slaughtered with a knife. At times, they would weep due to their separation from the Greatest of Creationsa, and at other times, due to the trials which had emerged in the form of an intense burning fire. There was not even the slightest hint of peace. The mischief-makers had spread all over like plants sprouting on a pile of dirt. The fear and concern of the believers had increased manifold, and their hearts were completely filled with dread and restlessness. During such a time, Hazrat Abu Bakrra was appointed the leader of the time and the Caliph of the Seal of the Prophetssa.

Witnessing the behaviour, conduct and ways of the hypocrites, disbelievers and apostates caused him to drown in sorrow and grief. He would weep like a continuous downpour of rain, his tears would flow like a running fountain, and he would supplicate to Allah for the betterment of Islam and the Muslims.

“It has been narrated by Hazrat Aishara, ‘When my father was appointed as Khalifa and Allah granted him leadership, right from the outset of his Khilafat he was faced with the upsurge of disorder from every direction, the efforts of the false claimants to prophethood and the rebellion of the hypocrites and apostates. The number of calamites he had to face was such that if they were to befall upon a mountain it would cause it to immediately crush and crumble to the ground. However, he was granted patience like that of the prophets.’”

The Promised Messiahas states:

“Eventually Allah the Almighty bestowed His succour and the false claimants to prophethood and apostates were killed. The disorders and dangers were put to an end, the situation was resolved and the institution of Khilafat was firmly established. Allah the Almighty saved the believers from the calamity, transformed their state of fear into peace and established for them their religion, He established the entire land upon the truth and utterly humiliated those who sought to create disorder. Allah fulfilled His promise and granted support to His servant, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra and destroyed the leaders of the rebellion and their idols. The hearts of the disbelievers were completely overawed and they ultimately repented. This indeed was the promise of Allah, Who is the AllPowerful and Most Truthful. Thus, ponder how all the characteristics and hallmarks of Khilafat were fulfilled in the person of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra. I pray to Allah the Almighty that may He enlighten your heart for this endeavour.”

The Promised Messiahas states: “Ponder over the conditions of the Muslims when Hazrat Abu Bakrra became the Caliph. Owing to the trials faced at the time, Islam was in a fragile state, just like that of a person who has been burnt to the core.

But then Allah the Almighty established the might of Islam once again and brought Islam out from the depths of a deep well.

False claimants to prophethood were killed by a grievous punishment and the apostates were destroyed like cattle; the believers were

like corpses owing to their fear, but Allah removed this fear and bestowed peace upon them.

“After this trial had been averted, the believers rejoiced and went to congratulate Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra, exclaiming ‘bravo’ when they would meet him. They would praise him and beseech the court of the Master of all masters for him. They would be eager to express their praise and honour for him. The love they had for him was rooted firmly in the depths of their hearts. They would follow him in all matters and be grateful to him. Their hearts became illuminated and their faces glistened.

They increased in their love and affection, and they strived to their utmost in their obedience to him. They considered him to be a blessed individual and one that had been granted support and succour like that of prophets. All this was as a result of the truthfulness of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra and his unwavering conviction.” (Sirrul Khilafah, [Urdu translation], Nazarat-e-Isha’at, pp. 47-51)

This [excerpt] is the Urdu translation of the Promised Messiah’s Arabic book, Sirrul Khilafah.

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra sent various expeditions to subdue the apostasy and rebellion. As has been mentioned earlier that following the demise of the Holy Prophetsa, almost the entire Arab Peninsula became apostates. Among them were some who only refused to pay the Zakat and the action taken against them by Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra has been mentioned previously.

The second group were those who not

only became apostates, but also rebelled and killed the Muslims. With regards to this group it is mentioned that Hazrat Abu Bakrra firmly resolved to contend against them. It is recorded in Bidaya Wa al-Nihaya that after Hazrat Usamah’s army had taken some rest, Hazrat Abu Bakrra mounted his ride in Medina and with his sword drawn out, lead the Muslim army to Dhul Qassah, which was at a distance of one night and one day’s travel from Medina. This duration is according to the mode of transport in those days. The noble companions, among whom was Hazrat Alira as well, were insisting that Hazrat Abu Bakrra should return to Medina and send another courageous individual to fight against the Arabs in his stead. Hazrat Aishara relates: “With his sword drawn and whilst mounted upon his ride, my father departed.

Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talibra came and took hold of the reins of his camel and submitted, ‘O Khalifah of the Messengersa of Allah! I say to you what the Messengersa of Allah stated on the day of Uhud which was, ‘Why have you drawn out your sword?’ Do not bring upon us the tragedy of your death.’ Hazrat Ali ra stated to Hazrat Abu Bakrra, ‘Do not bring upon us the tragedy of your death.

By God, if we are afflicted by the tragedy of your demise, the administrative structure of Islam shall cease to exist.’ Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakrra returned and sent the army ahead.” (Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya, Vol. 3, pp. 311-312, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah)

When Hazrat Usamahra and his army had taken rest and their mounts had fully recovered and the wealth from Zakat also began to be received in abundance, which was more than sufficient for the needs of the Muslims, Hazrat Abu Bakrra divided the army and assigned 11 flags. One of the flags was given to Hazrat Khalidra bin Walid and he was instructed to go and fight against Tulaiha bin Khuwailid and after finishing from there he was instructed to go forth and fight against Malik bin Nuwairah in Butah.

These were all apostates who sought war.

Butah was the name of a well situated in the area belonging to the Banu Asad.

Hazrat Khalidra bin Walid was sent towards them. Another flag was assigned to Hazrat Ikrimahra bin Abi Jahl and he was sent to fight against Musailma. The third flag was assigned to Hazrat Muhajir bin Abi Umaiyyahra and he was ordered to fight against Ansi’s army. Qais bin Makshooh was sent to Yemen to help the people of Abnaa, whom the Yemenis were fighting against. Abnaa were the progeny of a tribe that belonged to Persia and were dwelling in Yemen and had married amongst the Arabs.

He was instructed that after finishing from there, he was to go to Hadramaut to fight against Kindah. Hadramaut is also an area in Yemen. The fourth flag was assigned to Hazrat Khalid bin Saeed bin Aasra and he was sent towards Hamqatain, which was

15

AL HAKAM | Friday 13 May 2022 at the border of Syria. The fifth flag was assigned to Hazrat Amr bin Aasra and he was instructed to fight against Quda‘ah, Wadiya and Harith. The sixth flag was assigned to Hazrat Hudhaifah bin Mihsan Ghalfanira and he was sent to fight against the people of Daba. Daba is an ancient and famous city in Oman in which there was a marketplace belonging to the Arabs. The seventh flag was assigned to Hazrat Arfajah bin Harthamahra and he was instructed to go to Mahrah.

Mahrah is the name of an area in Yemen.

Hazrat Abu Bakrra instructed both of them to join forces once they reached there, but each of them was to govern their respective areas.

Hazrat Abu Bakrra then sent Shurahbeel bin Hassana to follow after Hazrat Ikramahra bin Abi Jahl and instructed him to go to Quda‘ah after finishing from Yamamah. He was told that he would remain as the commander of his army whilst fighting against the apostates. The ninth flag was given to Hazrat Turaifah bin Haajizra and he was ordered to fight against the Banu Sulaim and Hawazin.

The tenth flag was given to Hazrat Suwaid bin Muqarrinra and he was ordered to go to an area in Yemen called Tihaamah. The eleventh flag was given to Hazrat Alaa bin al-Hadramira and he was instructed to go to Bahrain. Thus, these commanders departed towards their respective destinations from Dhu Al-Qassah. (Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 257, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Lebanon, 2012), (Syedna Abu Bakr Siddiqra, Shakhsiyyat Aur Karnaame, p.

288, Maktabatul Furqan, Muzaffargarh Pakistan), (Mu’jamul Buldan, Vol. 1 p. 527, Vol. 2, pp. 270, 311, 496), (Mu’jamul Al Wasit)

Hazrat Abu Bakrra instructed each commander of the army that whichever areas they travelled through, they ought to gather with them some of the strong Muslims of that area and leave some of them behind to guard their areas. (Tarikh al-Tabari,

Vol. 2, p. 257, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Lebanon, 2012)

Whilst mentioning this division of the army by Hazrat Abu Bakrra, an author writes: “Dhu Al-Qassah was the designated military headquarters. From here, the organised Muslim army set out to different areas to crush the wave of apostasy. From this military operation one can gauge Hazrat Abu Bakr’s superior intellect and deep understanding of the geographical terrain.

