Al Hakam - 24 June 2022 by Alhakam

The age of Hazrat Aisha: A modern question for medieval times

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Commander-in-Chief: A fascinating vision of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud and its grand fulﬁlment

The Wavell Plan and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s call for peace and India’s freedom

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Proceedings of Jalsa Salana USA 2022

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022 | Issue CCXXIII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL, UK info@alhakam.org | ISSN 2754-7396

Infuse the importance of religion into your children Khuddam in Brisbane, Australia meet Hazrat Amirul Momineen

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

Repentance

َ ّ ٰ َّ َّ َ َ ُ َ َ ‫ ع ِن‬،‫ع ْن أب ِ ْي ه َريْ َرة‬ ‫الن ِب ِّي صلى الل ُه َعل ْي ِه‬ ُ َ َ َ ُ َ َ ُ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َّ ‫َو َسل َم قال ل ْو أخﻄﺄت ْم َﺣ ّتى ت ْبلﻎ خﻄايَا� ُم‬ ُ َ َ َ َ ْ ُ ْ ُ َّ ُ َ َ َّ ‫اب َعل ْيك ْم‬ ‫السماء ثم تب�م لت‬

Hazrat Abu Hurairahra narrates that the Holy Prophetsa said: “If you were to commit sin until your sins reached heaven, then you were to repent, your repentance would be accepted.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Zuhd, Hadith 4248)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

Repentance and seeking forgiveness from God

Khuddam in Brisbane, Australia gathered for the virtual mulaqat with Huzooraa |

On 19 June 2022, members of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Brisbane, Australia had the opportunity to meet with Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual mulaqat. As the live stream started, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa conveyed his salaam and enquired where they were seated, to which Waqas Ahmad Sahib, Sadr Majlis

Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Australia, replied that they were seated in Masjid Mubarak. Huzooraa invited Zain Ul Abidin Sharma Sahib to recite a portion from the Holy Quran. After the recitation, Musawir Mirza Sahib presented the English translation. Hassan Mahmood Sahib was called to recite an Urdu poem and Rayyan Faheem Ahmed Sahib presented its English translation.

Photo courtesy of MTA Australia Studios

Haris Khan Sahib then presented a hadith, which was followed by its translation by Afnan Rana Sahib. An Urdu extract from the writings of the Promised Messiahas was presented by Azmatullah Bajwa Sahib and Danial Ahmed Sahib presented the English translation. Seeing Azmatullah Bajwa Sahib, Hazrat Continued on next page >>

When God Almighty graces someone with His glance of mercy, He instils in the hearts of people a love for that person. However, when a person’s evil crosses all bounds, as soon as it is decreed that the heaven is averse to such a one, in accordance with the will of Allah Almighty, the hearts of the people too become hardened towards the person in question. Yet, as soon as such a person seeks refuge at the threshold of God, through repentance and by seeking His forgiveness, a hidden mercy begins to develop in their favour and the seed of love for that person is planted in the hearts of others, without anyone knowing. Hence, repentance and seeking forgiveness from God is a tried and tested means that never fails.” (Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 2, pp. 18-19)

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

<< Continued from previous page

Amirul Momineenaa said, “Bajwa Sahib, you look like a [member of] Ansar to me”, to which he replied that he was in his last year of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. Hearing this, Huzooraa smiled and replied, “To me, it seems like the last month of the last year.” Huzooraa asked the khuddam, “How many of you are musis?” The khuddam who had committed themselves to the scheme of Al-Wasiyyat raised their hands. Seeing that over 50% of the khuddam seated were part of Al-Wasiyyat, Huzooraa remarked, “Masha-Allah.” A video report of various activities in the Queensland region was shown to Huzooraa. Thereafter, the khuddam had the opportunity to ask Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa any questions they had. Sarmad Abro Sahib asked Huzooraa how he made time for his family amid such a busy schedule. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa replied that when he sat down for meals, his family members would also join him and discussions were held on various things. Huzooraa said that this was “the best time.” Muhammad Jawad Sahib asked if, in the future, a country had an Ahmadi majority and an Ahmadi government was established, whether the Khalifa of the time would govern it. Huzooraa replied: “The Khalifa of the time is a spiritual leader; he will not rule any country anywhere. The Promised Messiahas has stated:

‫ایک وکلمں ےس یریمرا کلم ےہ بس ےس دُجا‬ ‫ھجم وک ی ا‬ ‫روضان ای�ار‬ ‫ایک اتوجں ےس یریمرا اتج ےہ‬ ‫ھجم وک ی ا‬ ِ

“[‘What have I to do with countries, for my country is separate from all others? What have I to do with crowns, for my crown is in the pleasure of the Beloved?’” (Barahin-eAhmadiyya Part 5, p. 193)] Huzooraa said that it was the Khalifa’s duty to look after the spiritual upbringing of his followers. The political system or the government system would have a separate system and the Khalifa of the time would be the spiritual guide of all. Zeshan Arif Sahib asked if khulafa received revelations from angels just as prophets did previously. Answering Zeshan Arif Sahib’s question, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that a certain kind of revelation was specific to prophets only. However, there were other categories of revelation such as Allah putting something in one’s heart or ru’ya and kushuf that could be shown or vouchsafed to the

khulafa and other people as well. Affan Zia Sahib said that having tattoos was a vital part of local indigenous cultures. He asked if this was acceptable in Islam. Huzooraa answered: “Allah Almighty says that you should not try to change [the form in which] Allah Almighty has made you. So, Allah Almighty has given you a very beautiful shape, physique, body, health and everything. So, why do you want to change the creation of Allah Almighty by doing something like that, making marks, and pictures on your body? So [regarding] tattooing, the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him says it is not permissible for Muslims [...] those who have already done it, and [then] accept Islam, we cannot say anything to them. They will be absorbed in our system”. Mashood Cheema Sahib said that meats prepared in labs were now being sold in the market. He asked if it was permissible to eat such meat. Huzooraa said that it was permissible to eat so long as it did not contain anything haram. Huzooraa then gave the example that sometimes it was observed that those parents who were unable to conceive naturally would take aid from a lab in which an egg was removed from the woman’s ovaries and fertilised with the sperm in a laboratory. Then the fertilised egg, the embryo, was returned to the woman’s womb to grow and develop. Similarly, Huzooraa said, if these things were for the betterment of human beings and fulfilled the requirements of human beings, then it was permissible to benefit from them. Huzooraa added that as the land in Australia was so vast, there was no need for one to turn to meat prepared in laboratories. Ahmed Daud Sahib said that he performed bai‘at last year and his parents supported his decision to convert. They had also explained that they did not see themselves joining Islam. Ahmed Sahib added that he would like to have an Ahmadi Muslim family in the future and asked for Huzoor’saa advice on how he could educate his parents about his beliefs. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa answered: “When you marry an Ahmadi girl, and you have your children from your wife who is an Ahmadi, and you are living in an environment or in a vicinity where your parents also live, then instead of confronting them directly on small, petty issues, you can

just tell them that ‘the basic morals are the same between us [...] we say that we should worship God; we say that we should show good morals towards each other; we should refrain from all the bad things.’ So, these are the basic things, and they will agree with this. “At the same time, if you are living in the same house, or at least in the same area, even if your parents are not Ahmadi, the environment can also influence your children if you are not properly conscientious about their training. You will have to take special care of how they can be brought up in an atmosphere where they know about the religion. “So, you will have to be a practising Muslim […] your wife will also have to be a practising Muslim. This is the basic requirement. “Then, in this way, you will also set your example before your children; and then also teach them, train them [and tell them] what is Islam and why we are Muslim. And if they ask you ‘why our grandparents are not Muslims’, then you can tell them that ‘the Quran says, “There is no compulsion in religion”. Allah Almighty says, “There is no compulsion in religion”, so whichever religion they chose, they have adopted that one, whatever we feel is good we have chosen that religion.’ And also tell them why we have chosen this religion, why we like Islam. So, in this way, you can train your children and at the same time, you tell your parents about the beauty of Islamic teachings, and when they learn the beauty of Islamic teachings, then they will always try to listen to you and what you are saying. “When they see there is some significant change in you and you are somehow different from that of your previous life, then they will know that ‘our son is going on the right path’. “And also pray for them. The prayers of children for their parents is also accepted very much as the prayer of the parents is accepted for the children”. Zain Ul Abidin Sharma Sahib asked that with economists talking about hyperinflation – where money may lose a big percentage of its value as it did in 2015 in Zimbabwe – whether there was a way one could protect their savings. Huzooraa answered: “The value of money is not the same as it was a few months ago.” With regard to the pound and Australian dollar, Huzooraa said that the “Australian dollar has improved a bit now against the pound, or dollar, but still it is devaluing and the prices of commodities are going up. So, it has already started […] the only thing is that if you have enough money, more than your basic requirements – after meeting your basic requirements then, yes, if you are that rich person, then you can buy some property, you can invest by buying property, real estate, or even agricultural property will do. “The best way to save money is either buy gold [or] buy property.” Usman Ahmad Rana Sahib asked Huzooraa what one could do to bridge the generation gap, which was causing problems for families and the Jamaat alike. Huzooraa said: “From the very childhood, you have to train your children. Tell them what religion is, why you are a Muslim, why you are an Ahmadi Muslim, and what is religion.

“If they are attached to religion, you infuse in them what is the importance of religion, then they will try to learn more about religion. And when they are learning about religion, despite the fact that there is a generation gap, they will try to practise their religion and learn more about their religion. So, one thing is that you must attach them with your religion and that is only [possible] when you are teaching, training them – as I have already said – setting your own example before them. “You see, [children] are educated – when they ask you questions, instead of saying, ‘No, don’t ask this, it is against the teaching of Islam’, no, Islam says you must ask questions and you have to satisfy them. If you don’t have the knowledge, you can ask – with regard to your religious matter – your murabbi that ‘kindly answer this question of my son, or daughter, or my children’, and if the question is related to any worldly thing […] then you will have to see some scholars, then you will have to read some books and tell them to read it. In the Jamaat literature, there are books which can answer your question. “So, this is how you can fill your generation gap, but there should be very friendly interaction between you and your children”. Foad Munir Sahib asked Huzooraa how one could become what the Promised Messiahas expected a member of his Jamaat to be. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “You offer five daily prayers, fervently. Do you do that? Pray to Allah Almighty that He makes you up to that standard which was expected by the Promised Messiahas of his Jamaat. Read the Holy Quran, know the meaning of the Holy Quran, find out the dos and don’ts given in the Holy Quran, and try to practise that. Try to read whichever available literature there is with regard to the teachings of the Promised Messiahas. So, this is how you can meet the expectations of the Promised Messiahas and be a good Ahmadi Muslim.” Rahib Siddique Sahib said that some khuddam would get married to nonAhmadi girls which could result in future generations also getting married outside of the Jamaat. He asked how one could protect themselves from this. Huzooraa said: “I have been explaining this thing for a long time even in your meetings, in my sermons, in my speeches and addresses that if you want to save your future generation and if you want that your future generation is attached to the Jamaat and true teachings of Islam, then the first thing is that you yourself should try to increase your religious knowledge, you yourself should know what religion is, and then you should also know what should be your preferences. “If your preferences are only of the worldly desires, then this, what some of the boys are doing, will be the result – they are trying to get married outside the Jamaat. “If your preference is religion and that is what you say in your pledge that ‘I will give precedence to my faith over all worldly things’, then you should see to it that you marry an Ahmadi girl. This is why the Holy Prophetsa has said – and I have explained it in the previous mulaqat, I said the same thing – […] you should give preference to those girls who are pious and are religious

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022

minded and those who are spiritually good.’” Huzooraa said that merely worldly desire should not be one’s preference. Tahsin Ahmed Yousaf Sahib said that people bought houses and business items on loans such as cars and furniture. In the same way, some Ahmadi finance brokers lend money too. He asked if this was the correct method. Huzooraa explained that if one was to get such a loan, then it would be akin to trapping oneself. This would lead to debt and man would be paying this off till his demise. Huzooraa gave the example that if a person was dying of hunger, then Allah allowed one to eat pork. So, it depended on the situation. However, when the situation did not demand it, then it was not permissible. Huzooraa then explained the scenario of someone who was renting a house to live in and about the permissibility of buying out such a house on a mortgage. He also highlighted the need for fresh ijtihad in this era in matters relating to banking and finance. Owais Ahmad Bajwa Sahib said that Allah Almighty revealed to the Promised Messiahas:

Brisbane khuddam reflect on inspirational mulaqat

‫کمچ دالھکؤں اگ مت وک اس اشنں یک جنپ ابر‬

“I shall show you the flash of this Sign five times” (Tadhkirah English, p. 804). Some people said that this revelation was fulfilled in the form of the two world wars. He asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa if it indicated more global warfare, or whether it would be fulfilled in some other way. Huzooraa said that the Promised Messiahas had also described the earthquake as a great sign, then there have also been two world wars, then the plague was also a sign. Huzooraa said that it could be fulfilled in the case of war, and it seemed that it would happen in such a way. Allah knew best, Huzooraa said. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then conveyed his salaam to everyone and the mulaqat came to an end. (Report prepared by Al Hakam)

Waqas Ahmad Sadr MKA Australia

As soon as it was announced that Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Brisbane would have the opportunity meet Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in a virtual mulaqat on 19 June 2022, preparations began immediately and an organising committee was soon established by my humble self, where regional qaid Queensland was appointed incharge of the arrangements. The organising committee accordingly held its first meeting on 6 June, where key departments and their responsibilities were discussed. Subsequent meetings were held online and in-person as required in the days

leading up to the event. Initially, an external venue was booked for this meeting, but due to some unforeseen circumstances a week before the event, it was decided that the venue would be the Mubarak Mosque in Camp Hill. This turned out to be a huge blessing for everyone as it gave us the freedom and flexibility to manage our preparations as appropriate. Rehearsals were scheduled and held on 18 June 2022 where the participants and organisers were given feedback and advice on various logistics and production-related elements essential for the success of the event. Finally, the meeting with our beloved Huzooraa was held at 9 pm (Australia time)

on the appointed day, where a total of 128 khuddam were able to meet Huzooraa virtually and seek guidance from him on various matters pertaining to life and religion. This event was the first of its kind for khuddam in Queensland. Participants and attendees were all quite enthusiastic about the opportunity to spend precious, memorable moments with their Khalifa. A selection of their sentiments captured after the event is presented below: Kashif Shahzad Sahib said: “It was a wonderful experience. Huzooraa answered many questions and we received Continued on next page >>

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

4 << Continued from previous page

spiritual training and guidance from him.” Rana Usman Sahib said: “Praise be to Allah. We were fortunate to be able to attend the meeting with Huzooraa while remaining in Queensland. I cannot express how grateful I am. Huzooraa gave the answer to things that were on my mind that I could not express before him, and this can only happen through the Almighty’s Will and Support. Who can say that this was a virtual mulaqat? Despite the distance of thousands of kilometres, this relationship is so strong and we are all grateful to God from the depths of our hearts that despite the distance, all of us who were sitting here could feel his presence.” Zainul Abideen Sahib expressed: “I did not in my wildest dreams ever think that Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa would come where I and the rest of us were and meet us virtually and give us so much time from such a busy schedule. May Allah the Almighty accept his prayers in our favour.” Ahmed Ibrahim Sahib said: “[It feels] amazing, one of the best feelings I have ever had in my life! I have never personally met Huzooraa unfortunately so far, so it was a big occasion for me to see him live face to face, being able to communicate with him and insha-Allah, I am looking forward to seeing him soon in the UK. The feeling was just amazing.” Shabil Iqbal Sahib said: “I did not expect to feel this way. As soon as I saw Huzooraa on screen, it seemed as if we were literally sitting directly across from him. I felt as if Huzoor’saa face was lit up through nur (divine light). The emotions I was experiencing were so overwhelming that I found myself unable to look at Huzooraa directly on screen. We consider ourselves lucky to have had the opportunity to meet Huzooraa in this way.” Foad Munir Sahib said: “I feel like I just had a dream. I waited so long for this event and I have been counting the days and I almost missed it because I was sick. It was a blessing of Allah that I was able to make it. Moments before Huzooraa appeared, the screen was black and we were there waiting and anticipating. It was hard to describe what you feel at that time. It was just a dream come true. I cannot believe that I was a part of it and I got to ask a question.” Abdus Salaam Sahib said: “I was very excited to meet Huzooraa. I met him in 2013 when he arrived in Australia. It is always an exhilarating feeling and I am looking forward to meeting him

again.” Labique Abro Sahib expressed: “I had a mulaqat with Huzooraa for which I was very excited because this opportunity comes once every few years. I have met Huzooraa in person, but due to the Covid-19 restrictions, this was the best we could do right now.” Ahmed Daud Sahib said: “We just finished the virtual mulaqat with Huzooraa and I feel an overwhelming sense of relief and also feel incredibly honoured to be given this opportunity to speak with Huzooraa. Huzooraa gave me some advice on how I could educate my parents on my Islamic beliefs and I will forever remember what he said to me. He reminded me that I have a very long way to go to become a good Ahmadi Muslim. I am very honoured and take everything he said on board.” Affan Mahmood Zia Sahib said: “I am feeling kind of relieved, glad and satisfied that I got to talk to Huzooraa for some time and that he has answered my question. It was an informative mulaqat and now I am satisfied that I have got the answer to my question.” Muhammad Ismail Sahib said: “At first, as we got closer to the time for our meeting with Huzooraa, we were all reciting Durood Sharif. Then as soon as I saw Huzooraa on the screen, I was grateful to Almighty Allah that we were able to witness this day. I had tears in my eyes and prayers in my heart. And I felt very calm after our meeting with Huzooraa. All the arrangements were very well done and the programme was well organised.” Naveed Abro Sahib said: “It was very nice to meet with Huzooraa. I met him for the second time. I first met him in 2013 when he visited Australia back then. It felt great and I learnt a lot from the mulaqat.” Rahab Siddiqui Sahib expressed: “I was extremely happy to meet Huzooraa. I felt as if Huzooraa was actually sitting next to us. I had tears of joy and it was an excellent feeling to meet him this way. “Alhamdulillah, the arrangements were very good and everyone worked very hard to make this programme a success.” Daniyal Ahmed Sahib said: “I am feeling very relieved. Although I did not get a chance to ask a question, I believe that my questions were really answered through the questions that other people asked.”

This

Flag hoisting ceremony, Jalsa Salana Canada, 2008

24 June 24 June 2008: During his visit to the Americas, on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa departed from Washington International Airport for Toronto, Canada. (Al Fazl International, 22 August 2008, p. 16) 24 June 2016: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa announced in his Friday Sermon that Dr Chaudhry Khaliq Ahmed Sahib of Gulzar-e-Hijri, Karachi was martyred by opponents of Ahmadiyyat at the age of 49. This unfortunate event took place on 20 June 2016 at around 9:30 pm in his clinic. Huzooraa said that two

unidentiﬁed men wearing helmets came to the clinic and opened ﬁre at Chaudhry Khaliq Ahmed Sahib. Two bullets hit him in the head and two in the chest. Huzooraa said that Chaudhry Khaliq Ahmed Sahib had countless virtues. He had a great passion for preaching. He also used to preach to non-Jamaat members at his clinic. Chaudhry Khaliq Ahmed Sahib was a very compassionate man.

