Al Hakam - 28 October 2022

From Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s first flight in Qadian to the ‘Khilafat Flight’ in the USA

Will ‘science’ rescue the drowning ship of humanity?

Are Islam and the Quran anti-Semitic? – Response to Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern

For years, we have heard atheists – from Sam Harris to the zealous Richard Dawkins – proudly claim science would have the answers to world problems.

Well, here we are in 2022 with a crippling economic crisis creating unprecedented poverty, endless conflicts across continents, climate tipping points and the rise of rightwing political influence – not to mention the very real chance of nuclear oblivion. The Doomsday Clock strikes 100 seconds to midnight in our faces: “Leaders around the world must immediately commit themselves to […] reducing existential risk”, reads the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists website.

What will “science” exactly do or even say to convince world leaders to hold back and head towards peace? Even though this is the “rational” and logical step to take, as Steven Pinker, Harvard Professor of psychology, would say, how will “science” exactly solve the issue?

It’s also interesting that the atheists who

blew the trumpet of the “saviour of science” are now eerily quiet. They have no answers.

The wonder, and limits, of science

This piece is not an attack on science itself – why would it be? After all, Western innovation, discovery and science were off the back of great Muslim scientists and Islamic civilisation.

Science has progressed technology exponentially. Inventions of the enlightenment era were remarkable; science became the “saviour” and provided solutions to long-running problems. Transport was an issue? Science cut travel times with the creation of automotive and aviation vehicles. The spread of knowledge was too slow? The printing press began stacking books, newspapers and magazines in their millions. Even nuclear research was carried out to create lasting, cost-effective and most importantly, clean energy.

But it’s not all roses. Transport modes increased pollution, books promoting hate and violence were published and circulated, and nuclear energy, despite being highly beneficial, turned into a major threat to the survival of humanity and its global habitat.

While science brought about extraordinary advancement to our world, its misuse has also resulted in unconceivable evil; the current affairs of the world prove this point. But it is important to distinguish between science itself and its misusers.

John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, put this so succinctly in a debate with Cristopher Hitchens: “If I fail to distinguish between the genius of Einstein and the abuse of his science to create weapons of mass destruction, I might be tempted to say science is not great and technology poisons everything.”

Understanding the religion

Hazrat

The nature of exemplary trust in God

One day in a gathering of the Promised Messiahas, the discussion turned to trust in God. The Promised Messiahas said:

“I find that the state of my heart is a strange one. When it is extremely humid and the heat becomes immensely intense, people begin to hope with a sense of certainty that rain will soon follow. Similarly, when I find my casket to be empty, I feel a firm sense of certainty in the grace of God that now it will be replenished, and this is exactly what happens.”

Then, the Promised Messiahas swore by God Almighty and said:

“When my pouch is empty, the sort of joy and pleasure that I experience in trusting God Almighty at such a time is beyond my ability to explain. My state at such a time is extremely comforting and satisfying,

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

The world needs peace now more than ever, but unfortunately, nuclear technology does not seem to have come with a user manual.

Answers to the ‘how’ questions but not the ‘why’

It is commonly known that science has the answers to the “how” questions but not the “why” ones; why questions being the deeper existential ones: Why are we here? Where did we come from? Where are we headed?

For over 85% of the world’s population, it’s not science, but religion, which provides the answers to these profound questions. Science can tell us how much the moon weighs, but not the significance of its existence. New Atheists, however, would still want to differ. Richard Dawkins claims in The God Delusion, “if science cannot answer some ultimate question, what makes anybody think that religion can?” (The God Delusion, Black Swan Books, 2007, p. 80)

So, let us turn to science in our quest for world peace. Does it offer any solution? It can be argued that it was science that landed us in this mess in the first place, but that is an absurd claim to make. On the other hand, let’s see if religion provides any guidance. A critical mind would accept any viable solution, setting aside any prejudice or hate for where it came from. The truth should be accepted as truth.

Where true religious teachings can help

The very first set of laws in human history came through religion. It was the institution of Prophethood that brought about the first dos and don’ts – the foundations of mighty legislative bodies dressed in colourful garments today.

Disputes and conflicts could never have come to an end without the intervention of an external agency – this happened to be the Godsend institution of Prophethood. With the realisation that God is, and that we would be held accountable for our deeds in the hereafter, a subjective moral compass turns into an objective one, with which people can change and navigate towards the better.

Without the fear of being held accountable for actions by a Higher Being, no amount of convincing – or science – can bring humanity to its senses.

Islam gives teachings like upholding absolute justice and leaving undue vested interests, but these teachings only are effective when one believes in God, who is All-Powerful. What is the standard of justice required by Islam? We are told to be just and honest all the time, even if we have to testify against ourselves or our loved ones. The enmity of another nation must never incite us towards evil or injustice. God teaches us to forgive, be it individuals or whole nations, in order to establish greater peace.

Vested interests must be set aside.

Ashra Tahrik-e-Jadid in Sri Lanka

A Abdul Aziz Sri Lanka Correspondent

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sri Lanka celebrated  Ashra Tahrik-e-Jadid from 7 to 16 October 2022 in Colombo, Negombo, Pasyala, and Polonnaruwa.

Posters of quotations from the writings of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra about the importance of the Tahrik-e-Jadid scheme were prepared and sent via social media to Jamaat members.

On 9 and 16 October,  Tahajjud prayers were held in all local jamaats

The importance of Tahrik-e-Jadid was the main topic in durus held after Fajr prayer in the different jamaats

On 16 October, events were held in Negombo and Pasyala. In Negombo, the local president, IA Asalm Sahib delivered a speech on the importance of financial sacrifices. This was followed by speeches by two missionaries. In Pasyala also, the local president and two missionaries delivered speeches on Tahrik-e-Jadid. A documentary about Tahrik-e-Jadid was shown at both events.