The way Hazrat Abu Bakrra divided the contingents and the area they were assigned shows his deep understanding of the geographical area. He was well acquainted with landmarks, various settlements and the routes across the Arabian Peninsula. It was as if the model of the entire Arabian Peninsula was before his very eyes, just as is the case in military command centres of today, which are equipped with the latest technology. Whosoever ponders over how these armies were dispatched to various areas, regrouped and then sent off once again after they had regrouped, would know that this entire plan was peerless in all of the Arabian Peninsula and based upon sound judgement.

Furthermore, the communication with the army was exceptionally fast. Abu Bakrra always knew where the army was at all times.

He was well aware of their movements and all their matters, including what victories they attained and what was the plan for the following day. Communications were so effective and quick that the reports from the battlefield were constantly reaching Abu

Bakrra in Medina, the command centre. He could communicate with all of the armies at all times. Among the messengers going between the battlefield and Medina, the noteworthy names include Abu Khaithamah Ansari, Salama bin Salamah, Abu Barzah Aslami and Salama bin Waqsh.

The armies sent by Abu Bakrra were well-organised and this was one of the triumphs of the Caliphate; among the ranks of the army, aside from skilful leaders, there was discipline as well. In addition to this, they were already experienced in warfare.

Through the expeditions and battles fought during the time of the Holy Prophetsa, they had gained excellent experience in military tactics. The military strategy of Abu Bakr’s reign was superior to all other military powers in the entire Arabian Peninsula. The commander-in-chief of the entire army was Khalidra bin Walid, ‘The Unsheathed Sword of Allah’, whose genius played a unique role in Islamic victories and against the wave of rebellion. The military division of the Muslim army proved to be highly effective, because the apostates were scattered in far off areas and were not organised. They had not yet grouped in order to face the Muslims. Large tribes were scattered across distant regions. Therefore, there was not enough time for them to organise themselves, because the wave of apostasy had only begun some three months earlier.

Secondly, they were unable to gauge the threat posed to them by the Muslims. In their own estimation, they thought that they would wipe out the Muslims in a matter of months. For this reason, Abu Bakrra sought to launch a sudden attack and quash their strength and power before they managed to gather support for their false doctrine.

Hence, Abu Bakrra dealt with them before the dissension could grow, and did not permit them to raise their heads or speak in a way that would cause the Muslims harm.”

(Syedna Abu Bakr Siddiqra, Shakhsiyyat Aur Karnaame, Dr Muhammad Ali Sallabi [Urdu translation] pp. 288290, Maktabatul Furqan, Muzaffargarh Pakistan)

Whilst narrating various aspects relating to the appointment of different military commanders, an author writes: “Firstly, it was ensured that there was constant communication and cooperation between the various contingents of the army. Despite the fact that they were dispatched to different locations in several directions, they were all linked together and on the same page. They regrouped and then departed once again for the same purpose.

Even though the Caliph was residing in Medina, the absolute control of all affairs of the army was in his hands. Secondly, Abu Bakr Siddiqra kept one contingent of the army behind to safeguard Medina, the capital of the Caliphate. Furthermore, in order to seek counsel with regards to matters of administration, he kept a party of the eminent companions behind. Thirdly, Abu Bakrra knew that among the areas afflicted by apostasy, there were strong Muslims present there. He became worried lest these Muslims suffered the wrath of the idolaters. For this reason, the commanders were ordered to join those Muslims with them who possessed strength, and also appoint some people for the protection of those areas. Fourthly, with regards to the war with the apostates, Abu Bakrra adopted with saying: ٌ َ ْ ُ ‫ا��َ ْر ُب ﺧﺪعﺔ‬

