Al Hakam - 22 July 2022

The Russo-Ukrainian War – How we got here

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Practical efforts are needed for Islam’s progress

100 Years Ago...

Daily diary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II

25th Jalsa Salana Kababir

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s guidance to Ahmadi Khuddam

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Page 12

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022 | Issue CCXXVII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL, UK info@alhakam.org | ISSN 2754-7388

Holding science, discovery and research dear to our hearts

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

The supplication of a Muslim is answered

َ ُ َ َ َ َ َ َ ُ َ ّٰ ‫ َر ِض َى الل ُه ع ْنہ قال قال‬،‫ع ْن أ� ِ ْي ھ َريْ َرة‬ َّ َ ّ ٰ َّ ّٰ ُ ‫َر ُس ْول الل ِه ﺻلى الل ُه َعل ْی ِہ َو َسل َم‬ َُ َ َ َ ّٰ َ َّ َ ‫َم ْن َ� ّره أ ْن � َ ْس� ِ� ْی َب الل ُه ل ُه ِع ْند الشدائِ ِد‬ ْ َْ ُ َ َّ َ َ ُّ ‫الرﺧا ِء‬ ‫َوا�ْک َر ِب فل ُیک ِ� ِر الدعاء فِي‬ Hazrat Abu Hurairahra narrated that Hazrat Ibn Umarra said to him that the Holy Prophetsa said: “One who desires that Allah responds [to his prayer] during hardship and grief, should then supplicate plentifully when at ease.”

(Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Da‘wat an Rasulillahsa, Hadith 3382)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

A liar is never granted respite

The Universe seen through the James Webb Space Telescope

Islam is distinct from all other religions in that it forbids alcohol and bases this prohibition on reason; its harms outweigh its benefits. The fact that the prohibition was revealed when mankind was not ready to completely comprehend its significance only serves to increase one’s appreciation for Islam.

The world of science has now proven alcohol is indeed dangerous, even in small

amounts, though there may be some beneficial aspects to it. The headlinemaking landmark studies published in The Lancet over recent years in which scientists have been studying the effects of alcohol on human health only go to prove what the Holy Quran expressed 1,500 years ago:

ُ ُ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ ۤ ۡ َۡ َ َ ُ ‫یَ ۡسـَٔلوۡنك َع ِن الخ ۡمرِ َوال َم ۡي ِ� ِر � ق ۡل فِ ۡي ِہ َما ِاث ٌم ك ِبی ٌر ّو َمنافِع‬ َّ َۡۤ ۡ ۡ َّ ‫اس � َو ِاث ُم ُہ َما اک� َ ُر ِم ۡن نف ِع ِہ َما‬ ِ ‫ل ِلن‬

“They ask thee concerning wine and the game of hazard. Say: ‘In both there is great sin and also [some] advantages for men; but their sin is greater than their advantage.’”

(Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.220) Where Allah tells us there is certainly benefit in alcohol (as studies have now shown), He also declares alcohol as Continued on next page >>

Many years have passed since I published the claim that I am a recipient of revelation and divine converse. However, even if the period spanning from the publication of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya to the present time is calculated, a period of twenty years has elapsed. One ought to ask our opponents – who call me a liar and assert that I have forged this false claim – that when God Almighty does not grant respite to a deceiver who falsely claims to receive divine revelation or converse, to the extent that even the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was addressed by God that ‘If you had attributed false statements to Us, We would have seized you by your Continued on page 2

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

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Continued from page 1

jugular vein,’ then what concession can there be for anyone else? This statement of God clearly demonstrates that anyone who falsely attributes revelation to Allah Almighty can never enjoy respite. Now, I would like to ask that if my community was not established by God Almighty, then do show me an example from the history of any nation, where someone attributed such falsehood against God and was then granted respite.

As far as I am concerned, a clear criterion is available to us. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, received revelation for a lengthy period of twenty-three years.

Allah the Exalted has granted me an era that is almost equivalent in time to the era of our Truthful and Perfect Prophet, because twenty years have passed since the publication of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya – which in the view of my unwise critics – is the period in which I began this “forgery”.

The era that I present in relation to myself is similar to that of a man who is accepted as being truthful; in fact, he is the crown of all those who are truthful, yet these cruel people go on saying even now that my claim is a lie. It is unfortunate that they are so blindly absorbed in disproving me that they fail to see the manner in which even the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is caught in the crossfire of their denial. For if God were to support a false man for even twenty or twenty-two years, all I can do is stand astonished. In fact, my heart trembles at the thought of what argument such

22 July 2016: On this day, Chris Grayling MP, the then Secretary of State for Transport, UK had the opportunity to meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa at the Baitul Futuh Mosque, London.

Photo courtesy of Suhaib Ahmad

people could then present in favour of the truthfulness of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. A Muslim and a true follower of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, will never accept – after witnessing a claimant to revelation receive such a long period of respite – that a false claimant and a liar can also receive such a long period of respite. If no other sign or argument in favour of the truth of such a claimant can be found, even still, a true Muslim is bound to give them the benefit of the doubt in view of faith and must not reject such a person, because the period of their claim bears a resemblance to that of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

If a Christian asserts that a false man can enjoy respite, then it is on them to furnish evidence to that effect. But a Muslim cannot make this assertion. Now, our opponents ought to tell us whether a liar, Antichrist and one who forges a lie against Allah can partake of characteristics that serve as argumentation in favour of prophethood? One must accept that this is absolutely impossible. Such people ought to reflect over my claim and then ponder over the time period that constitutes the era which establishes prophethood.

Hence, from every aspect, various points to ponder can be found for those who reflect, and a prudent individual can derive benefit from them.”

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 2, pp. 21-22)

<< Continued from previous page

completely forbidden due to its negative effects – physically and spiritually – outweighing any positive elements.

For Muslims, the constant progress of science and research continues to show the truth of their religion – time and time again, we are given empirical data on how Islamic teachings reign supreme. Sometimes it takes science to catch up but ultimately the truths of the Quran and the religion of Islam being in perfect harmony with the human condition will never be negated.

In 2022, where the world stands in peril and disaster, innovation, research and science continue to grow exponentially.

These advancements in knowledge were foretold to manifest during the era of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi as alluded to in Surah al-Takwir and mankind is creating mind-boggling material progress.

Just recently, NASA released stunning, never-before-seen images taken by the $10-billion James Webb Space Telescope of stars forming, black holes and even the clearest views of galaxies 13 billion years ago.

These discoveries will elate believers as they give further insight into Allah’s endless and magnificent creation; such

breakthroughs make us ponder, ask deeper questions and let our minds grapple with the universe’s hidden secrets. As Allah says:

َّ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ٰ ٰ َّ ۡ َ َّ ٰ َّ ‫اف ال ۡي ِل َوالن َہارِ لَا ٰی ٍت‬ ِ ‫ض واﺧ ِتل‬ ِ ‫ِان فِ ۡی ﺧل ِﻖ السمو ِت والار‬ َۡ َ ۡ ُ ّ ‫اب‬ ِ ‫لِاول ِی الالب‬

“In the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the day there are indeed Signs for men of understanding;” (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.191) Science and research should be welcomed with open arms by the Muslim world as by understanding the world around us, we not only stand firmer in belief and wonder over Allah’s majesty but key questions are also answered. Science can help with answering pertinent questions about the purpose and wisdom behind Islamic teachings, while also giving food for thought and meaning for life.

If we did not have researchers looking at the health implications of alcohol and drawing empirical evidence, we, as Muslims, should of course still firmly believe in the Quran and its truth but when science eventually also confirms Quranic claims, our faith is strengthened further and others begin to wonder over the Quran and Islam.

The Quran instructs Muslims to “reflect” and “ponder” over the “creation of the heavens and the earth”; Allah declares true

believers to be those who deeply ponder over His creation. Where this will instil the power and majesty of Allah in our hearts, verities of the Quran and the wisdom behind Islamic teachings will also come to the surface.

In turn, the act of Allah and the word of Allah will be shown in perfect harmony to our youth who have been brought up in material culture and Islam’s reality will manifest with every discovery.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has urged Ahmadi students and researchers to pursue science and research and bring back the golden age of Islam in science. We end with Huzoor’s advice to Waqf-e-Nau students: “I wish to inform students that they should pursue various fields of scientific research – and this includes waqifeen-enau and other students. If we produce the best scientists in various fields of scientific research, then in the future Ahmadi Muslims will be the ones to provide religious knowledge. And where the world will be in need of you for religious knowledge, they will also be in need of you for secular knowledge. In this context, waqifeen-enau will have secular jobs, but the purpose of their work and knowledge will be to demonstrate the Oneness of God Almighty and the spread of His religion.” (Friday Sermon, 28 October 2016)

During the meeting, Mr Grayling had the opportunity to discuss various matters including the future of Britain, in light of the Brexit referendum. Also discussed was the continued threat of terrorism and extremism, the ongoing refugee crisis and various other issues.

23 July 2004: During his Friday Sermon before the Jalsa Salana UK 2004, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa granted valuable guidance to the volunteers and staff of Jalsa Salana.

He advised everyone to serve the guests of the Promised Messiahas to the best of their abilities. Huzooraa said that Jalsa Salana UK had now attained the status of a markazi (central) Jalsa due to the presence of Khalifatul Masih in the UK. For this reason, Huzooraa said, members of the Jamaat ought to make every possible effort to participate in this Jalsa.

24 July 2009: During his Friday Sermon, on the first day of Jalsa Salana UK 2009, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa gave guidance in regard to the ongoing swine flu. Huzooraa said that the government was advising all to abide by the preventive measures and announcements were also being telecast on MTA. Huzooraa then instructed the Jalsa organisers to put precautionary measures in place and also instructed the guests to abide by all the preventive measures and cooperate with the volunteers.

Huzooraa prayed that may Allah the Almighty save every Ahmadi from all kinds of diseases, and may the Jalsa guests safely return to their homes after benefitting from the blessings of Jalsa Salana.

25 July 2014: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered the last Friday Sermon of Ramadan 2014, in which he spoke at length about Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Decree), and instructed members of the Jamaat to seek to adopt taqwa (true fear of

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022

This Week in History God) and to increase in the worship of Allah.

Huzooraa also gave a detailed analysis of the ongoing IsraelPalestine conflict. Huzooraa said: “With great regret, it must be said that today, it is the ill fortune of many Muslim countries that they are no longer united. Members of the public are fighting amongst themselves; citizens are also fighting with governments, whilst governments are inflicting cruelty upon their public. Therefore, not only has unity been lost, but great cruelties and injustices are being perpetrated. The result of the lack of unity is that non-Muslim countries now have the confidence to do whatever they please against the Muslims and this is the very reason that Israel is currently engaged in

special attention towards the tarbiyat and education of their children so that they can play their role in the progress of the country and nation. Huzooraa emphasised that it was a shared responsibility of both parents.

27 July 2007: During his Friday Sermon, on the first day of Jalsa Salana UK 2007, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa granted guidance to the Jalsa guests and advised them to cooperate with the volunteers.

Huzooraa said that sometimes, the Jalsa guests took offense when they were asked to go through security checks. Huzooraa said that there was no disrespect in being asked to be checked. Thus, they should fully cooperate with the volunteers.

Huzooraa said that he recalled being checked before entering Masjid

Chris Grayling MP (former Secretary of State for Transport, UK) meeting with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa

killing scores of innocent Palestinians in the most cruel manner. If the Muslims were united and followed the path of God then the collective strength of the Muslim nations is so great that this cruelty could never have taken place.” (“World Muslim Leader prays for innocent Victims of Israel-Palestine Conflict”, www. pressahmadiyya.com) 26 July 2013: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa granted guidance to members of the Jamaat to pay

22-28 July

Aqsa, Rabwah on the occasions of Eid or Friday Sermons, but he never objected to it. When he was appointed by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh as the nazir-e-ala and amir-emuqami, even then he was checked but he did not mind.

27 July 2012: During his Friday Sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned Maryam Sultana Sahiba, wife of Dr Muhammad Ahmad Khan Sahib Shaheed, who had passed away on 18 July 2012. Huzooraa said that her father was Inayatullah Afghani

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivering the Friday Sermon on the first day of Jalsa Salana UK 2009

Sahib, who was a follower of Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif Shaheedra, and had joined Ahmadiyyat at the hand of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira. Huzooraa said that she was very fond of preaching the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat. Her husband was martyred in Kohat in 1957.

Since they were the only Ahmadi household in the area and they had young children, there was no one to help her make arrangements for bringing the funeral to Rabwah, as her husband was a musi.

Moreover, there was no way for any communication either. Therefore, she somehow rented a truck and brought the dead body to Nakhla first as Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra was there at the time, and the funeral was offered there. After that, the funeral was brought to Rabwah and the burial took place.

27 July 2014: On this day, three female members of Jamaat-eAhmadiyya, including a 7-year-old child and an 8-month-old infant, were martyred by a mob in KachiPump, Gujranwala, Pakistan, whilst the local police stood by and watched the massacre.

The mob gathered at the abovementioned place – where more than 15 Ahmadi Muslim families lived close to each other – on the pretext that an Ahmadi youth had defaced a picture of the Ka‘bah on Facebook, which was completely false. The homes of Ahmadi Muslims were burnt, ransacked and looted.

In total, eight homes belonging to Ahmadi Muslims were burnt by the mob.

The deceased were Bushra Bibi Sahiba (in her 50s), and her two granddaughters, Hira aged 7 and Kainaat aged 8 months.

Mubashara Bibi Sahiba, who was 7 months pregnant, suffered a miscarriage. Eight other women and children also suffered injuries.

During his Friday Sermon on 1 August 2014, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned this painful incident, and stated that if the opponents of the Jamaat did not mend their ways, then Allah the Almighty’s wrath would be their future.

28 July 2006: During his Friday Sermon, on the first day of Jalsa Salana UK 2006, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa granted guidance to the Jalsa guests. Huzooraa also said: “Sometimes [those Jalsa guests] who come from outside [of the UK] borrow money from their acquaintances for shopping etc.

They should avoid taking such loans as it ruins the spirit of contentment; and then one spends without any control, without thinking that the debt has to be returned and disregarding how they will be able to do this. As I have said, the purpose for which you have come [to attend the Jalsa] is to try to attain the treasure that the Promised Messiahas wanted to distribute.”

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

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State-of-the-art drainage systems & tackling world supply-chain issues: Relentless preparations for Jalsa Salana UK 2022 and what you need to know

etc.)

Wonderfully, when the drainage system was finally complete, for several days, Hadeeqatul Mahdi saw its streams flowing with water that had been drawn out of the land from the newly installed drainage system.

In reality, Huzooraa had been drawing the attention of the Jalsa administration to such a feature for several years. Now, upon following Huzoor’s instructions and guidance every step of the way, the Jalsa team is pleased to say that this system has been installed and the conditions will be much better if rain is to fall.

Along with the drainage system, other services that require groundwork were also installed afresh and further improved. These services include electricity, water supply, sewage system and telecommunications. All of these services and their components stay at a minimum of 1.5 metres in the ground so as not to be damaged by the construction of marquees, etc.

If there is any disruption in the groundwork, there are ways to isolate those areas and reactivate and even modify those services.

Brexit, Ukraine and the pandemic

Aerial shot of Hadeeqatul Mahdi where lines of drainage systems can be seen

Under the continuous guidance and instructions of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, the Jalsa Salana Committee has been working on this year’s Jalsa since January 2022. All naib afsaran Jalsa Salana and nazimeen of departments closely reviewed red book points of the previous Jalsa Salana and drew up plans for this year’s event.

Who can attend?

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a limitation set by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa during last year’s Jalsa Salana for only 6,000 UK-based guests who were permitted to attend one day of Jalsa Salana. According to Huzoor’s instructions, this limitation was planned for Jalsa Salana 2022 as well, but by Allah’s grace, as the conditions for the pandemic have drastically improved, Huzooraa has now permitted all the UK Jamaat to attend Jalsa Salana UK on all three days.

However, those wanting to attend from abroad must seek permission from Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa.

Covid-19 precautions and what to bring The safety of all guests of Jalsa Salana is paramount and therefore Covid-19 precautions will continue. All attendees

must wear masks on site and show proof of a negative lateral flow test (LFT) (that was recorded within 24 hours) before entering the Jalsa site. Proof of two vaccinations will also be required. Your AIMS ID card will, like always, be checked.

According to Hazrat Amirul Momineen’saa latest instructions, social distancing during salat has now been set to one foot (as opposed to 1.5 metres from last year).

New foul-water drainage system following instructions of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Last year, the torrential rain that fell on Hadeeqatul Mahdi caused a lot of disruption on site – the wet mud particularly caused obstacles for cars and vehicles that were getting stuck.

After last year’s final address of Jalsa Salana, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa instructed Amir UK, Rafiq Ahmad Hayat Sahib and Afsar Jalsa Salana, Mohammad Nasser Khan Sahib to explore and introduce a water drainage system in the land of Hadeeqatul Mahdi so that the water could be readily removed from the soil and not cause disruption if rain was to fall.

This instruction of Huzooraa was immediately followed and consultations with various companies began. The drainage

system project was led by Adrees Ahmad Sahib, an engineer, who oversaw the project full-time on the instructions of Huzooraa.

By Allah’s grace, though it was expected that only the area where the Jalsa Salana main marquee is situated would see the new drainage system, the company that was hired worked hard for a year and not only covered the main area of the Jalsa site but also the whole of the car park.

Now Hadeeqatul Mahdi has a fully functional water drainage system that will draw excess water out of the soil (which consists of a lot of clay) into the stream that flows through Hadeeqatul Mahdi. In this way, guests will not be faced with so many difficulties related to the mud conditions that follow after rain, at the Jalsa site.

The drainage system work was carried out after seeking permission from the local council and following its installation, it was inspected and approved.

The new system has the following components that enable it to draw excess water out of the ground at Hadeeqatul Mahdi: • To date, 825 linear metres of foul-water drainage have been installed which include drainage runs • 19 manholes • 4.5 km of water pipes • 5.3 km of ducts that cater for telecommunication services (fibre optic,

Due to Brexit, the war in Ukraine and the pandemic, there have been direct repercussions on businesses, especially for those companies that are in Europe and deliver to the UK. The company that usually installs the main Jalsa marquee has faced shortages and supply issues and significantly raised its prices. Therefore, acquiring the huge marquee required for Jalsa Salana was a new challenge. Again, through Huzoor’s constant prayers and guidance, the Jalsa Salana team was able to secure a company that not only will erect the large marquee as required, but will also install versatile flooring. The main marquees (both on the Lajna side and men’s) will have five canopies attached to their sides and a ventilation system will be installed.

The men’s marquee will be 135 m x 50 m, while the Lajna marquee will be 100 m x 50 m.

The metal tracks used on the Jalsa site were difficult to acquire as companies (including those in Europe) have been fully stretched due to a high number of events taking place in summer. These companies also have lower labour forces now. Alhamdulillah, despite shortages, the site team has acquired 12 km of metal tracks that are required for Jalsa Salana UK and this has been overseen by Adrees Ahmad Sahib.

Departments in full flow Following meetings of the Jalsa Salana Management Committee (participants include afsar Jalsa Salana, afsar Jalsa Gah, afsar Khidmat-e-Khalq and naib afsaran Jalsa Salana, naib afsaran Jalsa Gah, Sadr Lajna Imaillah UK and Sadr Ansarullah UK and MTA International representatives), departments have been working in full flow.

Pir Basharat Sahib, Naib Afsar Jalsa Salana has been working very hard with his team in installing electrical systems and cables for Jalsa. Dr Zahid Khan Sahib – who has been newly appointed by Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa as Afsar Jalsa Gah – is managing the Jalsa Gah. Zaheer Jatoi Sahib, Naib Afsar Jalsa Salana has

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022

Mahdi Mosque Open Day: Unveiling Islam in Strasbourg, France Chaudhry Bilal Akbar Missionary, Strasbourg, France

Foul-water drainage system being installed

been working tirelessly with his team in installing, maintaining and improving all the sewage systems and water supply for the Jalsa. He has also been getting the kitchen prepared and all the gas burners installed and equipped so the langar khana (kitchen) is fully operational. Imran Chughtai Sahib, Naib Afsar Jalsa Salana, with his site team, marked the areas where marquees and other amenities would be situated and now he is receiving and directing the companies who are arriving at Hadeeqatul Mahdi to install the marquees, portable toilets and cabins etc.

Exhibitions Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa has instructed that all the exhibitions that will be held by various departments of the Jamaat will be situated in one area and not scattered around the Jalsa site. This will ensure safety and ease of viewing for all the guests.

Accommodation Jalsa Salana UK guests are encouraged to stay in accommodation off the premises of Hadeeqatul Mahdi apart from exceptional cases and workers.