25 June 25 June 2008: Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada held a Khilafat centenary jubilee event in which Hazrat

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022

s Week in History 24-30 June Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered an address in front of about 800 distinguished guests. In his address, Huzooraa spoke about the history of Islam and the true essence of the Islamic teachings. (Al Fazl International, 22 August 2008, p. 10) 25 June 2012: Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, in the presence of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa at the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Maryland, spoke of his long-standing ties with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in the United States and said he had visited the Baitur Rahman Mosque on several occasions. He said: “I, our current Government and indeed all previous Ghanaian Governments, as well as the people of Ghana, truly appreciate your leadership and the work of your Community in all spheres of life. When you come to Ghana you enlighten not just the people of Ghana but in fact millions of people across the region. […] And so I wish to express my gratitude to Your Holiness for meeting with me and sharing your wisdom with me.” (“Ambassador of Ghana to the United States calls on Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community”, www.pressahmadiyya.com, 26 June 2012)

26 June

27 June 2008: On this day, the 32nd Jalsa Salana of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada commenced with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa hoisting the ﬂag. 27 June 2012: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa was welcomed to Capitol Hill, in Washington DC where he delivered a keynote address entitled The Path to Peace – Just Relations between Nations to an audience ﬁlled with more than 30 members of the United States Congress, including Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Leader in the House of Representatives. (“Khalifatul Masih makes historic address at Capitol Hill”, www.pressahmadiyya.com, 1 July 2012) 27 June 2014: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered a Friday Sermon in tribute to Maulvi Abdul Wahab Adam Sahib, who passed away on 22 June 2014. He was an exemplary Ahmadi missionary and a sincere and devoted servant of Khilafat-eAhmadiyya.

28 June 28 June 2008: On the second day of Jalsa Salana Canada, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressed Lajna and Nasirat. Huzooraa said that the ladies had an important role in bringing up the next generation of Ahmadiyyat and for successfully acheiving this, they must prostrate sincerely to Allah.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa leading silent prayer at the 32nd Jalsa Salana Canada

28 June 2013: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated Jalsa Salana Germany with a faith-inspiring Friday Sermon in the city of Karlsruhe. During his address, Huzooraa spoke about the true purpose and objectives of the Annual Convention. Huzooraa also said that in both the United States and in Kababir, Jalsa Salanas were also taking place that weekend. Huzooraa emphasised that the real purpose of Jalsa Salana was selfimprovement and the development of a spirit of righteousness (taqwa) amongst all participants. Huzoor said: aa

“Good deeds should be performed selﬂessly. To do a favour to someone in return for a favour and in the hope of gaining beneﬁts is not the right way. Our only motivation should be to gain the pleasure of God the Almighty.” (“World Muslim Leader

Opens Annual Convention in Germany”, www.pressahmadiyya.com, 29 June 2013)

29 June 29 June 2008: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graced the closing session of Jalsa Salana Canada. In his concluding address, Huzooraa said that the past 100 years of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya and 120 years of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat were sufﬁcient to prove that Allah’s favours were with this Community.

30 June 30 June 2008: During his visit to Canada, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa visited the newly established Hadiqa Ahmad, which is a site of 250 acres. The same evening, Huzooraa met with more than three and a half thousand Ahmadis in group mulaqats. (Al Fazl International, 12 September 2008)

26 June 2008: During his 2008 visit to Canada, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inspected arrangements for the Jalsa Salana. Additionally, Huzooraa presided over separate classes with waqifeen-e-nau and waqifaat-enau and also conducted the amin ceremony of 190 boys and girls. (Al Fazl International, 22 August 2008) 26 June 2009: In his Friday Sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa announced the martyrdom of an Ahmadi, Ahmad Jamal Sahib. He was a nineteen-year-old musi. On 19 June, he had gone to a canal near Rabwah for a picnic when unknown assailants ﬁred at him and he succumbed to the wounds. He was part of the Waqf-e-Nau scheme.

27 June

Hadiqa Ahmad, Canada

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

The age of Hazrat Aisha: A modern question for medieval times Asif M Basit Ahmadiyya ARC

To accurately determine one’s age in preIslamic and early Islamic Arabia was a nextto-impossible matter. Why so? We find the answer in a hadith: ََ ْ َ َ ٌ َ ُ ٌ َ ُ َّ َ َ َ َ َ َ َّ ‫ لا نك ُت ُب َولا ن ْح ُس ُب الش ْه ُر هكذا َوهكذا‬،‫ِإنا أ ّمة أ ِّم ّية‬ “We are an illiterate nation. We are unable to read or maintain accounts. A month is either like this, or this.” (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab al-Saum) Narrators report that the first time the Holy Prophetsa said “like this”, he lifted fingers of both hands thrice; the second time, he lifted all fingers twice, and only nine the third time. (Fath al-Bari, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Dar al-Ma‘rifa, Vol. 4, p. 127)

The Islamic calendar The Islamic calendar, based on the year of the Holy Prophet’ssa hijrah (migration), did not come into effect until the 18th year after hijrah. Abu Musa al-Ash‘arira, the then governor of Basra, wrote to the Caliph of the time, Hazrat Umarra ibn al-Khattab, that correspondence was received with noncorresponding dates and that too in varying formats. This, he said, resulted in confusion and hence suggested that a standardised calendar be put into practice. It was upon this that Hazrat Umarra set out the Islamic calendar, starting from the year of hijrah.

Recording events in pre- and early-Islamic Arabia The calendars used in pre-Islamic Arabia were those partly borrowed from Egypt, Abyssinia, Iran and Syria. These too were not for the general public but the bureaucrats of various tribes who worked on engineering the months of every year in a way that certain festivals fell in certain desired seasons. The Hajj, for instance, was made to occur in autumn or around it – a time when trade caravans would pass through Hijaz – to fully benefit from the economic aspect of festivals. (For details: Al-Asaar al-Baqiya, by Abu Rehan al-Biruni) Therefore, in an age when there was no calendar for the common people and the concept of numbers was as vague as was limited, recording dates or even years of birth was out of the question. To mark an event of personal biographical importance, it was tied to another event of greater historical importance: “A year before or

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022 after the Year of the Elephants (Aam al-Fil), so and so many months before or after the reconstruction of the Ka‘bah” etc. The year of the Holy Prophet’ssa claim to prophethood came to be seen as the most important milestone of the believers’ lives and, hence, numerous events were tied to it. Hazrat Aisha’sra birth, too, is usually calculated thus.

The importance of Hazrat Aisha’sra year of birth Where dates were not only near-impossible but also seen as not important enough to be recorded, Hazrat Aisha’sra birth record would have been no exception. A child was born to grow up, marry, have children, bring them up and then depart from this world. The timeframe of any event was, if at all, only important for the person in question or their family or tribe for the purposes of inheritance or testimony purposes. The point where birth records of the companions of the Holy Prophetsa gained importance was about two centuries after his demise – the time when scholars commenced the work of collating and compiling traditions (ahadith). The soundness of any tradition depended on how sound the chain of transmission (asma al-rijal) for a certain tradition was, and this, in turn, depended on certain factors to do with the initial narrator – their age at the time of the reported narration being of key importance. Hazrat Aishara has narrated the largest number of traditions, only second to Hazrat Abu Hurairahra, and her age must have been discussed at the same point in time as mentioned above. It was then that the following tradition of Sahih al-Bukhari was made the basis of determining her age: ّٰ ّ ُ ْ َ َّ َّ َ َ َ َ َ ‫ت ِس ِن‬ ،‫ين‬ ِ ‫أن الن ِب ّي صلى الله عليه وسلم ت َز ّو َجها َو ِه َى بِنت ِس‬ ُ ‫َوب َ َنى بِ َها َو ِه َى بِ ْنت ت ِ ْس ِع‬ “[…] that when the Holy Prophetsa brought her in his nikah [Islamic wedlock], she was six years old, and nine when the marriage was consummated. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Nikah) With utmost respect to this tradition attributed to Hazrat Aishara, one ought not to forget that she belonged to the time where age was merely a matter of estimation. Everyone knew that when someone told their age, they were giving a rough estimate and not the exact date, or even month or year for that matter. And as discussed earlier, this estimation of age was merely for the reasons of marriage, inheritance or testimony etc. Hazrat Aisha’sra age was definitely scrutinised for the same purposes as nowhere in history do we find even the bitterest of the Holy Prophet’ssa enemies accusing him of marrying a prepubescent girl. Now that we have one estimate – the tradition from Sahih al-Bukhari – we turn to some other estimates. The estimate of Hazrat Aisha’ssa age seen as most authentic in the Jamaat is the one calculated by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra and included in his magnum opus, Sirat Khatam al-Nabiyin. Before we look at his estimate, I quote a passage with which he opens this discussion: “The fact of the matter is that early researchers were misled by taking Hazrat Aisha’sra estimation of nine years to be

absolutely and certainly accurate and, thus, not paying attention to any other factor. Any sound-minded person can understand that the tradition being sound is one thing and the estimate therein being correct is another. Although the traditions where Hazrat Aisha’sra age at the consummation of marriage is said to be nine years may well be correct, Hazrat Aisha’sra estimate can be incorrect.” (Sirat Khatam al-Nabiyyin, by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad, p. 424) Although Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra does not agree with her being nine when the marriage was consummated, as suggested by Ibn Saad in his Tabaqat, but accepts the latter’s suggestion that she was born in the fourth year of prophethood. Similarly, for al-Waqidi’s presence in the chain of narrators, he has rejected Ibn Saad’s assertion that the marriage took place in the first year of hijrah and has suggested this to have happened in the second year AH (after hijrah). He thus calculates her age at the time of marriage to have been around 12 years. After this discussion, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra states: “Some modern researchers have argued, based on various reasons, that her age was 14 or even 16”. (Ibid) Honouring this statement of Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, we will limit the discussion that follows to the works of generally acclaimed early historians.

Year of birth Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, in his work Al-Isaba fi Tamyiz al-Sahaba, refers to a narration by al-Waqidi, who reports on the authority of Hazrat Abbasra: ّ ّ ّ ّ ‫قال‬ ‫بي صلى‬ ‫ والن‬،‫العباس ولدت فاطمة والكعبة تبنى‬ ّ ّٰ ‫ وبهذا جزم‬،‫الله عليه وآله وسلم ابن خمس وثلاثين سنة‬ ّ ‫المدائني‬ “Fatima was born at the time of the reconstruction of the Ka‘bah when the Holy Prophetsa was 35 years old.” This tradition goes on to narrate that “Fatima was born five years before the birth of Aisha” and, thus, suggests that Hazrat Aishara was born when the Holy Prophetsa was 40 years of age. This would place her year of birth to be the same as the year of the start of his prophecy and would mean that she was 15-years-old at the time of her marriage – if consummation of marriage is to be placed in the year 2 AH. Al-Tabari, in his Tarikh, mentioning the wives of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, states that he married two wives in the time of jahiliyyah (pre-Islam). The first of these wives bore him Hazrat Abdullahra and Hazrat Asmara, and the second bore him Hazrat Aishara and Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra. He goes on to state: ‫ ولدوا من زوجتيه اللتين‬،‫فكل هؤلاء الأربعة من أولاده‬ ‫سميناهما في الجاهلية‬ “All four children are from the two wives of the jahiliyyah days”. (Tarikh al-Tabari, by Abu Jafar Tabari, Vol. 3) This narration places Hazrat Aisha’sra birth a few years before the year of prophethood, and her age at 16 or 17 at the time in question. Although steering away from al-Waqidi is not always essential, let us take a look at some other material. Al-Nawawi, in his work titled Tahzib al-Asma wa al-Lughaat, attributes the following to Ibn Ishaq, the great biographer

of the Holy Prophetsa: ‫ أن عائشة أسلمت صغيرة بعد ثمانية عشر‬،‫عن ابن إسحاق‬ ‫إنسانا ممن أسلم‬ “She was a little girl when she embraced Islam, when 18 others had already done so.” Ibn Hisham has titled one of the chapters in his sirah (biography of the Prophetsa): ْ َ ْ َ َّ ‫ْ ُ َم ْن َ ْ َ َ من‬ ُ َ ّٰ ‫الص َحاب َ ِة بِدع َو ِة أبِي بَك ٍر َر ِض َي الل ُه ع ْنه‬ ِ ‫ذِكر أسلم‬

“Those who embraced Islam through the da‘wah [preaching] of Abu Bakrra.” In this list is named Hazrat Aishara, along with the like of Hazrat Abu Ubaydara, alArqam, Ubaydara ibn al-Haritha, Abdullah ibn al-Jarrah and Hazrat Asmara (the elder sister of Hazrat Aishara). Hazrat Aishara is mentioned in the following words: َ ٌَ َ َْ َ َ ْ َ ُ ْ ُ َ َ َ ‫يرة‬ ‫مئ ٍذ ص ِغ‬ ِ ‫ وهِ ي يو‬،‫وعائِشة بِنت أبِي بك ٍر‬ The term “yauma’idhin saghirah” points to her being a child. If the six and nine tradition was to be taken as accurate, Hazrat Aishara would not have been born at the time when, according to an authentic historian like Ibn Hisham, she is said to have embraced Islam. Al-Nawawi, under the entry of Hazrat Asmara, states she was 10 years older than Hazrat Aishara and 27 at the time of hijrah. This narration suggests that Hazrat Aishara was almost 17 at the time of Hijra, and 19 when the marriage was consummated. Ibn Kathir, in Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, testifies the above where, mentioning the death of Hazrat Asmara, he states that she was 10 years older than Hazrat Aisha (AlBadaya wa al-Nihaya, by Ibn Kathir, Vol. 8, under the year 73 AH). This further testifies the estimate derived from the statement of Ibn Hisham.

Estimates derived from other historical events The Battle of Uhud was fought in 3 AH. Describing the battlefield, Hazrat Anasra is reported to have said: َ َ ّ َ َ ُ َّ َ ْ َ ُ َّ ُ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ،‫ان‬ ِ ‫ وأم سلي ٍم و ِإنه َما ل ُمش ِمرت‬،‫ولقد رأيت عائِشة بِنت أبِي بك ٍر‬ َ ُ َ ُ ْ َ َ َ ُ َ َ َ ََ َ ُ َْ ‫ َوقال غي ُره ت ْنقلا ِن‬،‫ان ال ِق َر َب‬ ِ ‫أرى خدم سو ِق ِه َما تنقز‬ َ َ ُْ َ ُ ُ َ َ َ َ َ َ ُ َْ َْ ‫ان‬ ِ ‫ ث ّم ت ْر ِجع‬،‫ ث ّم تفرِغانِ ِه فِي أفوا ِه القو ِم‬،‫ال ِق َرب على ُمتونِ ِه َما‬ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ َّ ُ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ‫ان ف ُتفرِغانِ َها فِي أف َوا ِه الق ْو ِم‬ ِ ‫ ثم ت ِجيئ‬،‫فتملآنِها‬ “I saw Aisha, daughter of Abu Bakr, and Umm Sulaim with their robes tucked up so that their anklets were visible. They hurriedly walked, carrying water skins on their backs, pouring water in the mouths of the wounded, would go back to fill the skins again and return to pour water in the mouths of people.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jihad wa al-Asir) If the narration stating her age as nine at the time of marriage was to be followed, she would only have been 10 at the time of Uhud. In the case of other estimates suggesting her to be 12 at marriage, she would have not been older than 13 at Uhud. Where it is a known fact that the Holy Prophetsa strictly took not even male children along to the battleground, it seems highly implausible that he would allow a small girl to be facing the combat. However, Allah knows best. Sahih al-Bukhari has it that Hazrat Aishara had clear memory of Surah alQamar being revealed to the Holy Prophetsa. The words of the tradition are: َ ّ َ َّ ٌ ّٰ َ ُ َ َ ُْ ْ َ َ ‫ َو ِإن ِ ْي لجَا ِريَة‬،‫لقد أن ِزل َعلى محَ ّم ٍد صلى الله عليه وسلم بِ َمكة‬

ُ َ َ َ َ ُ َ َّ َ ْ ُ ُ ْ َ ُ َ َّ َ ُ َ ْ َ ‫الساعة أ ْدهى َوأم ّر‬ ‫ألعب‏ب ِل الساعة مو ِعدهم و‬ Meaning that “I was a girl of playing age” when this surah was revealed. (Ibid, Kitab al-Tafsir) As Surah al-Qamar was revealed adjacent to the splitting-of-the-Moon incident (shaq al-qamar), historians generally agree that it happened in the eighth year of prophethood, i.e. five years before hijrah. Although some argue that it happened seven years prior to the hijrah, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani and al-Alusi place it in the eighth year of prophethood to which we adhere for now. For Hazrat Aishara to remember an incident, the type of which would not be of interest to a very young child, she must have been around 11- or 12-years old when Surah al-Qamar was revealed. Such is the age when a child indulges in play as well as takes interest in other events that are given unusual importance by their elders. Taking this estimate into account, she would have been around 13/14 at the time of her nikah (if it is taken to have happened a year or two before the hijrah), and 18/19 when the marriage was consummated (in 2 AH). It is important to remind our readers that all this estimation is based on acclaimed historians from early times and is not intended to prove her age to be what is seen as acceptable by the modern Western standard.

Numeracy in the pre- and earlyIslamic Arabs Where the Holy Prophetsa had to raise his fingers to demonstrate the numbers 29 and 30 to his audience, it is not hard to guess the numeracy skills of the people around him. When Surah al-Mudathir was revealed, the Holy Prophet’ssa opponents ridiculed him at the number 19 being in the verse: َ َ َ َ ‫َعل ْی َھا ت ِ ْس َعۃ عشر‬ “Over it are nineteen”. They are even said to have asked why it could not have been 20 – a rounded-off and easily graspable number for them. Interpreting this verse in his Tafsir alKabir, Imam Fakhruddin al-Razirh states that Hazrat Anasra was said to have read this as 10 times 9 – taking it to mean 90. (Tafsir al-Kabir, by Fakhruddin al-Razirh, under Surah al-Mudathir, verse 30) This again shows the level of numeracy of the people around the Holy Prophetsa. The way numbers are said in Arabic is that the units come first, while tens and hundreds and thousands follow respectively. While the number 29 is read as “twentynine” in English, it is read as “tis‘ah wa ashrun”, or “nine and two tens”. Coming to the narration of Hazrat Aishara about her age in Sahih al-Bukhari, she has said the numbers six and nine while, presumably, omitting the 10 as an understood fact that she was in her teenage years. This is only a possibility as nothing can be said with absolute certainty. However, the discussion above does not reject the plausibility altogether, nor does the argument I intend to give below. To indicate the timeframe of the advent of the Messiah and Mahdi of the Latter Continued on next page >>

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

8 << Continued from previous page

Days, words of the hadith state: ْ َ ْ َ ُ ْ ‫الآيَات ب َ ْعد ال ِمائ َتي ِن‬ placing the event as a sign to become manifest “after two hundred years”. Explaining this, the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas states: “This humble one has appeared at the time of advent of the Promised Messiah because the hadith ‘Al-ayat al-ba‘da almi’atayn’, meaning that the major signs would manifest after thirteen centuries, definitely and certainly proves that the Promised Messiah would be born in the thirteenth century. As a matter of fact, minor signs had started to appear in the lifetime of the Holy Prophetsa. Therefore, ‘al-ayat’ points to major signs that could not have become manifest in the first two hundred years. Hence, scholars have agreed that ‘after two hundred years’ means the thirteenth-century. “Shah Waliullah Muhadith Dehlvi is also of the same opinion, and so is Maulvi Siddiq Hasan Khan who has written in an epistle that most muhadithun have interpreted ‘Al-ayat al-ba‘da al-mi’atayn’ similarly…”. (Izala-e-Auham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 3, pp. 188-189) Mullah Ali al-Qari also interprets “al” – the prefix of “ayat” in this hadith – as timesensitive and interprets it as meaning two hundred years after the first millennium. (Mirqat al-Masabih, Part 8, p. 3446) With such examples before us, it is not as implausible as it may sound that Hazrat Aishara took it as understood that she was married in her teenage years; however, felt the need to point out six and nine respectively.