They would show their intent towards a certain destination, but they intended to travel elsewhere. He took the utmost care and precautionary measures, lest their plans were discovered. Thus, under the leadership of Abu Bakrra, political expertise, deep insight and knowledge, and swift victory and support were all manifested.” (Syedna Abu Bakr Siddiqra, Shakhsiyyat Aur Karnaame, Dr Muhammad Ali Sallabi [Urdu translation] pp. 297-298, Maktabatul Furqan, Muzaffargarh Pakistan)

On this occasion Hazrat Abu Bakrra sent out two letters; one addressed to the Arab tribes and the other contained instructions for the commanders of the armies. (Hazrat Abu Bakrra Ke Sirkari Khutoot, Khurshid Ahmad Farooq, p. 22)

With regards to this letter, the same author, Dr Ali Muhammad Sallabi, writes: “After the Muslim army was organised and ready to set off, we see that there was official correspondence which played a vital role. He penned an official letter which contained a concise message. Prior to sending off the army to confront the apostates, Abu Bakrra sent this letter to the apostates and to those Muslims who remained steadfast and ensured it was spread officially to everyone. He sent messengers to every tribe and ordered them that when they reach there, they ought to read out this letter to every gathering. Similarly, every person who heard the letter was ordered to convey the message to all those who had not yet heard it. In this letter, Hazrat Abu Bakrra addressed the elite and common folk alike, whether they were steadfast upon Islam or whether they had become apostates.”

(Syedna Abu Bakr Siddiqra, Shakhsiyyat Aur Karnaame, Dr Muhammad Ali Sallabi [Urdu translation] pp. 290-291, Maktabatul Furqan, Muzaffargarh Pakistan)

The letter of Abu Bakrra to the tribes has been mentioned in most detail in al-Tabari.

The Promised Messiahas has also mentioned about this letter in his book, “Sirrul Khilafah”. The Promised Messiahas states: “It would be appropriate for us to mention that letter which Abu Bakr Siddiqra wrote to the tribes of Arabia. Those who read this letter will progress in their faith and insight and learn how Abu Bakr Siddiqra upheld the sanctity of the commands of Allah and how he defended all aspects of the practices of the Holy Prophetra.”

The Promised Messiahas then mentions the letter, which begins as follows: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Ever-Merciful. This letter is from the Caliph of the Messengersa, addressed to all people; whether they are of the elite or ordinary citizens; whoever it may reach, whether they have remained steadfast upon Islam or have abandoned it. Peace be upon all those who did not revert to misguidance and ignorance after having attained guidance.

I praise Allah before you, besides Whom there is none other worthy of worship. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, He is One, and has no partner, and I also bear witness that Muhammadsa is His servant and His messenger. We accept the teachings brought by the Holy Prophetsa and we deem anyone who rejects them to be a disbeliever and will carry out Jihad against them.

“After this, let it be clear that Allah the Almighty sent the Holy Prophetsa with the truth from Himself and sent him to His creation as a bearer of glad tidings, a warner,

a caller unto Allah by His command and as the enlightening sun so that he may warn the living and so the disbelievers may meet their fate. Allah the Almighty guides those with truth, who accept the Holy Prophetsa.

As for those who turned away from the Holy Prophetsa, he fought with them until they either entered Islam willingly, or were left with no other choice. Then the Holy Prophetsa passed away after he had established the decree of Allah, oversaw the well-being of the Ummah and had fulfilled the responsibility given to him. Allah the Almighty elucidated this matter in His revealed Book. He states:

َ َّ َ َ َّ ‫ِاﻧﻚ َﻣ ِّﻴ ٌﺖ ّو ِاﻧ ُہ ۡم ّﻣ ِّﻴ ُتوۡ َن‬

“meaning, ‘Surely, thou wilt die, and surely they (too) will die.’ [39:31] “He also states:

ُۡۡ َ َ َ َۡ ‫َو َﻣا َﺟ َﻌلﻨا ل َِﺒ� ٍ� ِّﻣ ۡﻦ ﻗ ۡﺒ ِلﻚ الﺨل َد‬

“‘We granted not everlasting life to any human being before thee.’