Some guests and representatives whom Huzooraa has granted permission have started to arrive from abroad already. Apart from guest houses, those arriving will also be accommodated in Baitul Futuh, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK and Baitul Ehsan.

Other developments

Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya is providing 24-hour security at the Jalsa site and khuddamteams are assisting in waqare-amal and other preparations for Jalsa.

Car passes and badges are being issued by the Jalsa Salana office. The store department has begun to receive deliveries of food, hygiene products, water, bedding, etc. and will have enough supply to cater for the 30,000 people intending, insha-Allah.

As the car park in Hadeeqatul Mahdi has been equipped with the new drainage system, there are plans to have the main car park at Hadeeqatul Mahdi. Overflow will be at the Country Market. Those arriving by train to Alton Station will also benefit from the shuttle service that will be provided.

The 28-day period given to the Jamaat by the council for us to set up, hold and dismantle the Jalsa Salana started on 18 July 2022. Through Huzoor’s prayers and continuous guidance every step of the way, the Jalsa Salana site is slowly being built up and we look forward to welcoming all the guests of the Promised Messiah, insha– Allah.

All readers are requested to pray for the success of Jalsa Salana UK. Zaheer Ahmad Khan Sahib, who told us the above, is a missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslims Jamaat and also serving as Naib Afsar Jalsa Salana UK, who supervises the Jalsa Salana UK office and Reporting Department.

On 26 June 2022, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Strasbourg, France had the opportunity to organise its first open day at the Mahdi Mosque.

The aim was to open doors and welcome the wider community so they could be taught about the beautiful teachings of Islam and get to know each other better, and as a result remove misconceptions regarding Islam. During the event, guests had the opportunity to openly ask questions about Islam.

To promote this event, two banners were hung up on the front of the mosque which were visible from the roads around the mosque. Jamaat members also distributed leaflets in several villages around the mosque and invited their respective contacts to the event. The programme started at 10 am and finished around 7 pm.

Guests were guided by Khuddam through the mosque to visit different stalls prepared especially for this occasion.

The tour began with an introduction to the building and a brief history of its construction. This was followed by a visit to the library with an exhibition of the Holy Quran – Quran translations in more than 20 languages were displayed.

The guests were then able to discover the mosque. The Khuddam gave detailed explanations about the interior architecture as well as the attributes of God and the prayers inscribed on the walls, the dome and the mihrab.

Three different stalls were set up within the mosque: 1. A video presentation of the history of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya 2. An exhibition on the physical and spiritual benefits of prayer, illustrated by photographs of different postures 3. A question and answer stall with the theme: “I am a Muslim. Ask me a question” Following this, the guests were guided towards the hall where the following three stalls were prepared for them: 1. A stand dedicated to the humanitarian association of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community; Humanity First International.

The regional manager of the charity explained different activities carried out at

the local level for those people in need 2. A stall of Arabic calligraphy was also a great success. The guests were introduced to the Arabic alphabet and accents. The guests were also given the opportunity to write their first names in Arabic 3. Finally, Lajna Imaillah had prepared a stand that showcased their humanitarian activities such as charity walks, blood donations, visiting care homes, charity collections, sewing masks during the Covid-19 pandemic, donations to hospitals, councils and neighbours, and making hygiene kits for the homeless and others in need. Moreover, the Lajna stand helped

people understand the Islamic concept of purdah and FAQs and personal quotes of Ahmadi Muslim women on the topic of why they observed purdah were displayed.

The stall also exhibited the rights of Muslim women in Islam; highlighting the difference between the pre-Islamic era and the Islamic era, and how the status of the mother, daughter and wife was elevated in the Islamic Era. Various articles written by French Ahmadi Muslim women on issues regarding women were also on display.

A regional daily French newspaper covering the Alsace region, Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace (DNA) covered the event and published an article. It wrote: “‘Love for all, hate for none’. More than a slogan, it is with these values of openness and fraternity that the community of the Mahdi mosque in Hurtigheim welcomed visitors during the open days last Sunday.”

The article mentioned how the Ahmadiyya Muslim community had taken pride in honouring the role of women in the community. Furthermore, it highlighted how the community builds mosques without state subsidies, rather financing them exclusively through donations of the faithful.

A total of 132 guests visited our mosque, including senior members of the national police as well as local elected officials.

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

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The Russo-Ukrainian War – How we got here

Mirza Saad Sharif Ahmad UK

The Russo-Ukrainian War has brought the world to the brink of disaster. Although in the weeks leading up to this, many warned about an imminent invasion, the shock was felt around the world. Not just those directly involved have been affected, but financial markets around the world have also reacted negatively to this event. A UN report recently described how the price spikes of food caused by the invasion may push over 40 million people into extreme poverty.

The chances of escalation too are very high, with fears that this may turn into a wider European, and indeed a Third World War. With many politicians and news agencies across the globe calling this an “unprovoked” attack, it is necessary to first understand the reasons behind why this has happened, and to understand the historical relationship between the two countries.

Russia. But the actual reason why Crimea was annexed by Russia was due to the internal politics of Ukraine – and a new government.

Before the Russian annexation of Crimea, there was an uprising in Ukraine in February. The democratically elected leader and the Ukrainian President at the time, Victor Yanukovich was overthrown as a result of the Maidan Revolution. This was following the Euromaidan Protests, which were a series of protests that included some of the most violent days seen in the country since the breakup of the Soviet Union.

The main cause of this uprising was due to what had happened the previous year in 2013, and involved an agreement with European countries that President Yanukovich was due to sign. But because of Russian pressure, this deal was abandoned.

However, one may wonder how not signing a deal can lead to such violent outcomes.

Ukraine and Crimea

The European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement

The modern state of Ukraine was created in the 1990s, after the breakup of the Soviet Union, alongside 14 other new countries.

One territory that was part of Ukraine from the beginning was Crimea in the south.

Crimea is almost like an island, and only connected to mainland Ukraine through a small land border, with a large part of this being salty marshland.

In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea, as the local population held a referendum that resulted unanimously in favour of joining

Firstly, we need to understand what this deal, named the European Union-Ukraine Association Agreement, actually involved.

The Agreement was a deal that enabled Ukraine and Europe to establish even stronger ties with each other – mainly economic, with political advantages as well for both sides.

This deal included Ukraine introducing reforms that insured its financial and judicial policies were similar to those of the EU’s, and the EU agreeing to provide Ukraine

with preferential access to EU markets. The deal seemed certain to be signed, but a lastminute refusal to sign this deal by President Yanukovich left Ukrainians in shock.

However, this wasn’t left unsigned without any reason. Russia had in fact offered its own deal which the Ukrainian government had decided to accept. President Putin offered to decrease the price of gas by $132 per 1000 cubic metres, as well as buy $15 billion in Ukrainian Eurobonds. This $15 billion aid package was believed to be vital to Ukraine, with the Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov describing it as an historic deal that would boost Ukraine’s economic growth.

Economists mentioned that unless Ukraine received at least $10 billion in the following few years, the country had an extremely high risk of bankruptcy. So from both a political and economic standpoint, the Russian-leaning deal was believed to be better for the country. However, a large number of Ukrainians thought otherwise.

This was clear from the outset, as when Mr Yanukovych was travelling to meet President Putin, protesters in Kyiv blocked his route – making it clear what their aims were.

Soon afterwards, these protests escalated dramatically.

Protests in Ukraine The Euromaidan protests had actually started earlier in November 2013, and the deal with the Russian Government was in fact to try and ease these protests. However, this agreement ended up having the

completely opposite effect.

After failing to sign the Europeanfocused agreement, there were large demonstrations throughout Ukraine. In December 2013, protestors occupied Kyiv’s city hall, and demanded that President Yanukovych resign. Seeing what was happening in Ukraine, Russia offered its own deal – which, as we know, was accepted by the Ukrainian President. Thousands of people, most notably leaders of the opposition and other MPs once again took to the streets. However, something that changed the course of Ukrainian history occurred at this point – when the police began to violently disperse protestors.

And this didn’t sit well with many Ukrainians.

In January 2014, these demonstrations in support of a European Ukraine that started off peacefully turned into riots, causing President Yanukovych to sign laws restricting people’s ability to protest. During protests in Kyiv in January, up to 200,000 people were reported to be in attendance on certain days, who denounced these new laws as “Dictatorship Laws”. Two protestors were killed by police on 22 January, following which the rioters broke into Ukraine’s justice ministry, and riots spread to Eastern Ukraine – despite traditionally being known for favouring Russia.

This culminated in rioters effectively taking over the Ukrainian capital, after police snipers fired at them on 20 February.

In the following 48 hours, 88 people were killed in the violence. The situation continued to deteriorate until 22 February, when rioters took over presidential buildings, and President Yanukovich fled to Russia. Mr Yanukovich appeared on TV to denounce what had happened as a coup, but this was followed by a new prime minister and president being chosen.

On 28 February, pro-Russian gunmen, taking advantage of what had happened in Ukraine, stormed government buildings in the Crimean capital, Simferopol, and armed men in combat uniforms appeared outside major airports. Moscow, however, insisted that these gunmen were not Russian soldiers.

The question of Crimea On 1 March 2014, the Russian Parliament approved President Putin’s request to use the military in Crimea, following which a referendum was held on the 16th on whether Crimea should become a part of Russia.

The result of this referendum, overseen by the military, was that 97% of locals were in favour of accession to Russia.

As international observers weren’t allowed, the referendum was denounced as a “sham” by Western nations.

In response to the Crimean referendum, Russia was kicked out of the G8, and senior Russian officials were sanctioned by the EU. On 18 March, President Putin signed a bill that officially incorporated Crimea into the Russian Federation. Later that month, President Obama urged Russia to lower tensions by removing their soldiers; however, his pleas went unheeded.

Although Ukraine wasn’t able to respond militarily, it was able to cause Moscow a logistical headache by limiting the water supply through the North Crimean Canal.

The North Crimean Canal was from where the Crimean Peninsula received the

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022 seen as a major strategic win, upon which a spokesman of the Donetsk’s People’s Republic officially declared that because of Ukrainian ceasefire violations, they no longer considered the Minsk Protocol as being legitimate.

After more conflict following the Minsk Protocol, on 12 February 2015, a new agreement aimed at a ceasefire was signed by both sides – known as Minsk II. In Minsk II, heavy artillery in the Donbas region was banned, and Russian separatists had to leave Ukraine. This also included propositions about how the Donetsk and Luhansk’s People’s Republics could be incorporated back into Ukraine.

This time, the treaty was much more successful, with skirmishes only occurring from time to time; however, it was criticised for being fragile and too similar to Minsk I. Pro-Russian supporters in Donetsk, 20 December 2014

vast majority of its water. Until 2014, this canal provided Crimea with up to 85% of its water supply. After Russia’s annexation, however, activists built a makeshift dam out of sandbags to try and stop water flow to Crimea, upon which the Ukrainian government built a proper dam that caused the Simferopol reservoir to only be 7% full.

The Ukrainian government has said that it will only allow water to flow freely to Crimea once Russia ends its occupation.

This means that Russia must transport water over the Kerch Strait Bridge that connects mainland Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, which has been a cause of huge financial strain over the last few years.

Analysts believe this is one of the main reasons why Russia is now invading Ukraine, as it is believed that Russia may try to push to the Dnipro River – which feeds the canal.

Taking control over the dam would make life much easier, for both those who live in Crimea and for the Russian Government.

For Russia, right now would also be the best time to invade, as before the conflict, Russia was undergoing its largest peacetime decline in population, exacerbated by the Covid pandemic and a low birth rate. So the number of men of fighting age is also rapidly decreasing.

In March 2022, Russian forces used explosives to blow up the dam and restore

the flow of water, but as the invasion is ongoing it suggests that Russia’s objectives are further than simply securing Crimea.

Turbulence in eastern Ukrainian cities - Donetsk and Luhansk In 2014, another major event occurred that impacted Russo-Ukrainian relations – and this was when Donetsk and Luhansk, in the East, declared independence from Ukraine.

Donetsk and Luhansk have been in conflict with Ukraine since 2014.

Approximately one month after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region took over the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, and then declared independence from Ukraine. The Ukrainian Army tried to quickly take back the region, but because the pro-Russian separatists had Russian funding and equipment, they were unsuccessful.

In June 2014, the Minsk Protocol was created with the aim of enacting an immediate ceasefire, and ensuring that proRussian fighters left Ukrainian territory, which was signed in September that year.

However, both sides accused each other of ceasefire violations, and after a short period of time, fighting restarted and the treaty was effectively rendered useless.

The Russian separatists then won a battle at the Donetsk airport, which was

Ukraine caused Moscow a logistical headache by limiting the water supply to Crimea through the North Crimean Canal, which provided most of its water

Escalation in 2021 and where we are today Although there weren’t any major developments in the next few years, this all changed in 2021.

Russia had begun amassing troops on the Ukrainian border in the spring, and fears began to spread that Russia was preparing for an invasion. But soon Russia withdrew their troops, and everything seemed to be moving back to normal.

However, in January 2022, panic began to spread when it appeared clear that Russia was preparing to invade, after Russian troops had again amassed on the Ukrainian border, this time with even greater numbers, and multiple field hospitals were also erected nearby. Russia dismissed these fears as baseless accusations, and insisted that Russian soldiers were simply completing routine training exercises. Once these exercises had finished, they would move back to their normal stations.

But on 21 February 2022, President Putin declared that Russia now recognised the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics as being independent states. He also announced that Russian troops would enter the two regions on “peacekeeping” missions.

On 24 February, President Putin announced the start of a “special military operation” in Ukraine, which was soon followed by explosions being heard in multiple Ukrainian cities. He further stated that the aim of this operation was to “denazify” and “demilitarise” Ukraine, but that he supported the right of the Ukrainian people to self-determination.

This move was a massive escalation of the war that had started in 2014, and although it may appear that this was started by Russia without any justification whatsoever, there were a few factors, which from a Russian point of view, made it necessary to invade.

These were mainly to do with NATO expansion, and the discovery of large amounts of natural gas in Ukraine.

One major reason why Russia invaded is likely to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO. And although people may argue that Ukraine joining NATO isn’t any concern to Russia, the reason why the Russian government was eager to avoid this happening was that Russia, and its neighbour Belarus, along with other postSoviet republics, are part of their own security alliance called the CSTO. If Ukraine did join NATO, then Belarus

would be exposed on three sides to NATO countries, which could increase the risk of a direct confrontation between NATO and the CSTO. However, the main reason why Ukraine joining NATO could bring Russia and the West into direct conflict was because of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which stated that an attack on one member state was equal to an attack on all. In the Donbas region, where it often isn’t clear who started a skirmish, the Russian government was worried that Ukraine would invoke Article 5, which would lead to Russia and NATO directly fighting each other.

There was another reason why the Russian government thought it necessary to invade – and this time it was because of oil and gas issues. The Russian economy relies heavily on money received from its oil and gas exports, with it making up around 45% of Russia’s federal budget. Most of the funding for Russia’s military, therefore, comes from the profit received from oil and gas exports, and so it is invaluable for Russia.

However, some time ago, scientists discovered large amounts of gas in Ukraine.

The Russian government knew that if Ukraine stopped importing gas from Russia, then it would have dire consequences for the Russian economy.

The oil and gas company Shell then signed a contract with the Ukrainian government worth £6 billion, which was quite problematic for Russia. However, to Russia’s luck, Shell soon terminated its contract because the area where the gas was found in Ukraine was too close to a conflict zone. So Russian exports of gas were safe for now.

Some have claimed that Russia set up separatists in areas near where large gas reserves were expected to be, but others say that this is simply a coincidence.

In the lead-up to the Russo-Ukrainian war, you will find many instances where both sides committed cruelties and injustices, and it is unfair to point the blame at any single country or figure.

And although we may not be able to stop this war, what we can do is pray that the world’s leaders look past their greed and work peacefully to solve real issues.

As Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated recently regarding this issue: “I pray that the world leaders strive earnestly to safeguard and protect mankind, both today and in the future, from the torment of warfare, bloodshed and destruction. And so, from the depths of my heart, I pray that the leaders of the major powers and their governments do not take steps that will serve to destroy the future of our children and the next generations.

Rather their every effort and motivation should be to ensure that we bequeath to those that follow us a world of peace and prosperity.

“I pray that all the world’s leaders pay heed to the need of the hour and value, above all else, their obligation to ensure the peace and stability of the world. May Allah the Almighty protect all innocent and defenceless people and may true and lasting peace in the world remain.

Ameen.” (“Statement of World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Regarding Russia-Ukraine Crisis”, 24 February 2022, pressahmadiyya.com)

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

8

Coming from every distant track

Pandit Lekhram’s visit to Qadian: An open enemy of Islam in the Messiah’s hamlet A series looking at the high standard of morals of the Promised Messiahas and his Khulafa when receiving visitors

Awwab Saad Hayat Al Hakam

One of the greatest signs to prove and establish the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, can be seen when one studies the final outcome of his enemies and how they perished. It is a sign and promise of Allah that his messengers shall always prevail and that His help is always nigh.

Among the signs of the truthfulness of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, is a sign related to Pandit Lekhram of Peshawar, who met his demise and became subject to the divine wrath of Allah the Almighty. Those who harbour enmity with God’s chosen ones announce war against God Himself; and to fight God is to invite the greatest defeat.

It is recorded that Pandit Lekhram visited Qadian twice. At a prayer area at the railway station of Lahore, he also met with Hazrat Ahmadas.

In the 1880s, the magnum opus known as Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, written by the Promised Messiahas, not only shone forth and gained popularity on the religious horizon of the Indian subcontinent, but it also became a strong witness to Hazrat Ahmad’sas intellectual credibility.

In such an environment, when, with the permission of Allah Almighty, Hazrat Ahmadas invited leaders of different religions to stay with him in Qadian and witness heavenly signs, Lekhram was among those who started correspondence with Hazrat Ahmadas, demanding to see such signs. Pandit Lekhram stated in a letter to Hazrat Ahmadas that he was ready to come to Qadian and stay for one year; however, he demanded that 2,400 rupees be deposited in a bank for the year and said that if he did not see any sign, he would leave with the money.

Pandit Lekhram was under the impression that the answer to his unreasonable demand – regarding his stay in Qadian – would be in the negative and, in this way, he would make a name for himself and declare himself superior.

However, when Hazrat Ahmadas expressed his preparedness in every possible way and put forward a reasonable method to fulfil his demand, Lekhram further increased his habit of resorting to abusive language and raising baseless objections against Islam.

The writings of Lekhram made it clear to the Promised Messiahas that he was, in fact, an ignorant person. However, a few months later, when Lekhram sent a postcard, Hazrat Ahmadas wrote in reply that Qadian was not

Pandit Lekhram, a leading figure of the Arya Samaj Movement

far away and invited him to meet him in the hope that the conditions and demands set forth by Lekhram would be settled by meeting him in Qadian.

Maulana Dost Muhammad Shahid Sahib, a historian of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat – in the first volume of Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, pages 256 to 261 – has recorded the incident of Lekhram in Qadian.

Mirza Imamuddin, a cousin of the Promised Messiahas, held irreligious views.

From the very beginning, he ridiculed the claims and revelations of Hazrat Ahmadas.

Slander against Islam, the Holy Prophetsa and the Holy Quran had become a common pastime for him. Though Hazrat Ahmadas had invited religious leaders to stay with him for a while and benefit from his company and witness his truthfulness, Mirza Imamuddin, Munshi Indarman of Muradabad, Pandit Lekhram and other enemies of religion contented with mere verbal nonsense, which was published in various newspapers.

As Hazrat Ahmadas invited Pandit Lekhram to visit him in Qadian – according to research conducted by Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Sahib Irfanira – the abovementioned adversary of Islam, Mirza Imamuddin, himself brought Pandit Lekhram to Qadian to satisfy his own irreligious views and joined him in attacking Islam.

On 19 November 1885, Lekhram arrived in Qadian and stayed for the next two months. Although he was invited by the Promised Messiahas, he refrained from meeting him.

When Lekhram became entangled in the trap of Mirza Imamuddin, who used

him to direct more opposition towards Hazrat Ahmadas, it was not difficult to make him a victim of every false and revolting propaganda. Due to the sedition of Mirza Imamuddin and the local Hindus, the feelings of enmity and hatred against Hazrat Ahmadas intensified in Lekhram, when, initially, his condition was not as serious as it had become. This change took place after Lekhram’s association with the enemies of Hazrat Ahmadas.

The Promised Messiahas himself stated that the wicked people of Qadian told Lekhram many lies about him, which further drove him away from the chance to be in Hazrat Ahmad’sas company. Due to these misfortunes, day by day, Lekhram fell into their mischievous trap.