In light of the Sunni-Shia conflict The first mention of Hazrat Aishara is found in the Tabaqat of Ibn Saad who prepared this collection of biographical accounts 150 years after hijrah. By then, the Sunni-Shia conflict had not only manifested but was rife. Where, on the one hand, Hazrat Alira, Hazrat Fatimara and their progeny were presented as the closest and most beloved to the Messengersa of Islam, there were attempts on the other to prove Hazrat Abu Bakrra to be the rightful successor (khalifa). In Tabaqat, the significance and supremacy of Hazrat Aishara has been recorded in her own words. These accounts, which are mentioned in two separate parts, are collated collectively below: • Of all the wives of the Holy Prophetsa, I was the only one who was a virgin at the time of nikah. • Except myself, the Holy Prophetsa married no other woman, both of whose parents were migrants (Muhajirin). • Allah the Almighty Himself testified my innocence. • Gabriel himself revealed my image to the Holy Prophetsa and urged him to marry me. • The Holy Prophetsa and I would perform ghusl (bath) from one vessel. • The Holy Prophetsa would perform acts of worship in my bed; he would not do this with any other wife. • The Holy Prophetsa received revelation whilst in my bed; this did not happen with

any other wife. • The Holy Prophetsa passed away in my arms. • The demise of the Holy Prophetsa happened on the day of my turn. • The Holy Prophetsa was buried in my quarter. When the Holy Prophetsa took me in his nikah, I was seven years old. • The Holy Prophetsa consummated the marriage with me at the age of nine. • Except myself, no other wife of the Holy Prophetsa had the honour of seeing Gabriel. • I was the most beloved wife to the Holy Prophetsa, above all others. • My father was the most beloved companion of the Holy Prophetsa. • The Holy Prophetsa fell ill in my quarter, and I had the honour of nursing him. • When the Holy Prophetsa passed away, nobody was present at the time other than angels and myself. From these excellent characteristics of Hazrat Aishara, recorded in her own words, the following themes can be derived: • Her noble lineage. • Her closeness with the Holy Prophetsa in his time of worship and revelation. • Her closeness with the Holy Prophetsa during his final days and the time of his demise. • Divine intervention in her marriage to the Holy Prophetsa. • Her extraordinarily young age at the time of marriage. In a hadith recorded in both Bukhari and Muslim, Amrra bin alAas is reported to have said that the Holy Prophetsa was once asked, “Who is the most beloved to you?” He replied “Aisha”. He was then asked, “Who from the men?”, to which he replied “Abu Bakr”. After this, he named Hazrat Umar and some other companions. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Manaqib alSahaba, 3462; Sahih Muslim, Kitab Manaqib al-Sahaba, 2384) There is a narration of Hazrat Aishara in Sunan Abi Dawood that the reflection of the character and morals of the Holy Prophetsa that she saw in Hazrat Fatimara, she saw in none else. She also mentioned the unmatched love which they both had for each other, and the way they used to meet one another with such love and respect. From various traditions, the love of the Holy Prophetsa for Hazrat Alira is also evident. For example: ‫من كنت مولاه فعلى مولاه‬ Meaning, “The one who considers me his master, Ali too is his master.” (Jami‘ alTirmidhi, Kitab ul Manaqib, 3713) Imams from the Sunni school of thought emphasised the superiority of Hazrat Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Aishara, whereas Shia Imams and scholars highlighted the traditions which made served to venerate and exalt of the stature of Hazrat Alira and Hazrat Fatimara. Ibn Khaliqan, writing about Allama ibn Jawzi, mentions in his book Wafayat-ulAyaan that a group of Sunni and Shia people

Siddiq Hasan Khan’s book that the Promised Messiah referred to

approached him and asked him to resolve their dispute. The contention was who was more superior, Hazrat Abu Bakrra or Hazrat Alira? Allama Jawzi replied: ‫افﻀل �حابة ا��سول الذى بنته فى بيته‬ That is, superior was “he whose daughter married the other.” Although this event, which highlighted the intelligence and sharp nature of Ibn Jawzi, is from the 12th or 13th century CE, it clearly shows the tension between the Sunnis and Shias regarding the status of the Companionsra. It is recorded in Tarikh al-Tabari, and by Ibn Kathir in Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya, that during the time of the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mutawakkil (in the third century AH), a man was given death penalty for using foul and obscene language against Hazrat Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Umarra, and their daughters Hazrat Aishara and Hazrat Hafsara – the two wives of the Holy Prophetsa. Although it is established that both Hazrat Fatimara and Hazrat Aishara had a close relationship with the Holy Prophetsa, the two companions of the Holy Prophetsa to whom these women were linked are the cornerstone of the Sunni-Shia conflict. This resulted in Hazrat Aishara and Hazrat Fatimara being targeted in the inflammatory exchange between the two. In the Sunni sect, Hazrat Aishara and

Hazrat Fatimara both are greatly revered women; however, the attempts of the Shia sect to prove Hazrat Abu Bakrra to have usurped khilafat from Hazrat Alira, resulted in Hazrat Aisha’sra persona coming under attack. Sunni scholars upheld their respect and honour for Hazrat Fatimara and Hazrat Alira, and in proving the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakrra to be the legitimate successor, the superiority of Hazrat Aishara was highlighted to an extraordinary scale. The rise of religious disputes usually causes a steep decline in logic and reasoning, and ego tends to call all shots. This is exactly what happened in this case – the unnecessary comparison of both noble characters in this world, was dragged into the afterlife also. One such highlighted tradition has it that in the Hereafter, Hazrat Fatimara will be the leader of the women of Paradise, her mother Hazrat Khadijara owns a beautiful house, and her sons will be the leaders of the men (Musnad, by Imam Ahmadrh bin Hanbal). Hazrat Aishara, as she was in this life, will also be the wife of the Holy Prophetsa in the Hereafter. (Tabaqat, by Ibn Saad) These prophecies regarding the afterlife were derived from traditions, so both parties differed with one another on the authenticity of the narrations themselves, and the credentials of narrators. This turned into an intellectual war. Due to the fact that the majority of the qualities of Hazrat Aishara were self-narrated, the opposing

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022 camp challenged and discredited them on every possible ground. To answer these vicious attacks, the Sunni sect also made it incumbent upon themselves to reply with the same vigour and vehemence. To do so, such traditions were magnified and emphasised, in which the extraordinary love which the Holy Prophetsa had for Hazrat Aishara was evident. For example, when the other wives, upon seeing this affectionate love, told Hazrat Fatimara to ask the Holy Prophetsa for equality, the answer of the Holy Prophetsa was, “Do you not love whom I love?” The tradition goes on to say that Hazrat Fatimara replied in the affirmative and left with a firm intention in her heart to never discuss this matter again. On another occasion, Hazrat Zainabra bint Jahsh, made a similar complaint, to which Hazrat Aishara herself replied in a very firm manner. This tradition goes on to narrate that on this strikingly bold reply, the Holy Prophetsa proudly said, “She is the daughter of Abu Bakr”. Such traditions help to bolster the noble status of not only Hazrat Aishara, but also that of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. The immense love of the Holy Prophetsa for Hazrat Aishara and his sheer closeness to her meant that the traditions narrated by her were also naturally held in great esteem. In his final illness, the desire of the Holy Prophetsa to stay in the quarter of Hazrat Aishara, her nursing him and his passing away in her arms not only worked to increase the status of Hazrat Aishara in Sunni Islam, but also continued to testify that her father, Hazrat Abu Bakrra, was the rightful and legitimate successor. On the other hand, scholars from the Shia camp also had plenty of traditions to support their viewpoint – above all one where the Holy Prophetsa, at Ghadir Khumm, placed Hazrat Alira upon the same status as himself (this hadith has been mentioned earlier). Highly propagated was an allegation that after the demise of the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Alira was not allowed to participate in the discussions regarding successorship. Keeping him from joining the assembly was somehow also shown as a deliberate act of Hazrat Aishara. (Kitab alIrshad, by Muhammad bin Muhammad alMufeed, pp. 91-96) During the Battle of Camel, Hazrat Aishara opposing Hazrat Alira was also emphasised by the Shias, and this case was presented as a form of rebellion.

The interest of both parties in the age of Hazrat Aishara It has been mentioned above that one distinguishing feature of Hazrat Aishara, which she mentioned herself, was that she was six years of age when the Holy Prophetsa took her in his nikah, and nine when the marriage was consummated. The Promised Messiahas, regarding this narration which is found in Sahih alBukhari, states: “Firstly, the mention of nine years is not uttered by the Holy Prophetsa. Neither is it revealed, nor is it a mutawatir hadith that it is certainly nine years – narrated by only one narrator. Arabs, for being illiterate, did not keep birth records and, therefore, an inconsistency of two or three years was very

common.” (Nur al-Quran, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 9, pp. 377-378) We have seen that various traditions quite conveniently suggest the Hazrat Aishara could have been older at her time of marriage, but one is left to wonder why some insist on taking the Bukhari narration to be set in stone. While Sunni and Shias tend to disagree on almost every issue, why is Hazrat Aishara being a child at the time of her marriage so easily agreed by both. Both not only seem comfortable with this agreement, but insist on it to be taken as it is. This strange and unusual unanimity calls for a detailed discourse, but we try and take only a brief view of this historically important issue. The Sunni camp zealously sang praises of Hazrat Aisha’sra character by highlighting that she was the only virgin to have married the Holy Prophetsa and hence the only one to have never been with any other man. Her very young age at the time of marriage emphasised the point and was always brought up. The Shia camp used the same to discredit any traditions that she had narrated. The question of legitimacy had always hovered over the caliphate, or successorship, of the Holy Prophetsa. The first civil war in Islam was fought around this question of legitimacy. When the Umayyads were in power, their biggest rival, the Abbasids, ran a propaganda campaign that the former had drifted away from true Islamic ways and were, hence, illegitimate. To bolster their opposition to the Umayyads, the Abbasids joined hands with anyone who was ready to revolt against the Umayyads – even the Shias served as good allies. When the Abbasids finally overthrew the Umayyads and took control of the Islamic Empire, the Shia question of legitimacy – which had always revolved around Hazrat Alira and rejected the first three Caliphs – was now turned against the Abbasids. To prove their own legitimacy, the Abbasids had to prove the legitimacy of the whole chain that had preceded them, and this chain started at Hazrat Abu Bakrra. It was at this junction in history that Hazrat Abu Bakrra was highly venerated by the Abbasids and to achieve this, the veneration of Hazrat Aishara was not only inevitable, but the best tool. This is where the overzealous veneration of the two great characters of Islamic history – who deserve praise and admiration any way – was invested in the game of political games. To raise the status of Hazrat Aishara, and her father, to tower above all other Companions, her unique status as a wife was brought under the spotlight – her virginity and very young age at the time of marriage. The Shia camp emphasised on the title of Hazrat Fatimara – al-Batul – which means, according to Lisaan al-Arab, the chaste and pure woman whose love of God leaves her uninclined towards worldly matters, especially men. Shia scholars also described “al-Batul” as a woman so pure who does not even menstruate. For instance, a tradition has it that the Holy Prophetsa was asked why Hazrat Fatimara was titled “al-Batul”. The Holy Prophetsa is said to have replied that this term denoted a woman who did not menstruate as it was not befitting for daughters of prophets to be touched by

such impurity. (Yanabi‘ al-Mauwadda, by Suleiman al-Qandozi) To some historians specialising in the Sunni-Shia conflict, the backdrop of emphasising on this title is quite bleak. The person who got the death penalty in the time of al-Mutawakil for hurling abuse at Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra and their daughters Hazrat Aishara and Hazrat Hafsara was also accused of “slander” against Hazrat Aishara. This slander was with reference to the allegation of adultery (the ifk episode) and thus shows why “alBatul” was always highlighted against the claims of Hazrat Aisha’sra virginity at the time of marriage and having no man in her life except the Holy Prophetsa. That Hazrat Aishara remained issueless also remained a favourite target and was used as the basis for narrowing down the household of the prophet (ahl albayt) to Hazrat Alira, Hazrat Fatimara and their two sons Hazrat Hasanra and Hazrat Husainra – the only ones to take the Holy Prophet’ssa progeny forward. Now that the ahl al-bayt were only the members of Hazrat Ali’sra household, it was boastfully mentioned that he had been brought up in the household of the Holy Prophetsa and under his direct supervision – an unparalleled privilege that no other companion could claim. Thus, to prove that Hazrat Aishara too was a child when she moved into the Holy Prophet’ssa household was taken as a task that had to be fulfilled.

Conclusion None that has been said above aims to prove that Hazrat Aishara was of “legal age” as the modern would like to term it. Neither does it aim to prove that the tradition suggesting her age at the time of marriage being nine to be implausible. Detached almost fifteenhundred years from the events under discussion, all we have at hand are indicators that suggest various approximations. Only one of them has to be right, and we do not know which one; and while one of them could be correct, the possibility is very

much that all could be wrong. Hazrat Aishara was a beloved wife of the Holy Prophetsa and is thus a mother for all believers – umm al-mominin. What age she was married at does not change her exalted status; not even an iota. Just as the fact that our grandmothers or great-grandmothers could have been married at a very young age – one that the modern man could classify as “underage” – does not shake away their respect from our hearts, the case of Hazrat Aishara is much nobler and more sacred in all respects. While we are on “the modern man”, who can claim with certainty that their great-grandmothers and great-greatgrandmothers were not married while they were, what would now be seen as, underage? While England got into the practice of keeping baptism records in the sixteenthcentury, there was no law to ensure registry of birth, marriage and death until 1836; in America until the turn of the twentiethcentury. So what ought not to be ignored is that in the case of Hazrat Aishara, we are talking of times where no birth records were maintained, or rather, could possibly not be maintained for the lack of numeracy skills. The criteria for marriage were puberty and physical readiness for marriage. Let alone 1500-year-old Arabia, the same was practised in many societies and cultures until even the mid of the twentieth century – South Asian cultures being a prime example. We conclude with the words of the Promised Messiahas, that he wrote in continuation of the above-quoted excerpt: “Even if we were to assume that [the age of] nine years was accurate down to the day, no sensible person would object to it […] “I will prove in this epistle that modern medical research has agreed that girls can become pubescent at the age of nine; even that girls of seven can give birth. Medical researchers have proven it and hundreds of people are eyewitness to eight- and nineyear-old girls having mothered children”. (Nur al-Quran, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 9, p. 378)

Khilafat Day Jalsa in Vancouver, Canada Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent

Imarat Vancouver from Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Canada held its Khilafat Day Jalsa on 29 May 2022, reported Abdul Hafeez Gondal Sahib of the national tarbiyat department, Canada. Members were invited to attend in person while observing Covid-19 protocols and the jalsa was also broadcast live on social media. Local Amir Vancouver, Dr Wasim Ahmad Bashir Sahib welcomed members and explained the purpose of holding Khilafat Day. The session commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran with its Urdu and English translations, followed by a poem. A missionary, Shakoor Ahmad Baloch

Sahib emphasised the importance of holding a bond of love, sincerity and obedience with Khilafat. Regional Amir British Columbia, Naeem Ahmad Lakhan Sahib highlighted the special relationship between Khilafat and Jamaat members. He described multiple events where Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat displayed deep affection and love for the Jamaat. A quiz competition about Khilafat was conducted by Athar Ahmad Sahib. Khuddam and Atfal answered the questions and prizes were also given to the winners. An essay and poster competition about Khilafat was also held. The total attendance in person was 425, with an estimated 400 views on social media.

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Hazrat Nayyar experiences opposition in Africa Al Fazl, 12 & 15 June 1922

Hazrat Maulvi Abdur Rahim Nayyarra (1883-1948)

Apologies I ask for pardon and apologise for not being able to enlighten the readers of Al Fazl [through my reports] in the last few weeks due to my busy schedule and poor health.

Why is there opposition here? The opposition to the truth is inevitable and I am experiencing this. The non-Ahmadi ignorant alfas [maulvis] started preaching against the Jamaat when they found the people interested in the truth and inclined towards the true message of Islam. They did so because after becoming an Ahmadi, no Muslim is bound by amulets and polytheistic rituals and thus there is no chance that these hunters of faith can deceive anyone. Moreover, they cannot enjoy the meats presented by the people.

Tabligh efforts With the support of Allah the Almighty, the following tabligh activities are being carried out on regular basis: 1. Daily dars [religious sermons] of the Holy Quran and hadith. 2. Dars for women three times a week. 3. There are two lectures on Sundays, one from five to seven o’clock and the other from 7:30 to 9:30. The former is for young people and the latter is for older people. This division has to be done due to space constraints. 4. Outdoor lectures. 5. Friday Sermons. 6. Individual preaching.

Structure of the Lagos Jamaat The city of Lagos has been divided into three parts and each division has several districts. Majlis-e-nazim of each division has been formed separately. The work has been started. In one division, Ahmadis were expelled from the mosque [of nonAhmadis]. Therefore, it has been proposed to build a new Jalsa Gah and a mosque. The proposal to build a high school is also being considered by the Lagos Jamaat. Letters are being exchanged for three and a half acres of land for mission needs. There will be a mosque and a madrasa [school] in every division, insha-Allah, and apart from them, there will be a central mosque and madrasa as well.

New jamaat A few miles outside of Lagos [Island] is a place called Agigi. Our Jamaat is already present there. However, now our Jamaat has been established in the centre of the Nigerian Railways and in the first Nigerian city that is located on the mainland, i.e. on the [African] continent. A few gentlemen and an elderly man are proposing to build a mosque there. Thus far, around 24 people have joined that new jamaat.

How Ahmadiyyat is taking root Despite the opposition, by the grace of Allah, the Jamaat is progressing. Thousands of people are being drawn towards the truth of the Jamaat. There is a discussion in every home [about the Jamaat]. The people are also focused on reforming themselves in general. Every Sunday, Christians convert to Islam and Muslims join the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. Fazlur Rahman Sahib arrived on 5 April [1922] in good health. Owing to his arrival, the people have realised and therefore they are saying: “Ahmadia Movement means business.” Some educated Christians are believing in the truth of Islam through individual tabligh and they are openly saying, “Our views on Islam have changed.”

Al Fazl, 15 June 1922 Lectures in the city and tabligh in general A series of outdoor lectures has been started in the hall and in the city. The series of dars [religious sermons] of the Holy Quran and hadith is going on unabated. Those books of the Promised Messiahas that are available in English translation are translated into Yoruba language and presented to the people. Religious sermons are being held in all the three divisions of the city and their districts. Men and women are engaged in acquiring knowledge with sincerity. African missionaries are performing their duties very well under the guidance of their amir, KR Ajose. Every Sunday, the secretary of each division reports his work and the increase of members.