َ۠​َ ٰۡ َ َ ‫اﻓاﰱِ ۡﻦ ِّﻣ ّﺖ ﻓ ُہ ُم الﺨ ِل ُد ۡو َن‬

“‘If then thou shouldst die, shall they live (here) forever?’ [21:35] “God further says to the believers:

َ َ َ۠​َ ّ ‫َو َﻣا ُﻣ َﺤ َّﻤ ٌد ِالَّا َر ُﺳوۡ ٌل � َﻗ ۡد َﺧ َل ۡﺖ ِﻣ ۡﻦ َﻗ ۡﺒ ِل ِﻪ‬ ‫الﺮُ ُﺳ ُﻞ � اﻓاﰱِ ۡﻦ ّﻣات‬ ُ َ َ َ​َۡ ُ َ َ َۡ ‫ا ۡو ﻗ ِت َﻞ ا�قل ۡﺒ ُت ۡم َﻋ �لی ا ۡﻋق ِابک ۡم � َو َﻣ ۡﻦ ّیﻨق ِل ۡﺐ َﻋ ٰلی َﻋ ِق َﺒ ۡﻴ ِﻪ‬ ّٰ ُ ّٰ ً َ ّٰ َ ُ َّ َ َ ‫ﻓل ۡﻦ �� ّ� ا�� َ� ﺷ ۡﻴﺌا � َو َﺳ َﻴ ۡﺠ ِﺰى ا��� الﺸ ِ� ِ�یۡ َﻦ‬

“‘And Muhammad is only a Messenger.

Verily, all Messengers have passed away before him. If then he die or be slain, will you turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels shall not harm Allah at all. And Allah will certainly reward the grateful.’ [3:145].”

Hazrat Abu Bakrra further wrote: “Those who used to worship Muhammadsa should understand that Muhammadsa has passed away. Those who worshipped Allah, the One, Independent and without partner, should know that He is near; He is living, existing and eternal – He shall never die. Slumber seizes Him not, nor sleep. He protects His works Himself and takes recompense from His enemies and punishes them. I urge you to adopt the fear of Allah and obtain your fortune and destiny that He has decreed and to implement the teachings which were brought to you by the Holy Prophetsa. You should attain guidance from that which was brought by the Holy Prophetsa and hold fast to the faith of Allah because anyone who is not guided by Allah has gone astray. Anyone who is not saved by Him will be faced with difficulty and anyone whom He does not help will remain helpless.

Hence, only those are rightly guided who are guided by Allah and those whom He deems to be bereft of guidance will remain astray. Allah the Almighty states:

َ َ َ ۡ ُّ ۡ َ ّٰ َ ‫َﻣ ۡﻦ ّی ۡہ ِد ا�� ُ� ﻓ ُہوَ ال ُﻤ ۡہ َت ِد � َو َﻣ ۡﻦ �ﻀ ِل ۡﻞ ﻓل ۡﻦ ت ِﺠ َد ل َ ٗﻪ َول ًِّﻴا‬ ُ ‫ّﻣ ۡﺮ ِﺷ ًدا‬

“‘He whom Allah guides is rightly guided; but he whom He adjudges astray, for him thou wilt find no helper or guide.’

[18:18]” Abu Bakrra further stated: “None of the deeds carried out by such people in this world will be accepted until they believe in the religion of Islam, nor will any compensation or expiation be accepted from them in the Hereafter. I have come to learn that after having accepted and

Friday 13 May 2022 | AL HAKAM

16 practiced Islam, some of you have tried to deceive Allah, have adopted ignorance, been swayed by Satan and thus have become apostates from your faith.

“Allah the Almighty states:

َ َ � � ‫اﺳ ُﺠ ُد ۡوا ل ٰا َد َم َﻓ َﺴ َﺠ ُد ۡۤوا ِالَّا ۤ ِا ۡب ِل ۡﻴ َﺲ‬ ۡ ‫َو ِا ۡذ ُﻗ ۡل َﻨا ل ِۡل َﻤ �ل� َک ِۃ‬ ‫ان‬ ِ ِ َ ‫ِﻣ َﻦ الۡﺠ ّﻦ َﻓ َﻔ َﺴ َﻖ َﻋ ۡﻦ اَ ۡﻣﺮ َر ّب ٖﻪ � اَ َﻓ َت َّت ِﺨ ُﺬ ۡوﻧ َ ٗﻪ َو ُذ ّرِ ّیَ َت ٗﻪۤ اَ ۡول َِﻴ‬ ‫ﺂء‬ ِ ِ ِ​ِ ً‫ﻣ ۡﻦ ُد ۡوﻧ ۡی َو ُﻫ ۡم ل َ ُک ۡم َﻋ ُد ٌّو � ب ۡﺌ َﺲ ل ِّٰلﻈلﻤ� ۡ َ� بَ َدلا‬ ِ ِ ِ​ِ ِ