Peace dialogue and prayer ceremony at Church of Divine Mercy, Penang, Malaysia

Abdul Aziz Bin Mohammad Ibrahim Vice President, Jamaat Penang, Malaysia

A peace dialogue and a prayer ceremony were held at the Church of Divine Mercy, in Penang, Malaysia, where Jamaat-eAhmadiyya was also invited to present the Islamic principles for establishing lasting peace in the world.

My humble self had the opportunity to present the beautiful teachings of the

Holy Prophet Muhammadsa in regard to establishing peace.

Following this, the book World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa was gifted to the leaders of various religions and to the audience.

This peace dialogue was attended by 150 guests, which concluded with a prayer ceremony where everyone prayed for peace in the world.

Values of selflessness, compassion, love and tolerance must be inculcated. This is what religion teaches. Without this, there can never be true peace.

Presenting such teachings to the world

The Ahmadiyya Leadership has always promoted world peace. Presently, it is very active in presenting and proposing these core teachings of Islam to the world. The message: no justice, no peace. Crisis and calamity can only be averted through this. Whilst addressing the Houses of Parliament in 2013, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V warned that “there is a real risk of a nuclear war breaking out. To prevent such a horrific outcome, we should adopt justice, integrity and honesty”.

Islam teaches us to simply disseminate the message in the best manner, not to force religion down anyone’s throat. Letters have been written to major world leaders, including UK, US, France, China and Russia. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa explained to Pope Benedict XVI that “there is an urgent need for mankind to recognise its Creator, this is the only guarantor for the survival of humanity.”

Accept the truth, from wherever it may come

Realistically, we must take a step back and think. Are these not viable solutions for world peace? To establish true justice; to

in comparison to when my pouch is full.”

The Promised Messiahas went on to say:

“In the days when my father and brother were overwhelmed by a multitude of woes and sorrows on account of lawsuits surrounding various worldly matters, they would often look at my state of affairs with envy and say: ‘He is a very fortunate man. No grief comes anywhere near him.’”

dissolve any vested interests; to forgive others, be they individuals or nations. Would these teachings not make the world a better place? If the answer is yes, then religion does have the answers and solutions we so desperately need.

Now that the world is in real danger, we need a way out, and fast. Only religion provides this. If we don’t take heed, the recent words of Joe Biden may become a reality –you and I may witness an “Armageddon” very soon.

(By Romaan Basit, Graduate, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK)

50th Annual Ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Bangladesh

Muhammad Golam Rabbi Mohtamim Talim, MKA Bangladesh

Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Bangladesh held its 50th annual Ijtema at Ahmadnagar, Panchagrah in Bangladesh from 7-9 October 2022. This historic event had participants from 100 majalis out of 108 and the total attendance was 1720, including 953 khuddam, 641 atfal and 126 guests.

The programme started with congregational Tahajjud prayer on 7 October. Later, the flag-hoisting ceremony was held. After the Jumuah prayer, the formal inauguration of the Ijtema was held in the main Ijtema Gah, where the special message from Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa was read out.

Various academic and sports competitions were held. We had invited the

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society to arrange blood donations and a free blood grouping programme. In total, 31 members donated blood.

A special magazine was published as a souvenir of the Ijtema

During the Ijtema, various sessions took place, such as a tarbiyati session, career guidelines and an Atfal conference. During the tarbiyati session, Amir Sahib Jamaate-Ahmadiyya Bangladesh also delivered a speech.

On the second day, we had a special session with some local guests from print and electronic media. The Ijtema news was covered by both online and print media.

The Ijtema concluded with a prizegiving ceremony, followed by a silent prayer led by Amir Sahib Jamaat Bangladesh.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Malfuzat, Vol. 2, p. 43)

Three weeks of heaven on earth in the USA

Being in the presence of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa from 26 September through to 17 October 2022, was heaven on earth here in the USA. Words fail to describe the spiritual elation. With the help of Allah Almighty, we,

in the USA, plan to capitalise on this and achieve higher levels of spiritual sobriety and stability. We commit to doing good deeds and worshipping and remembering Allah much. Being attached to Khilafat fosters this. For such people, there are two heavens. One here and one in the hereafter. As Allah says in the Holy Quran: نتنج ہبر ماقم فاخ نمِلو

Opinion

“But for him who fears to stand before his Lord there are two Gardens.” (Surah arRahman, Ch.55: V.47)

The ultimate al-Jannah (heaven) on earth was the coming of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. The advent of the Holy Prophetsa is described metaphorically as the appearance of God Almighty. He was al-Abd The Holy Quran calls him  Abdullah (Surah

al-Jinn, Ch.72: V.20) — The Servant of Allah; the exemplar par excellence.

In the Latter Days, God in His Mercy sent us the most ardent devotee of and servant of that Servantsa of Allah — Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiahas. It was revealed to the Promised Messiahas: ۃنجلا کعم تلزنا ینإ ‘I have sent down paradise with you.’ (Tadhkirah [English], p. 962)

Although the presence of prophets of God amongst mankind is Paradise on earth, the revelation to the Promised Messiahas would indicate that God would, through the Promised Messiahas institute a dynamic system that would lead to God and Paradise for the coming generations.

Today, Khilafat is heaven on earth. Being attached to Khilafat and being obedient to it keeps us in a heavenly state.

The difference between heaven on earth and heaven in the hereafter is that we can be expelled from this heaven because of our disobedience. This does not happen in the hereafter (Surah Hud, Ch.11: V.109) where we are inoculated against mishaps and our only efforts are to say, ‘Our Lord, perfect our light for us and forgive us; surely Thou hast power over all things. (Surah at-Tahrim, Ch.66: V.9)

So, as we transition from this world to the next, the focus should be on  taqwa (righteousness) and striving to achieve the state where Allah says:

“And thou, O soul at peace! Return to thy Lord well pleased with Him and He well pleased with thee.; So, enter thou among My chosen servants; And enter thou, My Garden.” (Surah al-Fajr, Ch.89: V.28-30)

Politics aside, Rishi Sunak

becoming first British Asian PM is historic Opinion

Ataul Fatir Tahir London

‘The Brits have done something very rare in the world, to place a member of a visible minority in the most powerful office.’