Stir in the Christian community The speeches of Ahmadi missionaries have created a stir in the educated people of Lagos. Their priests are afraid and their work as far as Muslims are concerned is over. If any educated Muslim gentleman has not yet converted to Ahmadiyyat, then they are also not converting to Christianity. Those who have converted to Christianity are only waiting for the time when they can find a place of worship according to their social status and position. They say that when the Ahmadiyya Jamaat builds its own exceptional mosques, halls, etc., then it will be easier for them to join. (These are worldly notions, but before making worldly people religious, it is necessary to at least make something for them, albeit not on a large scale.) Previously, several Christian gentlemen and a few days ago, a pastor said to me, “Our views on Islam have changed completely.” There is a stir in the Christian community.

The pitiable state of Muslims I have been on the West African coast for over a year. There are people here who

understand Arabic and are acquainted with the issues. They sometimes say to people: “It is time for the appearance of the Mahdi. The signs have been fulfilled. There is no other voice except for the Ahmadiyya Jamaat which says that Mahdi has appeared, so we must pay attention.” However, on the other hand they are engaged in litigation, ignorance, innovations and all kinds of mischief, and continue to oppose the Jamaat. According to them, the major mistakes of Ahmadis are: 1. They offer salat while placing their hands on their chests 2. They abandon old rituals 3. They do not prostrate to humans 4. They educate women 5. They wear English clothes 6. They are against singing and dancing 7. They preach about a peaceful Mahdi when the Mahdi ought to have a sword in one hand and the Holy Quran in the other Owing to the aforementioned crimes, every mischief against the Jamaat is considered legitimate and all kinds of lies are allowed. May Allah have mercy on them.

A strange question and the ignorance of the alfas [maulvis] During the question-and-answer session, a person asked a strange question as to whether a person born feet first would enter Paradise or not. Upon receiving the answer, the questioner said that a man was very rich and was a Muslim but he was told by the alfas that he would not enter Paradise because he was born feet first, so he apostatised and became a Christian and built a magnificent church. There are many similar orders that led the children of most Muslims to convert to Christianity.

Bai‘at of a chief from inland Nigeria Last Saturday and Sunday, I went to a village eleven and a half miles away. Imam Qasim Ajose was with me as an interpreter. Three jalsas were held at three different places. Muslims from 24 villages attended those tabligh gatherings. Their chief, Mr Ibrahim

Lewis took bai‘at. This honourable man has always been an admirer and a supporter of the Jamaat. His house is the centre of the Jamaat in Lagos. Despite strong opposition, he continued his affectionate relationship and now, after much deliberation, he has entered into the bai‘at of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] at the hand of this humble one. In this way, Allah the Almighty has blessed us with a new jamaat.

Inauguration of a mosque Abruda village has been made the markaz [centre] of the new division and this new division has been named Agigi. A remarkable mosque has been built by the new convert chief in the markaz. I inaugurated this mosque on Sunday and appointed Mr Muhammad Sawal Lewis, a sincere educated Ahmadi, as the imam and missionary in-charge of the new mosque. May Allah bless their work. Christianity has gained a foothold in the villages here. Extraordinary churches are being built. The work of a new missionary is difficult here but by the grace of Allah, he is a wise man. He has a gout issue, so friends are requested to pray for him.

New converts In the days of the report under discussion, six Christians and disbelievers converted to Islam and around 30 men took bai‘at, alhamdulillah.

Miscellaneous Maulvi Fazlur Rahman Sahib helps me in work. However, his primary duty is in the Gold Coast mission and the Saltpond centre. He has started to deliver lectures and hopefully he will be able to work successfully. We have requested the government for allotting us land for the construction of a dar-ul-tabligh [mission house]. The police officials have strongly endorsed it. We hope from Allah the Almighty that it will be approved. From, Abdur Rahim Nayyar. 26 April 1922. (Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu published in 12 and 15 June 1922 issue of Al Fazl)

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022

Commander-in-Chief: A fascinating vision of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud and its grand fulﬁlment Jazib Mehmood Ghana

In early 1886, the Promised Messiahas retired to Hoshiarpur to pray to Allah the Almighty that He may, out of His infinite grace and mercy, show a sign in favour of his claim, and that a fresh sign in favour of the truthfulness of Islam may be shown to the world. Accordingly, Allah the Almighty gave him glad tidings about a son, who would possess incredible capabilities. Allah the Almighty stated that He was giving this sign “so that people may understand that I am the Lord of Power, I do whatever I will, and so that they may believe that I am with you.” (Tadhkirah [English], p. 176) Therefore, in the liking of his father, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was blessed with divine converse. He experienced many dreams, visions, and revelations. Allah the Almighty likewise gave him news of future events. The number of prophecies made by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra is great in number and opulence. Grander still is the fulfilment of these prophecies. In the prophecy about the Musleh-eMaud, Allah the Almighty told the Promised Messiahas: “He will be extremely intelligent and perceptive and will be meek of heart and will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge.” (Tadhkirah [English], p. 178) Explaining what it means to be filled with “spiritual knowledge”, Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra states: “Spiritual knowledge refers to that special knowledge which is only with God Almighty, like knowledge of the unseen, which He reveals to those of His servants whom He appoints to do some special service in this world so that their relationship with Allah the Almighty may become manifest, and so that they may reinvigorate the faith of people through this [relationship]. “Thus, Allah the Almighty has blessed me with His special favour in this regard as well, and hundreds of dreams and revelations have descended upon me which contain knowledge of the unseen.” (AlMaud, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 17, p. 546) For the interest of the readers of Al Hakam, I have picked one such fascinating prophecy that was unknown to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra himself at the time. Huzoorra saw a vision in 1911 or 1912 concerning his election as successor to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, which occurred in 1914. However, Huzoorra was not aware of the meaning behind his vision, or that it was a prophecy. Huzoorra says: “I always wondered what the vision meant. I would narrate it to my friends and ask them what it could possibly mean. But

such are the ways of the Almighty that I came to know about its meaning only after the actual incidents took place.” (Blessings of Khilafat, p. 62) Huzoorra narrates his vision in these words: “I had a vision in which I saw that Hafiz Roshan Ali and I were sitting at some place, and it seemed as if the British Government had appointed me the Commander-in-Chief of the Army. I had been appointed after Sir [O’Moore Creagh], the Ex. Commander-inChief of the Indian Army, and the charge was being given to me by Hafiz Roshan Ali on behalf [of the British government]. While taking the charge, I expressed some reservations about taking it pointing towards some flaw in it. I said that in the presence of the flaw, how was it possible for me to take the charge? Just as I said these words, the floor beneath me opened (we were standing on the roof), and I saw Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira appearing from the opening. At that moment, I considered him to be Sir [O’Moore Creagh], the Ex. Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. Referring to the flaw, he spoke to me saying, ‘It is not my fault. In fact, I have inherited it from Lord Kitchener.’” (Blessings of Khilafat, p. 62) General Sir Garrett O’Moore Creagh (1848-1923), commonly known as Sir O’Moore Creagh, was a senior British Army officer who served as Commanderin-Chief of the Indian Army from 1909 to 1914. Sir Beauchamp Duff succeeded him in March 1914; he left India on 7 March 1914. On the morning of 6 March 1908, General Sir Beauchamp Duff, the new Commander-in-Chief, arrived at Bombay from England to a 17-gun salute. The Globe reported: “General Sir Beauchamp Duff is due at Bombay on Friday, and will take over the command of the forces in India from General Sir O’Moore Creagh, V.C. The lastnamed officer and his staff will leave for England by the next steamer.” (The Globe, 4 March 1914, p. 1) Then, it continued: “SIR O’MOORE CREAGH’S FAREWELL – Delhi, March 3. “In a farewell Army Order, General Sir O’Moore Creagh assures all ranks of his deep and grateful appreciation of their loyal and ungrudging support without which the high moral and physical standard now reached could not have been attained. He was well satisfied that during his term of office steady progress had been made, rendering the Army efficient. “After forty-seven and a half years’ service he bids farewell to his British and Indian comrades with the greatest regret and with full confidence as to their future.

– Reuter.” (Ibid) A few days later, The Globe reported once again: “General Sir Beauchamp Duff, G.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C.V.O., C.I.E., the new Commander-in-Chief in India took over his duties yesterday, and General Sir O’Moore Creagh, the retiring Commanderin-Chief, leaves for England to-day.” (The Globe, 7 March 1914, p. 5) The Englishman reported on the outgoing Commander-in-Chief on 6 March: “The retiring Commander-in-Chief, General Sir O’Moore Creagh arrived privately at a quarter to eight this morning by a special train at Colaba. He stays at the Taj Mahal until to-morrow when he sails for England on board the Persia. This afternoon he will inspect the Boy Scouts. “General Sir Beauchamp Duff will spend three days in Bombay, leaving Colaba station for Delhi by a special train at 11 p.m. on Sunday.” (The Englishman, 12 March 1914, p. 4) Therefore, when the retired commander left India on 7 March, barely a week later, on 13 March 1914, just as it was time for the Jumuah prayer, Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin, Khalifatul Masih Ira (and, one might say, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaat) passed away after offering Zuhr prayer. (Hadrat Maulawi Nur-ud-Dinra — Khalifatul Masih I by Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khanra, pp. 296-297) By noon the next day, more than a thousand members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat had arrived in Qadian. After some disparities about the election of Khilafat among some elders of the Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra was elected as Khalifatul Masih II, on 14 March 1914. This vision, therefore, was an astonishing insight into events that were to occur not only in the Jamaat but also in the British Indian Government. Huzoorra interprets his vision in these words: “I felt that the vision was in fact a great prophecy, and it contained the tiding that after Hazrat Maulavi Sahibra, the office of Khilafat will be assigned to me. This was the reason why Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira was shown to me dressed like Sir [O’Moore Creagh]. So far as the command of the army is concerned, that meant leadership of the Jamaat, for the jamaats of the prophets too are armies through whom God causes the faith to prevail. Due to this vision, I hope that the propagation of true Islam will, God willing, take place at the hands of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and not at the hands of the rebels of Khilafat, with the exception of only a few of those whom God may wish to grant some partial success. But there is no doubt that the blessings that will be

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

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vouchsafed to the efforts of those who will submit to Khilafat will be overwhelming as compared to those who would receive them only partially.” (Blessings of Khilafat, p. 63) At this point, it is perhaps worth mentioning that using Government officials to represent these holy personages merely relates to their appointment periods and their position as commanders of large armies, as Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra explains above. Otherwise, they cannot be compared to these holy personages in any other way at all. Then, interpreting the “flaw” mentioned in the vision, Huzoorra said: “The flaw which the vision showed in the charge and my aversion to accepting it was indicative of the small number of people who were to create the disorder. God Almighty, through this vision, cleared Hadrat Maulavi Sahibra of the objection made against him by such elements. These critics believe the present-day disorder would not have taken place if, instead of making mere hints at the inner condition of these people, Hadrat Khalifatul Masih Ira had openly informed them of their hypocrisy or if he had expelled them from the Jamaat. God Almighty himself spoke on his behalf and informed me that the fault had not emerged during his time; rather, he had inherited it [when he became Khalifah]. So, in my dream he had to convey to me that the people concerned had gone astray during the lifetime of the Promised Messiahas, and that he was not responsible for their misconduct in any way.” (Blessings of Khilafat, p. 64) Speaking about the peculiar, or rather Continued on next page >>

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

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wondrous nature of this vision, Huzoorra stated: “What is even more surprising is the fact that the year and the month in which Sir [O’Moore Creagh] left India was March 1914. It was the same month and year in which Hadrat Khalifatul Masih Ira passed away and God had appointed me his successor. Can anyone possessed of virtue and piety say that the vision was a satanic one; or can anyone imagine a human being able to fabricate such a vision some two or three years prior to the occurrence of the incident? Could it ever be possible? Was it possible for me to fabricate all these incidents and relate them to people two years prior to their occurrence? Moreover, how was it possible for those same incidents to have then come true? Who could have informed me that Hadrat Maulavi Sahibra would depart from this world in the month of March, and that the incident would take place in the year 1914, and that I would become his successor? Is there anyone who could make all this possible except the Almighty God? None, at all.” (Blessings of Khilafat, p. 63) Another interesting aspect of this prophecy relates to the Promised Messiahas. In Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s vision, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira referred to the Promised Messiahas as Lord Kitchener. Upon doing a bit of research, it turned out that it was not without its wisdom. Horatio Herbert Kitchener (18501916) was an Irish-born senior British Army officer and colonial administrator, who – apart from serving as Commanderin-Chief of the Indian Army from 1902 to 1909 – played a central role in the early part of the First World War. Interestingly, shortly after the Promised Messiahas passed away, the newspapers were full of Lord Kitchener and his rumoured return to England. In June 1908, barely twenty days after Huzooras passed away, The Nottingham Daily Express wrote: “A London correspondent says: Lord Kitchener leaves India at the end of November, and it is understood that His Majesty proposes to raise him to Earldom upon his return to this country.” (The Nottingham Daily Express, 17 June 1908, p. 4) Shipley Times and Express wrote a detailed report on Lord Kitchener’s return: “[…] Lord Kitchener’s period of command in India expires in November next. The question of his future has given great embarrassment to the Government, and there is no doubt that it was this difficulty of finding him further employment that induced the Government to extend his period of service for another twelve months last year. But the problem is no nearer solution now, and as there seems nothing for it but for Lord Kitchener to return home at the end of the year, those who fear his advent in Pall Mall are moving heaven and earth to keep him away.” (Shipley Times and Express, 19 June 1908, p. 3) The rumours were so insistent that many newsletters ran stories about just the rumour. The Englishman wrote: “It is stated that an extraordinary rumour has obtained currency at Home that Lord Kitchener will return to England

this autumn, the idea being apparently that his extended tenure of office expires this year.” (The Englishman, 16 July 1908, p. 7) The Belfast News-Letter quoted the Pall Mall Gazette: “A military correspondent writes to the “Pall Mall Gazette:” – From rumours which are current just now there seems to be some probability of the return of Lord Kitchener to England at distant date.” (The Belfast News-Letter, 27 July 1908, p. 9) The Toronto Saturday Night reported: “The Command in India. “It is currently reported, says an English exchange, that when Lord Kitchener goes home from India towards the end of the present year his successor will be General Sir Beauchamp Duff […].” (Toronto Saturday Night, 13 June 1908, p. 5) The Civil & Military Gazette of Lahore reported barely two months after the demise of the Promised Messiahas: “The Pioneer says an extraordinary rumour seems to have obtained currency at Home that Lord Kitchener will return to England this autumn […].” (The Civil & Military Gazette, 16 July 1908, p. 4) Another interesting point to note is that by the time the Promised Messiahas passed away, it was reported that Lord Kitchener’s successor had already been chosen. The Aberdeen Press and Journal reported in April 1908, nearly two months before Huzooras passed away: “It is currently reported that when Lord Kitchener comes home from India towards the end of the year his successor will General Sir Beauchamp Duff, an officer comparatively unknown in this country […].” (The Aberdeen Daily Journal, 2 April 1908, p. 4) Even though he was not to leave his post by November 1909, by November 1908, Lord Kitchener had even begun bidding farewell to the troops, as The Yorkshire Evening Post reported: “Lord Kitchener has now begun his tour of the military stations in India in order to take farewell of the troops. Though his period of command does not expire until November next, Lord Kitchener proposes to leave before then, and May is named as the most likely time for him to hand over his command to General Sir Beauchamp Duff, who was some time ago chosen as his successor.” (The Yorkshire Evening Post, 11 November 1908, p. 4) Nevertheless, the following year, in 1909, Lord Kitchener also returned to England. This, therefore, demonstrates the wisdom of mentioning Lord Kitchener to mean the Promised Messiahas in the vision. The Holy Quran states:

َ َ َ ْ َ َْ َّ ََ ‫َعال ُِم الغ ْي ِب فلَا يُظ ِهرُ َعلى غ ْي ِب ِه أ َح ًدا۔ إِلا َم ِن ْارتضى ِم ْن‬ َ ‫ّر ُسوْ ٍل‬

“He is the Knower of the unseen; and He does not grant ascendency over His domain of the unseen, except him whom He chooses as His Messenger”. (Surah alJinn, Ch. 72: V. 27-28) Therefore, an incontestable criterion to distinguish a truthful one is to look at the nature and scope of the secrets of the unknown that is revealed to him. In such a criterion, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra passes with great honour.