Pandit Lekhram was surrounded and completely dominated by Mirza Imamuddin and Hindus of Qadian, and, therefore, he did not care to meet Hazrat Ahmadas. However, he started a series of correspondence with Hazrat Ahmadas in a very bold manner. This correspondence was mostly through local members of the Arya Samaj such as Bhai Kishan Singh and occasionally through Pandit Mohan Lal, Pandit Nihal Chand and Hakim Diaram.

Pandit Mohan Lal is recorded to have said: “Hazrat Sahib used to be very kind and used to meet with us in a joyful manner and would never let us leave empty-handed.

Once, Hazrat Sahib gave me some apples and I took them. It was also a habit of

Pandit Lekhram that when I would return, he would ask me ‘What have you brought?’

When I said that I had brought apples, he looked at me with tempted eyes and said, ‘Let me eat.’ I told him, with a laugh, that he should not eat anything from the enemy’s house. But he immediately took the apples from my hand and started eating.” (Hayate-Ahmad, Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani, Vol. 2, p.

187) In his writings and meetings with his friends, Lekhram used to make very subtle and vulgar attacks on Hazrat Ahmad’sas character. However, Hazrat Ahmadas ignored them and, instead, gave researched answers and tried to get him to accept his invitation in an honest way. During the correspondence, in order to convince Lekhram of the authenticity of Islam, Hazrat Ahmadas presented his theological arguments, which had brought about a great revolution in the Islamic world. But when Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the religious leader of Lekhram and the founder of Arya Samaj, did not have the courage to face this great defender of Faith, what courage would Lekhram have? In every instance, Lekhram very cleverly repeated his baseless demands in an attempt to avoid the actual discussion; and he considered it a success in every way.

During his stay in Qadian, Pandit Lekhram also used Mirza Imamuddin as a tool to carry out a series of vulgar attacks on Islam and the Promised Messiahas. It had reached such an extent that once, Sahibzada Mirza Sultan Ahmad, the eldest son of the

Pandit Lekhram after his death

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022 Promised Messiahas, who possessed a nature of always being joyful, upon witnessing Lekhram’s foul words, challenged him to a debate. He even made his way to the bazaar with full vigour; however, the Hindus, shocked to see his courage, did not allow Lekhram to come out and the matter was settled.

On 13 December 1885, Lekhram wrote a letter from Qadian demanding a sign to be shown regarding him. He stated: “Show me a heavenly sign. If you do not wish to debate, then ask the Lord of the Throne for a heavenly sign about me so that a decision may be made.” (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 259) It should be made clear that Hazrat Ahmadas was willing and prepared to discuss theological views and the truthfulness of Islam with Lekhram. In fact, that is what he had been doing since the beginning with all those who faced him. It was Lekhram who was avoiding any theological confrontation with the Promised Messiahas.

Hazrat Ahmadas wrote in reply: “Janab Pandit [Lekhram], I have read your letter. You must certainly understand that I do not refuse to argue or demonstrate signs; however, you do not seek the truth in good faith. Unnecessarily, you lay down more conditions. Your tongue does not stop you from speaking in a foul manner.”

(Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, pp. 76-77) Pandit Lekhram remained in Qadian for about two months. His hateful transformation and vain attacks also increased, and he persisted in his stubbornness until the very end. Mirza Imamuddin became a tool by which he continued to attack Islam and the Promised Messiahas. Pandit Lekhram’s protest continued till the end of the year.

Then, in 1893, Pandit Lekhram chanced upon a meeting with the Promised Messiahas in Lahore.

“In November 1893, [Hazrat Ahmadas] visited Ferozepur to meet his father-in-law, Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawab Sahibra, who was employed in the canal department since his youth. On his return from there on 14 December 1893, while performing ablution in a mosque near Lahore railway station, the famous Arya Samaj leader, Pandit Lekhram, came before Huzooras and greeted him, but Huzooras did not respond. He [Lekhram] came from the other side and greeted him [again], thinking that he might not have heard. However, [Huzooras] still did not pay any attention. When Pandit Ji returned disappointed, someone thought that perhaps the Promised Messiahas did not hear Pandit Lekhram greet him. He told Huzooras that Pandit Lekhram had come and greeted him. Upon hearing this, Huzooras said, with great pride, ‘Is he not ashamed. He insults our Master, the Holy Prophetsa, and greets us.” (Lahore Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Sheikh Abdul Qadir, pp. 30 - 31) It is further recorded in the Badr newspaper, dated 16 January 1903, that in February 1897, Lekhram was residing in Qadian; and thus, Pandit Lekhram was in Qadian about a month before his death. Due to his blasphemy and shameful deeds, he became a manifestation of God’s wrath and could not benefit from the grace, kindness, mercy and hospitality of God’s Holy Messiah, peace be upon him.

Jamaat Kababir, Haifa enjoys spiritual atmosphere at 25th Jalsa Salana Imaduddin Al-Masri Missionary, Kababir

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Kababir held its annual Jalsa Salana this year which started on 14 July 2022. The Jalsa was held at the historic Mahmood Mosque where guests enjoyed the spiritual atmosphere.

The first day was dedicated to Hebrew speakers. A video recorded message of the President, Isaac Herzog was played in which he congratulated the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and appreciated its role in maintaining harmony and coexistence in Haifa.

The Amir of the Jamaat in the Holy Land, Muhammad Sharif Odeh Sahib then delivered his speech, which focused on establishing global security through knowing the Creator and characterising His ways of morality. The Mayor of Haifa, Dr Einat Klisch gave an important speech in which she praised the role of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in preserving the cultural heritage of the city of Haifa.

The event was also attended by Judge Zaid Falah, the Tanzanian Ambassador, Mr Alex Kallua and the representative of the spiritual leader of the Druze Community, Sheikh Muwaffaq Tareef in addition to several Jewish and Christian scholars.

The former Minister of Science and Technology and the former President of Bar Ilan University, Rabbi Prof Daniel Hershkowitz said to Amir Jamaat-eAhmadiyya: “You produce harmony between many thoughts and different religions through your discourse, thoughts and beliefs and your approach towards people.”

The second day of Jalsa Salana Kababir was in Arabic and we witnessed a large presence from the Palestinian territories, Jordan and Morocco.

The day started with Tahajud prayer in the community’s mosque that is located in Kababir neighbourhood, west of Haifa.

Later that day, the Friday prayer was led

by Muhammad Sharif Odeh, who focused his sermon on the similarities between the condition of the world during the time of the Holy Prophetsa and its condition in our time, as the period of jahiliyyah (ignorance) was returning in its strongest form, spreading violence and crime and bringing back the law of the jungle.

At five in the evening, the attendees participated in a flag hoisting ceremony, which formally inaugurated the Jalsa Salana.

Thereafter, the second session began under the chairmanship of Shams Al-Din Malabari, which included a set of activities and speeches.

At approximately eight o’clock in the evening, the activities of the third (and final) session began, which started with a

recitation of verses from the Holy Quran presented by Hussein Al-Masri, a Jordanian guest. This was followed by the recitation of verses from an Arabic poem composed by the founder of the community, sung by Faraj Odeh. A speech on the biography of the Prophetsa and its role in removing injustice from humanity was then presented by Shamsuddin Malabari Sahib, a missionary of the community in Kababir.

During his speech, he focused on an overview of the teachings of the Prophetsa and his sunnah, which had a great role in establishing justice in the world, starting from the most difficult parts of the earth and the most uncivilised societies.

After this speech, a documentary film was shown, which included testimonies of members of the community, from different countries, talking about their personal spiritual experiences. The session concluded with a silent collective prayer.

It is noteworthy that an exhibition of photographs, books and publications was also held, which was very popular with the attendees. There were allocated points wherein quiet discussions took place in which the organisers answered the questions of the guests who flocked from local areas and different countries such as Jordan, Morocco, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Britain and the Palestinian territories.

The number of participants reached about 1,000 people, around half of whom were guests from outside the Jamaat.

Below are some of the impressions of the guests who were interviewed by MTA: An elderly Jewish guest said: “I’ve known the Ahmadis for 30 years.

I have attended all of your 25 conventions.”

He felt moved and his voice trembled, before adding, “Indeed, here we witness ‘love for all, hatred for none.’”

Another Jewish guest said:

“This is what I was looking for. I was looking for true Islam; I am looking for a voice that speaks in the name of Muhammad, who is a holy human like Jesus, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – Muhammad is holy to me. I am a Jew, but I believe that he is holy because he came with the truth.”

The chief rabbi of Ukraine said: “The atmosphere is full of friendliness.

I liked the atmosphere very much because I felt here as if I was at home! […] I am the chief rabbi of Ukraine and I am here with a modern Islamic group that promotes peace, friendship and understanding […] learning from each other is a most important thing.

This harmony in human relations creates peace, and this is what I found here.”

Another guest said: “I feel that this community is a gift from the Creator, and I am fortunate to have known this respectable community, its enlightening and progressive teachings.”

A guest remarked: “I feel that this community is a gift from the Creator, and I am fortunate to have known this respectable community, its enlightening and progressive teachings.”

Ashraf Qurtam, a lecturer and human development coach, is very influential and famous in the Arab community. He says: “Honestly, there is something special about your convention. The topics you usually talk about, especially this year, are topics that all people need to hear regardless of their religion. When I participate in your conventions I am nourished spiritually.

Not only that, but also professionally, and am filled with positive energy that I later transmit as a lecturer to the recipients.”

A young Ahmadi from the West Bank: “The atmosphere that I find here, I miss in my town all year round, so I come in search of these feelings and of the Continued on page 11

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

10

Nigeria’s Muslim-Muslim ticket: What Islam teaches about elections

Hafiz Ojo Shamsudeen Oloruntoba Missionary, Oyo State, Nigeria

Nigeria is a country located in Western Africa. It has six geopolitical zones, 36 states and a total of 774 local governments. Nigeria gained its independence in 1960 after about a century of British rule and since has had several presidents, sometimes referred to as the head of state or a governor-general.

It has been a mixed leadership in Nigeria since its independence, as is evident from the four republics recorded in the country’s history, Republic here refers to the different eras of national leadership in the country, starting with the first ceremonial president, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and the first and only prime minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa – their governance lasted for six years before they were overthrown by General Aguyi Ironzi. Several military and civilian governor generals/heads of state followed. Finally, the fourth republic began in the year 1999, when General Abdul Salami Abubakar handed power over to a democratically elected president in the person of Gen Olusegun Obasanjo. Ever since then, there have been a total of four democratically elected presidents and their vice presidents.

Nigeria is a country with over 250 ethnic groups and its people speak over 500 different languages. Of the ethnic groups, there are four that are more prominent in terms of their population and political prowess or influence; the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo and Ijaw.

Those belonging to these ethnicities speak numerous languages and span across the six geopolitical zones. The HausaFulani can be mostly found in the Northern part of the country, the Yorubas are in the Southwestern states, the Igbos are in the Southeastern states and the Ijaws populate the southern states.

In terms of religion, there are two main religions in Nigeria; Islam and Christianity, with the indigenous traditionalists forming the third religious minority. According to a statistical analysis of the year 2018, 53.5% are Muslims, 45.9% are Christians and 0.6% are traditionalists in Nigeria. The leaders

of the country have always belonged to the two main religions of Nigeria; Islam and Christianity.

Since the beginning of the fourth republic in the year 1999, the president of the country and his vice have always belonged to different religions, for example, whenever the president is a Muslim, his vice would be a Christian. At the inception of the republic, the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was a Christian whilst his vice was a Muslim, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Presently, the incumbent president of the country is a Muslim, General Muhammadu Buhari, whilst his vice is a Christian, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

It should, however, be noted that the above system of the president and his vice belonging to a different religion is not an obligation as far as the constitution of Nigeria is concerned. It has only been considered a norm since that is how it has coincidentally been from the inception of the republic some 23 years ago.

Going down history, there have been leaders of the country in the past who belonged to the same religion, for example, during the brief reign of General Aguyi Ironsi, his vice (the second in command), Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe was also a Christian. Likewise, when General Yakubu Jack Gowon was the military Head of State, the second in command, Vice Admiral, Joseph Edet Akinwale was also a Christian.

As a religious organisation, it is important to state that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat relies solely on the Quran and the practice of Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for its rulings.

As regards leadership, the fundamental teaching of the Holy Quran is to entrust leadership to the one who is best deserving of it (Surah an-Nisa, Ch.4: V.59) in other words, to elect such a candidate, who is most suitable to lead the people. Likewise, the noble Prophetsa warned that one of the signs of the end times was when a candidate who was not suitable would be elected to a position of leadership. Given the above injunction of the Quran, priority should be given to such a candidate who is considered

to be the best to lead the country to unprecedented success, irrespective of their tribe or religion.

It should also be borne in mind that every electorate is free to vote for the candidate of their choice. Therefore, if the candidate presented by the ruling party is considered by an individual not to be capable enough to lead the country, or someone feels that the power has not been politically balanced due to the candidates presented, other candidates of a person’s choice could be given the vote.

Different political parties consider numerous factors before picking their candidates who are to represent their parties at the polls at the time of election.

As has been mentioned earlier, the religious affiliation of respective candidates is considered before they are presented at the polls, and it has always been a Muslim and a Christian, with no exception this time as well, as the general elections are scheduled to be held next year, the main opposition party (The People’s Democratic Party) picked former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a Muslim, as its flag bearer, whilst his running mate is the current governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, a Christian.

Moreover, a presidential hopeful, the former governor of Anambra State, of the

Labour party picked a Muslim, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed. However, against these two parties and the norms, the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress announced its presidential candidate to be Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim, who also picked a Muslim as his Vice in the person of Kashim Shettima. The selection of the ruling party has generated serious outrage from several quarters of the country.

Conclusively, at this crucial time in Nigeria’s political history, the most important factor in electing a president should not be religion, ethnic affiliation, tribal motivation, or partisanship – in short, nepotism should not be the order of the day, as has been in the past, which has sadly brought the country no good at all.

Competence for leading the country can be determined through several means, for example past positions held by the candidates and their respective performances, useful dialogues consisting of pertinent questions and their genuine answers from the candidates, work plans of the candidates and the way to achieve them and persistent problems facing Nigeria and how they plan to solve them, etcetera.

Lastly, prayers should not be left behind before, during and after the electioneering period, that God Almighty may enable us to select the best candidate suitable for leading the country to its glory days, grant him a successful tenure, and enable the citizens to be law-abiding and cooperate with the government.

Lajna Imaillah Bradford, Canada turns 155th Canada Day celebrations into tabligh event Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent

For the first time in three years, on 1 July 2022, all of Canada celebrated the 155th Canada Day without being subject to pandemic restrictions. Lajna Imaillah Bradford got the opportunity to commemorate the occasion at Tottenham Conservation Area where they set up a tabligh stall, reported Madiha Majoka Sahiba, Secretary Ishaat, Lajna Imaillah Bradford.

The venue was opened to the general public at noon. The stall had different items of attraction for the public, specifically for ladies and young children.

The first item was many vibrant headscarves on display. These scarves were for women from different faiths to try on.

More than 39 girls and ladies tried on hijabs from Lajna Canada’s Je Suis Hijabi (French for “I am a Hijabi”) campaign. While wearing it, many felt excited and shared their thoughts. “Amazing” and “secure” were some of the words used to describe their feelings.

The second and one of the most popular stalls was the henna art. Around 250 young girls and women visited the stall for henna art. While offering different henna designs on their hands, Lajna members introduced

themselves and educated visitors about Islam and Ahmadiyyat.

A table with pamphlets and Islamic literature including Understanding of Islam, The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, Jesus in India, Hijab and many more were also set up at the stall. More than 750 flyers were distributed to the guests. Some of the guests expressed their interest in more information. Three copies of the Holy Quran with English translation, four copies of The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam and some other small books were presented to such individuals.

Another activity for young kids and women was a special fun-filled question and answer session. Prizes were given for correctly answering questions regarding Islam. The visitors expressed that this session was very interactive and informative, especially in learning new things and clearing up misconceptions about Islam.

At the end of the day, the Mayor of Tottenham Rick Milne and his wife also visited the Lajna stall. The mayor recognised and appreciated efforts made by Jamaat-eAhmadiyya for the betterment of their neighbourhood. The mayor’s wife got henna art done from the stall. She loved the stall and thanked Lajna for participating in the event.

11

AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022

100 Years Ago...

Eid-ul-Fitr in London and gathering of the Muslims from the world over Al Fazl, 6 July 1922; The Review of Religions [English], September 1922

Hazrat Maulvi Mubarak Ali BA BT

Lecture in a Church The missionary work of the Ahmadia Movement in this country is being carried on with zeal. At the request of the secretary of the “Church of the Spirit”, my humble self gave a lecture at Camberwell on 7 May [1922] on “Islamic Method for Spiritual Progress”. About 300 people were present. It was a Sunday. I was asked to say a prayer in the usual service. I stood on the pulpit and recited Surah Al-Fatihah and recited its meaning in English. Then, I began my lecture in the course of which I first explained what is meant by spiritual progress and by what signs we can know a spiritual man, that a truly spiritual man is a Khalifa or a representative of God, His image on earth, and that the due observance of prayer, fasting and kindness towards humanity leads to this goal. I also explained the significance of Durood in which a Moslem invokes blessings on Prophet Muhammad[sa] and pray for the elevation of ranks of all other prophets and righteous men. I mentioned also Tahajjud prayer and study of the Holy Quran, and also shed light on sacred books of other religions.

At the end of the lecture, the secretary stood up and said that she was so impressed with the lecture that if ever she adopted any religion, it would be no other than this beautiful Islam.

Many people came to shake hands with me and to tell me that they highly appreciated my speech.

A friend also wrote to me that the audience was highly impressed with the lecture.

“A Present to His Royal Highness: The Prince of Wales” in the hands of the honourable people of London I received 48 copies of “A Present to His Royal Highness: The Prince of Wales”.

According to the instructions of His Holiness, I have sold some copies and distributed the others among the learned and distinguished people. Among those to whom the book was sent included the editors of the greatest London newspapers, and Professor EG Brown of Cambridge, Professor Nicholson of Cambridge, Professor Sir TW Arnold (author of “The Preaching of Islam”), Lord Balfour, Lord Headley, the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for India, Sir Oliver Lodge, the great scientist and student of Psychic Research, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (the great leader of the Spiritualist Movement in Europe). Many of them have promised to read the book.

Among those to whom visits were paid

of late are mentioned below: 1. His Highness Izzat Pasha, Grand Vizier of Turkey, 2. The Minister Plenipotentiary of Afghanistan (thrice), 3. The Ambassador of Turkey, 4. Sir Edward Denison Ross, Director of London School of Oriental Studies, 5. Professor Sir TW Arnold (author of “The Preaching of Islam”), 6. Nawab Hamidullah Khan of Toru, 7. Sir Michael O’Dwyer, Ex-Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab, 8. And the Palestine Arab Delegation.

In course of the conversation, a reference was made to the Ahmadia Movement to each of these. To the Moslems it was specially told that the best way of the reformation, advancement and regeneration of the Moslems was in the following: 1. To become true Moslems and not in name only.

2. To organise themselves on a spiritual basis.

3. To spread Islam among other peoples.

4. And that the Ahmadia Movement is exactly carrying them out.

The efforts have been made to keep in touch with the Ahmadi Moslems outside London. Consequently, whenever the Moslems of Southsea and Brighton come to London, they stay with us. The Sunday lectures and the speeches in Hyde Park are being carried on as usual. During the month of Ramadan, I used to preach in Hyde Park only on Sunday afternoons, and I had a large audience on every occasion by the grace of God. Brother Azizuddin Sahib also preaches in Hyde Park and whenever he goes out on a tour on account of business, he misses no opportunity to preach to individuals and to give open-air lectures in parks. In his recent tour in the north of England, he gave two open-air lectures one of which was very successful.

Ramadan in London Though the days were very long – more than 16 hours – thank God we could observe the fast and offer Tarawih prayers in which the entire Holy Quran was once recited. Among the non-Ahmadi Moslems who duly observed fasting, the Afghan Minister and his staff deserve special mention.

Eid-ul-Fitr We celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Sunday 28 May [1922]. Thank God that this time we had more visitors than on any previous occasion. The Moslems and non-Moslems from different parts of India, Afghanistan, Persia, Russia, Palestine, Turkey, Egypt, East Africa and West Africa flocked to the Mosque. Several learned Bengali, Hindus, highly educated West African Christians,

Hazrat Maulvi Mubarak Ali BA BT

and Parsee ladies were among them. There were many English ladies and gentlemen a number of whom were Moslems. The prayer was said in the gardens of the Mosque at 11:30. In the sermon after the prayers, I explained the significance of this festival and of the injunction of fasting in Islam.

In the second part of my sermon, I briefly referred to the Ahmadia Movement in the following way: The goal of India is higher than Swaraj.