These words were tweeted by Shashi Tharoor – an Indian politician and ardent critic of British colonial rule, especially in India, as Rishi Sunak is elected as Prime Minister of Britain and the Leader of the Conservative Party.

Leaving aside our politics, electing a British Asian, who is also a devout Hindu, to the office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, especially in the current climate of the world, shows the open-mindedness and acceptance the British can offer. It’s a rare feat for any country, let alone a Western one.

Where right-wing political parties are gaining astonishing ground in Europe – and at times even becoming leaders, as is the case in Italy – Britain’s openness, diversity and acceptance have overcome racism and

race-based politics.

There are few countries in the world where this could happen. Though racism still exists in Britain and there are questions about a class-based ruling elite, one thing is for sure; the Brits are certainly more accepting than others in this divisive world we live in.

Who could have imagined in the early 20th century, when Britain ruled India, that its own Prime Minister would one day be a man of Indian descent?

Whatever the other questions

surrounding how democratic his role in office was, or his wealth and privileged background, the fact that a minority ethnic Asian can attain the highest office in the land is a testament to the greatness of British values. These are the true British values that make Britain great.

Even during the colonial era, Britain had a policy of non-interference: to allow religions and cultures to practise and even preach under British rule. This was a stark difference between the ruling styles of other European countries like Portugal and France which largely forced their subjects to abandon their religious and cultural identities. Peter Oborne (a strong critic of the Conservative party) provided this in his recent book  The Fate of Abraham: Why The West is Wrong about Islam where he shows Britain being exceptionally more open to Islam compared to other Western countries in the West.

Over 100 years ago, while the British ruled India, they accepted their subjects to openly practice their religions. The

British rule was off the back of a chaotic rule in India where religious persecution and conflicts were rife. No matter your opinion on colonialism – one must admit to the openness the British have offered historically.

It was for this reason that  Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, hugely praised the British in India. Only those who have experienced persecution and oppression can truly appreciate freedom and justice.

Today, where division continues to take root throughout the world, we can at least celebrate a country where a member of an ethnic minority can take the most powerful position the country can offer.

Unfortunately, few countries can make such a statement.

Let’s hope Rishi Sunak does all Britons truly proud and works to establish absolute justice while steering the country out of chaos.

Rishi Sunak | Wiki Commons

Dr Nasim Rehmatullah Naib Amir USA and in-charge alislam.org

This Week in History

Masih Vaa said that the festival of Halloween – celebrated in European or Christian countries – was based on polytheistic beliefs and had many harmful aspects. Huzooraa advised members of the Jamaat to avoid it.

29 October 2013: During the tour of New Zealand, a Maori king held a reception in honour of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa.

Huzooraa was welcomed by King Tuheitia at the Turangawaewae Marae in New Zealand and given a traditional welcome by the Maori community.

During the formal session, a number of Maori elders welcomed Huzooraa with short speeches. The elders recognised him as “an inspirational and strong leader who advocates for peace.”

The highlight of the event was when Huzooraa presented King Tuheitia with a copy of the Holy Quran with the Maori translation.

October

The event, titled “Justice in an Unjust World”, was organised by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada in collaboration with York University.

During his address, Huzooraa spoke of the increase in conflicts the world experiemced and the heightened risk of another world war.

28 October 2016: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa granted valuable guidance to the members of Waqf-e-Nau and their parents, and explained how they could become the true servants of the Jamaat.

On the same day, Huzooraa also visited the scenic city of Rotorua in New Zealand. Huzooraa visited the famous geothermal geysers and mud pools where heat from within the earth flows from its sources to the surface.

30-31 October

30 October 2009: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that it was time now for the entire Muslim ummah and especially for those Muslim countries that were growing in persecution, to reflect and ponder. He said, Pakistanis in particular needed to repent and seek God’s forgiveness, because once Allah Almighty had decided the fate of a nation, nobody could hinder His plans. Hence, it was necessary that before God’s ultimate decision was pronounced, they reformed themselves.

31 October 2008: During his Friday Sermon on this day, in light of Allah’s

28 October 2013: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, following a successful four-

week tour of Australia.

28 October 2016: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered an historic lecture at York University in Toronto, Canada in front of an audience of more than

180 guests, including academics, politicians, media and thought leaders.

29 October 29 October 2010: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivering his keynote address at a special reception held in his honour at York University

Baitul Muqeet Mosque Auckland, New Zealand

History

attribute of ar-Razzaq, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa shed light on the economic crisis faced by the world and narrated its background as well.

1-3 November

1 November 2013: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated the Baitul Muqeet Mosque in Auckland, New Zealand, with his Friday Sermon. The inauguration took place on the first day of the 25th Jalsa Salana of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya New Zealand.

2 November 2012: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned Fazl-urRahman Khan Sahib, Amir of District Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Huzooraa also mentioned Mohsin Mahmud Sahib of America, who had passed away on 19 October at the age of 84. He accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat in 1958 and had to face severe opposition as well. He had the opportunity to serve as the local president of the New York Jamaat.

2 November 2013: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered the keynote address at a special reception held to mark the inauguration of the Baitul Muqeet Mosque in Auckland, New Zealand. The event was attended by more than 50 non-Muslim dignitaries and guests, including Judith Collins, Minister of Justice, and David Rutherford, New Zealand’s Chief Human Rights Commissioner.

During his keynote address, Huzooraa spoke about the true purposes of building mosques, modern forms of slavery and Islam’s commitment to freedom of religion and expressed his concerns that the world was heading towards a devastating global war.

3 November 2017: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa instructed the Ahmadis of Jamaat UK particularly, and Ahmadis around the globe in general, to partake in the financial sacrifice for rebuilding the firedamaged part of the Baitul Futuh Mosque Complex. Huzooraa also gave some details of the proposed plan for rebuilding.