The Wavell Plan Hazrat Musleh-e peace and India’s Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Al Hakam

Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell, also known as Lord Wavell, was appointed as the Viceroy of India in October 1943. Prior to that he was serving as the Commanderin-Chief of India. After the failure of the Cripps Mission of 1942, Lord Wavell had been given the huge task to resolve the political problems of India and propose an acceptable plan. On 14 June 1945, Lord Wavell delivered a speech on the radio and announced the plan for a new Executive Council whose members, except the viceroy and the commander-in-chief, would all be Indians. This Executive Council was to be a temporary measure until a new, permanent constitution could be agreed upon and come into force. For the first time, the portfolios of Home, Finance and Foreign Affairs were to be handed over to Indians. This is commonly known as the Wavell Plan. During his Friday Sermon on 22 June 1945, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra shed light on the background of this development and gave valuable guidance to the Indian leaders. In the beginning, Huzoorra said: “About five and a half months ago I gave a khutba [on 12 January 1945] from this very place in which I sought to impress upon Great Britain and India that they should arrive at an amicable settlement of their long-standing differences without further loss of time for the Divine Scheme about the world’s future embraced portentous upheavals of which the consequences, otherwise, were going to be full of deadly perils for both. God in His grace and mercy has vouchsafed to me a knowledge of these upheavals not only in broad outline but He has enlightened me on some points of detail as well. [...] “God in His grace sometimes makes the tongue of His servant an instrument for the expression of His own will and pleasure. When I gave this khutba no one imagined that any possibility of an understanding between Great Britain and India was near hand. [...] “Lord Wavell, the Viceroy, was generally understood to be opposed to the Indian demands. When Sir Stafford Cripps came on his famous mission [as head of the Cripps Mission in March 1942], Lord Wavell was Commander-in-Chief in India, and failure

of the Cripps mission, in the popular view, was due mainly to his opposition to Indian aspirations. The present Viceroy was therefore one of those influential Britons who, rightly or wrongly, were generally supposed to hold views unfavourable to the Indian demands. “During the regime of such a Viceroy, and at a time when it was the general impression in this country that the question of granting Independence to India had for the time being ceased to occupy the minds of British statesmen as a pressing problem of practicable politics, I was moved by God to invite Great Britain and India to compose their differences.” (The Review of Religions, Vol. 44, pp. 103-104, July 1945) During the above-mentioned Friday Sermon, dated 12 January 1945, Huzoorra said: “It is time for England to forget the old disputes with countries under the British Empire, especially India, in order to enhance relations and reconcile with them. In addition, they both should make a collective effort for strengthening the foundations of future progress and peace in the world. [...] “I deem it necessary to advise England, no matter if my advice is lost in the air. Now, such inventions have been made that even catch voices from thin air; the radio is an instrument which catches voices from the air – so, how can I fear my voice being lost in the air? It is possible Allah the Almighty conveys my call – which has been lost in the air – to the ears of the people. Therefore, I advise England: “‘O England! Your benefit is in conciliation with India. God Almighty desires that you both cooperate with each other and establish peace and true freedom in the world.’” (Al Fazl, 17 January 1945, p. 2) Huzoorra continued his Friday Sermon of 22 June 1945, by saying: “I had mentioned in this khutba that I well knew my voice was only the voice of the leader of a small group of no great political importance. But I had added that I knew with even greater and fuller conviction that behind the material phenomena around us there was the Hand of a Living God Who had the power, if He so willed, to make my voice carry far, and to invest it with a compelling weight. This khutba exists in print. It has been widely studied by friends and foes alike. In England, a translation was sent by our missionary [Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddin Shamsra] in London to most

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022

and e-Maud’s call for s freedom members of the Parliament, many of whom wrote back to him expressing appreciation. Some of these letters have been printed in the Al Fazl [of 9 June 1945].” (The Review of Religions, Vol. 44, pp. 104-105, July 1945) The Times of London, dated 10 March 1945, published a letter from Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddin Shamsra in which he stated: “With regard to Sir M. Zafrulla Khan’s suggestion, supported by a number of letters, that an immediate step should be taken to solve the deadlock in India resulting from the failure of the Cripps mission. I should like to state that the Head of the Ahmadiyya Movement [...] in his address on January 12, expressed the same view. “He said that it was of paramount importance in view of the future interests of both countries, that Great Britain and India should reconcile their views and bind themselves with an unbreakable tie of friendship. “Yours faithfully, “JD Shams, Imam of The London Mosque. “63, Melrose Road, S.W.18, March 7.” (The Times, 10 March 1945, p. 5) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra continued: “Following this khutba, the Hand of God set in motion a chain of incidents which conspired to force the point raised by me to the forefront as a vital, clear-cut issue of the utmost urgency which brooked no more temporising. Sir Mohammad Zafrullah Khan was sent by the Government of India to attend a Commonwealth [Relations] Conference [in February-March 1945] in London. “While on this mission, Sir Mohammad [Zafrulla Khan] in a speech raised the question of the Independence of India, placing before the British public the purport, in his own words, of my khutba of January 12. “Sir Mohammad [Zafrulla Khan] knew that he was in London as a nominee and a representative of the Government of India; but some extraordinary patriotic impulse drove him to forget it for the moment and unceremoniously jump into the arena as a disconcerting champion of the forlorn Indian cause. “Further, it should be noted, that people of a status higher than that of Sir Mohammad [Zafrulla Khan] often go to England where they make important speeches in various connections, without causing little more than a surface ripple or

two. But Sir Mohammad [Zafrulla Khan’s] advocacy of the Indian cause sank deep and went home, giving rise to a prolonged echo and thoughtful repercussions in the press, even far across the seas in America and India.” (The Review of Religions, Vol. 44, p. 105, July 1945) On 17 February 1945, Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrulla Khanra delivered a speech during the 1945 Commonwealth Relations Conference, about which he himself states: “I made a strong appeal to the assembled statesmen of the Empire that India should, as soon as possible, become independent. [...] About a couple of hours later, we found that that part of my speech had been printed verbatim in bold letters in the evening papers. That created a great stir.” (The Reminiscences of Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan, p. 137) During his speech, he said: “India is on the March. You may help her or you may hinder her but none shall stop her. India shall be free, within the Commonwealth, if you will let her and accord her the position which is her due, but without the Commonwealth if you leave her no alternative.” (The Indian Annual Register, July-December 1945, Vol. II, p. 77)

Sir Zafrulla Khanra also delivered a speech at a banquet held on the same evening in honour of the members of that conference. He recalls that in that speech, he appealed to the British government to do

something positive and concrete in regard to the issue of India, and within a day or two, he “was told that as the result of those two speeches Lord Wavell, who was then Viceroy of India, had been summoned for consultations to London.” (Ibid) On 8 March 1945 – in the British parliament – Mr Creech Jones had asked the Secretary of State for India to make a statement in view of the recent speech by Sir Zafrulla Khan to the Commonwealth Conference regarding the approach by His Majesty’s Government to the Indian situation. The Secretary of State for India, Mr Amery responded by saying that the fulfilment of His Majesty’s Government’s policy “depends on a common measure of agreement between the principal parties which His Majesty’s Government sincerely wish to see attained.” (https://hansard. parliament.uk/Commons/1945-03-08/ d e b at e s / 4 1 f 1 b 9 3 2 - 5 c 4 d - 4 4 3 8 - 9 3 a e bacea7e563ac/PoliticalSituation) This was followed by a comment by Mr Shinwell that: “In view of the conciliatory speeches made recently by Sir Zafrulla Khan and other moderate Indian leaders on this subject, which seems to indicate a new line of approach to a solution of this problem, and, as it is necessary that somebody must take the initiative, is it not desirable that His Majesty’s Government should make a friendly gesture in the hope of effecting a

rapprochement.” (Ibid) The Times reported: “Careful and early examination is required to determine whether Britain’s initial action should take the form of the declaration suggested recently by SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN; of an all-parties conference summoned by LORD WAVELL to discuss the improvement of the procedure suggested in the Cripps offer; of a technical exploratory committee to examine the questions involved in the conclusion of the Indo-British Treaty; or of any of the other suggestions from time to time put forward by those anxious to promote a better understanding between the two countries. [...] “Every step which is taken must be designed as a stage in a logical series planned from first to last to evoke and permit the constructive cooperation of Indian opinion. An isolated ‘gesture’, unrelated to the ultimate goal, will lead nowhere.” (The Times, 10 March 1945, p. 5) Huzoorra continued his Friday Sermon by saying: “And so, it came to pass; my prophetic words were fulfilled that I had no fear of my voice being lost upon the air. As I had said, like radio waves, it sped across physical and mental spaces, rousing compelling echoes in far-off USA on one side, and on the other Continued on next page >>

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

Top Left, clockwise: News cutting about the announcement for new general elections in England; Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddin Shams' statement mentioning Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud's call for conciliation; Cutting mentioning the announcement of the Wavell Plan; Cutting mentioning the speech of Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khan at the Commonwealth Relations Conference 1945

<< Continued from previous page

in hearts as distantly placed from its proper grasp on account of their mental make-up. “But the voice I had raised yet suffered from one important drawback. For the completion of its purpose was needed a man devoted to this view, with power enough in his hands to influence the pattern of coming events. And for this purpose the Hand of God singled out a man whom popular opinion did not credit with any great sympathy for India or any deep interest in her problems. Rather he was considered to be the main cause responsible for the failure of the Cripps mission […] Lord Wavell, the present Viceroy. “Is it not curious that little more than a couple of months after my speech the heart of this strong silent man [Lord Wavell] was so gripped by the sentiments I had expressed in my khutba that he flew to London to woo the British Cabinet into the belief that the hour had struck when Independence must be extended to India. “The Press has moreover borne witness to the hard fight the Viceroy found necessary to make his point of view prevail. It was even reported, more than once, that if his plan was turned down he would resign:

for about six weeks the air was thick with rumours of this kind. Some members of the Cabinet were accused of opposition to the Wavell plan; and it appears beyond doubt that Lord Wavell would have returned at all but resigned, if extraordinary forces had not been ranged in support of his demand by the invisible hand of God.” (The Review of Religions, Vol. 44, pp. 105-106, July 1945) After reaching England on 23 March 1945, Lord Wavell had his first meeting on 26 March with the Cabinet Committee on India, and later with Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill on 29 March, where he said “quite firmly that India was very urgent and very important”, and that he “could see no reason to postpone the issue”, but the prime minister insisted on delaying the matters related to India. (Wavell: The Viceroy’s Journal, by Penderel Moon, Oxford University Press, pp. 118-120) This was followed by several meetings with the Cabinet Committee on India. Lord Wavell’s proposed plans for India were receiving negative responses from the Committee and even he was left out of many meetings. He said that “they find my presence troublesome apparently and prefer to come to decisions without me.” (Ibid, p. 126) While expressing his disappointment for

not getting any breakthrough after several meetings, he stated “I feel I have failed to make HMG realise the importance and urgency of the Indian problem or the real facts of the position. [...] The matter could have been settled in a week if they had really taken it seriously and wanted to.” (Ibid, p. 127) In his sermon, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said: “While the Viceroy’s talks with members of the Cabinet appeared to be bearing little fruit, the Labour Party gave notice of its intention to withdraw from the coalition, which made Mr Churchill decide in favour of an immediate election, although with the conservative majority in the House at his back he could have carried on for some time.” (The Review of Religions, Vol. 44, p. 106, July 1945) On 23 May 1945, when Sir Winston Churchill’s government resigned, King George VI had asked him to form a caretaker government and thus he started working as a caretaker prime minister. On that day, Lord Wavell stated that “he was still, however, hopeful of getting a solution next week”. He even wrote a letter to Sir Winston Churchill on 24 May to point out that he “had nothing from India Committee for 4 weeks or from himself for 7 weeks and asking for a decision”. In response, Anthony Eden conveyed to him that the prime minister “was going to agree to the proposed draft statement in Parliament and that now the question of dates arose as the statement would have to be made before Parliament dissolved on June 15.” (Wavell: The Viceroy’s Journal, by Penderel Moon, Oxford University Press, p. 131) Huzoorra said: “With this decision from the Premier [to call the general elections] the country was at once gripped by an election fever which led certain Labour leaders to refer to India as if they intended to make it an election issue, more or less, and were planning to exploit in their own interests the liberal tendency discernible in the country on the question of granting Independence to India. “With the Labour Party threatening to give this disturbing twist to the Indian question, the Conservative members of the Cabinet, who for the most part had not been very enthusiastic about the announcement of the Wavell plan, were forced to change their attitude, to take the wind out of Labour sails, if for nothing else. These developments effectively strengthened Lord Wavell’s hand, and the difficulties which had baffled him for six weeks now suddenly yielded to his touch in little more than a couple of days; and he returned to India to announce the new plan.” (The Review of Religions, Vol. 44, pp. 106-107, July 1945) On 14 June 1945, the Secretary of State for India, Mr Amery stated in the parliament: “May I take the opportunity of reading to the House a statement which I have been authorised by his Majesty’s Government to make on the subject of India, and which is being published at the same time in India? The statement is in the form of a White Paper, and is now available in the Vote Office. It says: “‘During the recent visit of FieldMarshal Viscount Wavell to this country His Majesty’s Government reviewed with him a number of problems and discussed

particularly the present political situation in India. “‘Members will be aware that since the offer by His Majesty’s Government to India in March, 1942, there has been no further progress towards the solution of the Indian constitutional problem. “‘As was then stated, the working out of India’s new constitutional system is a task which can only be carried through by the Indian peoples themselves. “‘While His Majesty’s Government is at all times most anxious to do their utmost to assist the Indians in the working out of a new constitutional settlement, it would be a contradiction in terms to speak of the imposition by this country of self-governing institutions upon an unwilling India. Such a thing is not possible, nor could we accept the responsibility for enforcing such institutions at the very time when we were, by its purpose, withdrawing from all control of British Indian affairs. “‘The main constitutional position remains therefore as it was. The offer of March, 1942, stands in its entirety without change or qualification. His Majesty’s Government still hope that the political leaders in India may be able to come to an agreement as to the procedure whereby India’s permanent future form of government can be determined.’” (https://api.parliament. uk/historic-hansard/commons/1945/jun/14/ india-government-policy) Lord Wavell noted: “And so is launched a fresh attempt to help India to political freedom, which I initiated with a note to HMG just 9 months ago. I suppose it is something of an achievement to have got it thus far, but whether it will crash on Indian intransigence, like the Cripps and other proposals, remains to be seen.” (Wavell: The Viceroy’s Journal, by Penderel Moon, Oxford University Press, p. 142) Huzoorra continued his Friday Sermon by saying: “This is the momentous proposal now before India; and it is, to me, a proposal in consonance with the divine plan, for the fact is plain as daylight that it has been brought to the surface by an extraordinary combination of events and circumstances. It would therefore be a most unfortunate and dark day for India if her sons deliberately turn their backs upon such a proposal. I, for once, find it impossible to comprehend how Indian leaders, many of whom are men of calibre and deep vision, can fail to

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022 perceive that if they have every hope and confidence in their ability to win freedom, notwithstanding the fact that the entire power now lies in the hands of the Britisher, they should have no reasonable ground for misgivings after 90% of the power is transferred to them. [...] “There can be no possible shadow of doubt that whatever rights we do get, no matter whether they are large or small, it is emphatically in our interest to grasp them firmly and turn them to our advantage. By doing so we shall be bringing the day of India’s Independence nearer. I am firmly of [the] opinion that we should gladly accept this proposal. We should do so not for the sake of doing a good turn to Great Britain, but for the good of our own souls, and for the good of the coming generations of our children. [...] “If India ever is to accomplish anything really big, the people of this country must rid themselves first of this sense of slavery. It does not help us much if the Indian political leaders have already shed this sense, for it is the frame of mind of the people at large that counts in a crisis. [...] Because we find a few political leaders behaving like free men, we should not at once hasten to assume that a sense of freedom is really a stir in the whole country. If we do so we shall only be letting our fond hopes run away with us, for the masses yet are far from feeling that surge of the soul which tempers character and personality like a blade of true steel. “No amount of empty words, no amount of pious exhortations, no amount of fiery political speeches can set in motion this surge of the soul on a country wide scale. To awaken a real hunger for freedom, we must give the masses some fore-taste of the joys of freedom – which we can do most effectively only by firmly grasping the power, now being put into our hands.” (The Review of Religions, Vol. 44, pp. 107-110, July 1945) While advising members of the Jamaat, Huzoorra said: “This is a grave moment in the history of our country and I call upon members of the Ahmadiyya community in this crisis to turn to God in prayer that He may be pleased to endow the Indian leaders with true vision so that they should benefit to the full from the turn which the Hand of God has given to events following my khutba. “For, should the Indian leaders miss this chance, they would condemn India to continue in chains for another fifty or a hundred years. They would thereby preserve their leadership intact, but they would deny to their country her rightful place in the comity of nations. [...] “We, the Ahmadis, are only a small group in India. Therefore we see these distressing signs but can do very little about it except stand looking on in helplessness. There is one thing, however, which we can do and that is to pray to God to open the eyes of the Indian leaders – Hindus, Muslims and all. “A free India would not be an advantage to the Indians alone but to the cause of World Peace as well.” (The Review of Religions, Vol. 44, p. 112, July 1945) While commending Huzoor’s call for peace and India’s freedom, Maulvi Sanaullah Amritsari wrote: “[In regard to India’s freedom] the point of view of the Khalifa of Qadian is also worth listening to. [...] Whatever the Khalifa of Qadian has stated during his Friday Sermon

[of 22 June 1945], while commenting on the government’s new scheme and the slavery of Indians, deserves to be read and heard. He has advised the leaders to act with unity. [...] The passion to free 400 million Indians from

Ahmadi Muslims in Malaysia awarded for Covid-19 humanitarian efforts Abdul Aziz Bin Mohd Ibrahim President Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Penang, Malaysia

Field Marshal Archibald Percival Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell | Wiki Commons

slavery – which is evident from this speech of Khalifa Ji [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra] – cannot be found even in the speech of Gandhi Ji.” (Ahl-i-Hadis of Amritsar, 6 July 1945, p. 4) The original Urdu of this sermon was published in Al Fazl of 23 June 1945, whereas its original Urdu and English translations were given to various leaders in Simla, where they had convened for a conference upon the invitation of Lord Wavell for consultations on the Wavell Plan. The leaders who were given the sermon’s Urdu and English text included Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Quaide-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, MK Gandhi, Dr Khan, Mr Hussain Imam, Mian Iftikharuddin, Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, BG Kher, Ravishankar Shukla, Sri Krishan Sinha, etc. (Al Fazl, 27 and 28 June 1945) The Labour Party quit from the coalition, Churchill’s call for the general election and the Wavell Plan; all of these incidents were interconnected, thus it is important to mention England’s general elections held on 5 July 1945 and won by the Labour Party. The Guardian stated on 14 March 2001: “With hindsight it was a blessing for Britain, as well as for its vast numbers of subjects around the world, that Winston Churchill lost the 1945 election. [...] His antipathy to India’s independence struggle, in particular, was well established. “Attlee, on the other hand, recognised that the British Raj was doomed. He had been to Haileybury College, after all, and had paid an official visit to India in 1929. Even if the prime minister had harboured any illusions about Britain’s duty to its 300m Indian subjects, he was constantly reminded by Washington that the US would not tolerate the continuance of empire. Wisely, he bowed to the inevitable, and prepared for withdrawal.” (www.theguardian.com/ politics/2001/mar/14/past.education, The Guardian website, accessed 14 June 2022)

TYT Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi Bin Haji Abdul Razak, the state governor of Penang, visited the Peace Children Care Centre (PCCC) in Penang, Malaysia. Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was also invited there along with Penang state assemblymen and various NGO leaders. During the event, Mr Alagesan Ayaru, the President of the PCCC gave a welcome speech and thanked all the NGOs who supported the PCCC. In particular, he mentioned that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Penang stepped up to

help fellow Malaysians, especially the needy people of Penang, without any discrimination of colour or creed. He said that the contributions made by the Jamaat over the past two years had been timely and on behalf of the PCCC he presented a certificate of appreciation to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiya for the support shown during the Covid-19 pandemic.

MKA Bulgaria’s 2nd National Ijtema Ata Ul Hayee Sohail Mohtamim Ishaat, MKA Bulgaria

Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Bulgaria held its second national ijtema in Plovdiv on 14 May 2022. The Ijtema was held in a youth centre next to the Grebna Baza rowing canal and there were 20 people in attendance, consisting of 19 Khuddam and one tabligh contact. After registration, the main ijtema programme began with a recitation from the Holy Quran and its translation. This was followed by the Khuddam pledge and a poem. A missionary, Abdullah Mihaylov Sahib then gave an opening address reminding khuddam of their roles and responsibilities. Finally, a short preview of the day ahead was given. Academic competitions were then held, followed by Zuhr and Asr prayers and

lunch. Later on, the khuddam participated in various sports competitions. The final session commenced at around 5:30 pm with the recitation from the Holy Quran and its translation, followed by the Khuddam pledge, a poem and the ijtema report. The concluding address was delivered by the missionary, Jawad Uffan Sahib and the session came to an end with silent prayer.

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

Daily diary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II: Prayer for having children, relaxing the shariah for new converts and objections of ghair mubai‘een Al Fazl, 12 June 1922

11 May 1922

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “It seems that neither does he [the one who has raised this objection] possess the knowledge of the Holy Quran, nor has he seen the Bible, because the collection of all the books [of various prophets] is known as the Bible and the book of Moses is called the Torah. It is called Torah in Hebrew which means ‘The Law’. It consists of the following five books that were revealed to Moses: 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leviticus 4. Numbers 5. Deuteronomy “When we look into the Holy Quran, the Torah is referred to as the Book of Moses and the Holy Quran is likened to it. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran that the party of Jinn said:

Prayer for having children A person requested Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] to recommend him a particular prayer for being able to have children. Huzoor[ra] said: “What do you mean by a particular prayer? Prayer in itself is the only thing that should be sought. It is the state of common people that they tend to avoid such works which require some effort. For example, praying daily with humility and submission. They want to get a ready-made thing without hard work and toil.”