“‘And remember the time when We said to the angels, “Submit to Adam,” and they all submitted. But Iblis did not. He was one of the Jinn; and he disobeyed the command of his Lord. Will you then take him and his offspring for friends instead of Me while they are your enemies? Evil is the exchange for the wrongdoers.’ [18:51] God also states:

َّ َ َّ ً ُ ُ َّ َ ٌ ‫ِا ّن الﺸ ۡﻴ ٰﻄ َﻦ لَک ۡم َﻋ ُد ّو ﻓات ِﺨﺬ ۡو ُه َﻋ ُد ّوا � ِاﻧ َﻤا یَ ۡد ُﻋوۡا � ِۡ�بَ ٗﻪ‬ ُ ُ َ ۡ َّ ‫ل َِﻴکوۡﻧوۡا ِﻣ ۡﻦ ا ۡﺻ ٰﺤ ِﺐ‬ ِ��‫الﺴ ِﻌ‬

“‘Surely, Satan is an enemy to you; so take him for an enemy. He calls his followers only that they may become inmates of the burning Fire.’ [35:7]” With regards to this letter, Hazrat Abu Bakrra stated, “I have appointed such and such person as the leader of an army of Muhajireen, Ansar and the Tabieen, who followed to the best of their ability. I have commanded him not to fight with anyone until he has conveyed God’s message.

Whoever accepts this message and adheres to it, reforms their ways and does virtuous deeds then this will be accepted from them and they will help such a person in this cause. As for those who reject this message, I have given him the command to fight with them on account of this and not to spare anyone they seize. They should either burn them or kill them by any other means, take the women and children as captives, and accept nothing less than Islam from anyone.

It would be better for them to follow this and those who reject this cannot frustrate Allah.

I have given my representative the command to read my letter aloud in every one of your gatherings. The Azan [call to prayer] itself is a declaration of Islam; therefore, when the Muslims call the Azan, they too should call the Azan, thereafter they should not be attacked. If they do not call the Azan then be swift in attacking them. If they call the Azan, seek from them their duties which are due; and if they refuse, then be swift in attacking them. If they adhere to this, then it should be accepted from them.” (Sirrul Khilafah, [Urdu translation], Nizarat-e-Isha‘at, pp. 190-194, footnote)

Nonetheless, the details and reason why the war was waged against them and why they were treated in this way was because they waged war against the Muslims and forced the Muslims into battle, and not only did they wage war, but they inflicted cruelties upon the Muslims. The unarmed and defenceless Muslims that lived in their regions were subjected to their brutality.

The second letter written by Hazrat Abu Bakrra was to the 11 army commanders who have already been mentioned. The letter is as follows: “In the name of Allah, the Gracious the Merciful. The following order is written from Abu Bakr, Khalifa to the Messengersa of Allah, addressed to so and so, who has been dispatched along with an army of Muslims to fight against the apostates (in other words,

the names of the specific commanders were written on the letter). Abu Bakr orders the commanders to fear Allah in every matter.

As much as his strength permits, he is commanded to strive and endeavour in the cause of Allah and perform Jihad against those who have turned their backs to Allah and have deserted Islam to fulfil satanic aspirations. Firstly, he should give them conclusive proof and invite them to Islam.

If they accept the message, then he should cease his fight against them. However, if they do not accept the message, then he should attack them swiftly so as to cause them to surrender. Then, he should inform them of their rights and obligations, collect from them what is due and give to them what has been assigned to them. He should not give them any respite (in other words, such respite that would enable them to regroup and attack the Muslims) such that the Muslims are prevented from fighting against their enemies, and if the Muslims feel that the people will not desist and are desirous of war, then they should not be stopped from battle (this commandment was given to leaders from that region who were more apprised of the situation).