Mercy for Mankind – Run for Brampton

Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent

Every year, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Canada holds charity runs across the country. Participants run in these events for a distance of one, three, or five kilometres. Since the inception of these charity runs, MKA Canada has raised over $1,300,000 for local charities.

On 9 October 2022, MKA Brampton East Region and Brampton West Region held their 4th Annual Charity Run in the city of Brampton Ontario. It was organised under the banner of “Mercy for MankindRun for Brampton”.

Registration for the event started at 9 am. The local Amir of Brampton East Imarat, Zahid Masud Sahib, and the local Amir of Brampton West Imarat, Abdul Jabbar Zafar Sahib were joined by several dignitaries to inaugurate the run. These included a member of the federal parliament, Honourable Sonia Sidhu, Mayor of Brampton, His Worship Patrick Brown and Brampton City Councillor Rowena Santos.

The event formally started at 10:30 am with a recitation from the Holy Quran and its translation. The representatives from Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada and MKA Canada delivered introductory remarks. The dignitaries spoke briefly and appreciated

the work carried out by the community, especially in spreading the message “Love for all hatred for none”.

The run was organised in the largest park in the City of Brampton, Gordon Chinguacousy Park. With an area of over 100 acres, it has the widest variety of uses for its space.

In the morning, people were provided with hot coffee and tea. After the run, all participants were served light refreshments and lunch boxes.

Over $65,000 was raised through the event. This amount will be distributed between three local charities; a food bank, a local women’s shelter, and a care home.

The event was appreciated by many. Some comments on social media were as follows:

Member of the federal parliament, Honourable Sonia Sidhu, said:

“I am proud to support them every step of the way. Way to go! Thank you for organising!”

The Mayor of Brampton, His Worship Patrick Brown said:

“The generosity, love for all and charitable focus of the Ahmadiyya community in Brampton is beautiful.”

The total participation was over 300 people.

Left: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivers the keynote address at the reception held in his honour, Auckland, New Zealand

Right: King of the Maori Tribe in New Zealand receives the Maori translation of the Holy Quran from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa

From the first flight in Qadian to the ‘Khilafat Flight’ during the USA Tour 2022

Awwab Saad Hayat Al Hakam

The year 1933 for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat began with a historical incident. It was the first time Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, his brothers and members of Qadian experienced flight on an aeroplane. This was the first time in history that a plane took off from the blessed soil of Qadian.

With the commencement of the blessed month of Ramadan, the first fast of the year 1932 was observed in Qadian on 30 December. It is recorded in the Jamaat’s history that a famous aviator from India, Mr Chawla, came from Lahore on his aeroplane on 30 December 1932, around 4 pm and landed in the open field near Qadian railway station. Mr Chawla reached Qadian from Lahore in 35 minutes. This journey, if taken by foot, would take roughly a full day if one walked without a break.

Mr Chawla requested Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra to see his plane. Huzoorra expressed his intention that he’d see the plane on 31 December; however, due to his busy schedule, Huzoorra could not make it on that day.

On 1 January 1933, around 11 am, Huzoorra arrived to see the aircraft. Since it was the first time that a plane arrived in Qadian, a large number of people gathered from Qadian and its suburbs, including women, men and children.

When Huzoorra arrived, Mr Chawla

took the plane for a test flight. After this, some had the chance to experience flight for the first time. For the first flight, Huzoorra called Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra MA and Hazrat Sayedah Nasira Begum Sahiba, who was the daughter of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra and the mother of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. They boarded the plane and after flying 35 miles around Qadian for a total of 13 minutes at a height of 3,000 feet, they landed.

On the second flight, Huzoorra nominated Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmadra and Sahibzadi Amatul Qayoom Sahiba, daughter of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra. Then, Huzoorra boarded along with Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmadra. As the plane took flight, slogans of  Allahu Akbar were raised. The plane flew at a height of 4000 feet for half an hour and circled to the river Beas. After covering a distance of fifty miles, the plane landed amid chants of Allahu Akbar

This interesting incident of 1933 shows how Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa grandfather, Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra, had the opportunity to board the first flight in the history of Qadian twice, and the mother of our beloved Imam, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, was nominated to fly on the first flight. It also sheds light on Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra approach to introducing Ahmadi men, women and even children to the modern inventions of the age.

The then  Al Fazl correspondent, while

reporting this important historical event, wrote that Mr Chawla Sahib was an expert in his art and a smart young man. It was through him, as stated above, the first time an aircraft came to Qadian and took flight from this abode of peace, denoting a memorable and historic day in the history of the Jamaat.

It would not be out of place to mention here that many members of the Jamaat were worried about the short plane flight and some sincere members even voiced their concern before Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra suggesting he should not board the plane and expressed that the life of the Khalifa was so precious it could not be estimated.

As it was the first time, they felt a high probability of danger and requested Huzoorra to not board. Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra listened to their sincere desire with a smile and consoled them.

During Huzoor’sra turn, when some time had passed, and the plane was out of sight, a wave of panic and anxiety tided. Finally, as soon as the plane came into sight from a far distance, people started raising slogans with great joy. (Al Fazl, 3 January 1933, pp. 1-2)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra interest and passion for air travel can also be estimated from the incident of 1924 which has been recorded by Hazrat Chaudhry Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khanra in his book. He writes:

“A few days before the return journey of the Imam was to commence, I left for

Amsterdam. KLM’s London-Amsterdam air service had started only a short while earlier. It was my first experience of air travel. The plane was small - to carry just five passengers. Chairs were of cane, arranged two in the front and three in the back row. No more than a wooden plank separated the passengers from the pilot. There was only one exit and entry door for everybody to use. The plane flew low. The atmosphere being clear, every object on the ground could be distinctly seen. The plane stopped at Rotterdam for a few minutes before landing in Amsterdam. After a few days, Chaudhry Mohammad Sharif joined me there. Together, we travelled to Brussels. From there, after a two-day halt, we joined the Imam’s entourage in Paris. In Paris, he stayed at Grand Hotel near Louvre. Though not as busy as he was in London, most of his time was spent meeting with people. Only a day could be spared to visit the palace of Versailles. […] During the Paris stay, Imam observed that since I already had experience of air travel, a way should be found for him to have the same experience. I submitted that his companions would not approve of his trying this new mode of travel, which still carried an element of hazard. He said they should not be told beforehand. I submitted that once they came to know of it, I would be blamed for the advice and they would entertain no excuse I might put forth. I was conscious of the Imam’s wish for an occasion to arise for his travel by air but, I guess, the Imam did not insist.” (Tehdise Nemat or Recollection of Divine Favours [English], p. 213-214)

Further details and interesting aspects of the aforementioned first air travel in 1933 are also found in the writing of an eyewitness who passed away on 13 July 2017 at the age of 92. Syed Muhammad Ahmad Sahib, son of Hazrat Dr Mir Muhammad Ismailra, writes in his memoirs:

“Some 15 years before Partition, towards the end of 1932, a small three-seater plane called a Puss Moth came to Qadian. The plane landed on a large field to the west of the railway station. The owner and pilot of the aircraft was Mr R N Chawla who in 1930 was the first Indian to fly a de Havilland Puss Moth from India to England. He had brought his plane to Qadian with the intention of taking it to London and then flying from there to Karachi to create a record for the shortest-ever air journey between the two cities. At the time, the airport in Karachi was considered the centre of civil aviation in India.

“According to his proposed itinerary, he had to call in at 15 locations on the way to Karachi as his plane was unable to fly more than 300 miles at a time. In addition, planes in those days did not have the electronic

instruments required to navigate at night and there was also the matter of his sleep and rest. Therefore, Mr Chawla had estimated he would need at least 15 days for this journey. Since he did not have the requisite funds to undertake it, estimated to be Rs 10,000, he had sent out requests for donations to the maharajas, rajas and nawabs of various Indian states. Each donor was asked to give Rs 500 to enable this expedition and enhance India’s prestige in the world.

“A copy of this request was also sent to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra and Huzoor was the first person to respond to it. Huzoor wrote back to him saying that if he came to Qadian in his plane and took a few members of the community for a ride in it, he would donate Rs 500 to him. And so it was that Mr Chawla brought his plane and a mechanic with him to Qadian. The plane landed in the town at 7 pm on 30 December 1932.

“Back then, Qadian had a population of between 3000-4000 people. The entire town came out to see this aeroplane for the duration of its stay. There were oval semicircles marked on each side of the landing ground and during the day, they would fill up with spectators. The visit of this plane took place a year before the infamous convention of the Ahrar which saw them enter Qadian and promise to destroy it brick

a while it disappeared from view, causing a wave of anxiety to spread through the crowd. There were people who thought that this might have been a secret plot to abduct Huzoor. Others started to cry, while some began to pray. Their prayers were ongoing when the plane came into sight from the east, flying at a considerable height. There was a sudden sense of relief and various people fell into prostration in gratitude to God. After landing, Huzoor explained that he had asked Mr Chawla to fly to the Beas River so that he could see the area between Qadian and the river from the air.

to the United States in 2008, was named the “Khilafat Flight”. This historic journey was made on 24 June 2008 on Continental Airlines – Mun‘am Naeem Sahib, Chairman of Humanity First America, was its Vice President. 27 members were fortunate to travel on this plane. Each member was given a boarding card.

visit to America in 2018, Huzooraa was given a similar respect. And now, very recently, in the reporting of Huzoor’saa visit to America in 2022, it is recorded:

by brick. The convention was held close to the Arya school which was near the railway line.

“Mr Chawla spent to technical and logistical issues before making a test flight. He also met with Huzoor in his office and requested him to come and see the plane for himself. On 1 January at 11 am Huzoor, accompanied by a group of khuddam and some elders of the community, went to see the airplane. I was 8 years old then and one of many enthusiastic spectators. As soon as Huzoor arrived, Mr Chawla made a short test flight and, after landing, he invited Huzoor to come up with him. But for the first flight, Huzoor chose his brother Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmadra and his eldest daughter, Sahibzadi Nasira Begum. For the second flight, he nominated his youngest brother Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmadra and second daughter Sahibzadi Amatul Qayoom. On the third flight, Huzoor went himself with Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmadra

“During Huzoor’s flight the plane did not land after completing its circuit. Instead, it flew higher in an easterly direction and after

“The pilot’s seat was at the front of the plane and a wide seat for two passengers was at the back. Huzoor announced a list of names of those who would take turns going up. Each person was given the opportunity to fly for one circuit, which lasted about 7 minutes. The following day - the last one of Mr Chawla’s visit - some children were also given an opportunity and one adult and two children would go up in turns. My heart yearned for the chance to fly. Perhaps Huzoor sensed something of my desire because suddenly I heard my name called out. I felt like I had won the lottery.” (Wings of Duty, pp. 4-7, Al Fazl, 26 August 2010, p. 3)

In the Jamaat’s history relating to air travel, it is recorded that Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra, in the 1936  Majlis-e-Shura, expressed:

“I am not aware of the views of other friends [about this matter], but when I travel via train, I feel a strong desire in my heart that ‘If only this train was manufactured by Ahmadis and the company was owned by Ahmadis’ and when I travel via plane, I say [in my heart], ‘If only this plane was manufactured by Ahmadis and Ahmadis were the owners of its company.” (Khitabate-Shura, Vol. 2, p. 79)

Allah Almighty paved the way and made airborne journeys and missions faster through the blessings of Khilafate-Ahmadiyya; for example, during the centenary of the Khilafat Jubilee year, the plane Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa boarded and travelled to Canada from, on his visit

The boarding card provided had the logo of the centenary Khilafat jubilee and a picture of Minaratul Masih. “Khilafat Flight” was written on the top of the boarding card and “Ahmadiyya Muslim Community” and “Khilafat Centenary Celebration” were written on the bottom.