The Promised Messiah and fasting Huzoor[ra] was asked, “As the Promised Messiahas was mostly ill, did he still fast?” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] said: “The Promised Messiahas used to fast a lot, but when he became frail in his last years and his illness worsened, he did not fast for three years. That is, [he did not fast in the year] 1905-06/07.”

َّ ۤ َ َ ُۡ َ ۡ ّ ً ‫ٰیقوۡ َمنا ِانا َس ِم ۡعنا کِ ٰت ًبا ان ِز َل ِم ۢۡن بَ ۡع ِد ُموۡ ٰسی ُم َص ِّدقا ل َِما بَی َن‬ َ ُ ۡ ۤ ‫یَ َدیۡ ِہ یَ ۡہ ِد ۡی ِالَی ال َح ّ ِق َو ِالٰی ط ِریۡ ٍق ّم ۡس َت ِق ۡی ٍم‬

The Promised Messiah and witr prayer A person asked Huzoor[ra], “Did the Promised Messiahas say salaam after offering two rak‘aat of witr prayer [and complete the remaining one rak‘ah after] or would he offer the complete three rak‘aat in one go?” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] said: “The Promised Messiahas would usually [say salaam] after offering two [rak‘aat of witr prayer and complete the remaining one rak‘ah after].” Maulvi Syed Sarwar Shah Sahib said that as far as he had heard of narrations from the companions, they also expressed that the Promised Messiahas used to say salaam after offering two rak‘aat [of witr prayer] and completed the remaining one rak‘ah after.

15 April 1922 Concession in shariah [divine law] for new converts On the mention that the rules of the shariah [divine law] should be relaxed in the beginning for the people of Europe who were newly converting to Islam, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “In the time of the Holy Prophetsa, the people of Bahrain had converted to Islam, but they were not given any concession with respect to following the rules of the shariah. The people of Syria also converted to Islam. They were addicted to alcohol, etc., but they were not granted any concession either. The people of Iraq were also not given any

concession. Just as there was no concession for the aforementioned people, there can be none for them [the new converts of Europe]. “In the time of the Holy Prophetsa, the shariah was being revealed so people were gradually being trained. However, in the last days [of the Holy Prophetsa], when people converted to Islam in some places, the complete set of rules of the shariah was presented to them. It was not that they were given any concession because they were new converts.”

Ta‘amul [continuous practice] of the ummah Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “Ta‘amul [continuous practice] is more authentic than narrations. Concerning an issue, the Promised Messiahas said, ‘My rationale wants me to do such and such in this matter, but the ta‘amul is against it.’ He thus instructed to do research on it and try to find any reference [that supported his reasoning]. When it was not found, he acted according to the ta‘amul, even though he was the hakam adl [just arbiter] and had said that if the Promised Messiah did not have to change anything, then what was the need of him being hakam adl.”

Two objections of a ghair mubai‘ [one who did not take bai‘at of the second Khalifa] and their answers A friend presented two objections of one of the leading ghair mubai‘een [those who did not take bai‘at of Khalifatul Masih II] to Huzoor[ra]. The first objection was that it was not necessary to believe in the Promised Messiahas according to the Holy Quran and hadith. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “The Messiah and the Mahdi are one and the same person. It is clearly stated in the ahadith that one should go to the Mahdi even if it is on their knees. If someone suggests that it was only for saying salaam to him, then there was no need to instruct so emphatically and it would have been enough to say in the hadith that one should present their salaam and return.” The second objection was, “It is said that no book was revealed to Prophet Jesusas, but this idea goes against the Holy Quran. On the other hand, it is said that the Torah was revealed to Prophet Mosesas, but this is not mentioned anywhere in the Holy Quran. Moreover, the book considered to be the Torah or the Book of Mosesas is a collection of the scriptures of a lot of prophets.”

“‘O our people, we have heard a Book, which has been sent down after Moses, fulfilling that which is before it; it guides to the truth, and to the right path.’ This means that they said that they had listened to the Holy Quran after the Book of Moses. “The above verse shows that a Book was revealed to Mosesas. If the [objector] says that it should have been mentioned in such and such words, then it is very difficult [for us to present those words]. As many opponents used to say that if Jesusas was dead, then we ٰ ٰ should show the words ‫عیسی‬ ‫ مات‬or ‫عیسی‬ ‫فات‬ from Holy Quran. However, [they did not know] that ‘fata Isa’ did not mean death, but rather it meant as if Jesus was being held in our hands and then went missing. If the [objector] does not make such demands and only wants the proof that Torah is the book of Moses and that no book was revealed to Jesus, then we can show several verses [of the Holy Quran].”

Bai‘at-e-Irshad of [Khawaja Kamaluddin] Sahib On the mention as to how the ghair mubai‘een changed the true and real events and made up something different, Huzoor[ra] said: “When Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira took bai‘at from Khawaja Sahib again, they [the ghair mubai‘een] gave it the name of Bai‘ate-Irshad. It is a term that Sufis use for a person who fulfils the promise of the first pledge and progresses to the next spiritual level. He is then taught the means for further progress [through Bai‘at-e-Irshad]. [When Khawaja Sahib took bai’at again] hundreds of other people also took bai‘at and they [the ghair mubai‘een] know very well as to what

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022 kind of bai‘at it was. “Likewise, in the last days of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I, I wrote an announcement and sent it to Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib to sign it so that it could be published by both of us. Maulvi Sahib said that there was no need to publish it because only the people of Qadian knew about that disagreement. [He further said that] if the news would go out through the announcement, the people might fall into a trial. He told me that and on the other hand, he himself had published a tract about the dispute and was spreading it in Lahore.”

Proceedings of Jalsa Salana Norway 2022

A false accusation by Khawaja Sahib in England Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “A few days ago, a rather amusing incident happened abroad. Khwaja Sahib went to meet Maulvi Mubarak Ali Sahib and thought that as he was probably not present in the time of the Promised Messiahas, nor did he stay in Qadian for long, so he would come under his influence. Khwaja Sahib told him that, ‘Our differences are rather personal.’ He [Maulvi Mubarak Ali Sahib] said, ‘Yes, I know that too.’ Khwaja Sahib thought that his words had made an impact. He thus took the second step and said, ‘What do you outsiders know about the reality? This London Mosque was bought by Mian Sahib [referring to Khalifatul Masih IIra] in his own name. It will remain a mosque for some time and then it will become his personal property. The money for the mosque is also in his possession.’ “Maulvi Mubarak Ali Sahib said, ‘That is why I had said that this dispute is rather personal and you people are making false personal allegations. Now what you have said about the mosque, it is to inform you that this mosque was not bought in the name of the second Khalifa, but in the name of Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sahib who was a missionary here at that time. The purchase papers are in my possession and the money is also deposited in England. When this is the case, how can I believe that you are saying the truth?’ Thereupon, Khwaja Sahib had to admit his mistake and lack of information.”

Responding to the objections of ghair mubai‘een A friend said to Huzoor[ra] that the response to a tract of the ghair mubai‘een was published by us in a newspaper that could not reach the general public, so arrangements should be made to publish the response for all and sundry. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “It is not our main task to spend money on them in this way. Their only task is to [raise objections]. As compared to them, we have a lot of missions and our expenditures are also very much. Apart from foreign missions, there are also missionaries here [in Asia]. In the beginning, there was a need for a strong resistance. However, the Jamaat is now safe by the grace of God and the only purpose of refuting them is to increase knowledge.” […] (Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu published in the 12 June 1922 issue of Al Fazl)

Tahir Mahmood Khan Norway Correspondent

The 39th Jalsa Salana of Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Norway was held on 18 and 19 June 2022, at the Baitul Nasr Mosque in Oslo. This year’s Jalsa Salana was a great success with an attendance of almost 1,000 members from the whole country. It was the first jalsa without Covid restrictions in place. On 18 June, the jalsa began with the flag hoisting ceremony at 11 am. The Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat was hoisted by Shahid Mahmood Kahloon Sahib, Missionary-inCharge Norway. This was followed by silent prayer led by Zahoor Ahmad Choudhry Sahib, Amir Jamaat Norway. The first session commenced at 11:30 am. The inaugural speech, after a recitation from the Holy Quran and a poem recital, was delivered by Amir Jamaat Norway. His speech covered various aspects of the purpose of jalsa, and highlighted what the Promised Messiahas intended for these jalsas, that is to bring about spiritual progress in all attendees. The next speech was delivered by Faisal Suhail Sahib, National Secretary Tabligh, on Believing in the Day of Judgment is a way

of reforming one’s beliefs. This session concluded with a speech by Shahid Mahmood Kahloon Sahib on The Companions of the Promised Messiahas. The second session started at 3 pm, with a recitation from the Holy Quran. The first speech of this session was delivered by Yasir Fawzi Sahib who spoke on The importance and blessings of obedience to the nizam. The second speech was delivered by Abdul Hai Ahmad Sahib, Sadr MKA Norway, on Consolidation of caliphate and our responsibilities. The last speech of this day was on Khilafat is the source of divine knowledge, by Agha Yahya Khan Sahib, Missionary-in-Charge Sweden. On 19 June, the first session started with a recitation from the Holy Quran and a poem. The first speech of the session was on the topic of The importance and blessings of Durood Sharif by my humble self. The next speech was delivered by Rizwan Sadiq Sahib, Sadr Majlis Ansarullah Norway, on Khilafat and the preservation of the Holy Quran. Another speech was presented on the topic of The Promised Messiah’s eagerness to spread Islam, by Syed Shan Ahmad Sahib,

14 Majlis-e-Shura of Niger Jamaat th

Muhammad Jamal Niger Correspondent

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Niger held its 14th Majlis-e-Shura on 28 May 2022. The shura brought together a large number of delegates and the attendees included elected members from 15 regions of Niger, the national amila, presidents of local jamaats, regional missionaries and representatives of the auxiliaries.

This year’s shura was presided over by Amir and missionary-in-charge Niger, Asad Majeeb Sahib. The event formally commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome address delivered by amir sahib. The implementation report for last year’s shura proposal as well as the agenda of this year’s shura which was approved by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa was presented by Secretary Majlis-e-Shura, Mamman Bello

General Secretary Jamaat Norway. The final speech of this session was by Haroon Ahmad Choudhry Sahib on The Fifth Caliph’s contribution towards world peace. A guest speaker, Akhtar Choudhry Sahib, former vice president of the Norwegian Parliament, was also invited during this session to address the attendees. During his address, he congratulated Jamaat Norway on its 39th Jalsa Salana and expressed his gratitude for the invitation. There was then a break for prayers and lunch after which the final session was to commence. The final session commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a poem and prize distribution ceremony for those children who had completed their first reading of the Holy Quran as well as those who had achieved academic excellence. After this, a presentation was given by Amir Sahib Jamaat Norway, followed by a short concluding speech in which he thanked the attendees of the jalsa for their support in making the 39th Jalsa Salana Norway successful.

Sahib. The sub-committees were formed to deliberate on their respective proposals and review the finances. The sub-committee chairmen presented their summary reports of the deliberations and recommendations. The proposals, as reviewed by the Shura, will be sent to markaz in the form of recommendations to seek the guidance and approval of Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa. In the last session, the elections for the national amila for the years 2022-2025 were held. The night after the shura, a friendly football match was organised between the attendees of the shura, which everyone participated and thoroughly enjoyed.

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

‘The purpose for holding this gathering is to acquire religious knowledge and spiritual training’: Huzoor’s message to Jalsa Salana USA 2022 Faran Rabbani USA Correspondent

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA had the opportunity to hold its 72nd Jalsa Salana after a three-year pause due to the Covid pandemic.

Day 1 This momentous first day began with the observance of Tahajjud prayer followed by Fajr at the Hadi Mosque in Harrisburg. A few hours later, we listened to the live Friday Sermon of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa on MTA. Soon after, everyone started making

their way to the Jalsa Gah at the Farm Show complex in the heart of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This year’s Jalsa Salana had a unique pictorial exhibition on Khilafat-eAhmadiyya, capturing the history of Khilafat and the various visits by the Khulafa to the United States over several decades. Similarly, a book store, a tabligh booth with its exhibition, a booth for The Review of Religions magazine, a booth for The Muslim Sunrise – the longest-running Ahmadiyya magazine in the USA – Atfal booth and book store, Khuddam Hub with many engaging activities, Humanity

First exhibition, multiple ziafat halls, and numerous bazaars had also been set up for the guests of the Promised Messiahas. At noon, the ziafat team served lunch to the guests, and at 2 pm sharp, Azhar Hanif Sahib, Naib Amir Awwal and Missionaryin-Charge USA led the Jalsa attendees in Jumuah and Asr prayers. His Friday sermon was based on last year’s Friday Sermon of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa from Jalsa Salana UK, highlighting the significance of remembering Allah throughout the blessed days of Jalsa Salana. He also read out a letter that was written by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh on the occasion of Jalsa Salana USA 1997, in which Huzoorrh had reminded us about our responsibilities towards the Jamaat and one another. At 4 pm, the flag hoisting ceremony took place at the entrance of the main Jalsa Gah, where the Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat was raised high next to the American flag. A silent prayer followed this. Everyone then proceeded to the main Jalsa Gah, where the opening session of the 72nd Jalsa Salana USA began promptly at 4:30 pm, which was presided over by Amir Sahib Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA, Sahibzada Dr Mirza Maghfoor Ahmad Sahib. After the recitation from the Holy Quran and a poem, Amir Jamaat USA read out the following special message from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa: “By the grace of Allah Almighty, you have again been granted the opportunity to convene your Jalsa Salana 2022 on a full scale since the beginning of the Covid pandemic. “May Allah bless your Jalsa with great success. May all of you be enabled to appreciate the real objectives of Jalsa as stated and expounded by the Promised Messiah ٰ ‫الصلوۃ والسلام‬ ‫علیہ‬. Indeed, the fundamental purpose for holding this Gathering is that you should acquire religious knowledge and spiritual training, and that after returning from the Jalsa, you should impart this guidance to others and also strive to fulfil diligently the obligations of your bai‘at. “In this regard, the Promised Messiah ٰ ‫الصلوۃ والسلام‬ ‫ علیہ‬has stated: “‘This system of bai‘at has been established solely to gather together a group of the righteous people in a Jamaat so that a substantial group of the righteous people

should make a holy impact on the world. The unity of these righteous people should be a source of blessings, grandeur, and positive results for Islam. The blessings of being united on one creed may enable them to perform noble and righteous services for the sake of Islam….’ “To take bai‘at means handing over your life to Almighty Allah. If each one of us recognises that, ‘My person does not now belong to me; I now have to abide by all injunctions of Almighty Allah under all circumstances and have to follow them faithfully and make all acts of mine subservient to the pleasure of Allah,’ that in fact is the summary of the ten conditions of Bai’at. ٰ “The Promised Messiah ‫الصلوۃوالسلام‬ ‫علیہ‬ has further explained the responsibilities of those who have undertaken the Bai’at in these words: “‘All their efforts should be devoted to spread Islam’s blessings throughout the world so that a pure fountain of the love of Allah and sympathy for humanity may flow from every heart and, being combined in one place should look like a flowing river…. Almighty Allah desires to manifest His Glory and demonstrate His Omnipotence through this group, and then He desires to grant it further progress so that the world may be filled with the love of Allah, true repentance, purity, true goodness, peace, reconciliation, and sympathy for mankind.’ (Majmu‘ah Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, pp. 196-198) “These and many other sayings of the ٰ Promised Messiah ‫الصلوۃ والسلام‬ ‫ علیہ‬, make it very obvious what bai‘at is. Therefore, having offered bai‘at, you need to keep reminding yourselves of your responsibilities in terms of always respecting the conditions of your pledge and constantly re-evaluating your relationship with the Promised Messiah ‫علیہ‬ ٰ ‫الصلوۃ والسلام‬ and with Khalifatul Masih. In this age, Allah Almighty has bestowed upon you the special bounty of Khilafat-eAhmadiyya. Therefore, may Allah enable you to always remain firmly attached and bonded to the divine institution of Khilafat. “It is my earnest prayer, may you be granted the opportunity to reform yourselves and spread the teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat far and wide. May Allah enable those who heed this spiritual message to be able to prostrate before Allah Almighty and come under the shelter of Ahmadiyyat. May they receive the protection of Allah Almighty and may they be of those who obtain relief from the distresses of the world. May Allah bless you all. “Yours Sincerely, [Signed] “Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V”. This was followed by the first speech of the session on Experiences with God – “Verily I am near”, presented by Mahmood Kauser Sahib. In this speech, various anecdotes were shared that showed how Allah listened to the prayers of His humble servants even in this day and age. He mentioned how, from sea to shining sea, there were stories of Ahmadis who had experienced the existence and nearness of God, and narrated a faithinspiring incident of Raymond Brown Sahib, also known as Rahman Abdul Aleem, of Los Angeles. Next was another exhilarating speech on the topic of The Holy Prophetsa – A model of faith in trials and tribulations, by Sahibzada

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022 Usman Latif Sahib. He presented many faith-inspiring incidents from the blessed life of the Holy Prophetsa to show how he was always inclined towards exhibiting patience, firm faith in his Creator, and complete reliance on Allah in the face of every trial that came in his way whether it be the migration from his beloved birthplace of Mecca or when being threatened with a sword by a Bedouin in the desert. Whether it be the loss of his children and other loved ones or being boycotted, facing hunger, or when the vagabonds of the city of Ta’if pelted stones at him, injuring him badly. The Holy Prophetsa remained inclined to show patience and absolute faith in Allah, making him the role model for the entire world. Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib presented the third and final speech of the day on Ummah without Khilafat: No unity, no peace. He spoke on how, at the time of the Holy Prophet’ssa demise, Allah the Almighty made Hazrat Abu Bakrra the first Khalifa of Islam. As soon as Hazrat Abu Bakrra took hold of the reigns of the ummah, he guided the community and led it to victory after victory. The speaker also presented a sharp contrast between Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and other Muslims, that Ahmadis had a Khalifa, while the other Muslims were without a leader. Day 1 of Jalsa Salana USA 2022 concluded with dinner, after which Maghrib and Isha prayers were offered in congregation at the Jalsa Gah.