India has a spiritual message for the world and that is to establish the spiritual supremacy over materialism. The Ahmadia Movement offers a sure and sound basis for nation-building in India and for the realisation of her spiritual destiny.

Christianity has lost its hold on the civilised world. The spiritual vacuum thus produced can be filled up by Islam and Islam alone.

At 12:30, the visitors were entertained in the gardens with Indian dishes. The weather was very fine and warm; the trees in the garden wore a rich garment of soft green foliage and flowers. I don’t know which was more enjoyed by the guests, the dishes, the weather, the scenery or the company of the people from different parts of the world.

Most of the guests passed the whole day here which shows that they enjoyed it heartily.

The streams of distinguished visitors continued to flow during the whole day. The Afghan Minister with his staff, the Turkish Ambassador with his two sons, the English ladies and gentlemen of the neighbourhood, the members of the Palestine-Arab delegation, and other Moslem friends came on in succession till 8 pm. All these visitors were entertained with tea and light refreshments. Besides the honoured guests mentioned above, the other names worthy of mention are:

Continued from page 9

experience. I wish that every day will be a convention.”

A Druze cleric from the delegate of the Druze community attending Jalsa Salana said: “We have benefited and learned a lot.”

Eid Jubaili, an Arab teacher from Haifa, said: “I have taught Ahmadi students for 20 years in the school where I work, which includes Arab students from all over Haifa.

I have noticed the moral excellence of the Ahmadi students. They were a symbol of decent morals, tolerance and unity. For the last twenty years, we have never witnessed incidents of violence and riots on their part, so they set an example for the rest of the students in morals and hardwork.”

A Christian guest commented: “You are amazing. All sects and religions should come to see and hear what you are doing here. This is brilliant. You taught us love and how a person can spread love among people and sects with humility. Your convention this year was very special.”

A retired academic and Jewish guest said: “I am from Haifa and I come here many times. When I reach the outskirts of Haifa on my way back from a journey, I see the minaret of your mosque and I know that I am home because when I see it, I see where the people I love live. The Ahmadis and their leaders are very brave. Wherever fires burn, you will find your amir heading to extinguish them. Wherever there are differences, we find him bringing the views of all the clergy closer. He is brave and an example because whenever there is a defect, he stands and says his opinion. He unites and does not separate.

“I am proud of you and I want to send a message to your Khalifa, whom I love because I have heard a lot about him. I want to say to him: ‘How great is your community!

You all are an example with your daily behavior; you are truly role models. You bring people together and bring them closer to each other, so for that, I thank you.”

1. Mr Jewanji (the Moslem Merchant Prince of East Africa), 2. Professor SN Roy MA of Lucknow College, 3. Chaudhry Maula Bakhsh Janjua IDSM, Barrister-at-Law, 4. Dr MH Dutt, Lahore, 5. Mr Nelson Williams, Barrister-at-Law, Sierra Leone, 6. Dr T Ahmad MB, Bengal, 7. Miss Muhammad Ali MB, Lahore, 8. Mr GS Dara, Advocate, Lahore, 9. And the Editor of the “Hind”.

There were several others, professors, doctors and barristers of India and West Africa who have not left their names.

Mr Nelson Williams told me he was very much interested in Islam and requested me to give him some books on Islam. I gave him some tracts and lent him some books.

Maulvi Mubarak Ali BA BT. The Ahmadiyya Mosque, 63 Melrose Road, Southfields, SW 18, London. 1 June 1922.

(Transcribed and edited by Al Hakam from the original in The Review of Religions, September 1922)

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

12

Practical efforts are needed for Islam’s progress Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s guidance to Ahmadi youth Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Al Hakam

On 29 September 1946, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra addressed Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya Delhi.

During his address, Huzoorra said: “The office-bearers of Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya Delhi expressed their desire for me to grant them some advice. [...]

“Now, 56 years have passed since the establishment of our Jamaat. The one who has not yet made any efforts to benefit from the advice [given during the past 56 years], what sort of benefit can they now attain from advice?

“Allah the Almighty has manifested hundreds of thousands of signs through the Promised Messiahas, and the one who has not yet tried to benefit from these signs, what kind of benefit can they get through the signs in the future?

“Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran:

َّ ۡ َ ُ​ُ َ َ َۡ َ ُۤ ّٰ ۡ ‫ال َ ۡم یَا ِن ل ِل ِذیۡ َن ٰا َمنوۡا ا ۡن تخشع قلوۡبُ ُہ ۡم ل ِ​ِذک ِر الل ِہ‬

“Meaning that, ‘Has not the time arrived for those who believe that their hearts should feel humbled at the remembrance of Allah.’ [Surah al-Hadid, Ch.57: V.17) “I will advise the same to the youth that ‘Has, not the time arrived for those who believe that their hearts should feel humbled at the remembrance of Allah?’ Has the time for mere words not finished yet, and is it not the time for practical efforts now? Has there not been enough advice by now, which enlightens the way for practical efforts and guidance?

“If the way of action is certainly clear to you, then the time demands you to mend your lives according to that [way of action]. If your eyes are open and you can reflect, then you must contemplate what the Muslims achieved in the past and what they have become now, what their status in the past was and how much they have regressed now.

“The Muslim youngsters study geography and observe the map; I cannot understand why their hearts don’t sadden and grieve upon seeing that there was a time when the map was filled with the Islamic governments, whereas now the European governments are prevalent over the world and the Muslims hold no [political] standing in comparison. [...]

“The Muslims have ruled over China for hundreds of years, [...] some mosques have been found in America which indicate Muslims had reached there, and they were also present in the Philippines. In short, there was no corner of the world where there was no Islamic government. Those were the governments at the country level, it was not imperialism, illa masha-Allah [with some exceptions]. If the Muslims of any era had made any mistake, they were responsible for it themselves, Islam was not responsible.

“I am astonished that even after knowing all of this, the hearts of the Muslims are not moved even a little. The Muslims do not ponder over their ancestors and how glorious they were. Even the Muslims of the 7th century [after Hijrah] had ghairat [honour] for Islam and Muslims, despite being so regressed. [...] The reason was

that their hearts still had some sense of honour and dignity [for Islam]. But do contemporary Muslims feel even the slightest of passion and do they wish to offer sacrifices for Islam? Don’t their minds ever ponder over ‘what status we had in the past and what have we become now?’

“The fact of the matter is that the Muslims are facing these problems and tragedies because they do not strive to fulfil their duties and responsibilities. If they look upon their circumstances and make a firm pledge to eradicate these problems and also put effort as well, then there is no reason they cannot get out of these problems.

“When Islam is facing such a delicate situation and you are witnessing it with your own eyes, then what kind of lesson do you want to learn? Have not the earth, the heaven and your surroundings taught you

a lesson? Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran that His signs are manifesting everywhere, but the people have gone blind.

“Now, tell me, what kind of lesson do you still need to learn, why don’t you leap forward and what day are you waiting for? I wonder how those who do not even sacrifice their time and wealth [for the cause of Islam] could sacrifice their lives. Remember that national honour can never be attained without sacrifices. [...]

“During his early life [in 1874] the Promised Messiahas had seen a divine vision [about which he states]: “‘In a dream, I was shown a long ditch running for miles, on the edge of which thousands of sheep were laid out with their heads hanging over the edge of the ditch, so that when they were slaughtered their blood would flow into the ditch. The rest of their

13

AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022 bodies were outside the ditch. The ditch ran East to West and the sheep had been laid on the edge of the ditch from the South.

Each sheep was attended by a butcher and every butcher had a knife in his hand, which was placed at the neck of the sheep.

The butchers were looking towards the sky as if awaiting the divine command. I found myself walking in the plain to the North and felt that the butchers were angels who were ready to slaughter the sheep as soon as they received the command from above. I approached them and recited the following verse of the Holy Quran:

ُ ُ​ُ ُ َ ‫ق ۡل َما ی ۡع َب ُؤا ِبک ۡم َر ِّب ۡی لَوۡلَا ُد َعٓاؤک ۡم‬

“‘Meaning that “Say to the disbelievers: ‘But for your prayer to Him my Lord would not care for you.’” [Surah al-Furqan, Ch. 25: V. 78] “‘The moment I said this, the angels understood that they had been granted permission, as if the words of my mouth were a divine command. Thereupon the angels ran their knives through the necks of the sheep and the sheep began to flutter in a painful manner. The angels severed all the arteries of the necks of the sheep saying: What are you: nothing but refuse-eating sheep.’ [Tadhkirah (English), pp. 24-25] “In this divine vision, Allah the Almighty had similed the worldly and materialistic people with the ‘refuse-eating sheep’, that God Almighty does not care about such people. [...] Allah the Almighty only cares for those who care about Him. [...]

“The reality is that Muslims had gone astray, neglected [the commandments of] Allah the Almighty, and forgot Him instead of attaining His love. Therefore, God Almighty also ignored them and let them trust the material means. Otherwise, Allah the Almighty listens to His servants even today as He did in the past. The need is for Muslims to practically prove their love [for Islam] which was shown by their ancestors, and hold onto that pathway, through which their ancestors succeeded. [...]

“You need to bring a [spiritual] change in yourself if you wish to be a recipient of Allah the Almighty’s grace. You have united on one hand, so that we can offer sacrifices for Islam and that the pleasure [raza] of Allah the Almighty be our sole objective. [...] You have joined this Jamaat with the aim to outstrip each other in offering sacrifices and to establish the authority of Islam in the world once again.

“Therefore, always remember your pledge, and if you continue to fulfil your pledge, then no power of the world even if all the worldly powers join together – can hinder your way. Because, when you will become [the servants] of Allah, then He will create means for your success and pave the ways for your success. [...] Therefore, our pleasure and delight is in becoming [the servants] of Allah the Almighty and spending our lives for His cause.

“No doubt, you must clean the streets and cities and be a source of tranquillity for others, but the spiritual filth is more dangerous than worldly filth. The Western world has strongly emphasised worldly cleanliness and made various means of physical cleanliness, but they do not have any cure for spiritual purity. The physical filth causes the death of a body, but spiritual filth kills the soul. [...]

“Therefore, without a doubt, you need

to care about the physical cleanliness, but you need to take more care of spiritual purification [...] and enhance your level of sacrifice. You need to contemplate how many sacrifices are required to establish the might of Allah the Almighty in the whole world. If the materialists and worldly soldiers are ever ready to offer huge sacrifices for lesser objectives, then the level of a spiritual soldier of Allah the Almighty should be much higher, and the level of their sacrifices needs to be much higher than the worldly people. [...]

“The Promised Messiahas used to say that [...] one should establish a true relationship with Allah the Almighty with such conviction that they are ever ready to sacrifice their life, wealth and all belongings. [...] It is one’s duty to continue offering sacrifices in the way of Allah the Almighty true heartedly and sincerely. [...] You should give precedent to Allah over everything. [...] The works of Allah will certainly be accomplished, but if you do not fulfil your duties, then you cannot present yourself as true servants in front of God Almighty because your actions will falsify your claims.

Therefore, create within yourself a pious change. [...]

“I observe that while the Jamaat is progressing, its hardships are also increasing, and thus we will need to offer as many sacrifices as we progress. [...] I believe that there is no better teacher than suffering and hardship. I have firm faith that we will never regress due to the hardships, rather we will progress even faster. [...] It is the practice of Allah the Almighty that the jamaats of prophets are opposed and they have to face severe hardships. The same practice is also continuing with us, and we will have to endure the same treatment which has been faced by the jamaats of other prophets, from Hazrat Adamas to the Holy Prophetsa.

“Thus, get prepared so that you may not fail the upcoming trials, as you can never succeed without any preparation. [...]

Therefore, understand your responsibilities and continue to fulfil them, and always remember that until one strives in the true sense, positive outcomes cannot be achieved.” (Al Fazl, 19 October 1960, pp.

2-6) On 20 October 1946, Huzoorra addressed the 8th annual ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya.

During the address, Huzoorra said: “If we wish to bring a pious change in the world, then we certainly must always ensure that those things which caused the negligence in our elders, should never be inculcated in our future generation. [...] A successful organisation is one whose one specific link is stronger than the previous one. [...]

“One should make practical efforts and present to the world a practical example. [...] A nation can never succeed without practical efforts. [...] Your hearts are completely unaware of the reality that you [Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya] have been established for a great spiritual objective, and even the most powerful worldly king is insignificant as compared to the one who has been established for a spiritual revolution and reformation. [...]

“You have been granted such a status by God that your heart should always be filled with joy and you should always be watchful and active. [...] The reality is that we

generally find a habit of excuses and laziness among the youth. Our efforts cannot produce any great outcomes until one gets rid of this habit, truly understand their duties and inculcate the recognition of their status. Once these attributes are inculcated, then not only will religious reformation will be achieved, but worldly circumstances will also automatically begin to change.

“Always remember that an inactive nation can never attain any honour on the world stage. [...] The reality is that when one becomes [the servant of] God, then anything which they had sacrificed for the sake of God, is ultimately granted to them

by Him. [...] God showers His rewards upon such a nation whose people are always ready to sacrifice their lives for His sake, and never care about ‘what will we get in return’. [...] God wishes to create a great spiritual revolution in the world, and a huge revolution is decreed by Him. [...] Therefore, instil in yourself a [positive] change, and inculcate a pious change in your minds. [...]

“Until one spends their life for the pleasure of Allah the Almighty alone, and َۡ ۡ becomes the perfect example of ‫ُمخ ِل ِصین‬ ّ ‫‘[ ل َ ُہ‬Holding Him alone worthy of َ‫الدیۡن‬ ِ worship’ (Surah al-A’raf, Ch.7: V.30)], it will be a matter of ignorance and madness to hope for any achievement and to assume that the Muslims will gain success against the European nations. How can you surpass European nations, while they are making ten times more effort than you? [...]

“You cannot bring any revolution in the

world until your actions indicate that you have brought a change in yourself, and the level of your effort and sacrifice is higher than the others. Once you inculcate such traits in yourself, only then people of the world will be attracted towards you, and will run towards you just like the thirsty people [run towards the water], they will need from you the cure and remedy [for their spiritual problems] because they will witness in you those attributes which they were searching for a long time.

“And they will find such things through you which they could not find anywhere else, and through you, such warm winds of spirituality will flow which would throw away the coldness of disbelief. And your hearts will spread such rays of calmness which would turn off the fire of sins. [...]

They will witness that nur [divine light] on your faces, in search of which they were wandering here and there. [...]

“It is completely in the hand of God to turn the hearts, not in my hands, therefore, I will pray to God Almighty that may He inculcate within you true determination and strong resolve, through which you become a true Muslim and accomplish such tasks which revolutionise the world and establish the Kingdom of God Almighty in the world once again.” (Al Fazl, 2 November 1960, pp.

2-6)

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

14

100 Years Ago...

Daily diary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II: Mocking religion, innovative method of preaching and spiritual advancement Al Fazl, 10 & 17 July 1922

1 June 1922

it was not appropriate for them to say such a thing because it shows that in their view, fasting is a burden and the people were observing fasts by compulsion. This does not demonstrate their love and admiration for fasting. Hence, fasting is not a penalty.

It is not for putting people in trouble; rather, it is a means of attaining closeness to God Almighty and a source of achieving spiritual progress. Therefore, it should not be considered a burden. One should not utter any word with respect to any religious matter which shows that it was done under compulsion.

“On the other hand, I wonder why the observers of fast were so hasty. Though it was cloudy, there was enough light to know that the Sun had not set. When they had already spent the whole day, then why did they rush [to break their fast early] and why not investigate. This shows their carelessness.”

One should not mock religious teachings On 1 June [1922], owing to the cloudy weather, the muazzin gave the Maghrib call to prayer about fifteen minutes before the actual time, due to which many friends who were fasting during the six days of Shawwal broke their fast. Following this, Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib announced through the muazzin in the Mubarak Mosque that those who broke their fast on the earlier call to prayer would get the reward, but they should fast another day apart from that day. While making the announcement, the muazzin said of his own accord that since he had given those people the reward of one more fast, they should also remember him in their prayers. As the [muazzin] uttered those words, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] was coming to [the mosque] to lead the prayer. After the prayer, Huzoor[ra] asked everyone to sit down and said: “I have advised many times before that one should not mock and laugh at the matters of religion. [If somebody does so], its outcome is the loss of one’s faith. There are a lot of other opportunities and many other occasions for a person to laugh and joke. Time and again, a person can laugh himself and make others laugh as well and it is not at all unlawful. The Holy Prophetsa also enjoyed humour as did the Promised Messiahas. However, there are certain occasions and specific times for all these things and it is not permissible to make fun of religion.

“When I came outside a short while ago, the person who gave the azan a bit early today said that he had given the people who were fasting the reward of observing another fast. This is ridicule and mockery of religion. Surely, this is not a sin because it happened by mistake and God Almighty will not punish him. However, every mistake happens as a result of another sin. Therefore, a person should not be happy over any mistake, but should seek forgiveness. For instance, if a man shoots while hunting and it accidentally hits a person and he dies, will that man stand over his dead body and laugh because he did not kill him intentionally and instead, shot him accidentally. If it is proven that he had taken all the precautions on his part and he accidentally shot that person, then he will not be guilty, but that does not mean that he should laugh and be happy about his act.

4 June 1922 Lughat-e-Arabi [Arabic dictionary] Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “The Arabic dictionaries are still incomplete because some idioms we read in [the Arabic] books do not appear in them.

Consequently, they [the missing words and idioms of Arabic] cannot be considered authentic unless they are mentioned in the dictionaries. The lexicographers did not do their research with an open mind. Where they were open minded, a lot of [words and their] meanings were given. Otherwise, they had accepted the meanings given by the commentators of any word of the Holy Quran [without researching] if they were [right or] wrong.”

Lexicography and history of Egyptians

“It is not a sin to give the azan a bit early by mistake, but it is a sin not to regret it and make fun of it. It is true that those who broke their fast will get the reward of that fast, and according to the apparent instructions of the shariah [divine law], they will also get the reward of the additional fast that they will have to observe. However, the natural shock of not being able to complete a task and being left with a little deficiency must have been experienced by those who broke

their fast [early]. It is bad to gibe on such an occasion.

“Thus, it is the duty of a believer to respect and honour even the smallest commandments of religion and show regard for every single religious doctrine. No one should even think of laughing and mocking them.

“Apart from the muezzin, about those who said [to those observing fast] that, ‘Let’s see if you will fast [again or not],’ I say that

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] said: “Shaykh Muhammad Abduh’s tafsir [commentary of the Holy Quran] is very valuable with respect to lexicography and history. Egyptians are very advanced in history. Especially Khizri is a very high-level historian. The views that we hold regarding the history of the prophets are the same as that of Khizri’s standpoint. In an issue of history, I used to think that based on my research, I was unique in my approach, but it turned out that Khizri’s mind had also reached there.”

Hazrat Ibn Arabi Regarding Hazrat Muhyiddin Ibn Arabirh,

15

AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022 Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “He was very good at the commentary [of the Holy Quran]. He has generally presented such simple and accurate interpretation [of the Holy Quran] that one’s heart becomes satisfied. He had a wonderful mind.”

Muslims’ way of slaughtering].

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said: “That is unlawful. Eating with the People of the Book does not mean that what is forbidden in the shariah of Islam becomes permissible while eating with them.”

Al Fazl, 17 July 1922 3 June 1922

6 June 1922

Paighamis, because if all the paths to spiritual advancement are closed for man, then there is no need of Islam. Moreover, there is no excellence in elevating one to a high status and not allowing others to advance. Surely, the excellence [of Islam] is that everyone is given an equal opportunity, then it is up to them to whichever degree they advance.”

Views about some famous books

The method of studying Al-Tabari

A divine vision and glad tidings Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [II ] said: “Today, in a divine vision, these words were uttered through my mouth: ‘Today, many glad tidings have been received regarding the progress of Islam.’ These are not the actual words but a brief description of what came out of my mouth.” ra

People of every place should hold religious discussions Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “A discussion took place between Munshi Farzand Ali Sahib and Maulvi Sanaullah in Ferozepur.” (Huzoor[ra] smiled and said), “This is good. The local people of every place should participate in the discussions and stop relying on maulvis so that this work [of tabligh] grows and becomes more productive.”

A new method of preaching Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [II ] said: “My heart desires to try [this method of tabligh] that a specific area should be selected and all the effort should be concentrated on it and it should not be left until it is completely cleared. During this war [WWI], a general invented the method of gathering all the artillery on one front and bombarding back and forth in such a manner that the ground becomes hollow. The opponents were unable to defend themselves against him.