After the plane took off, Naeem Sahib announced on behalf of the plane’s staff. He expressed his Salaam to Huzooraa and Begum Sahiba and said they were currently flying toward Toronto. The flight was being operated by the chartered division of Continental Airlines. He said the plane was manufactured by the Brazilian company Embrey E.R.J. Continental Airlines had 250 such aircraft in its fleet. Apart from the one used for the journey, 350 large aircraft including Boeing 777, Boeing 767, Boeing 757, and Boeing 737 models were included in the fleet. Continental Airlines, he said, was the fourth-largest airline in the world.

During Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa

“2 October, Sunday: Today, Huzooraa left Zion on the plane “Khilafat Flight” to Dallas. The “Khilafat Flight” left Chicago at around 1 PM and arrived at Dallas Airport at 3 PM. (Al Fazl, 14 October 2022)

“9 October, Sunday: Today, Huzooraa left for Maryland in the plane “Khilafat Flight” from Dallas. The “Khilafat Flight” departed from Dallas at 12:15 in the afternoon and arrived at Maryland’s Baltimore Airport at 15:45, from where Huzoor saa entourage, with a police escort, reached Bait-urRehman Mosque at 16:30.”

Around 90 years ago, the first air travel of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra started with the company of one fortunate traveller. Fastforward to today, in the year 2022, when about 75 fortunate people had the privilege of travelling with Hazrat Khalifatul Maish Vaa on this historic “Khilafat Flight”.

No doubt, the time is not far when new milestones shall be unveiled through the blessings of Khulafa of the Messiah. Every useful invention in the world shall support and aid them in the propagation of the message of true Islam to the corners of the Earth.

Continental Airlines plane

New converts, expressions of appreciation and significant sayings of famous men

The Moslem Sunrise, October 1922

Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra (18721957)

Muhammad Eunus Evans [Muhammad Eunus Evans], an English convert to Is lam, joined our faith when Mr Chaudhry FM Sayal first estab lished our mis sion in England. [He] married our sister Fatima (Miss Penfold) in Southsea in 1920. […]

Muhammad Ali Khan

[Muhammad Ali Khan is a] guide and [an] interpreter. [He is] highly recommended by the Americans helped by him in India.

A few words from some of the testimonials:

“Most excellent guide.” (Mrs George Harrison of Minneapolis, Minnesota)

“He is conscientious, honest and reliable; knows India thoroughly.” (Mrs HW Robison of Los Angeles, California)

“Intelligent and capable. It is with regret that we go on with out him to Chi na.” (Francis M Wolcott of Hill crest Pavilion, NY)

“Anybody is very fortunate who secures him.” (Mrs JW Smith of Fargo, North Dakota)

“A very ex ceptional man, honest, efficient and thoroughly trustworthy in every way.” (Mr and Mrs M Frankle of Des Moines, Iowa)

“Excellent guide, well-educated and with an extensive knowledge of interesting places in India.” (Charles WG Bond of London)

To the parties who intend to visit India, Burma, Ceylon, Strait Settlements and the countries near there, we recommend Muhammad Ali Khan of Babuzai Street, Shahjehanpur, UP, India, as an experienced, reliable targuman [interpreter]. On getting a cablegram Mr MA Khan will receive the party at Bombay, Colombo or any other desired seaport. Cablegram address: Ahmadi, Shahjehanpur.

The Bible is not the oldest book

Editor of The Times:

“It appears to be a common belief that the Bible is the oldest book in the world. We often hear ministers and Bible teachers make this claim, but history teaches that it is not the oldest.

The Old Testament in its present form was written during a period of about 1400 years and the New Testament was written in less than a century after the death of Christ. Probably Moses wrote one or more of the first books of the Bible, including the Hebrew laws and the commandments, but the laws of Hammurabi, king of Babylon, were written 700 years before Moses was born, and they are to an extent similar to the laws of Moses.

Various books of the Old Testament prove that they are not the oldest by referring to and quoting from other books. Not less than sixteen of these lost books are referred to by name in our Bible. When the author of the book of Joshua wrote that command for the sun to stand still, he says: “Is not this written in the book of Jasher?” Some parts of this book still exist, and the command is an exact copy from it.

Very few, if any, of the books written by the ancient Hebrews have come down to us in their original form. The Hebrews revised their Bible, not only by rewriting the books, but by omitting some of them entirely. Eighteen of their sacred books are omitted from our Old Testament. The Catholic Bible includes some of these books and the Protestant Modern Readers Bible has recently added three of them – Tobit, Wisdom of Solomon and Ecclesiasticus.

“The Iliad, written by Homer, the Greek poet, is believed to be older than any of the books of our Bible in their present form. Some of the writings of the ancient Egyptians are many centuries older than those of the Hebrews. The Hebrew race is not the oldest in the world.

History tells us all of the Old Testament books except Daniel and a part of Ezra were first written in the Hebrew language. These two excepted were written in the Aramaic language, which superseded the Hebrew language two or three centuries before Jesus was born. During this period, the sacred books were translated into the Greek language, which also became a dead language early in the Christian era. Jesus and his disciples were Hebrews, but they spoke the Aramaic language. There were no English people at that time, and there was no English language until many centuries later.” (George Branson in Brazil. Indianapolis Times)

Expressions of appreciation

SG Whitecraft, Springfield, Massachusetts [states]:

“You surely will be blessed by Allah for preaching and obeying his Holy Law.”

Miss Gloria Baker, Seattle, [says]:

“Your work is great, for your vision and unfoldment are great. Your words of wisdom are most welcome and your work will be broader in Chicago.”