Day 2 The second day of Jalsa began with the congregational Tahajjud prayer followed by Fajr and a brief dars at the jalsa gah and various hotels where the Jalsa guests are staying. The first session of the day was presided by Naib Amir Jamaat USA, Dr Hameedur Rahman Sahib and began sharply at 10 am with a recitation from the Holy Quran and a poem. After this, Dr Madeel Abdullah Sahib, Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya USA presented the first speech of the day. The topic of his speech was The Etiquette of Seeking Knowledge and Contentment. He opened his speech by speaking of the gold fever people in the wild west of America experienced in the early 1900s and the lengths they went through to find gold. He then connected it with the willingness to go to extreme lengths to find knowledge. The underlying principle is to ask questions that lead to positive outcomes while avoiding asking such questions that lead to poor outcomes. The second speech of the morning session was on Obedience in a culture of independence, by Syed Adil Ahmad Sahib. He mentioned that obedience was, in fact, a central hallmark of a believer, of a moment, of every human actually, that allowed them to achieve and access levels of success that they could never have imagined. It was the key to individual success and our Jamaat’s as well. The third and final speech of the morning session was on the topic of Avoiding the evil tree of infidelity and hypocrisy, by Rizwan Khan Sahib. He stated that hypocrisy was the source of the disorders that happened during Khilafat-e-Rashida. The session concluded with lunch

break followed by Zuhr and Asr prayers in congregation. The afternoon session started at 4:15 pm, presided over by Naib Amir Jamaat USA, Dr Falahuddin Shams Sahib. The session formally began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a poem. In this session, some of the external guests and friends of the Jamaat presented their remarks on this august occasion. Some of the notables were as follows: • Ms Wanda Williams, the 39th Mayor of the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (the site of our jalsa gah) who sent a video message. • Ms Stephanie Sun, Executive Director Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission. • Mr Razi Hashmi, South Asia Advisor, US State Department. • Ms Nadine Maenza, Former Chair, US Commission on International Religious Freedom. • Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, who sent a video message. • Congressman Tom Emmer of Minnesota, who sent a video message. • Mr Saikou Ceesay, Officer of the Embassy of the Gambia. • Sidique Abou Bakar Wai, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the US. At this year’s jalsa, the 2022 Ahmadiyya Muslim Humanitarian Award was presented to former senator Sam Brownback of Kansas, former ambassador at large for International Religious Freedom (2018-2021). At the end of this session, a speech was presented by Abdullah Dibba Sahib on the topic of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad: A global peacemaker. He highlighted various aspects of Huzoor’saa life to show how selflessly, for almost two decades, our Khalifa has been at the forefront of establishing peace in the world. After the evening session ended, dinner was served to the Jalsa guests. A special question-and-answer session was also held with the tabligh guests and new converts, where a panel of missionaries was able to answer questions in multiple languages. Day two of Jalsa USA ended with Maghrib and Isha prayers at 8:40 pm.

Day 3 The third day of Jalsa Salana USA also began with congregational Tahajjud prayer followed by Fajr prayer and dars. At 10 am, the closing session of the Jalsa Salana USA 2022 commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, and was presided over by Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA, Sahibzada Dr Mirza Maghfoor Ahmad Sahib. After a poem, the Ahmadiyya Talent Awards 2022 were given out to students with outstanding academic achievements in their respective fields. Next was the Nusrat Jehan Center of Excellence Award given to the best performing Tahir Academies across the country. There are currently 54 Tahir academies operational throughout the US, with current enrollments standing at a staggering 2300+ students supported by 650 volunteers, alhamdulillah. The top-performing Tahir academies for the academic year 2021 were Maryland, Seattle, North Virginia, Queens, Baltimore, Detroit, Zion, Miami, and Columbus. Next, the Majlis Ansarullah awards

were announced. The Alam-e-In‘ami was awarded to Detroit majlis. Then, the turn for the annual awards for Majlis Atfal-ulAhmadiyya USA was announced. This year the Alam-e-In‘ami was awarded to Los Angeles majlis. Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya was next. The Alam-e-In‘ami for 2020-2021 went to Fort Worth, Texas majlis. After the announcement of these awards, the first speech of the closing session was delivered on The Second Manifestation – Our responsibilities, by Zafarullah Hanjra Sahib in Urdu, and simultaneous English translation was also provided for the listeners. He expounded on the subject matter using the will of the Promised Messiahas as its central theme. He presented the examples of many companions of the Promised Messiahas who readily offered themselves and their possessions to become the initial enrollees of the blessed and divine scheme of Al-Wasiyyat. The second speech was on the topic of History of Ahmadiyyat – God and His Messengers will prevail, delivered by Dr Faheem Younus Qureshi Sahib, National Secretary Tarbiyat. He presented the example of machine learning and the science of predicting results based on data analysis. He highlighted that machines were still not producing the anticipated results despite having the means to predict outcomes based on available data. In contrast, Allah the Almighty had made a prophecy that came true every time. The prophecy was that God and His Messengers would always come out victorious. He also gave examples of God Almighty’s hand with Khilafat as well, proving that God, His Messengers and their

Khulafa were always victorious. The final speech of this year’s Jalsa Salana was Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya – Our future and our life, delivered by Azhar Hanif Sahib, Naib Amir and Missionary-in-Charge USA. He explained that we were known in the world as the Jamaat because we have a divinely appointed Imam, our Khalifa. He then presented the example of Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra, the first missionary of Ahmadiyyat in the USA who had immense love for the Promised Messiahas. He instilled this love for the Messiah and his Khulafa in the hearts of those he converted here in the States. He shared many anecdotes from the lives of such converts to Islam Ahmadiyyat, whose hearts were filled with love and devotion to Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. Jalsa Salana USA 2022 concluded with the concluding address delivered by Amir Sahib Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA. He asked the audience to introspect and see if our spiritual and moral states had improved over the past three years (since last Jalsa USA) or digressed. He shared the final will of the Promised Messiahas and reminded us of the expectations that the Promised Messiahas had with the members of his Jamaat. In the end, Amir Sahib led everyone in silent prayer. By Allah’s sheer grace and mercy, the total attendance at this year’s Jalsa Salana was 5,817, of which around 2814 were women, while around 2980 were men. International guests were 147 from 16 countries. More than 20,000 people watched Jalsa USA online.

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon 27 May 2022 Khilafat: A divine promise After reciting the tashahud, ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: Today is 27 May. For the Ahmadiyya Community, this day is known as Khilafat Day. Every year, we commemorate Khilafat Day by holding gatherings on or around this day. However, why do we do this? We ought to remain mindful of the answer to this question at all times and we should also inform our children and future generations to reflect upon the reason behind doing this. This day [Khilafat Day] began on 27 May 1908, when Allah the Almighty – in accordance with His promises – blessed us by establishing the institution of Khilafat within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The Promised Messiahas was vouchsafed a promise by Allah the Almighty in relation to the progress of the Jamaat was fulfilled on this day. The Promised Messiahas had been preparing his Jamaat for some time that no one could escape death. Even prophets, once they had completed their mission, returned to Allah the Almighty. The Promised Messiahas repeatedly reminded his Jamaat that the time of his return to his Creator was nigh. However, along with this, he would also give the glad tidings that the Community established by the Promised Messiahas would flourish and spread and that the promises made by Allah the Almighty to him would certainly be fulfilled; and that the Jamaat would progress by the grace of Allah, and no one could hinder it. In one narration, the Holy Prophetsa has made reference to his own era and also the era of the latter days, i.e. referring to the time of the Promised Messiahas and also mentioned the establishment of the institution of Khilafat after him. In a gathering with his companions, the Holy Prophetsa stated: “Prophethood shall remain among you as long as Allah shall will”, i.e. the Holy Prophetsa would remain among the companions. “Then, He will bring about its end and follow it with Khilafat on the precepts of prophethood”, i.e. a rightly guided Khilafat will be established, which

will precisely follow in the footsteps of prophethood, “and it will remain as long as Allah shall will and then bring about its end.” For some time now, I have been mentioning accounts of the Companionsra that participated in the Battle of Badr, which also included the Rightly Guided Caliphs. These days, accounts of the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra are being narrated. Throughout the accounts relating to the Khulafa, it is clear as daylight that in their role as the Khalifa, all of them worked selflessly, followed the traditions of the Holy Prophetsa and made the Holy Quran their guiding principle. In other words, they tried to remain firmly established on the precepts of prophethood throughout.

Nevertheless, continuing with the words of the Holy Prophetsa, he stated that a tyrannical monarchy would then follow according to Allah’s decree and that people would be dejected and perturbed. When this came to an end, something even worse in the form of monarchical despotism would follow it according to Allah’s decree. And history bears testimony to this. As a matter of fact, even until today, the Muslim rulers, who have become distant from faith, are treating their citizens in the same way, be they political rulers or kings. Regardless of whichever party they belong to, whoever takes the reins of the government, they become immersed in materialism. Nevertheless, the Holy Prophetsa says that once all of this befell the ummah, the mercy

of Allah the Almighty would be re-kindled and He would put an end to this era of tyranny and oppression. Following this, Khilafat on the precepts of prophethood would be established. After saying this, the Holy Prophetsa remained silent. (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 6, p. 285, Hadith 18596, Alim-ul-Kutub, Beirut, 1998) The prophecy made by the Holy Prophetsa regarding a time when cruelty and oppression would end was relating to those people who would pledge allegiance to the “Khatam-ul-Khulafa” [Seal of the Caliphs], the Promised Messiah and Mahdias and would act in accordance with his teachings. Allah the Almighty has established this system [of Khilafat], but if the people do not come under its fold and persist in their

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022 stubbornness, then the only outcome is exactly what the Muslims are witnessing today. May Allah the Almighty grant these people wisdom and foresight, and may they become those who recognise the true servant of the Holy Prophetsa, as opposed to becoming those who, by rejecting him, increase in their cruelty towards the community of the Promised Messiahas. Nonetheless, it should be clearly understood that the Holy Prophetsa remaining silent after stating that “in the Latter Days, there would be Khilafat established amongst you on the precepts of prophethood” denotes that this establishment would remain for a very long time. Owing to not understanding certain aspects, some people allege that the silence denotes that this establishment – i.e. the Khilafat established after the demise of the Promised Messiahas – would come to an end quickly. All such people are gravely mistaken. The Promised Messiahas himself has clarified that this institution is one that would remain. The promises made to the Promised Messiahas by Allah the Almighty will surely be fulfilled. Even if the heavens and the earth are rent asunder, there is nothing that can prevent divine promises from being fulfilled. Nevertheless, whilst clarifying that the institution of Khilafat is one that will remain established, the Promised Messiahas says to members of the Jamaat: “So dear friends! since it is the practice of Allah, from time immemorial, that God Almighty shows two Manifestations so that the two false joys of the opponents be put to an end, it is not possible now that God should relinquish His practice of old. So do not grieve over what I have said to you”, i.e. about the news of his demise, “nor should your hearts be distressed. For it is essential for you to witness the second Manifestation also, and its Coming is better for you because it is everlasting the continuity of which will not end till the Day of Judgement. And that second Manifestation cannot come unless I depart. But when I depart, God will send that second Manifestation for you which shall always stay with you just as promised by God in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya.” (The Will [English translation of Al-Wasiyyat], p. 7, 2005 Edition) The words of the Promised Messiahas wherein he says that this is a promise from God Almighty and that the second manifestation, or in other words, Khilafat, would remain until the last day means that such people will continue to be born who shall safeguard and protect Khilafate-Ahmadiyya. Thus, fortunate are those among us who remain attached to Khilafate-Ahmadiyya and teach their progenies to do the same, and unfortunate are those who desire to confine Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya to a period of time or those who harbour such thoughts. Such people will, as always, face failure and be unsuccessful. This has been demonstrated through the history of the community, where the enemies met with failure at the time of the election of the first and second Khalifa. Nevertheless, whilst further elaborating on the fact that Khilafat will remain established, the Promised Messiahas states: “And this promise”, i.e. the promise

about the establishment of Khilafat, “is not regarding my person; rather, the promise is with reference to you, as God [addressing me] says, ‘I shall make this Community who are your followers, prevail over others till the Day of Judgment.’ Thus, it is inevitable that you see the day of my departure, so that after that day the day comes which is the day of ever-lasting promise. Our God is He Who keeps His promise and is Faithful and is the Truthful God. He shall show you all that He has promised. Though these days are the last days of this world and there are many a disaster waiting to happen, it is necessary that this world continues to exist until all those things about which God has prophesied come to pass.” And there are still countless promises made by Allah to the Promised Messiahas which are yet to be fulfilled. The Promised Messiahas says: “I came from God as a Manifestation of Divine Providence and I am a personification of His Power. And after I am gone, there will be some other persons who will be the manifestation of the second Power of God.” (The Will [English translation of AlWasiyyat], p. 8, 2005 Edition) Thus, the promises of Allah the Almighty to the Promised Messiahas about the rejuvenation and progression of Islam – and all other promises which he was foretold will, insha-Allah, surely come to fruition; those promises will surely be fulfilled. The Community will see the day that Islam is victorious, insha-Allah. The Community will also witness its own progress, insha-Allah. Those who remain attached to Khilafat will become recipients of the favours and grace of Allah the Almighty. The Ahmadiyya Community will spread across the world, and this is precisely what the Promised Messiahas has also said. Therefore, whilst expounding upon the victory of the Community, the Promised Messiahas states: “This is the way of God. And ever since He created man on Earth, He has always been demonstrating this divine practice. He helps His Prophets and Messengersas and grants them success and predominance, as He says:

َ َ َ َ ۡ َ ّٰ ‫ک َت َب الل ُہ لَاغ ِلب َ ّن انا َو ُر ُس ِل ۡی‬

“[‘Allah has decreed: “Most surely I will prevail, I and My Messengers.”’ (Ch.58: V.20)] And the word ‘predominance’ is meant that as Messengers and Prophets desire that God’s will is established in the world and no one is able to oppose it, so, in turn, does God demonstrate with powerful signs their truthfulness as well as the truth they wish to spread in the world. He lets them sow the seed of it [the truth], but He does not let it come to full fruition at their hands […] rather, He reveals yet another dimension of His Might and creates such means by which those objectives, which had to some extent remained incomplete, reach the stage of perfection.” (The Will [English translation of Al-Wasiyyat], p. 6, 2005 Edition) These prophecies and promises which Allah the Almighty has vouchsafed to the Promised Messiahas shall reach completion, and this will happen through the system of Khilafat which is continuing after his demise. Allah the Almighty will enable this Community to progress and indeed He is doing so. He Himself is guiding people. He establishes their bond with Khilafat,

and is forming this association even today, otherwise it is beyond human capacity to do such a thing. It is beyond human capability to tie the members of the Community with the Khalifa of the time in such a strong bond the like of which is unparalleled. Allah the Almighty does not just connect the hearts of people with Khilafat of those who are Ahmadis from before; rather, He also connects to Khilafat the hearts of those who later join the fold, and those who newly convert and have not yet received full moral training. This is solely the work of God Almighty. After pledging allegiance, they demonstrate the same level of sincerity and devotion to the Promised Messiahas. They show the same sincerity and devotion for the completion of the Promised Messiah’sas mission. They demonstrate the same level of devotion to Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya which was established after him, and they continue to demonstrate this. If the manner in which people pledged their allegiance to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira was not by the special help of Allah the Almighty, then what was it? Aside from a few hypocrites – who are to be found in every community – everyone continued to increase in their devotion and love for Khilafat. As for the hypocrites, he reprimanded them severely and put them in their place, whereby they no longer had the courage to even raise their heads. Thereafter, during the election of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra – in spite of the commotion caused by those same opponents who acted with hypocrisy during the era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira but remained within the Community – the members of the Community called out the name of Hazrat Mian Sahib, Hazrat Mirza Mahmud Ahmad Sahibra and pledged their allegiance to him as the second Khalifa. This was despite the tumult, mischief and disturbance of these people. The world then witnessed just how quickly the Community continued to progress. Mission houses were opened around the world, mosques were constructed and literature was disseminated. The mission for which the Promised Messiahas came further flourished. Then, in the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh, Allah the Almighty blessed the Community with further advancements despite the severe attack from the government of the time [i.e. the Pakistan Government]. Those who claimed that they would reduce every member of the Jamaat to carry a beggar’s bowl, themselves departed this world in a pitiable state. Later, new avenues of progress opened during the era of the Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh and Allah the Almighty demonstrated new signs of His aid and support. New doors for spreading Islam were opened. Those who sought to cut the hands of the Khalifa of the time themselves had their hands cut and their bodies were pulverised into the air, but the Community never stopped making progress. The scope of outreach increased. MTA was launched, through which the message of the Community began to reach every home. This is the progress towards the fulfilment of the promises of Allah the Almighty vouchsafed to the Promised Messiahas. If these are not the fulfilment of the promises made by Allah the Almighty,

then what else can it be? Allah the Almighty also manifested His aid and support during the era of the Fifth Khilafat. Within MTA, new avenues were opened for propagating the message of Islam and completing the mission of the Promised Messiahas. Seven, eight new channels were launched in different languages, whereas before there was only one. Various programmes were then translated into different languages of the world. MTA reached all those corners of the earth where it previously had not, and the message of Ahmadiyyat and the true Islam began to reach people living in these countries and areas in their local language, and through this, hundreds of thousands of pious natured people were provided the opportunity to accept Ahmadiyyat. Furthermore, aside from MTA and radio programmes, Allah the Almighty has been guiding people Himself and enabled them to accept Ahmadiyyat through dreams and various literature etc. If we study the history of Ahmadiyyat, we find many instances during the lifetime of the Promised Messiahas of how Allah the Almighty Himself guided people to accept the Promised Messiahas. The same was the case in the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira and Allah the Almighty would guide people Himself. Many pious souls continued to join the fold of the Jamaat. Then during the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, similar incidents took place. In those families where Ahmadiyyat has been established for a long time, accounts continue to be narrated as to how Allah the Almighty bestowed the opportunity upon their elders to accept the truth. The same is witnessed during the era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh. Even in the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, Allah the Almighty guided pious souls to accept Ahmadiyyat. All of this was as a result of the promises vouchsafed to the Promised Messiahas by Allah the Almighty. During the era of every Khilafat, the Jamaat continued to expand. Even in the era of the Fifth Khilafat, Allah the Almighty has continued to bestow His blessings in the same manner. Allah the Almighty is opening ever new avenues for tabligh and is opening the hearts of more and more people to listen and accept the message of the Promised Messiahas – which is the message of the true Islam. Such events transpire which show that the event could only have happened as a result of divine help. Otherwise, simply through human effort, people would never accept in this way. I will mention a few incidents which will demonstrate how Allah the Almighty has inclined people’s hearts towards accepting Islam Ahmadiyyat; and how He shows them the truthfulness of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya and fills their hearts with the love of Khilafat. Guinea-Bissau is a distant country situated in Africa; a resident there, Abdullah Sahib, who was previously a Christian, says: “Some time ago, I saw a dream in which I saw a person with a white beard, who was wearing a turban and was addressing a congregation. People were listening to the address in complete silence.” He further says, “The person was delivering the sermon in a very simple manner, which was completely different to the way our people deliver sermons.” When he woke up, he did not understand the

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

dream and he forgot about it. A few days later he saw a similar dream and owing to this, he was able to vividly recall the face of the person in the dream. He then saw a third dream. In the meantime, he tried to investigate who the person in the dream was, but he was unsuccessful. Coincidentally, one day, he went to one of our mosques in the nearby town of Farin. It was a Friday, and the members of the Jamaat were listening to the Friday Sermon on MTA. Upon seeing me [on MTA], he immediately asked the muallim, “Who is the person delivering the sermon?” The muallim replied, “He is our Caliph”. Upon this, Abdullah sahib sat down and quietly listened to the sermon. After the Friday sermon, he offered the prayers with the rest of the congregation. When the prayers had finished, he stood up and said, “Today, I accept Islam,” and then said, “God Almighty showed this man to me in three separate dreams and this left a deep imprint on my soul. I was in search of him for a long time, and so by chance, today, I came to your mosque, and saw your Caliph. I saw the same face in the dream and the same scene in which people were sat quietly listening to a sermon. And so I enter the fold of Islam Ahmadiyyat.” This is how a person living in a far-off place was guided [to the truth], in that he was first shown a dream and then Allah the Almighty created the means for him to witness the physical fulfilment of that dream. Some people question as to why they do not experience such things. This is the grace of Allah the Almighty; He guides whomsoever He pleases. But in order to receive this [blessing], one has to have a virtuous nature and to bow down before God. Undoubtedly it must be due to one of his virtues that Allah the Almighty guided him in this manner. Amir Sahib of the Gambia writes: “There is a lady by the name of Sister