This general rose towards the end [of the war], so his war method could not be fully researched whether it was useful or not. The newspapers abroad used to publish very long articles on him. It might be useful if we preach in the same way. There should be people from here and others from outside should also be called who can preach, and we all should spread in one district. Then perhaps by the grace of Allah the Almighty, more fruitful results will be obtained as compared to the current achievements.” ra

Food from the hands of a clean person A friend asked if it was permissible to eat the food presented by a chuhra [dalit caste in India and Pakistan] if he was clean and there was no impurity or filthy thing on his body and clothes.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “It is permissible to eat something presented by a clean person. However, it is forbidden to eat any cooked thing by the hands of Ghair Ahl-e-Kitab [who are not the People of the Book].”

Another person asked if it was permissible to eat foods cooked by Hindus and Sikhs.

Huzoor[ra] said that Hindus were the People of the Book, and Sikhs were also the People of the Book because they were in fact an altered sect of Muslims.

A friend said that Sikhs did jhatka [killing an animal for food by cutting off its head with one strike as opposed to the

Huzoor said, “In my view, Al-Futuhat alMakkiyya is a very good book.” Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib said that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira used to say that he could not understand one of its parts.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “It is true that some of its parts are not easy to understand, but [Hazrat Muhyiddin Ibn Arabirh] himself interpreted those parts in other places of his book.

“Ibn Jinni’s book Al-Khasa’is is a very fine book. [Tarikh] Adab al-Lughah alArabiyah [by Jirji Zaydan] is also a very excellent book. Its author has rendered great services to the Arabic language and religion.

Khizri is a very great person with respect to history. As the Promised Messiahas said that he and Jesus were two parts of the same matter. Likewise, it seems that the views of Khizri were the same as mine. However, there was an imperfection in him that he could not work very long.” [ra]

Muslim and Christian historians [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra said:] “If different parts of his [Khizri’s] book are read separately, it creates a good impression. However, if the entire book is read, then the overall impression is that the achievements of our ancestors were not of any high standard. Moreover, it does not influence the readers that there are some traditions of our ancestors that we must uphold.

“However, the European historians have taken care of the fact that when they write their history, they show their ancestors to be of such high character that the readers are in awe of their personality and wish that they too should be like them. On the other hand, the Muslim historians, apart from the time of the Holy Prophetsa and Khulafa, show in their history that our ancestors were very insignificant. The method adopted by the Christians is right because historically, unless the coming generations are influenced that their ancestors had such great achievements and so-and-so traditions, and they have to preserve them, until that time, the true benefit of history cannot be availed.”

The field of spiritual advancement [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra said]: “It is absolutely true that everyone can progress and attain greater spiritual status. Theoretically, someone could have surpassed Prophet Muhammadsa, but we have to understand that the Holy Prophetsa went ahead in this field to the fullest possible extent and God Almighty also testified about the future that he is already ahead of the generations to come. The Paighamis [Lahori Ahmadis] always incite people against us by saying that this is why no prophet can come in the ummah of Muhammadsa after the Holy Prophetsa and that the Promised Messiahas is even lower in status than Abu Hurairahra.

This argument may incite people against us for now, but in the future, it will devour the

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Sahib Misri asked as to what method one should adopt to find out the correct traditions from Al-Tabari.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih [IIra] said: “Just as there are four authors of the Gospels, Tabari has also implied four styles of writing, of which there are two major ones. One of them is that when he wanted to prove something, he would collect all the

traditions for and against it. However, the narrations of the group of his adversaries, i.e.

Al-Waqidi, etc., he leaves them unsupported and even hints about that after 40 to 50 pages. For example, let’s say regarding Amr bin Al-Aas, he had to prove that he was not a mischief-maker and was not an ill-wisher of Hazrat Uthmanra. For this, where he would mention one tradition that Hazrat Uthmanra was envious of Amr bin Al-Aas, on the other hand he would bring those narrations which show that Hazrat Uthmanra had a good opinion of him till the end and Hazrat Amrra bin Al-Aas also remained his wellwisher till the very end.” […]

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu published in the 10 and 17 July 1922 issue of Al Fazl)

Clarendon Park Summer Festival and preaching Islam in Leicester, UK Hammad Amjad Secretary Tabligh, Jamaat Leicester

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Leicester, UK successfully organised a tabligh stall at the Leicester Clarendon Park Summer Festival on 19 June 2022. This fair is held every year and is usually attended by an estimated 3000 people coming from various towns and cities in East and West Midlands.

The local Jamaat had previously participated in this annual fair which was paused during the pandemic but now resumed again. The tabligh stall was managed by two teams. The first team comprised Ansar, Khuddam and some senior Atfal, while the second team consisted of the local Lajna.

The ladies’ preaching slots attracted more visitors (mostly female guests) to the stall. The ladies were scheduled to finish at 4:30pm but by the grace of Allah, carried on till 5pm due to the presence of many guests.

Over 150 leaflets were given out at the stall. In addition, six copies of Life of Muhammad and one copy of The Philosophy

of the Teachings of Islam were handed to some keen visitors. About 10 contacts were made.

The Atfal and Khuddam also conducted a live survey by going around the fair with questions on a whiteboard on various contemporary topics about religion – this exercise was well received by members of the public.

The fair eventually came to an end around 6 pm. Even after the wind-up, the tabligh discussions continued between some non-Ahmadi Muslim guests and the regional missionary, Zartasht Lateef Sahib.

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

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800 delegates from over 100 counties attend “Freedom of Religion or Belief Ministerial Conference” by UK government Fareed Ahmad Secretary External Affairs, Jamaat UK

On 5 and 6 July 2022, the International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) was held at Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London and side events were also held at Parliament.

The conference had 800 delegates (including parliamentarians, government officials, faith and belief representatives and civil society), 27 ministers and attendees from over 100 countries.

It was the largest UK Government conference this year. It was split into two main elements, the main conference and the fringe event. The main conference (in the QEII Centre) consisted of plenary and breakouts sessions.

The opening plenary session was one hour long and was the main session with the maximum attendance in the main hall.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa sent a special video message as well.

The following dignitaries were in the opening session: 1. HRH Prince Charles (video) 2. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK Minister for Human Rights (and host minister for the conference) 3. Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, UK Prime Minister (video) 4. The Most Reverend Justin Welby, The Archbishop of Canterbury 5. His Excellency, Sheikh Mohammad alIssa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League and Head of the Intellectual Warfare Centre in Saudi Arabia (set up to counter extremism) (video) 6. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis 7. Mrs Trupti Patel, President, Hindu Forum of Britain 8. Andrew Copson, President of Humanists International 9. Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jutha 10. Rt Hon Liz Truss MP, UK Foreign Secretary By the Grace of Allah, the 5-minute special message of Huzooraa was very well received – and as it was in the main plenary it had maximum reach, all the more so because the programme was live streamed globally.

Over the course of the conference, many new contacts were made at a national and international level.

We hosted, supported and participated in 12 events giving the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community a very strong presence at the conference, alhamdulillah.

The Jamaat hosted and spoke at

the following events at the Ministerial conference:

Prisoners of conscience: In the firing line of blasphemy laws This had over 50 attendees including BBC Urdu correspondent Aleem Maqbool.

Amir Sahib Jamaat UK outlined how the authorities are ruthlessly targeting Ahmadis through the blasphemy laws with nearly 5,000 charged under these laws and with prisoners of conscience behind bars to this day, charged on false grounds simply because they are Ahmadis. The host who introduced the session said it was one of the best-attended side events at the conference centre.

From cradle to grave: Life under persecution as an Ahmadi Muslim This included a screening of the new documentary Section 298: Illegal by Birth, Persecuted to Death on the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan. This had 105 attendees and Amir Sahib Jamaate-Ahmadiyya UK gave a comprehensive account of the history and nature of persecution and how that has worsened over time including recent murders and exhumation of bodies from graves.

Paul Bristow MP and Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP also attended the event.

Leaving no one behind – tackling discrimination The discussion had 50 attendees and covered how denial of freedom of religion impacts the daily life of people. My humble self gave examples of how the persecution is from the cradle to the grave and impacts education, worship, voting rights, the judiciary and how even our graves are targeted. The session was live streamed.

Digital persecution: Emerging threats to FoRB in a digital age There were 45 attendees. The event highlighted the growing threats to FoRB via surveillance and censorship and the need to hold companies to account. My humble self highlighted the issue of Pakistan’s cyberlaws and how they are being used to charge innocent people with blasphemy. The event also saw the launch of Open Door’s latest report that also features a case study of Ahmadis in Pakistan and the PTA issue.

Exhibition booth, hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK This was one of 12 stands and was running for the full two days. The material displayed included: • The 2020 APPG report: Suffocation of the Faithful: The Persecution of Ahmadi Muslims

in Pakistan and the Rise of International Extremism • Briefing on prisoners of conscience • Briefing on denial of voting rights • Briefing on targeting of Ahmadis in Pakistan via digital persecution • Briefing on the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan • New leaflet on “In the Words of the Caliph: Islam and Freedom of Religion” featuring quotes from Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa • IHRC reports on persecution in Pakistan and on the refugee crisis • Brochure on introduction to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community The stall remained busy over the two days and was visited by many people over the two days including Rt Hon Liz Truss MP (UK Foreign Secretary), Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Human Rights Minister), Archbishop Justin Welby, Baroness Fiona Hodgson, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Archbishop Angaelos, Staff from the US State Department and from USCIRF, and various other NGO representatives and government officials

Interview on stage with Farhan Saleem Sahib, a victim of persecution A special interview was conducted with Farhan Saleem Sahib who spoke of his father’s martyrdom in Nankana Sahib and how deep-rooted the persecution is in Pakistan.

IHRC held a successful side event in the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, Parliament on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Pakistan: The event was well attended with over 50 attendees.

Prayer breakfast My humble self attended a prayer breakfast hosted by the Bishop of Truro and Archbishop Angaelos. Lord Ahmad

spoke at the event as did Fiona Bruce MP and other senior dignitaries, and I had the opportunity to meet the UK Ambassador to Egypt, the Bishop of Truro and various representatives from the Jewish, Christian and NGO communities.

No 10 reception Nasser Khan Sahib, Naib Amir Jamaat UK represented the Jamaat at the Downing Street reception.

Post-conference meeting at Lancaster House As a member of the Foreign Office Advisory Group for the conference, my humble self was invited to attend this meeting that focused on how to take forward the connections and ideas emerging from the conference to generate action.

Reception at US embassy at the Deputy Ambassador’s house My humble self and members of the National External Affairs team attended a special reception on Wednesday evening attended by around 70 people including the US Charge D’Affaires to the UK. Sir Eric Pickles, Ambassador Rashad Hussain, Fiona Bruce MP, David Burrowes and others.

Algeria side event Amjad Khan Sahib from Jamaat-eAhmadiyya USA was a speaker at a side event in parliament on persecution in Algeria that was well attended.

Jamaat media The conference was attended and covered as part of the media by MTA International (for opening plenary only), MTA International UK (all two days) and Voice of Islam (all two days).

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022

Abraham: The Father of Prophets – Part I

The Holy Quran has repeatedly paid homage to the efforts of Hazrat Abrahamas in establishing divine unity. The purpose of his advent in itself was to establish monotheism. Therefore, to accomplish such a monumental task, he prayed to Allah:

ْ ‫َر ِّب َه ْب ل ِ ْي ُحك ًما‬

“My Lord, bestow wisdom on me.”

(Surah ash-Shu‘ara Ch.26: V.84) Allah, presenting Hazrat Abraham’s example to every preacher, has made it obligatory to offer the same prayer. Thus, Allah says in another place:

ْ ْ َ ‫ْاد ُع ِإلٰى َس ِب ْي ِل َر ِّبك ِبال ِحك َم ِة‬

“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom.” (Surah al-Nahl, Ch.26: V.126) The Holy Quran has also presented examples of Hazrat Abraham’s unique style of speech to illustrate that Allah granted him this attribute. The clearest example of this is in Surah al-Baqarah where Allah says:

ْ َ ْ ْ ّٰ ُ َ ْ َ ّ ْ َ ْ َ ْ َّ َ ْ َّ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ‫ألم تر ِإلى ال ِذي حآج ِإبرا ِهيم فِي رِ ِب ِه أن آت‬ ‫اه الل ُه ال ُملك ِإذ‬ ُ‫ال أَنَا أُ ْحيـ ْي َوأُم ْيت‬ َ ‫ال إ ْبرَا ِه ْي ُم َربّيَ الَّ ِذ ْي يُ ْحيـ ْي َويُ ِم ْي ُت َق‬ َ َ ِ ِْ ِ ْ ٰ ِ ِ ‫ق‬ ّ َ َ ْ ْ ّ َ َ َ ‫َق‬ ‫س ِم َن ال َمش ِر ِق فأ ِت ِب َها ِم َن‬ ‫ال إِ ْبرَا ِه ْي ُم ف ِإ ّن الل َه يَأت ِ ْي ِبالش ْم‬ ِ َ ْ ْ َ ّٰ َ َ َّ ْ َّ َ ْ ‫ال َمغرِ ِب ف ُب ِه َت ال ِذ ْي كف َر َوالل ُه لا يَ ْه ِدي القوْ َم الظال ِ ِمي َن‬

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

Jazib Mehmood Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya International Ghana

On the occasion of Hajj, Muslims from all over the world flock to the Holy City of Mecca, where nearly 4,000 years ago, Hazrat Abrahamas left his wife and infant son in the care of Allah. The Great Patriarch was the son of Terah. His father passed away when he was young, and his uncle Azar subsequently raised him. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 7, p. 195) It is worth remembering that wherever the Holy Quran mentions Hazrat Abraham’s father, it means his foster father; his uncle, َ as the word abun ‫ أ ٌب‬also means uncle in the Arabic language. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 5, p. 528) He was born in Ur, present-day Iraq and lived there but migrated by the command of Allah the Almighty. It is difficult to determine exactly when he lived. According to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’sra calculations, Hazrat Abraham’sas advent was about 2,200 to 2,500 years before the Holy Prophetsa, about 4,000 years ago. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 8, p. 587 and Vol. 10, p. 106) Hazrat Abrahamas is also the progenitor of the two great peoples; the Israelites and the Ishmaelites, who consider him a venerated personality. Hazrat Abraham’s real name was “Abram”. However, after the birth of Hazrat Ishmaelas, per Allah’s command, he came to be called Abraham, which means “father of a multitude”, or “father of many nations.” (Haqaiq-ul-Furqan, Vol. 4, p. 412) He also visited Mecca several times, where he had left Hazrat Ishmaelas from whose descendants the Seal of Prophets, the Holy Prophetsa was born. The progeny

of Hazrat Isaacas, the second son of Hazrat Abrahamas, also multiplied exceedingly.

From among them arose Prophet Mosesas, Davidas, Ezekielas, Danielas, Jesusas and many more. He is thus called Abul-Anbiya – Father of the Prophets – and Khalilullah – Allah’s special friend.

Hazrat Abrahamas is thus a very blessed figure in the annals of history. His progeny has impacted history for millennia. From either a religious or a geopolitical point of view, it cannot be denied that Hazrat Abrahamas occupies a special station in history. In the Holy Quran, Allah promised Hazrat Abrahamas:

َّ َ ُ َ ّ ً ‫ِلناس إ َم‬ ‫اما‬ ِ ِ ‫ِإن ِ ْي جا ِعلك ل‬

“I will make thee a Leader of men.”

(Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.125) Consequently, in many parts of the world, he is considered an imam and is remembered with great respect. In this verse, Allah declares that He made Hazrat Abrahamas such a being that people still follow his deeds and words. The ideal and eternal example of this are Muslims, whom Allah commands in the Holy Quran:

َ َّ ْ َّ ً ‫ات ِبع ِملة ِإ ْبرَا ِه ْي َم َح ِن ْيفا‬

“Follow the way of Abraham who was ever inclined to God.” (Surah al-Nahl, Ch.16: V.124) What is the way of Abrahamas that we are commanded to follow? The Holy Quran tells us that it is his high moral attributes.

The Holy Quran has presented Hazrat Abrahamas as a paragon of virtue and has purposely commanded Muslims to adopt his noble qualities.

The Holy Quran has explained this in another place as well:

ٌَ ٌ ُ ُ َ َ َ ‫ق ْد كان ْت لَك ْم أ ْسوَة َح َسنة ف ِ ْي ِإ ْبرَا ِه ْي َم‬

“There is a good model for you in Abraham.” (Surah al-Mumtahinah, Ch.60: V.5) Hazrat Abraham’s spiritual status is also determined by the fact that besides the Holy Prophetsa, Allah speaks these words about him alone. The Holy Quran frequently speaks of his moral qualities and good example.

This article cannot encompass all the holy characteristics of Hazrat Abrahamas.

However, a humble effort has been made to include some of his principal virtues.

Otherwise, upon reading the Holy Quran, we come to realise there is much more to his remarkable personality.

Prophet Abraham’s great oratory, argumentation and longing for the establishment of tawhid (divine unity) as Interestingly, the word Abraham is said َ َ ْ to come from “abrama” ‫ أب َرم‬meaning the oneَ who reinforces something. “Abraama” َ ‫ أبْ َر‬is a good speaker and debater who ‫ام‬ can explain his meaning to others and render them speechless. The word, found in Hebrew, is also used in the Bible – although it is originally Arabic.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has argued in his commentary of the Holy Quran, Tafsir-eKabir, that Allah caused Hazrat Abrahamas to be named so by his father, thereby pointing to a hidden prophecy that he would possess great oratory skill, expressing his views in front of his opponents with such excellence that they would be rendered incapable of a retort. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 5, pp. 264–265)

“Hast thou not heard of him who disputed with Abraham about his Lord, because Allah had given him kingdom?

When Abraham said, ‘My Lord is He Who gives life and causes death,’ he said, ‘I also give life and cause death.’ Abraham said, ‘Well, Allah brings the sun from the East; bring it thou from the West.’

Thereupon the infidel was dumbfounded.

And Allah guides not the unjust people.”

(Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.259) Here, we also learn that he did not shy away from describing the greatness and glory of Allah before the king. Bravely defying the conventional wisdom of the time, he presented his views and message clearly with no reserve.

His sons Hazrat Ishmaelas and Hazrat Isaacas, and grandson Hazrat Jacobas, all prophets, also lived in different areas where they were engaged in efforts to preach the message of divine unity. He sent Hazrat Isaacas to a settled land nearby to preach there. He also left Hazrat Ishmaelas in Mecca so that when that place was inhabited, the name of Allah the Almighty would echo there as well. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra referred to this example of his farsightedness as his long-term policy. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 7, p. 193)

Did Hazrat Abrahamas lie about breaking the idols?

The Holy Quran, making special mention of his style of speech, also presents Hazrat Abraham’s rational arguments. For example, when he preached to his people, they refused to pay heed to him. Therefore, he once said to them:

ُّ ُ َ ُ َ َ ْ َ َّ َ ْ َ َ ّٰ َ َ ‫امك ْم بَ ْع َد أ ْن توَلوْا ُم ْد ِبرِيْ َن‬ ‫وتالل ِه لأك ِيدن أصن‬

“I will certainly plan against your idols after you have gone away and turned your backs.” (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.58) Accordingly, he went to his family’s shrine, a popular shrine in the area, and broke all the idols except the biggest one, which he very wisely left. When people Continued on next page >>

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

18 << Continued from previous page

found out about this, their minds naturally turned to Hazrat Abrahamas, who had already said he would do something of this sort.

The Quran says:

َ َ َ َ ُ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ َْ​َ ُْ َ ‫ال بَ ْل ف َعل ُه‬ ‫قالوا أأنت فعلت هذا ِبآل ِه ِتنا يا ِإبرا ِهيم ق‬ َ‫اسأَلُوْ ُه ْم إ ْن كَانُوْا يَ ْن ِطقُوْن‬ ْ ‫َكبي ْ ُر ُه ْم َه َذا َف‬ ِ ِ

“Then they said to Abraham, ‘Is it thou who hast done this to our gods, O Abraham?’

He replied, ‘Aye, somebody has surely done this. Here is the chief suspect. But ask them if they are capable of speaking.’” (Surah alAnbiya, Ch.21: V.63-64) His style of reasoning here deserves special praise. Some, God forbid, consider him a liar. However, it would have been highly uncharacteristic of him, a chosen prophet of Allah, to do such a thing. Then, such an allegation is baseless because he had openly declared that he would do something to their idols. Moreover, before narrating this incident, Allah, praising Hazrat Abrahamas, had said:

َّ ُ ْ َ َ َ َ ْ ‫َولَق ْد آت ْينا ِإ ْبرَا ِه ْي َم ُرش َد ُه ِمن ق ْب ُل َوكنا ِب ِه َعال ِ ِمي َن‬

“And before this We gave Abraham his guidance, and We knew him well.” (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.52) Therefore, it is clear from the context that Hazrat Abrahamas made a very logical argument. The result of this effective argument was that they did not believe that the biggest idol had broken all the other idols. Their refusal to accept such a ludicrous idea rendered their belief false. To that effect, Allah narrates in the following verses:

َّ ْ َ ُ َّ ُ َ َ َ َ ُ َُ َُْ ‫ف َر َج ُعوْا ِإلٰى أنف ِس ِه ْم فقالوْا ِإنك ْم أن ُت ُم الظال ُِموْ َن ث ّم ن ِك ُسوْا َعلى‬ ُ ْ ُ َ ‫ُرؤ ْو ِس ِه ْم لَق ْد َع ِل ْم َت َما ٰه ُؤلَاء يَن ِطقوْ َن‬

“Then they turned towards one another and said, ‘You yourselves are surely in the wrong.’ And their heads were made to hang low for shame and they said, ‘Certainly thou knowest well that these do not speak.’”

(Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.65-66) Explaining this view, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh writes: “Some translators avoid literal translation of this verse fearing that this would present Abraham as a liar. Obviously, it was not the big idols who had smashed the smaller ones but it was Abraham himself who had done it. […]

“It should be noted, however, that it was not a misstatement but a powerful style of argument. Sometimes a thing is too obvious for anybody to believe and a statement to that effect is never understood as a willful attempt to mislead others but considered an exposition of the inherent absurdity of a situation.

“We believe that Abraham did make that statement without the slightest intention of misleading them but only by way of a powerful argument against the falsity of their belief. This is exactly how they took it. Having heard Abraham, none of them retorted by calling him a liar. But according to the Holy Quran they were introspectively forced to realize the folly of their belief.”

(Footnote under Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.64, Holy Quran English translation by Hazrat Maulvi Sher Alira, 2004 edition)

The power of his speech His words were also very effective because

whatever he claimed, he proved with his practical example. Admonishing his people, he said: َ َ ًْ َ َّ َ َ ٰ ُْ

ُ َ ً ّ ّ ‫ِإن َما ت ْع ُب ُد ْو َن ِم ْن ُد ْو ِن الل ِه أ ْوثانا َوتخلقوْ َن ِإفكا ِإ ّن ال ِذيْ َن‬ ّٰ َ ْ ْ ُ َ ْ َ ً ْ ْ ُ َ َ ْ ُ ْ َ َ ّٰ ُ ْ َ ْ ُ ُ ْ َ ‫ون الل ِه لا يم ِلكون لكم رِزقا فابتغوا ِعند الل ِه‬ ِ ‫تعبدون ِمن د‬ َ ّْ ‫الرِزق‬

“You only worship idols beside Allah, and you forge a lie. Those whom you worship beside Allah have no power to provide sustenance for you. Then seek sustenance from Allah.” (Surah al-Ankabut, Ch.29: V.18) He showed a practical example of this when he left his wife and child in a barren land. He only prayed to Allah to provide for them. In this way, he proved Allah to be the Master of sustenance.

His practical example of Allah’s magnificence was also shown when he was thrown into the fire. Hazrat Lotas saw that Hazrat Abrahamas, who had been passionately preaching tawhid and wonders of Allah, was miraculously saved from the fire his people had thrown him in. He was among those who accepted him, impressed by the personal relationship Hazrat Abrahamas enjoyed with Allah. He rose in faith to the extent that Allah granted him Prophethood. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 7, p. 619) Narrating an incident of Hazrat Abrahamas in the Holy Quran, Allah alludes to his habit of thinking about arguments in favour of His existence and Omnipotence.

Allah says:

َ َ ّ ً ً َ ْ َ ُ َّ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ُ ْ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ ‫اما آل َِهة ِإن ِ ْي أ َراك‬ ‫و ِإذ قال ِإبرا ِهيم لأ ِبي ِه آزر أتت ِخذ أصن‬ ْ ُ َ َ َ َ ‫َوقوْ َمك ف ِ ْي ضلا ٍل ّم ِبي ٍن‬

“And remember the time when Abraham said to his father, Azar: ‘Dost thou take idols for gods? Surely, I see thee and thy people in manifest error.’” (Surah al-An‘am, Ch.6: V.75) Here, Allah also hints that Hazrat Abrahamas frequently argued with his uncle and detested polytheism from a young age.

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 5, p. 531) Then, Allah says:

ُ َّ َ ْ ُ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ ْ ُ َ ٰ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ِ ‫او‬ َ ‫الس َم‬ ‫ض َول َِيكوْ َن ِم َن‬ ‫وكذل ِك نرِي ِإبرا ِهيم ملكوت‬ ِ ‫ات والأر‬ َ‫ال ْ ُموْقِ ِنيْن‬

“Thus did We show Abraham the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, that he might be of those who believe.” (Surah Al-An‘am, Ch.6: V.76) This verse also means that Allah granted him knowledge and taught him universal wisdom. In light of the aforementioned verses, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh has remarked that Hazrat Abrahamas would ponder over his opponents’ arguments in the presence of his Lord and think about how to show them the right path. (Friday Sermon, 3 June 1983, Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 2, pp. 308–309) The result is best described in the words of the Holy Quran. Allah says:

َّ ً ً َ َ ‫َو َج َعل َها ك ِل َمة بَاقِ َية ف ِ ْي َع ِق ِب ِه ل َ َعل ُه ْم يَ ْر ِج ُعوْ َن‬

“And He made it [divine unity] a byword to last among his posterity, that they might turn to God.” (Surah al-Zhukhruf, Ch.43: V.29) Hazrat Abrahamas was a firm believer in divine unity and preached it to his posterity with such sincerity and diligence that this belief came to stay among his generations for a long time. His sons, grandsons and greatgrandsons all believed in the One God. The greatest champion of divine unity, the Holy

Prophetsa was also from his progeny.

Then, he thought of strong arguments and proved the stars, moon and sun to be false gods. The Holy Quran has narrated his arguments in detail in Surah al-An‘am.

Extraordinary examples of trust in Allah and perseverance in trials The Holy Quran also mentions his trials and his steadfastness in these trials in detail. It is in remembrance of his steadfastness that Muslims perform Hajj today. Allah has also commanded able-bodied Muslims to imitate his sacrifice on Eid-ul-Adha.

The Holy Quran mentions his afflictions in the following words:

َ َ َ َ َ َ َ ُ ُّ َ َ ْ َ ْ ٰ َ ْ َ ‫ات فأت ّم ُه ّن‬ ٍ ‫وإِ ِذ ابتلى إِبرا ِهيم ربه ِبك ِلم‬

“And remember when his Lord tried Abraham with certain commands which he fulfilled.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.125) The Holy Quran has mentioned these afflictions in various places. For example, as mentioned, Hazrat Abrahamas encountered many difficulties during his preaching efforts. When he was arguing with his people because he had proven their idols to be false gods, his people said:

ُ ُ َْ َ ً ْ ْ ‫ْابنوْا ل َ ُه بُن َيانا فألقوْ ُه فِي ال َج ِح ْي ِم‬

“Build for him a structure and cast him into the fire.” (Surah al-Saffat, Ch.37: V.98) So, a fire was kindled for him and he was thrown into it. But he had complete faith in Allah the Almighty. Whereas human nature demanded that he cry out or shout for help, the words on his lips were:

ّٰ ْ ‫َح ْس ِبيَ الل ُه َونِ ْع َم الوَك ِْي ُل‬

“Allah is sufficient for me, and He is an excellent guardian.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab at-Tafsir, Hadith 4564) Speaking of Hazrat Abraham’s trust in Allah, the Promised Messiahas states: “When the disbelievers were casting Abrahamas into the fire, the angels came to Abrahamas and asked him whether he needed anything. Abrahamas responded by saying:

ُ ‫بَ ٰلى َولٰ ِك ْن ِإل َ ْيك ْم لَا‬

“Meaning, Yes; but though I am in need, there is no need to present it before you. The angels responded: ‘Alright, then supplicate before God Almighty.’ To this, Abrahamas said:

ْ ‫ِعل ُم ُه ِم ْن َحال ِ ْي َح ْس ِب ْي ِم ْن َسوَال ِ ْي‬

“In other words, He is so well aware of my state that there is no need for me to submit a request to Him.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 3, p. 105) Then, Hazrat Abrahamas had aged, but he had no children. So, he prayed:

ْ َّ َ ْ ْ َ ّ َ ‫الصال ِ ِحي َن‬ ‫ر ِب هب لِي ِمن‬

“My Lord, grant me a righteous son.”

(Surah al-Saffat: Ch.37: V.101) Accepting his prayers, Allah gave him a humble son. But when he was born, God commanded him to leave his wife and son in a barren desert. Although this was a great trial for him, he obeyed this order without any protest and prayed, with great perseverance:

َْ َ ّ َ​َ ْ َ َ ُ َ َْ ‫َر ّبنا إِن ِ ْي أ ْسكن ُت ِم ْن ذ ّرِ ّيتِ ْي ِبوَا ٍد غيرِ ِذ ْي ز ْر ٍع ِعن َد بَ ْي ِتك‬ َ َّ َ ّ ً َ ْ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ َّ ُ ْ ُ َ َّ َ َّ َ ُ ْ ‫اس ت ْه ِو ْي‬ ِ ‫المحر ِم ربنا ل ِي ِقيموا الصلاة ف َاجعل أف َِئدة ِمن الن‬ ّ ُ ْ ّ ُْ َ ‫ات ل َ َعل ُه ْم يَشك ُر ْو َن‬ ِ َ‫ِإل ْي ِه ْم َو ْارزق ُهم ِّم َن الث َمر‬

“‘Our Lord! Surely I have settled some of my offspring in a barren valley near your honourable house. Our Lord! So that they may establish prayer. So incline the hearts of the people towards them and provide them with fruits so that they may give thanks.’”

(Surah Ibrahim, Ch.14: V.38) This prayer was the result of his perfect trust. Otherwise, it seems unreasonable to hope for food in such a barren land.

Then, when his son Ishmaelas was six or seven, Hazrat Abrahamas said:

َ ّ َ َ َْ َّ َ ْ ‫يَا بُن ّيَ إِن ِ ْي أ ٰرى فِي ال َمنا ِم أن ِ ْي أذبَ ُحك‬

“O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering thee.” (Surah alSaffat, Ch.37: V.103) Hazrat Abrahamas had only one son, born in miraculous circumstances considering his age. However, he was ready to follow the command of Allah.

The Holy Quran narrates:

َ ُ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ ُ َّ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َّ َ َ َْ َ ‫اه أ ْن يَا إِ ْبرَا ِه ْي ُم ق ْد َص ّدق َت‬ ‫فلما أسلما وتله ل ِلج ِبي ِن ونادين‬ ُ‫اء ال ْ ُمبيْن‬ ُ َ ‫الرُ ْؤيَا إنَّا َك َذل َِك ن َ ْجزي ال ْ ُم ْح ِس ِني ْ َن إ َّن َه َذا ل َ ُهوَ ال ْ َبل‬ ّ ِ ِ ِ ِ

“And when they both submitted [to the Will of God], and he had thrown him down on his forehead, We called to him: ‘O Abraham, Thou hast indeed fulfilled the dream.’ Thus indeed do We reward those who do good. That surely was a manifest trial.” (Surah al-Saffat, Ch.37: V.104-107) Allah put him through so many afflictions that it is beyond imagination.

Allah did not do this to cause him pain, but to show the world his level of faith and loyalty to Him. Accordingly, he showed incredibly high examples of perseverance, which are recorded in the Holy Quran until the Day of Judgment, for Allah intended to make him a shining example for future generations.

Allah the Almighty consequently stated:

َّ َ ُ َ ّ ً ‫ِلناس إ َم‬ ‫اما‬ ِ ِ ‫إِن ِ ْي جا ِعلك ل‬

“I will make thee a Leader of men.”

(Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2:V.125) Mentioning that he passed these trials very well, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra translates this verse in this way: “O Abraham! You were a prophet to your people, but since you proved steadfast in trials, and you obeyed my command with great courage, settled your wife and child in a forest where neither a drop of water nor a leaf of grass grew and accepted your death and your family’s, I will also reward you. And this event of yours will remain as a model for people of the whole world until the Day of Judgment. And whenever the world is taught to be steadfast in trials and tribulations, then this event of yours will be presented as a model.” (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 2, p. 160) Describing the rewards of his steadfastness, the Promised Messiahas says: “It was by God’s grace that the son survived; otherwise, Abraham [as] [thought] he had slaughtered him. That is why he got the title of Sadiq [the truthful]. And it is written in the Torah that God said, ‘O Abraham, look at the stars in the sky. Can you count them? In the same way, your children will be uncountable.’ It was a momentary pain that passed. What a great reward [he received] as a result! Today all the Sadat and the Quraish and the Jews and other nations call themselves the children of Abraham[as].” (Malfuzat, Vol. 5, pp. 416–417, 1988 Edition)

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022 Divine help Allah never left him helpless. For example, where his God-given style of speech is mentioned, there is also great proof of Divine help in his favour. In the Holy Quran, Allah promises, before narrating the incident of Hazrat Abraham’s discussion with Nimrod,

ُّ َ َ ُ ُّ َ ّ ْ ُ ُ ْ ُ ْ ُ َ َ ْ َّ ُّ َ ُ ّٰ ِ ‫الله ولِي ال ِذين آمنوا يخ ِرجهم ِمن الظلم‬ ِ‫ات إِلى النوْر‬

“Allah is the friend of those who believe.

He brings them out of every kind of darkness into light.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.258) By bringing the incident of Hazrat Abraham’s discussion with Nimrod after this verse, Allah presents proof of this promise.

His style of speech is one of the principal proofs of Allah’s help for His messengers given in the Holy Quran. Allah supported him throughout his life, even against the reigning monarch of the time. (Tafsir-eKabir, Vol. 2, p. 594) Evidence of this Divine help can be seen on many occasions in the life of Hazrat Abrahamas. As previously mentioned, his opponents once had him thrown in fire.

However, Allah says in the Holy Quran that at that time He said:

َ ً َ َ َ ًَْْ ُْ​ُ َ َ ‫اما َعلى ِإ ْبرَا ِه ْي َم‬ ‫يا نار كونِي بردا وسل‬

“Turn cold, O fire, and be a source of peace for Abraham.” (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.70) Explaining the reality of this fire, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra narrated an incident that occurred during the time of the Promised Messiahas: “When Dharmapal [a Hindu] raised this objection that if the fire turned cold for Abrahamas, then why did it not turn cold for others? On this, Khalifatul Masih I[ra] replied َ that ‘nar’ [‫ ]نار‬does not mean physical fire but rather means the fire of opposition.

“Then, the Promised Messiahas said, ‘What is the need for this interpretation?

God has also called me Abraham. If people do not understand how the fire turned cold for Abraham[as], they should throw me in a fire and see if I get out of the fire safely or not.’” (Friday Sermon 16 January 1959, Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 9, pp. 318– 319) Then, on another occasion, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, while interpreting this verse, said: ُ َ “One of the meanings of ‫[ يَا ن ُار كوْن ِ ْي بَ ْر ًدا‬turn cold, O fire] is that Abraham[as] occupied such a station that We decreed that no harm should come to him in Our way. His faith is so strong that he gladly accepts whatever affliction befalls him and is pleased that he has another opportunity to sacrifice for God Almighty.

“Hell becomes impossible for such people. For he who begins to feel comfortable in pain, what harm can [his] enemies cause him? If God Almighty casts him into Paradise, it will be Paradise for him. And if his enemies cast him into Hell, it will be [like a] Paradise for him. If they torment him, it is a source of ease for him. […] the torment of others will only create Paradise. These are the people who have victory [written] on their foreheads and these are the people who inherit the bounties of Allah the Almighty.” (Friday Sermon, 28 September 1945, Khutbat-eMahmud, Vol. 26, pp. 388–389) In these afflictions, Allah the Almighty protected him with His help and supported him at every step. The sight of Divine

support in his life is also a perfect proof of his nearness to God. The Promised Messiahas mentions these scenes and says: “Since he [Abrahamas] was truthful and a loyal servant of God, therefore God helped him at the time of every tribulation.

When he was cast into the fire unjustly, God made the fire cool for him. Similarly, when an unscrupulous king had ill intention towards his wife, God afflicted those hands with which he intended to fulfil his impure intentions. And then when Abraham, under Divine command, left his beloved son, who was Ismael [Ishmael], in such mountainous terrain as had neither food nor water, God produced for him water and food out of nowhere.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation [Haqiqatul-Wahi], pp. 64–65)

Noble attributes Speaking of Hazrat Abrahamas, the Holy Quran declares:

َ ً َ ُ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َّ ُ ً ّٰ ْ ْ ْ ‫ان أ ّمة قانِ ًتا لِل ِه َح ِن ْيفا َول َ ْم يَك ِم َن ال ُمش ِرك ِي َن‬ ‫ِإن ِإبرا ِهيم ك‬

“Abraham was indeed a paragon of virtue, obedient to Allah, ever inclined to Him, and he was not of those who set up equals to God.” (Surah al-Nahl, Ch.16: V.121) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has taken six qualities of Hazrat Abrahamas from this verse: 1. Hazrat Abrahamas was a teacher of good; he taught the world goodness.

2. He was jami-ul-khair [embodiment of good]. Allah the Almighty gave him the title of ummah. This meant that he possessed all

kinds of moral virtues.

3. His nature hid the forces of tremendous growth from which it was possible to create nations.

4. He was qanit; he was obedient to Allah and constantly prayed to Him. 5. He was hanif; he had tremendous power and never deviated from the path of truth.

6. He was not polytheistic and firmly adhered to monotheism. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 4, p. 267) Then, Allah says in the following verse:

Nahl, Ch.16: V.122) Three prophets were born from his seed in his own life. Many more were sent from his progeny to the Israelites. God bestowed him with two sons. Both were pure. Both became prophets. Allah the Almighty also decreed that He would also send the Holy Prophetsa from Hazrat Abraham’s descendants. In this way, he was granted many rewards in this world. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 7, p. 572) Finally, Allah the Almighty says:

“Grateful for His favours; He chose him and guided him to a straight path.” (Surah an-Nahl, Ch.16: V.122) Hazrat Abrahamas was grateful. He did not attribute his virtues to himself but considered them as blessings bestowed

by Allah. As a result, Allah chose him and showed him the loftiest paths of guidance.

In these verses, Allah instructs Muslims to adopt the noble attributes of Hazrat Abrahamas. Therefore, Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra says that Allah states that we should be like Hazrat Abrahamas and seek to emulate his qualities. The result will be that Allah will treat us as He treated Hazrat Abrahamas. (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 4, p. 269) What was that treatment? The next verse tells us:

“And now We have revealed to thee, saying, ‘Follow the way of Abraham who was ever inclined to God and was not of those who set up equals to Him.’” (Surah anNahl, Ch.16: V.122) Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira has also written that the literal meaning of the word Abraham is “The father of believers and saints.” (Haqaiq-ul-Furqan, Vol. 3, p. 335) So here, Allah said in clear words that if Muslims adopted these noble attributes, they would surely be the recipients of such rewards.

Allah told the Holy Prophetsa and his ummah many stories of prophets in the Holy Quran. However, Muslims have been explicitly asked to follow the way of Hazrat Abrahamas. Where all prophets of Allah are the torches that light up our path to Him, Hazrat Abrahamas occupies a special station in Islam.

(To be continued...)

ُ َ َ ُ َ َ َ ُ َ َ ْ َُّْ ً َ ‫اط ّم ْس َت ِق ْي ٍم‬ ٍ ‫شاكِرا ل ِأنع ِم ِه اجتباه وهداه إِلى ِصر‬

َّ ً َ ُْْ ُ ََْ َ ْ َّ َ َ َ ‫الصال ِ ِحي َن‬ ‫اه فِي ال ّدن َيا َح َسنة َوإِن ُه فِي الآخِر ِة ل ِمن‬ ‫وآتين‬

“And We bestowed on him good in this world, and in the Hereafter he will surely be among the righteous.” (Surah an-

َ َ ‫يم َح ِن ْي ًفا َو َما ك‬ َ ‫ثُ َّم أَ ْو َح ْي َنا إل َ ْي َك أَ ِن ّاتَب ْع ِم َّل َة إ ْبرَا ِه‬ ‫ان ِم َن‬ ِ ِ ِ َ‫ال ْ ُم ْشرك ِيْن‬ ِ

Humanity First Bulgaria extends help to Centre for Disabled Children and Youth Sadeed Ahmad General Secretary Jamaat Bulgaria

On 7 July 2022, Humanity First donated food products and hygiene materials to the centre for disabled children in Sandanski, Bulgaria. The donation was presented to Lyubka Spanevikova, who is the devoted Director of the Centre.