CF Sievwright [states]:

“I now know of the struggle you have just passed through to bring about the foundation of a Head Centre in Chicago, a more strategic point to evolute all your future work from, than anywhere else in the United States of America, because all roads lead to Chicago which is America’s real hub, for things Mental, Physical, Industrial, Commercial and Political, and what-not. So, I hope the transfer will beget proportionate development in your work. Islam is for eternity and must grow, and you are a sower of the seed thereof, or a planter of its truths and are now in America permitted! So, fight the great fight and glory will be yours is the prayer and loving hopes of your devoted brother – Muhammad Abdul Haqq [CF Sievwright].”

Mrs Pearl Wood [says]:

“The Moslem Sunrise gave me much food for thought and was very interesting. I am sorry that Detroit was not lucky enough to have you make your headquarters here, but Chicago is more centrally located and, of course, more convenient for the work to be done. Surely your accomplishments should inspire others to put forth more effort.”

Mrs Erma T McLouth [states]:

“There are several interesting articles and it is a bright little magazine, which no doubt accomplishes its purpose.”

Miss C [says]:

“I enjoyed The Moslem Sunrise you sent me. It is very interesting. The list of converts has certainly grown. It shows what good work you are doing. It would be lovely to have a large mosque in every big city here.”

Maulvi FR Hakeem, Salt Pond, [states]:

“I am related to you in love.”

Professor Abdul Latif [says]:

“May Allah help you to baptise the soil of America with the fire of the lightning that flashed from the East to the West.” (Cf. Isiah 41-2. Sadiq means ‘Righteous.’ Ed)

Mrs Fatima Ameeruddin, Hove, [states]:

“I am delighted to know that Islam is making such good progress in the States, in fact, all over the world. It means hard work for you, but I always think of two lines I learned as a schoolgirl. ‘We shall pass onward where we are forgotten, only remembered by what we have done.’”

James Sodick [says]:

“The receipt of the first issue of The Moslem Sunrise was surely a delightful event.

“For raising a flag in the name of truth in the land of intellectual bankruptcy; for the ushering forward, with a man’s courage, a ladder for climbing to the level of happiness; for rendering such a service which is intended not only to acquaint but enlighten the people of America within a superior

knowledge, and, finally, breaking through the financial difficulties, even depriving yourself of well upkeeps, for the sake of setting a strong foundation of your mission in America for Americans, which I might say represents a singular faith of humanity – I should say nothing less than that you are winning a credit. Congratulations!

“If a statement of our Master Prophet Muhammed[sa] that ‘In the latter days the sun shall rise from the West’ was at its dawn I should not be surprised. Truly, if Western industrial progress was combined with Islamic spiritual progress, the happiness of the human race in both worlds could easily be assured.

Maulvi Mubarik Ali, London, [states]:

“I heartily congratulate you on the wonderful success of your mission in America. You have a magnetism in you which attracts people.”

Significant sayings of the famous men of the day

Reverend Henry C Vedder of Crozer Theological Seminary:

“For several generations, the clergy have been influenced by every bribe this world can offer – hope, honors, wealth, social consideration and by every threat this world can devise – disgrace, persecution, stripes, chains, death – to maintain the infallible correctness of every word contained in the Bible; and as a net result, faith in the Bible has been steadily weakening. Is it not about time to try another policy?”

Reverend EC Lumsden:

“Movies and light fiction are the curse of the modern age.”

Professor Leslie E Fuller:

“Book of Jonah (in the Bible) is a fiction.”

Mr Fred B Smith:

“Hindus, Muhammadans and Buddhists are filling the Far East with descriptions of Western Christianity as a war-loving and war-promoting organization. The East says, ‘Christianity, a cannonball, a submarine and a gas bomb go together.’ The West says, ‘Christ is the Prince of Peace and the Christian church is the instrument to make that doctrine effective throughout the world!’

“But the cold fact is that thus far, Christian teaching has not produced that result even in nations where it has held a preponderance of the people. Passing peace resolutions does not remove this impression, I believe that the Great War has set back by many years what might have been the progress of Christianity in China and India.”

WR Nelson of the Kansas City Star:

“What I want to do is to get in on some of these rich men who go to church with prayerbooks under their arms and never do anything for anybody.”

Canon Isaac Taylor:

“Islam has done more for civilization than Christianity.”

Miles Krumbine:

“The most striking phase of the religious revolution is that there has been steady divorcement of practical social interests from the guiding care of organized Christianity.”

Arthur Brisbane:

“Good missionaries in the East complain that American moving pictures give the heathen a false idea of life among Christians.

say they can’t convert heathen ladies and gentlemen after they have been to movies showing Christians shooting each other, swimming half-naked, etc. There may be something in that.

things in Christian nations more serious than movies would make the heathen pause and think hard.”

missionaries in the East have always deceived the Easterners as to the fruits of Christianity in the Western world.

Ed) Chillicothe Gazette:

Christian countries today, suicide is an evidence of weakness.”

EA Robertson:

“Men once thought that the Decalogue was original with Moses, but now we know that practically everything in the Decalogue, with the exception of the religious duties, is to be found in the Code of Hammurabi, which dates from the year 3000 before Christ. So, it is not a fact that each succeeding generation has formulated its own conceptions of right and wrong. Throughout the centuries, men have always seen that certain modes of action bring misery, while others bring joy.”

The National Association of Credit Men at its last convention declared:

“We are in a wave of business dishonesty such as the nation has never before known.”

“In a time when the movies and the stage are preaching, ‘happy is the man who commits adultery,’ it needs sometimes a stern prophetic ‘thou shalt not!’ to bring the truth home.”

Reverend Alva W Taylor: “Jesus proposed a utopia. He was not a practical statesman, but an idealist.”

Harry Wise: “Bible instruction in the schools is contrary to the fundamentals of American government.

“Church and state must forever be separate and apart. Their work will always be in parallel. It has never failed to prove a calamity when they came together.”

DB MacDonald in his book, The Religious Attitude and Life in Islam, [states]:

“God, Himself, the One, reveals Himself to man, through prophets and otherwise, and man, in prayer, can come directly to God. This is Muhammad’s great glory. The individual soul and its God are face-to-face.”