Thus, whoso accepts the commandment of Allah the Almighty and obeys Him, then he should accept this and should be helped in an appropriate manner. War should be waged only against those who accepted what had come from Allah and then rejected it thereafter. If such people accept our invitation, then there shall be no blame upon them and Allah will hold them accountable for what they conceal thereafter.

And whoso does not accept the message of Allah, war should be waged against them and they should be killed wherever they are found, no matter how wealthy they may be.

No offering shall be taken as ransom from anyone except that they accept Islam. Thus, whoso accepts Islam and testifies to it, then this should be accepted from them and they ought to be taught the teachings of Islam.

And whosoever rejects it (in other words, those who became Muslims and then took to apostasy and then resorted to war, they are acting in defiance of the teachings of

Islam and should be told about the truth of Islam and the fact that they cannot war against the governing authority after having testified to being Muslim) should be engaged within battle. If Allah grants him victory over them, then they should be killed brutally with weapons and fire. Thereafter, the spoils of war granted by Allah from them should be distributed except for the Khums (a fifth of all spoils of war dedicated for Allah and His Messengersa). This should be delivered to me. The commander should prevent his companions from haste and discord and should not permit a foreigner to enter their ranks until he ascertains who they are (in other words, to be careful not to just accept anyone who could be a spy, and to first investigate and duly evaluate before accepting anyone), lest they turn out to be a spy and create chaos for the Muslims. During travel, he should treat the Muslims with kindness and moderation and should care for their wellbeing. He should not command one section of the army to join the other with haste. He should treat Muslims with kindness and be gentle in his speech when he addresses them.” (Tarikh alTabari, Vol. 2, pp. 258-259, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Lebanon, 2012)

There are some aspects that require elaboration; however, no elaboration has been given. As a result, sometimes, people hold misconceptions about Islam. I have elaborated upon this matter in my previous sermon, that these apostates in question were all belligerents, and not only that, but were subjecting Muslims who lived in their regions to brutal treatment; they killed and burnt them, and burnt down their homes as well as burning them. It was for such people that Hazrat Abu Bakrra declared that revenge should surely be sought, and that they should be punished in the same manner [they had employed], as has been quoted by the Promised Messiahas from this letter as well. This is what has been commanded

by Allah the Almighty in the Holy Quran, that when it is necessary to take revenge, then the punishment should be the same as what was done by the offender. However, an author has elaborated on this matter in one

place; the same Dr Ali Muhammad Sallabi, writes: “It has been mentioned that the treacherous apostates should be burnt. It is not permissible to punish someone by burning them. Even the Holy Prophetsa has said: [Arabic] That is, ‘to punish with fire is only for Allah.’ However, here, the commandment to punish them with fire has been given because those wicked people employed this method of punishment on the believers, therefore, this would be considered Qisas (lawful retribution).”

(Syedna Abu Bakr Siddiqra, Shakhsiyyat Aur Karnaame, p. 293, Maktabatul Furqan, Muzaffargarh Pakistan)

In the same book, while referring to the letter of Hazrat Abu Bakrra mentioned earlier, it is recorded, “Those who refuse to return to the Muslim ranks and are adamant in their sentiments of apostasy are considered warmongers, and it is imperative that they are attacked, killed, or burnt.” (Syedna Abu Bakr Siddiqra, Shakhsiyyat Aur Karnaame, pp. 294-295, Maktabatul Furqan, Muzaffargarh Pakistan)

Allah the Almighty has stated this in Holy Quran as well, that if you are made to face difficulty on account of someone, then punish them in the same manner you were subjected to. The rebels, as I have mentioned in my previous sermon and at this moment as well, committed the crime of burning Muslims and killing them in a most heinous way; they burnt them, burnt down their houses, burnt their small children and mutilated them all. Hence, Hazrat Abu Bakrra commanded for those who were involved in this to be killed using the same method they employed to kill Muslims.

Nonetheless, there will be more mention of this in the future, God willing. Perhaps during Ramadan, there may be sermons on other topics and so it may be after some time, however, the next sermon on this topic shall contain more details.

(Official Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International, 6 May 2022, pp. 5-8. Translated by The Review of Religions)

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