Zubair Khalil Khan Sahib, Director of Humanity First Germany and local missionaries also attended the event.

A missionary, Abdullah Sahib has very effective relations with such type of local institutions taking care of humanitarian work. He forwarded the request to Humanity First Germany and the chairman of Humanity First Germany was kind enough to approve the request.

Currently, this centre houses 23 patients with varying degrees of mental and physical disabilities. The director welcomed the Jamaat and the Humanity First delegation to visit the centre, and the delegation spent almost three hours in the centre. The management and hygiene standards were maintained extraordinarily in the centre.

All the rooms were visited and each person was more than happy to have guests in the centre. The director, staff members and patients were extremely grateful for the donation.

At the end of the visit, certificates of appreciation were presented to Jamaat-e-

Ahmadiyya Bulgaria and Humanity First.

As a token of remembrance, a small shield

from the Jamaat and Humanity First was also presented to the centre.

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

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Friday Sermon 24 June 2022 Men of Excellence: Hazrat Abu Bakrra After reciting the tashahud, ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:

Accounts relating to the expeditions that were sent against the rebels during the era of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra were being mentioned. According to the details with regard to the seventh expedition, it is stated that it was led by Hazrat Khalidra bin Saeed bin Aas, who was sent to confront the rebellious apostates. Hazrat Abu Bakrra tied the flag for Hazrat Khalidra bin Saeed bin Aas and sent him to Humqatain which was situated at the border of Syria. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 657)

An introduction of Hazrat Khalidra bin Saeed bin Aas is as follows: His name was Khalid and his title was Abu Saeed.

His father’s name was Saeed bin Aas bin Umayyah and his mother’s name was Lubainah bint Habbab, who was known as Umm-e-Khalid. (Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah

fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar alKutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2008], p. 124) (Hakim al-Nishapuri,

Al-Mustadrak ‘ala al-Sahihain, Vol. 5, Hadith 5081 [Riyad: Nazar Mustafa al-Baz, 2000], p. 1896)

Hazrat Khalidra was among the early people to have accepted Islam. According to some, he accepted Islam after Hazrat Abu Bakrra and he was the third or fourth Muslim. According to others, he was the fifth person to accept Islam. Prior to him, only Hazrat Alira bin Abi Talib, Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Zaidra bin Haritha and Hazrat Saadra bin Abi Waqas had accepted Islam.

The incident of Hazrat Khalid’sra acceptance of Islam is as follows: He saw in a dream that he was standing on the brink of a fire and that his father was trying to push him into it. He then saw that the Holy Prophetsa was holding him from his back, lest he fell in. Hazrat Khalidra woke up in a state of anxiousness and said, “By Allah!

This is a true dream!”

Following this, he met with Hazrat Abu Bakrra and he related his dream to him.

Hazrat Abu Bakrra said, “A good fortune has been destined for you. Allah the Almighty wishes to protect you. This”, i.e. the Holy Prophetsa, “is the Messengersa of Allah.

Follow him, for when you follow him after having accepted Islam, he will protect you from falling into the fire. As a matter of fact, it is your father who will fall into this fire.”

Hence, Hazrat Khalidra presented himself before the Holy Prophetsa. [At that time] the Holy Prophetsa was at Ajyad in Mecca. Ajyad is situated adjacent to Mount Safa, where the Holy Prophetsa used to graze his sheep.

Hazrat Khalidra submitted to the Holy Prophetsa, “O Muhammadsa! What do you call us towards?” The Holy Prophetsa stated, “I call people towards God, Who is One and has no partner and that Muhammadsa is His Servant and Messenger. Furthermore, I call for you to abstain from worshipping these stones, who can neither hear, nor see, nor harm you, nor benefit you. Moreover, they

are unaware of who worships them and who does not.”

Upon this, Hazrat Khalidra submitted, “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah!” The Holy Prophetsa was extremely happy at Hazrat Khalid’sra acceptance of Islam. After having accepted Islam, Hazrat Khalidra went into hiding. When his father came to know of his acceptance of Islam, he sent his other sons, who were not Muslims, in order to look for him. Hence, they found him and brought him to their father.

Hazrat Khalid’sra father started to rebuke and beat him. He began hitting him repeatedly in the head with the stick that he was holding until he broke it, saying, “You have followed Muhammad[sa] despite witnessing the opposition he is facing by his people and despite the fact that he speaks against their idols and the ills of their

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AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022 forefathers.” Hazrat Khalidra replied, “By Allah, I follow Muhammadsa.” Upon this, his father became extremely enraged and said to him, “O foolish person, leave out of my sight and go where you please. I shall no longer feed you.” Hazrat Khalidra then said, “If you stop providing me with food, then Allah shall grant me the provisions for my sustenance.” His father then expelled him from his home and said to his children that none of them should speak to him.

Hazrat Khalidra left and stayed with the Holy Prophetsa. Generally, he would remain on the outskirts of Mecca, away from his father, lest he was caught once more and be persecuted.

The father of Hazrat Khalidra was considered amongst the nobles of Mecca and severely persecuted the Muslims. Once, he fell sick, and due to the intensity of his illness, he said, “If Allah cures me of this illness (it is not known if he said Allah or a name of one of the idols, in any case, he said), if I am cured of this illness then the God of Ibn Abi Kabshah (i.e. Muhammadsa) shall no longer be worshipped in Mecca. I shall show such severity whereby I shall drive out all the Muslims from here.” When Hazrat Khalidra learnt of this, he prayed against his father, “O Allah, do not cure him.” Thereafter, he died of this illness.

When the Muslims migrated to Abyssinia the second time, Hazrat Khalidra was also among those who migrated.

Accompanying him was his wife, Umaimah bint Khalid Khuza’iyyah. Hazrat Khalid’sra brother Hazrat Amr bin Saeedra also migrated with him.

During the Battle of Khaibar, Hazrat Khalidra went from Abyssinia to the Holy Prophetsa alongside Hazrat Ja‘farra bin Abi Talib. He did not participate in the Battle of Khaibar, but the Holy Prophetsa granted him a portion of the spoils of war. Thereafter, he participated in Umrah al-Qada, the Conquest of Mecca and in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa such as the battles of Hunain, Ta’if, Tabuk, etc. (Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2008], pp. 124-125) (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-e-Sirat [Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003], p. 30)

He was unable to participate in the Battle of Badr and remained remorseful of this fact. He said to the Holy Prophetsa, “O Messengersa of Allah, we were unable to participate in the Battle of Badr.” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “Does it not please you that others have only had the honour of migrating once whereas you have migrated twice?” (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p.

75)

In the book An Introduction to the Study of the Holy Quran, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra has counted Hazrat Khalidra bin Saeed bin Aas’ name as being among the list of scribes who would write down the revelations [of the Holy Quran]. (Dibachah Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 20, p. 425)

The Holy Prophetsa appointed Hazrat Khalidra bin Saeed as the alms collector in Yemen. He remained in this post until the demise of the Holy Prophetsa. After the demise of the Holy Prophetsa he came to Medina, and Hazrat Abu Bakrra asked him why he had returned. He answered that he would not work on behalf of anyone after the Holy Prophetsa. It is mentioned that he

delayed in pledging allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakrra, and pledged allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakrra after the Banu Hashim had pledged allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakrra.

Later on, Hazrat Abu Bakrra appointed Hazrat Khalidra as the commander of armies on various expeditions.

Hazrat Khalidra was martyred during the Battle of Marj al-Saffar during the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. Some have narrated that seeing as the Battle of Marj al-Saffar commenced in 14 AH during the Khilafat of Hazrat Umarra, it is said that Hazrat Khalidra was actually martyred in Syria, during the Battle of Ajnadain, 14 days prior to the demise of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. (Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2008], p. 125)

The details in Tarikh al-Tabari of Hazrat Khalid’sra expedition against the apostates are as follows: “When Hazrat Abu Bakrra tied the flags for the battles to suppress the apostates and appointed the commanders, among those who were appointed was Hazrat Khalid bin Saeedra. Hazrat Umarra advised Hazrat Abu Bakrra against appointing him as a commander and submitted that no services should be sought from him. Hazrat Abu Bakrra said no” – he disagreed with the view of Hazrat Umarra – “and appointed Hazrat Khalidra as the commander of an army to provide reinforcements in Tayma. Tayma is a well-known city located between Medina and Syria. Accordingly, when Hazrat Abu Bakrra instructed Hazrat Khalidra bin Saeed to go to Tayma, he said, ‘Do not move from your position, invite those living in the near vicinity to meet you, accept only those who have not yet become apostates and do not fight until you receive further instructions from me, except in the case that they fight against you.’ Hazrat Khalidra stayed in Tayma and many of the nearby communities joined his forces. When the Byzantines learned of this great Muslim army, they sought reinforcements from the Arabs who were under their control to join them in the battle in Syria. Hazrat Khalidra informed Hazrat Abu Bakrra of the Byzantines’ preparations and the aid they were receiving from the Arab tribes. Hazrat Abu Bakrra replied, ‘Advance against them. Do not worry at all and seek help from Allah.’

“As soon as Hazrat Khalidra received this reply, he advanced towards the enemy. As he approached them, it so happened that the enemy was overcome by such awe that they scattered in all directions and fled. Hazrat Khalidra then occupied the enemy’s territory.

The majority of the people that had come to Hazrat Khalidra accepted Islam. Hazrat Khalidra informed Hazrat Abu Bakrra about this victory. In response, Hazrat Abu Bakrra instructed, ‘Advance, but do not advance so much that the enemy gets an opportunity to attack you from behind.’” (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], pp. 331-332) (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-e-Sirat [Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003], p. 78)

These are the only records found in the books of history regarding the involvement of Hazrat Khalidra bin Saeed in the efforts against the apostates during the time of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. Apart from this, his role in the conquests in Syria during the time of Hazrat Abu Bakrra will be mentioned at a later time.

The eighth expedition against the

rebellious apostates was that under the leadership of Hazrat Turaifah bin Hajiz.

Hazrat Abu Bakrra tied a flag for Hazrat Turaifah bin Hajiz and instructed him to fight against Banu Sulaim and Banu Hawazin. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, 2012], p. 257)

According to one narration, it is recorded that Hazrat Abu Bakrra sent Ma‘n bin Hajiz towards Banu Sulaim and Banu Hawazin.

Nevertheless, in Al-Isti‘ab, Allamah Ibn Abd al-Barr has recorded the name of the father of Hazrat Turaifahra and Ma‘n as “Hajiz” with the letter “za”, while in Usd alGhabah, Allamah Ibn Athir has recorded it as Hajir with the letter “ra”. (Ibn Athir, Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al‘Ilmiyyah, 2006], p. 208) (Ibn Abd al-Barr, Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma‘rifat al-Ashab, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar alKutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2010], p. 326) (Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2016], p. 73)

After being elected as the Khalifa, Hazrat Abu Bakrra appointed Hazrat Turaifahra bin Hajiz as governor over the Arabs of Sulaim that were firm upon Islam. He worked very sincerely and passionately. He delivered such effective speeches that caused many Arabs from the Banu Sulaim to join him.

(Hazrat Abu Bakr ke Sarkari Khutut, p. 33)

In another narration, it is recorded on the authority of Hazrat Abdullah bin Abi Bakrra: “The condition of Banu Sulaim was such that after the demise of the Holy Prophetsa, some of them became apostates and reverted to disbelief. Some among them remained firm in their faith in Islam alongside the leader of their tribe, Ma‘n bin Hajiz, or according to others, his brother Turaifahra bin Hajiz. When Hazrat Khalidra bin Walid departed to fight against Tulaihah, Hazrat Abu Bakrra wrote to Ma‘n saying, ‘Take those from among Banu Sulaim with you who are firm upon Islam and join Hazrat Khalidra.’ Hazrat Ma‘n appointed his brother Turaifahra bin Hajiz as leader in his stead and went himself to join Hazrat Khalidra.”

(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 266)

There is another narration also reported

by Hazrat Abdullah bin Abi Bakrra: “A man from the Banu Sulaim came to Hazrat Abu Bakrra. He was known as Fuja, though his real name was Ayyas bin Abdillah. The name ‘Fuja’ has a connotation of surprise because this person would suddenly ambush travellers and settlements and loot them. For this reason, he was called Fuja. Nonetheless, he came to Hazrat Abu Bakrra and said, ‘I am a Muslim and I desire to wage jihad against those disbelievers who have become apostates. I request you to grant me a mount and your help.’ Hazrat Abu Bakrra provided him with a mount and some weapons.”

The details of this event also appear in another narration, stating that Hazrat Abu Bakrra provided him with two horses, or according to another narration, 30 camels, and enough weapons for 30 men and sent 10 armed Muslims to accompany him.

This individual set forth from there and began stealing the wealth of any Muslim or apostate that crossed paths with him and killed all those who denied him. He treated everyone in this way. He killed and martyred Muslims as well. He was accompanied

by a man from the Banu Sharid known as Najabah bin Abi Maitha. According to one narration, Fuja travelled towards his tribe, and along the way, recruited apostate Arabs.

When his ranks increased, the first thing he did was he killed his Muslim companions and stole their wealth. Thereafter, he began looting and went from one tribe to the next.

There was a party of Muslims en route to Medina, and he also looted and killed them.

First, he looted them, and then he killed and martyred them. When Hazrat Abu Bakrra received news of him, he wrote to Hazrat Turaifahra bin Hajiz, while some say that Hazrat Abu Bakrra actually sent instructions to M‘an. From there, Ma‘n sent his brother, Turaifahra. Nonetheless, Hazrat Abu Bakrra wrote, “Fuja, God’s enemy, came to me and said that he was a Muslim. He requested me to provide him with the means to fight against those who took up apostasy and therefore, I provided him with a mount and weapons. Now, I know for certain that this enemy of Allah approached Muslims and apostates alike, stole their wealth and killed those that opposed him. Thus, take the Muslims with you and kill him or capture him alive and send him to me.”

According to one narration, Hazrat Abu Bakrra also sent Hazrat Abdullahra bin Qais to help Hazrat Turaifahra. Hazrat Turaifahra bin Hajiz set out to combat this individual.

When the two parties came face to face, they fought with arrows alone. One arrow struck Najabah bin Abi Maitha and killed him.

Upon seeing the bravery and steadfastness of the Muslims, Fuja addressed Hazrat Turaifahra and said, “You are not more entitled than I. You are a commander appointed by Hazrat Abu Bakrra himself, and I, too, am a commander appointed by him.” He tried, through his shrewdness, to halt the battle. Hazrat Turaifahra said to him, “If you are truthful, then drop your weapons. Hazrat Abu Bakrra has sent me to capture you. Drop your weapons and come with me to Hazrat Abu Bakrra. There it will be decided whether you have been made commander or not.” Fuja accompanied Hazrat Turaifahra to Medina. When the two of them came to Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Abu Bakrra instructed Hazrat Turaifahra to take [Fuja] to Baqi and burn him. He was given this punishment because this is exactly how he treated the Muslims.

Hazrat Turaifahra took him there, lit a fire and threw him into it. According to one narration, Fuja fled during the battle, Hazrat Turaifahra captured him after pursuing him and sent him to Hazrat Abu Bakrra. When he arrived before Hazrat Abu Bakrra, there was a great fire prepared for him in Medina.

His hands and feet were tied and he was thrown into the fire. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir alTabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 266) (Khurshid Ahmad Fariq, Hazrat Abu Bakrra ke Sarkari Khutut, pp. 33-34) (Imam Abu al-Hasan Ahmad bin Yahya al-Buladhari, Futuh al-Buldan – translated [Karachi, Pakistan: Nafees Academy], p. 152)

The ninth expedition against the rebel apostates was under the command of Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami. Hazrat Abu Bakrra entrusted one of the flags to Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami and instructed him to go to Bahrain. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh

al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, 2012], p. 257)

Bahrain was between Yamamah and the Persian Gulf and it included present-

Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

22 day Qatar and the Island of the Bahranian Kingdom. It was not the smaller Bahrain of today but used to be quite vast. The capital was called Darin. During the time of the Holy Prophetsa, Mundhir bin Sawa was the King there, who entered the fold of Islam. In those days, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were called al-Ahsa. (Atlas Sirat al-Nabisa, p. 68) Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami’s background is that his name was Ala. His father’s name was Abdullah and he belonged to the Yemeni region of Hadhramaut. He had the honour of accepting Islam at its outset. One of Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami’s brothers, Amr bin Hadrami was the first disbeliever to be killed by a Muslim and his wealth was the first in the Islamic era to be distributed as khums. It is recorded with regard to the initial factors leading to the Battle of Badr that one of them was his killing. One of Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami’s brothers, Amir bin Hadrami was killed in the Battle of Badr whilst in the state of disbelief. When the Holy Prophetsa sent letters to various kings inviting them to Islam, Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami was entrusted with the task of carrying the letter addressed to Mundhir bin Sawa, the King of Bahrain. Thereafter, the Holy Prophetsa appointed him as a governor in Bahrain. When Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami conveyed the message of Islam to Mundhir bin Sawa he accepted Islam. When Mundhir received the message of Islam, he replied by saying, “I have pondered over this matter and I realised that whatever I possess is for the world, not for the Hereafter.” In other words, he said that whatever he had was all worldly and he had not prepared at all for the Hereafter. “When I pondered over your religion, I found it beneficial for both this world and the Hereafter. Therefore, there is nothing that can hinder me from accepting this faith. I am convinced of the truthfulness of Islam. This faith contains the desire to live this life and also grants comfort after one’s demise.” He said, “I used to be astonished at those who accepted this [religion] whereas now, I am astonished at those who reject it. When I learned of these beautiful teachings my perspectives changed entirely.”

He continued, “The greatness of the law brought by the Holy Prophetsa demands that he be honoured and revered.” Hazrat Alara remained the governor of Bahrain until the Holy Prophet’ssa demise. He remained in the same post during the era of Hazrat Abu Bakr’sra Khilafat and Hazrat Umarra also kept him in the same post until he passed away during the era of Hazrat Umar’sra Khilafat.

(Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2016], p. 71) (Sheikh Shah Moinuddin Ahmad Nadvi, Siyar al-Sahabah, Vol. 4, pp. 397-398) (Muhammad alSalabi, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiqra – Urdu Translation p. 339)

According to Tabaqat Ibn Saad, once, the people of Bahrain complained to the Holy Prophetsa about Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami upon which the Holy Prophetsa removed him from his post and appointed Hazrat Abanra bin Saeed bin Aas as the governor. (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar alKutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], p.266)

After the demise of the Holy Prophetsa when apostasy and rebellion became rampant there, Hazrat Abanra returned to Medina and relinquished his post. When Hazrat Abu Bakrra desired for him to return to Bahrain he excused himself and stated that after the Holy Prophetsa he would not

serve as a governor for anyone else. Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakrra reinstated and sent Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami as the governor of Bahrain, a capacity in which he remained until his demise.

Hazrat Alara was known as one whose prayers would be answered, regarding which there are various narrations. Hazrat Abu Hurairahra used to say that he had been greatly influenced by his qualities and the acceptance of his prayers. Among many other things, it is mentioned in one narration that once, they departed from Medina towards Bahrain when, along the way, they ran out of water. Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami prayed to Allah upon which he saw a spring flowing from under the sand and they all drank to their fill.

Then, Hazrat Abu Hurairahra states: “I accompanied Alara and his army from Bahrain towards Basra. We were in Liyath when he passed away.” Liyath was the name of a village in the area of Banu Tamim. “We were in an area where there was no water.

Allah the Almighty manifested a small cloud for us which brought forth rain upon us. We washed his body and dug a grave for him with our swords. We did not make the inner cavity of the grave at the time with the thought that we would return to do so; however, we were unable to locate his grave upon returning after some time.” (Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra – Translated, Vol. 4 [Karachi, Pakistan: Nafees Academy], p. 375, 377) (Khair al-Din al-Zarkali, Al-A‘lam, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar alIlm, 2002], p. 245)

There are varying opinions as to his demise; according to some, he passed away in 14 AH while according to others, it was in 21 AH. (Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat

al-Sahabah, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, 2016], p. 71)

It is recorded with regard to Bahrain’s state of affairs that it was under the reign of the kings of Heerah who were subordinate to the kings of Persia. Prior to Islam, Heerah was the royal seat for the kings of Iraq.

The coastal and trade cities of Bahrain had mixed populations; they included Persians, Christians, Jews and Jaats. The Persians controlled the trade in the Arab lands.

There was also a group of traders from India and Iran who had settled between the mouth of the Euphrates River and the coastal area of Aden. These tradesmen also started marrying the local people and their progenies would be called Abna.