Fatu Sahiba who is almost 60 years old. She says that a group belonging to an Islamic organisation visited her area and began speaking against the Jamaat, saying that Ahmadis were disbelievers and would never enter Paradise; [they advised that] there should be no dealings with them [i.e. Ahmadis] at all. Most of the people in the village accepted what they said, but this woman says that she became worried and began to pray for Allah the Almighty to guide her in this matter. A few days later, she saw a dream in which she saw the members of the same Islamic organisation that visited her village; she saw that despite the fact that their eyes were shining bright like the stars and they were holding copies of the Quran in their hands, but they were complaining that they could not see the text of the Quran. Upon this they began making a commotion that Allah the Almighty had caused them to lose their sight, and owing to this they would not be able to earn a livelihood, and they have been humiliated and left in ruins. She says that she saw in the dream that the members of the same organisation desired to shake the hand of the Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Community, but they were unsuccessful in this, and they admitted that undoubtedly Ahmadiyyat was true, but if they accepted Ahmadiyyat, they would lose all their followers. Nonetheless, in the morning, this woman narrated this dream to her family. Some people allege that Africans have less understanding of matters – but nevertheless, her interpretation of this dream was that despite their eyes shining brightly, they were unable to see the writing in the Holy Quran, this meant that they had completely strayed off the right path.” Thus, some people who accept Ahmadiyyat experience such extraordinary incidents which clearly proves that it is the special support of Allah the Almighty which enables them to see such insights. Guatemala is a country in South America;

Veronica Sahiba – who lives in San Marcos, which is approximately 250 kilometres away from our mosque [in Guatemala], close to the Mexican border – says: “10 years ago, I saw a person in a dream who told me that the path of truth is Islam. He said to me to read the Holy Quran, to which I said that I did not know how to read the Quran. However, that person said, ‘You can read the Quran.’” The next morning, when she woke up, she informed her husband and father about her dream, but they said, “Islam is not the path of truth, it is a religion that teaches terrorism.” All of them were Christians. Nonetheless, she says, “My heart was not content. I began researching about Islam on the internet and started learning about Islam myself.” One day, she went to the market and saw a lady wearing the veil. Seeing the lady in a veil she became curious; she met the lady and enquired about her attire. That lady responded, “I am a Muslim, and that is why I am wearing the veil.” Thus, this lady became an acquaintance and informed her about Islam in detail. The woman who she met [in the marketplace] was an Ahmadi. Veronica Sahiba says, “After hearing about the teachings of Islam from her, I pledged allegiance [bai‘at], but my family members were not pleased. They would constantly raise allegations. I was unable to respond to them, so I said to her [the Ahmadi lady] to come over to my house and that I would gather my relatives. Thus, we had countless sittings in which we propagated the message of Islam.” She not only pledged allegiance, but also began propagating the message. She gathered her friends and also gave them refreshments. One of her sons, who is becoming a lawyer and is in his final year of university, also pledged allegiance. She was so passionate and enthusiastic that she learnt how to read the Holy Quran on the internet. She even managed to memorise many chapters of the Holy Quran and using

the audio – as she could not write Arabic – she wrote the entire Quran in Roman English. Amir Sahib [Guatemala] says, “When I went on a visit, I saw her notebook. She wrote the entire Holy Quran by hand. And now she is learning the Arabic recitation and is writing it in Arabic.” In this manner, Allah the Almighty is not only bringing pious souls into the fold of the Jamaat but is also fulfilling the promises He vouchsafed to the Promised Messiahas that were to be fulfilled after his demise. Indonesia is another distant country; a youth residing there was informed about [the teachings of] Islam Ahmadiyyat, as a result of which he immediately pledged allegiance. Noor Sahib, the Sadr of that Jamaat says: “Before he left, I gave the youth some books as well as some brochures which had the picture of the Promised Messiahas. When the youth returned home, his father saw one of the brochures and asked him who was the man in the picture. He replied, ‘It is the picture of the Imam Mahdi. Last night, I saw in a dream that the Imam Mahdi had arrived.’” The youth was previously acquainted with the Jamaat. “‘For this reason I immediately pledged allegiance.’ Upon this, his father said, ‘I also would like to pledge allegiance.’” Allah the Almighty is enabling people to enter the Jamaat in this manner. Zila Karim Sahib, who is a muallim in Burkina Faso, says: “Hameed Sahib lives in our area and regularly listens to the radio and had close ties with the Jamaat. He would also give chanda [contribute to Jamaat funds], and in fact he became very regular in paying the chanda, yet when it was asked of him to perform bai‘at, he would avoid it citing one excuse or another.” Perhaps it was not the obligatory chanda, he would perhaps pay towards Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-eJadid, or he would contribute to some other scheme or give as sadaqah. Nonetheless, he would give chanda and make financial sacrifices. When I was in Ghana, I also saw that the landowners and farmers would come and give their Zakat amount to us saying that if they give the amount to their religious clerics, they would embezzle it, but they knew that the Jamaat would use it appropriately. In any case, this is also how people offer their financial contributions. One day, he saw in a dream that there was a gathering and some people were inside the four walls of the compound whereas some people were outside it. He says, “I observed that the people inside the room were all Ahmadis. Upon this, I said to myself, ‘I am also with them, therefore I should also be allowed to enter.’ A sound then emanated, ‘Only those shall enter this room who have done the bai‘at. Since you have not performed the bai‘at, you cannot enter.’” And so, the very next day, after witnessing the dream, he came and took the bai‘at. Despite the efforts of the people, they were previously unable to convince him to enter the Jamaat; however, since he possessed a pious nature, therefore Allah the Almighty did not allow him to be ruined, nor desired this for him. Thus, Allah the Almighty guided him in this way. This is also an answer to those who raise

AL HAKAM | Friday 24 June 2022 the allegation that they do not experience any [true] dreams. One has to first purify themselves and remove all the [external] thoughts in one’s mind and supplicate and then Allah the Almighty also grants guidance. There is a member from Mali, Muhammad Kone Sahib. He heard the Jamaat’s radio station and also those who speak against the Jamaat. Thereafter, he began to pray so that Allah the Almighty might guide him to the right path. He says, “After this, I saw an elderly person in my dream who was saying that whether one accepts now or later, every single person shall one day enter Ahmadiyyat.” Thus, this has been destined by Allah the Almighty. Allah the Almighty has vouchsafed His promise to the Promised Messiahas, and just as the Promised Messiahas has also mentioned, the mission of the Promised Messiahas shall be fulfilled through the establishment of the blessed institution of Khilafat. Subsequently, he took the bai‘at. A missionary in Guinea-Bissau writes that Usman Sahib is a member who recently accepted Ahmadiyyat. [Prior to his acceptance] he found out that many members of his family were accepting Ahmadiyyat. And so, he gathered some maulvis and went to their area so that they could oppose the Jamaat. Our muallim told them that they could certainly oppose them and no one would stop them; however, they should at least listen once to what their message was and thereafter they could oppose them through argumentation. The maulvis refused to come and listen to their message; however, Usman Sahib accepted their invitation and came to listen to what their message was. He was informed about the advent of the Promised Messiahas. It was a Friday when he arrived and at the time my sermon was being broadcast on MTA. They told him that if he had some time, he could listen to the Friday Sermon and he said that he would listen to some of the sermon as he had some time. When he began listening to the sermon, he completely forgot how much time had elapsed and ended up listening to the entire sermon. After this, he stated, “The Ahmadiyya Jamaat cannot be disbelievers as is alleged by others. This is because your Khalifa is mentioning the life of a companion of the Holy Prophetsa and a Jamaat of disbelievers cannot do such a thing.” Thereafter, he stopped opposing the Jamaat and after some time, he also joined the Jamaat along with his family. He has not only joined the Jamaat, but he is also engaged in tabligh [propagation] and regularly pays his chanda. This is the impact which Allah the Almighty grants to the sermons of the Khalifa of the time. A local missionary in Congo Kinshasa says that he started a tabligh campaign in an area. The non-Ahmadis began to oppose the Jamaat through very careful planning. After three months, Usman Sahib, who was among those who were opposing, contacted the mission house and stated that he wanted to join the Jamaat along with his entire family. When he was asked the reason for this, he said, “One day, my wife was watching satellite TV and came across your MTA channel. Since she knew that I was at the forefront of opposing Ahmadiyyat, she called me over and when I was about to say

something against the Jamaat, my wife told me that I should watch the programme first and then speak.” At the time, my sermon was being played on MTA as well. “After listening to the sermon, I was convinced that what I had heard that day was indeed the true image of Islam and after listening to the Khalifa, I no longer had any doubts about the truthfulness of the Jamaat.” This is not owing to any excellence on my part; rather, it is the manifestation of Allah the Almighty’s blessings of His divine promise vouchsafed to the Promised Messiahas of fulfilling his mission through Khilafat. The missionary in-charge of Guinea Bissau says that they preached in a village and many of its residents accepted Ahmadiyyat. However, four families refused to accept Ahmadiyyat. When our team went to the village to install MTA, the muallim also invited all those families who had refused to accept Ahmadiyyat and informed them that they had a Muslim channel and they should come and watch it as well whereby they will also be able to see the image of the Promised Messiahas as well as the Khalifa of the time. He says that when the installation was complete and the TV was turned on once again after the prayers, my sermon was being played on MTA at the time. The non-Ahmadis present began to attentively listen to the sermon. Since it was being played in the English language, the muallim told them that he would translate for them. They replied that though they could not understand what was being said, by God whatever the person was saying could not be a lie. If this was the Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, then this Jamaat could not be false and they announced to accept Ahmadiyyat right away. A muallim from Mali writes that a person visited their mission house and told them that he regularly listened to their radio channel and he wanted to take the bai‘at. The gentleman then filled out the bai‘at form. Since he was quite well-educated, he asked if there was literature in the French language, so that he could benefit from it and also give it to his friends. The muallim gave him the French translation of the book, World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace which is a compilation of my various lectures relating to the establishment of peace. He opened the book immediately and when he saw the photo inside, he began to cry. He said that when he was in Gabon, he would often pray to God to be guided to the right path. At the time, he saw the Khalifatul Masih on countless occasions in his dream and he did not know at the time who that person was. He said that today he realised that his prayers had been answered and Allah the Almighty guided him. Nasma Sahiba is an Arab lady; she says: “Two years prior to my bai‘at, I saw the image of the Promised Messiahas for the first time, and whilst addressing it …”. In fact, before narrating this, she had mentioned that “you spoke of a child who had scribbled some lines and had written, ‘Huzoor, I love you!’” She states, “Children do not lie and this incident had a deep impact upon my heart.” And so, she also took the bai‘at. She further narrates, “After some time, I looked at the photo of the Promise Messiahas and said, ‘Your features indicate that you are a pious person and cannot be a liar, but despite this I cannot testify to the fact that

you have been divinely commissioned.’ Two years later, after doing further reading, I took the bai‘at in early 2016. However, despite this I harboured some doubts with regard to Khilafat. The Satan within me would question how I could allow a person who claimed to be the Khalifa to take control of my life; why should I write to him and inform him of my matters; what was the benefit of Khilafat? However, all these doubts were removed after reading Khilafat-e-Rashidah and Nizam-e-Khilafat and Obedience which were written by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. All the matters were explained in these. I then wrote a letter to you and upon receiving the reply, all my doubts were completely removed and I was convinced that Khilafat indeed followed in the footsteps of the Promised Messiahas.” She further wrote, “The love which Allah the Almighty bestows in one’s heart is indeed deeply rooted and we cannot understand how this comes about.” She further wrote, “It is for this reason that the majority of the Ahmadis have love for the Promised Messiahas and for all the Khulafa just like children have [for their parents]. Prior to the bai‘at, I was unfamiliar with this kind of love.” A circuit missionary from Nigeria says that during a question and answer session, a debate ensued that instead of adding the father’s name to the child, the child should be given the family name which had been passed down from generation to generation. Upon this, they were told that according to the teachings of the Holy Quran, the child should be attributed to by its father’s name. Some of the non-Ahmadis and those who had recently converted to Ahmadiyyat were not entirely satisfied by this response. He says, “However, two days later, as you were delivering a sermon on the Companionsra, you related incidents [from the life] of Hazrat Zaidra bin Haritha and said that the Arabs began calling him ‘Zaid bin Muhammad’, at which time Allah the Almighty commanded that he should be called by his father’s name. Upon hearing this sermon, all the members of the Jamaat and the others became very happy as the Khalifa of the time had guided them in the matter which we had been discussing only two days prior. Some thought that perhaps in the span of two days, the missionary had relayed this news to the Khalifa of the time due to which he mentioned this; however, he assured them that he had not said anything.” He says, “We rejoiced at the fact that Allah the Almighty Himself provided the answer to our question. It was out of this happiness that a wealthy member of the Community purchased another large TV to watch MTA and asked for it to be put up in the Lajna portion of the mosque where the ladies sat, so that they were not bereft of the blessings of Khilafat. He then said that Khilafat spoke to the hearts.” Who is the one establishing this connection with Khilafat in people from remote areas and Ahmadis from various countries and backgrounds? Surely, it is the support and help of Allah the Almighty, otherwise this cannot be fathomed by the human mind. Then, there is Barifan Sahiba, a lady from Norway – she says that every true Ahmadi says, “Our beloved Huzoor resides in our hearts and before our eyes and we pray for him. Our only worry in the world is to make

him happy and to come up with ways of helping to lighten his burden. You have stated in your sermons that the Companionsra used to protect the Holy Prophetsa by bearing the blows of arrows and would stand firm in the face of any onslaught. My eyes fill with tears upon imagining such instances and wonder what I would do if faced with the same situation” – she is an Arab. “Would I stand firm as well? I then pray that Allah the Almighty enables us to protect the Khalifa of the time and Khilafat with our hearts and our lives, by sacrificing our wealth and our progenies just like the Companionsra did [for the Holy Prophet sa]. For many years, I have been praying in my Salat that Allah the Almighty causes angels to descend upon you in numbers equal to the number of your worries and the responsibilities you bear, and for them to surround you.” This is the connection of sincerity and loyalty which Allah the Almighty establishes in people’s hearts and, insha-Allah, Allah the Almighty will continue to grant the Community of the Promised Messiahas and Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya such people who increase in their loyalty and sincerity. Worldly people cannot understand this. An Arab in Germany accepted Ahmadiyyat and his friends asked him, “How could you become a Qadiani?” The new convert replied, “There are a hundred Arabs here”, he was an Arab, “and none of you can agree on any matter. The Ahmadiyya Community has a single leader and it is according to his command that the Community moves, which is why its endeavours are blessed. So tell me, what extraordinary qualities do you possess which would cause me to leave them and join you?” Thus, so long as every Ahmadi remains attached to Khilafat, they will continue to inherit the blessings of Allah the Almighty. In order to achieve this, we must ensure that our actions are in line with the teachings of God Almighty. It is only then that we will benefit from this bounty and this is what Allah the Almighty has promised; those whose faith is accompanied by actions which comply with ways outlined by God, they will continue to reap the blessings of Khilafat. In other words, we will reap these benefits when we have complete faith in Allah the Almighty accompanied by fulfilling the rights of His worship and when our every action is in search of attaining Allah the Almighty’s pleasure. The Promised Messiahas states: “In the Holy Quran, along with faith, Allah the Almighty has also instructed to perform good deeds. Good deeds are those acts which contain not the slightest bit of corruption.” He states, “If there is even a single person in a household who carries out good deeds, then the entire household is safeguarded. Think of it as such; if good deeds do not exist, then mere faith is of no benefit.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 4, pp. 284-275) Hence, we must continuously analyse ourselves and remain vigilant lest Satan attacks us. Allah the Almighty enabled our forefathers to accept the Promised Messiahas or has enabled us to accept him. This is His favour, and in order to perpetuate the bounties of this favour, we must always strive to increase and protect our faith so that each one of us may partake of this bounty which was foretold by the Holy Prophetsa and which was promised by Allah

Friday 24 June 2022 | AL HAKAM

24 the Almighty to the Promised Messiahas – that is the institution of Khilafat. Hence, we must continue to analyse ourselves so as to see the degree to which we have attached ourselves to Khilafat so that we may be united in establishing the unity of God Almighty in the world. At one instance, the Promised Messiahas states: “Rejoice and be happy that the field of achieving nearness is vacant.” That is, the field of attaining nearness to God and drawing close to Him is empty. “Every nation is in love with the world and to what pleases God, the world pays no attention. Now is the time for those who wish to enter this door”, i.e. the door that leads towards God Almighty, “that they, mustering all their strength, show their mettle and win the much-coveted prize from God. Do not think that God will let you go to waste. You are the seed which the hand of God has sown in the earth. God says that this seed will grow and flower and its branches will spread in all directions and it will become a vast tree.” (The Will [English translation of Al-Wasiyyat], p. 12, English edition 2005) The Promised Messiahas further states: “God addressed me and said that I should inform my Jamaat that those who believe and their belief is not adulterated with worldly considerations and is free from hypocrisy and cowardice and is not found wanting at any stage of obedience, such people are the favourites of God. And God says that indeed these are the ones whose station is that of Truth.” (Al-Wasiyyat [English translation], p. 12, English edition 2005) The Promised Messiahas has stated all of these things in his book, The Will, in which he also gave the glad tiding of the establishment of Khilafat. Hence, this statement of his indicates that every Ahmadi should have a connection of sincerity and loyalty with Khilafat and they are the ones who will rise to the level of doing justice to their oath of allegiance. It is only when this is achieved that we will be doing justice to commemorating Khilafat Day. May Allah the Almighty enable everyone to do justice to their oath of allegiance and also reap the blessings of Allah the Almighty. I would also like to briefly announce that today, Ghana Jamaat is commencing its Jalsa Salana. It is a two-day Jalsa on 27 and 28 [of May] and will be held at Bustan-e-Ahmad. Aside from this, they have arranged 119 centres across the country including five larger centres which will all be connected via audio and video link. The Ghana Jamaat was established in February 1921 when Maulana Abdul Rahim Nayyar Sahibra departed from London and arrived in Ghana. Last year, Ghana Jamaat wished to celebrate their centenary but were unable to due to Covid. They have now decided to continue with their programme in 2022-23. May Allah the Almighty make their Jalsa blessed in every way and continue to increase Ahmadis there in sincerity and loyalty. Similarly, the Gambia’s Jalsa Salana is also commencing today and will be held for three days. May Allah the Almighty bless this in every respect.

The philosophy of Hajj and sacrifice in Islam The House of Allah was built around 2,000 years before the advent of Prophet Jesusas and continued to serve as the worship place of one God. However, with the passage of time, it came under influence of the idolworshippers. Allah the Almighty later restored its glory and grandeur through the hands of the Holy Prophetsa and every single idol was removed from this blessed Baitullah after the victory of Mecca. Soon after, Hajj was made obligatory for every Muslim to perform at least once in their life. www.alhakam.org/the-philosophy-of-hajj-and-sacrifice-in-islam/

(Oﬃcial Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International, 17 June 2022, pp. 5-10. Translated by The Review of Religions.) Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | Sub-Editorial: Ataul Fatir Tahir, Aqeel Ahmed Kang | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | © Al Hakam 2022