(Muhammad Husain Haikal, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra – Urdu Translation, p. 237) (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-e-Sirat [Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003], p. 110)

There were three large tribes and their sub-tribes residing in the environs of these coastal cities. One was Bakr bin Wa‘il, the second was Abd al-Qais and the third was Rabi‘iah. Many of the families belonging to these tribes were Christian. Breeding horses, camels and sheep along with planting date orchards was their specialty.

The people who oversaw all of these things were the local leaders who were trusted by the government of Heerah. One of them was Mundhir bin Sawa who lived in the Hajar district of Bahrain and governed over the tribe of Abd al-Qais which dwelled near Hajar. (Khurshid Ahmad Fariq, Hazrat Abu Bakrra ke

Sarkari Khutut [Delhi: Nadwat al-Musaniffin], p. 48)

There were two delegations from Abd al-Qais which met the Holy Prophetsa; one went to the Holy Prophetsa in 5 AH and

comprised 13 or 14 people while the second delegation from Abd al-Qais went to the Holy Prophetsa again in Aam al-Wufud, or 9 AH and comprised 40 people including Jarudra. Jarud was a Christian who became a Muslim upon going there. (Atlas Sirat Nabawisa, p. 438) According to one narration, this delegation had already accepted Islam before going to the Holy Prophetsa. (Sharh alZurqani ‘ala al-Mawahib al-Laduniyyah, Vol. 5 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1996], p. 141)

The Persians, Christians and Jews of Hajar had reluctantly agreed to pay jizyah.

The remaining dwellings and cities of Bahrain remained non-Muslim; however, from time to time, they would raise rebellion at every opportunity. (Khurshid Ahmad Fariq,

Hazrat Abu Bakrra ke Sarkari Khutut [Delhi: Nadwat al-Musaniffin], p. 48) (Sheikh Shah Moinuddin Ahmad Nadvi, Siyar al-Sahabah, Vol. 4, p. 398)

When Mundhir bin Sawa accepted Islam, the Holy Prophetsa retained him as the ruler of Bahrain as per the customs of the time. After accepting Islam, he began inviting his people to the true religion and sent Jarudra bin Mualla to the Holy Prophetsa in order to learn about the faith. Upon reaching Medina, Jarud learned about the Islamic teachings and commandments and then returned to teach people and propagate the religion and began acquainting them with the teachings of Islam.

A few days after the demise of the Holy Prophetsa, i.e. 11 AH, Mundhir also passed away. Upon this, Arab as well non-Arab tribes announced their rebellion. The Abd al-Qais tribe said, “If Muhammad[sa] was a prophet, he would not have died,” and thus they became apostates. Hazrat Jarudra learnt of this development. Hazrat Jarudra was considered among the nobles of his people. He had travelled to Medina to learn about Islam and migrated towards the Holy Prophetsa and was a good orator. (Ibn Kathir,

Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 9 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Hajar, 2001], pp. 475-476)

Hazrat Jarudra gathered all those who had become apostates and explained to them about the demise of the Holy Prophetsa; he stood up to deliver a speech in which he said, “O Abd al-Qais! I ask you one thing; if you know the answer then tell me, and if you do not know then you do not need to tell me anything.” They replied that he may ask them whatever he wished. Hazrat Jarudra said, “Do you not know that Allah’s prophets appeared in the past?” The people replied, “Yes”, Hazrat Jarudra said, “Do you have knowledge about them or have you ever seen them?” The people said, “We have not seen them; we only know about them.” This was the reply of the people.

Hazrat Jarudra said, “Then what happened to them?” The people said, “They passed away.”

Hazrat Jarudra then said, “In the same way that they all passed away, Muhammadsa has also passed away, and I declare: ُ ُ ُ َ ً َ ُ َ َ ّ ٰ َّ ٰ َ ‫لا ِإل َه ِإلا الل ُه َوأ ّن محَ ّمدا ع ْبده َو َر ُس ْول ُه‬ “‘There is none worthy of worship, except Allah and that Muhammadsa is His Servant and Messenger.’” After listening to his speech and the questions and answers, they all said, “We also testify that aside from Allah, there is nobody worthy of worship, and indeed Muhammadsa is His Servant and Messenger. We consider you to be our esteemed elder and accept you as our leader.” This is how they remained steadfast

upon Islam and were saved from the wave of apostasy. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, 2012], p. 285)

The remaining Arab and non-Arab tribes became resolute on ending the authority of Medina. The Persian government supported them and gave charge of leading the rebellion to a prominent Arab chief. When Abbanra bin Saeed bin Aas – the representative of the Holy Prophetsa in Hajar – saw the dark clouds of rebellion rising up, he left for Medina. (Khurshid Ahmad Fariq, Hazrat Abu Bakrra

ke Sarkari Khutut [Delhi: Nadwat al-Musaniffin], p. 49)

Although some of the people from the Banu Abd al-Qais tribe accepted Islam [again], however, the other tribes of Bahrain, led by Hutam bin Dubai‘ah, remained firm on their rebellious stance. They adopted kingship and appointed Mundhir bin Nu‘man, who was from among the family of Mundhir, as their king.

According to one narration, when they wished to appoint Mundhir bin Nu‘man as their king, a group of nobles and chiefs of the tribe went to see the Persian king.

They requested permission to come in his presence, for which he granted them permission. They went before the king and offered praise that was befitting his status.

The Persian king said, “O ye Arabs! What matter has brought you here?” They replied, “Your highness! The person who the tribes of Quraish and Muzar considered most honourable has passed away” – this was referring to the Holy Prophetsa – “and now, after him, a person who is frail and has poor judgement has stood as his successor.” They gave this opinion about Hazrat Abu Bakrra.

“His governors have returned to their fellow companions in order to seek guidance.

Today, the area of Bahrain has slipped from their grasp; except for a small party of the Abd al-Qais tribe everybody has left Islam.

According to us, they have no standing or repute. We have the upper hand over them in terms of infantry and cavalry. Send someone to capture Bahrain, as there will be nobody to prevent him from taking over.”

The Persian king said, “Who would you like for me to send with you to Bahrain?”

They replied, “Whatever his royal highness deems suitable.” The Persian king replied, “What is your opinion with regards to Mundhir bin Nu‘man bin Mundhir?” They replied, “Your highness, we prefer him and would not like to appoint anyone other than him.” The Persian king then called Mundhir bin Nu‘man, who was just a youth and did not even have a fully grown beard yet. He adorned him with a robe of honour and gave him a crown. He was given 100 men as cavalry and a further 7,000 men as infantry.

He was then ordered to go to Bahrain with the Bakr bin Wail tribe. Along with him were Abu Dubai‘ah Hutam bin Zaid; his name was Shuraih bin Dubai‘ah and he belonged to the Banu Qais bin Tha‘labah tribe; his title was Hutam; after having accepted Islam, he became an apostate; and also with him were Zabyan bin Amr and Musmi‘ bin Malik.

(Waqidi, Kitab al-Riddah [Dar al-Gharb al-Islami, 1990], pp. 147-149)

The first thing they tried to do was to sway Jarudra and the Abd al-Qais tribe from Islam, but they were unsuccessful.

Subsequently, Hutam bin Dubai‘ah tried to subdue them with force. He rallied together all those people who were foreign merchants or had not accepted Islam in the areas of

23

AL HAKAM | Friday 22 July 2022 Qatif and Hajar.

(Muhammad Husain Haikal, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra – Urdu Translation [Lahore, Pakistan: Islami Kutub Khana], pp. 238-239)

The Abd al-Qais tribe gathered around their leader, Hazrat Jarudra bin Mualla, along with their allies and slaves, which totalled 4,000 people. The Bakr bin Wa’il tribe camped near them with their force of 9,000 Iranians and 3,000 Arabs.

Subsequently, the two groups clashed in a fierce battle and the Bakr bin Wail tribe were dealt a blow; many people from this tribe as well as the Iranians were killed. Then a second severe confrontation [between the two camps] took place; this time the Abd al-Qais suffered great losses. Each group would confront the other in this way and this battle lasted many days, in which a lot of people were killed. The people of the Abd al-Qais tribe sought a peace treaty from the Bakr bin Wail [tribe]. The Abd al-Qais knew that at that point, they stood no chance against the might of the Bakr bin Wail. Thus they suffered defeat and they retreated to their fortress called Juwatha, which was situated in Hajar. Juwatha is the name of a settlement in Bahrain, and this was where the first Friday Prayers were offered after the Prophet’s mosque.

In Sahih al-Bukhari there is a narration from Hazrat Ibn Abbasra wherein he states: َّ ْ َ ّ ُ َ ُ ُ َ َّ َ َّ ُ َ ْ ‫ت ب َ ْع َد ُج ُم َع ٍة في َم‬ ‫ول الل ِه فِي‬ ‫ِإن أول جمع ٍة ج ِمع‬ ِ ‫س ِج ْ َِد رس‬ ِ ْ َ َ َ ْ ‫ن‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ال‬ ‫د‬ ‫َم ْس ِج ِد ع ْب‬ ‫س ِبجُ َواثى ِم َن الب ْح َريْ ِ ‏‬ ِ ِ Meaning, “The first Friday prayers to be offered after the Holy Prophet’ssa mosque was in the mosque of the Abd al-Qais in Juwatha in Bahrain.”

The Banu Bakr bin Wa’il advanced along with their Iranian comrades and reaching their fort, they surrounded it and stopped any food provisions reaching them. On this occasion, a man from the Banu Bakr bin Kilab, Abdullah bin Auf Abadi, whose name is also recorded as Abdullah bin Hadhaf, composed some couplets; addressing Hazrat Abu Bakrra and the people of Medina, he expressed his helplessness and vulnerability and also spoke about their courage and patience. ْ َ ْ َ َ​َ ً ‫ٔالا ٔابْلِغ ٔابَابَک ٍر َر ُس ْولا‬ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ ‫ان ال َم ِدیْ َن ِۃ ٔا ْج َم ِع ْی َنا‬ ‫و ِفتی‬ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ​َ َ ‫اب ِمنک ٔا ْم َس ْوا‬ ٍ ‫فھل ل ِْی ِف ْی شب‬ ُ ٰ ً ‫ج َی‬ ‫اعا ِف ْی َج َواثی م ْح َص ِریْ َنا‬ ِ َ َ َّ َ َ ّ‫اؤھ ُ ْم ف ْی ک ُ ّل فَج‬ ‫کان دِم‬ ٍ ِ ِ َّ َ ْ َ ْ َّ ُ َ ُ َ‫الناظریْنا‬ ‫س یغشی‬ ِ ِ ِ ‫شعاع الشم‬ ْ ُ ْ َُ ُ ُ َُ ْ َ ‫اصرھم بنو ذھ ٍل و ِعج ٍل‬ ِ ‫تح‬ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ‫س ظال ِ​ِم ْی َنا‬ ٍ ‫و شیبان و قی‬ ُْ ُ ّ ْ ‫ی َ ُق ْو ُدھ ُم الغ ُر ْو ُر بِ َغی ِر َح ٍق‬ ْ َ َ ْ َ ‫ل ِی ْس َتلِ َب ال َعقائِل َوال َب ِن ْی َنا‬ َّ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ُ ‫فل ّما اش َتد َح ْص ُرھ ُم َو طالت‬ ُ ُّ ُ َ ‫ٔاکفھ ُم بِ َما ِف ْی ِہ ب ُ ِل ْی َنا‬ َّ َّ َ َ َ ْ َّ َ َ ‫توکلنا علی‬ ‫الر ْح ٰم ِن اِنا‬ َ‫َو َج ْدنَا ال ْ َف ْض َل ل ِل ْ ُم َت َوکّل ْینا‬ ِ​ِ ًّ َ َ ّ ٰ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ ْ ُ َ ‫وقلنا قد ر ِضینا اللہ ربا‬ َ ْ ْ َ َْ ‫ام دِیْ ًنا قد َر ِض ْی َنا‬ ِ ‫و بِال ِاسل‬ ُ ٌ ‫َوقُل ْ َنا َوالْٔا ُم ْو ُر ل َ َھا قَ َر‬ ‫ار‬ َ ُ ْ َْ ‫َو قد َس ِف َھت ُحل ْو ُم ب َ ِن ْی ٔابِ ْی َنا‬ ٰ َ ْ ْ َ َ ُ ُ َُ ‫ام َح ّتی‬ ِ ‫نقاتِلک ْم علی ال ِاسل‬ َّ َ ُ َ ْ َ ُ ُ َ ‫اھ ِب ْی َنا‬ ِ ‫تک ْون ْوا ٔاو نک ْون الذ‬

ُ ْ َ َّ َ ّ ُ ‫ام‬ ٍ ‫بِک ِل ُمھن ٍد عض ٍب ح َس‬ َّ ُّ َ َ ْ ْ ُّ ُ َ ‫الز ْر َد الد ِف ْی َنا‬ ‫یقد ال ِبیض و‬ This is a lengthy poem, but I will read out its translation which is as follows: “O listener! Convey my message to Abu Bakr and the men of Medina: Will I receive any help from you for those young men in Juwatha who entered the night whilst in a state of hunger and besiegement? Their blood has been spilt on every path as if they are rays of sunlight which are causing every eye that looks upon it to be blinded.

The tribes of Banu Zuhl, Ijl, Shaiban and Qais have besieged all of them through their oppression. They are being led by Ghuroor.”

Ghuroor’s actual name was Mundhir bin Nu‘man bin Mundhir. “He intends to unlawfully seize our wives and children.

When the siege they laid had intensified and prolonged, they gained complete control over us and we were placed in a trial as a result. We put our trust in the Gracious God for we have witnessed His grace being bestowed upon those who place their trust in Him. Thus, we are content with the fact that Allah is our Lord and that Islam is our religion. The conditions will return to normality eventually but the progeny of our forefathers have lost their senses, hence we shall remain firm upon Islam and fight against them until one of us is killed. We shall fight with the sharp Al-Hindi swords, which cut through the helmet and armour.”

This was the message composed in the form of a poem which Abdi sent. After reading this poem, Hazrat Abu Bakrra became extremely emotional upon learning of the condition of Abd Al-Qais. Hazrat Abu Bakrra called for Hazat Alara bin Hadrami and appointed him as the commander of the army and sent him along with 2,000 men from among the Muhajirin and Ansar towards Bahrain in order to help the Abd Al-Qais. Hazrat Abu Bakrra also instructed them, “Whichever tribe among the Arabs you pass, encourage them to fight against the Banu Bakr bin Wail. This is because they have come with Mundhir bin Nu‘man bin Mundhir, who has been appointed by the king of Persia. The king has placed a crown on his head and he intends to extinguish the light of Allah and they have killed the pious servants of Allah. Thus, you ought to depart whilst reciting: َ ّ ٰ َّ َ َ ُ َ َ ‫لا َح ْول َولا ق ّـوة ِإلا بِالله‬ That is, “None has the power to refrain from evil nor perform a good deed, except through the help of Allah.” (Waqidi, Kitab alRiddah [Dar al-Gharb al-Islami, 1990], pp. 152-154) (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jumu‘ah, Bab al- Jumu‘ah fi al-Qura wa al-Mudun, Hadith 892) (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 286)

Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami set off and when he passed near Yamamah, Hazrat Thumamah bin Uthal met him with a party of the Banu Hanifah and his men joined with him and Qais bin Asim also joined the army of Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami along with his tribe, Banu Tamim. Before this, Qais bin Asim was among those who refused to pay the Zakat and stopped sending the Zakat to Medina, which had been collected by his tribe and instead returned the money to its people. However, when Hazrat Khalidra bin Walid defeated the Banu Hanifah in Yamamah, Qais bin Asim realised that it was better to reconcile and join the Muslims.

And so, he collected the Zakat from his tribe, Banu Tamim and joined the army of Hazrat Alara bin Hadrami. (Muhammad Husain Haikal, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra – Urdu Translation [Lahore, Pakistan: Islami Kutub Khana], p. 239)

Hazrat Alara was taking his army to Bahrain from Dahna. Dahna is situated in the area belonging to the Banu Tamim and lies between Basrah and Mecca. The narrator states that when they reached there, they received an instruction to camp there.

However, the camels became uncontrollable in the night and ran away, leaving them with no camels, provisions or tents. Everything that had been loaded upon the camels was lost in the desert. This incident occurred when everyone had dismounted from their camels and had not yet taken off their provisions that had been placed upon them.

At that time, they were overcome by grief and sorrow. Everyone had lost all hope of life and were expressing their final testimonies to one another. In that instance, a caller appointed by Hazrat Alara came and instructed everyone to gather in one place. They all gathered around him and Hazrat Alara stated, “What is this state of apprehension and desperation that I am observing? Why are you all so worried?”

Upon this, people replied, “These are such a state of affairs that we cannot be blamed for [having such a reaction]. Our camels have fled and our condition at present is such that if we enter into the next day like this, we will all be completely destroyed even before the sun has fully risen.” Hazrat Alara stated, “O people, do not fear! Are you not Muslims?

Have you not come to do jihad in the way of Allah? Are you not the helpers of Allah?”

Everyone responded, “Indeed that is correct.”

Hazrat Alara stated, “Glad tidings are given to you for Allah will never abandon such people who are in a condition like yours.”

The Fajr azan was called at the break of dawn and Hazrat Alara led the prayers. Some people performed tayammum and offered their prayer as there was no water available, whilst others still had their ablution intact from before. When the prayer concluded, Hazrat Alara sat upon both knees and began to supplicate. Everyone else followed suit.

Hazrat Alara raised his hands and began to fervently pray and everyone else did the same. They continued to pray until the Sun had risen. When a little bit of the sunlight appeared from the east, Hazrat Alara turned towards the rows of people and stated, “Is there anyone who can find out what this light is?” Someone went to find out and upon returning said, “This light is a mirage.”

It was not actual water but a mirage from where the light was shining. Hazrat Alara occupied himself in prayer once again and again saw that light emerge. Upon investigating it again, they were informed that it was a mirage. Then, for a third time, the light appeared and this time the person who brought the news about it stated that it was water. Hazrat Alara stood up and everyone else also stood up. They came to the water and everyone drank from it and washed themselves. A spring had emerged from there. The sun had not fully risen yet when the camels belonging to those people could be seen running towards them from every direction. They came and sat next to them. Everyone took hold of their mount and nothing was lost from their possessions.

This was a miracle wrought through prayer in that Allah the Almighty produced a

source for water there and their camels also returned to them. The people also gave the water to their camels and they all drank from it to their fill and also their animals, and they also took some water along with them as well and rested comfortably.

Minjab bin Rashid states: “At the time, Hazrat Abu Hurairahra was with me. When he had gone quite some distance ahead from where we were, he asked me whether I knew the area where the water was. I stated that I knew every inch of the area more than any other Arab. Hazrat Abu Hurairahra then asked me to take him where the water was.

“Subsequently, I turned my camel and brought him to the exact location where the water was. However, when we got there, there was no waterhole and not even any trace of water.

“I said to Hazrat Abu Hurairahra, ‘By God, even though I cannot see any water here but even then I will say that this is precisely the place where we collected water from. And I had never seen such clean and sweet water here before this day.’ Even at that time our vessels were filled with water.

“Upon this, Hazrat Abu Hurairahra stated, ‘O Abu Sahm! By God, this indeed is that very location and that is why I have come here and brought you with me. I filled my vessels with water and had left them at the edge of the waterhole, so as to find out whether this was a miracle of Allah or simply as a result of water produced by rainfall.

Upon seeing this, indeed it is a miracle of Allah which He manifested in order to save us.’ Hazrat Abu Hurairahra then praised Allah and returned from there and camped at Hajar. (Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub alIlmiyyah, 2012], pp. 286-288) (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-e-Sirat [Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003], p. 123)

Hazrat Alara had written a letter to Hazrat Abu Bakrra, which stated: “Allah the Almighty caused a water spring to emerge for us in the valley of Dahna, even though there was no sign of water there. He manifested a miracle for us after we had experienced great hardship and worry. This is a lesson for us all in that we ought to praise Him. Thus, I request you to pray to Allah for us and seek help for those who serve the faith.”

This was the report that was sent by Hazrat Alara to Hazrat Abu Bakrra upon the incident of finding water there. Hazrat Abu Bakrra praised Allah the Almighty, prayed to Him and then stated, “The Arabs would often say regarding the valley of Dahna that when Hazrat Luqmanas was once asked by the people as to whether they should dig in this land for water, he told them not to dig and said to them that water will never emerge from there. Therefore, for a spring to emerge from there is a huge sign of Allah’s power which we had never heard about from any nation of the past.” (Muhammad Ibn Jarir alTabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 2 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2012], p. 290)

Thus, the Companions who would go on expeditions in the way of Allah the Almighty would also experience such miracles. In any case, the remaining account shall, inshaAllah, be mentioned in the future.

(Official Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International, 15 July 2022, pp. 5-10. Translated by The Review of Religions.)

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Friday 22 July 2022 | AL HAKAM

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