[...] Nashville, Tennessee, 20 August 1922:

“The church whose masculine following is decreasing rapidly is bankrupt, and the fault must be attributed largely to the clergy. This is the gist of a flood of severe criticism loosened during the past week against several prominent London ministers. The list of alleged clerical failings is very long. Chiefly, they are effeminate, according to the Reverend BG Bourchier, and the Reverend TP Stevens.

“Mr Bourchier plans to publish a pamphlet containing some of the 350 letters he has received from the younger clergy who agreed with his criticism and added to it. They say the matter with the clergy is:

“Their flabby handshakes, their depressing service, their ‘dearly beloved brethren’ voices and their ‘oh, my dear friends’ manner, their namby-pamby sermons, their weak and feeble personalities.”

Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Al Hakam

During his Friday Sermon on 27 March 1914, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, said that mankind was always in need of divine guidance in order to achieve the purpose of their life.

He said it was an incorrect notion that trusting in one’s own intellect was enough for progress and there was no need for any heavenly personage to guide them.

Huzoorra continued by saying there was a mindset that “though we believe in the commandments of God, we will act upon them according to our own intellect and fundamentals, and there is no need for any heavenly guidance anymore”, however, they were completely wrong. (Khutbat-eMahmud, Vol. 4, pp. 55-56)

During his Friday Sermon on 1 May 1914, while advising the Jamaat members, Huzoorra said:

“It is your duty to obey and submit to Allah the Almighty, to fulfil the pledge made to Him of giving precedence to faith over the world, and to follow the Islamic commandments. […] You are required to fulfil your promises made to Allah so that He showers upon you His blessings.” (Ibid, p. 85)

During his Friday Sermon on 14 August 1914 – commenting on verses 68 to 72 of Surah al-Baqarah, where it is mentioned that the People of Mosesas asked too many questions in regards to Allah’s commandments – Huzoorra said:

“The Muslims have been taught here that they would also be given divine commandments, so they should not ask too many questions, for instance, ‘why should we follow this, what is the wisdom behind this, what are the conditions, and why is it like this and why not in such and such manner.’ […] One should always act on the commandments of the sharia and the Prophetsa.” (Ibid, p. 156)

During his Friday Sermon on 6 November 1914, Huzoorra spoke about the deteriorating situation of contemporary Muslims.

Huzoorra said that as long as the Muslims continued to act upon the true teachings of Islam, Allah had granted them great success. However, when they began to divert from these teachings, they were deprived of the help and succour of God Almighty.

Huzoorra continued by saying that in this era, the progress of Islam was only possible through Ahmadiyyat, and therefore, future success and progress had been decreed for the followers of the Promised Messiahas Thus, members of the Jamaat needed to create within themselves a spiritual revolution in order to become the recipients of Allah’s blessings and mercy. (Ibid, pp. 207-215)

During his Friday Sermon on 15 January 1915, Huzoorra emphasised the need to act upon the Islamic teachings in their true essence. Huzoorra said that it was completely wrong for one to obey the Islamic commandments according to their own interpretations, thoughts and wishes:

“One must realise that if they are obeying one aspect of a certain [Islamic] commandment and opposing the other, then it cannot be termed as complete obedience and submission, but rather, in reality, their nafs is deceiving them. [...] The proof of one’s submission is that they show obedience even in those matters which are against their own habits, points of view, and likings. [...] A believer always strives to attain the pleasure of God Almighty by acting on each of His commandments, whether they align with their own point of view or not.” (Ibid, pp. 266-268)

During his Friday Sermon on 20 October 1916, Huzoorra said that the Quranic teachings were the perfect code of conduct for mankind. Contemporary Muslims had forsaken the pathway taught by the Holy Quran, and this was the reason behind

their regression. Islam was a religion that presented a perfect way of life and helped establish a civilised society. Thus, Islam and the establishment of a civilised society have a deep connection. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 5, pp. 300-302)

On 28 December 1937, during his address at the Jalsa Salana Qadian, Huzoorra said that a true belief in Islam means adopting the Islamic way of life “in one’s beliefs, actions, acts of worship, in one’s civilisation and culture, economics, politics, in the settlement of disputes that might arise between him and others, in short, in the whole field of life. Unless one does all these things, one cannot truly be called a Muslim.” (Real Revolution [Inqilab-e-Haqiqi], p. 163)

During his speech on 14 June 1948, Huzoorra said:

“If we are true Muslims, then we should glance back 1,300 years ago. If we try to follow the footsteps of other secular nations and ponder over their ways of progress, and neglect the commandments of Allah the Almighty or guidance granted by the Holy Prophetsa, then certainly we can never be successful in our objective; because God Almighty has made such promises with the Muslims which have not been made to the other nations. […]

“We must create such an environment that distinguishes us from the other nations, and the only way to achieve this is to act upon the teaching which was brought by our master and leader, Muhammadsa, the Holy Messenger of Allah. We should follow the path which he wanted us to follow, and avoid those matters which are against [the teaching of] Islam. If we do not [follow Islam], and try to become good followers of the West by only relying on worldly measures […] then we must remember that Allah the Almighty has not promised that He will help the good followers of the West; instead, the Holy Quran states:

‘If

will

(Surah Aal-eImran, Ch.3: V.32)]

that if you want God to love you, then you should follow the footsteps of Muhammadsa, the Holy Messenger of Allah. Divine support and help can only come when the Muslims try to follow the footsteps of Muhammadsa, the Holy Messenger of Allah.” (Musalmanan-e-Balochistan se aik Eham Khitaab, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 19, pp. 579-581)

addressing the Ahmadi youth, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states in one of his couplets:

you become a statesman, a general or a scholar; we will never be happy if Islam does not steep into your heart.”

Allah enable us all to act upon the Islamic teachings with a spirit of obedience and submission.

True belief in Islam means to follow and adopt its teachings with complete submission in all spheres of life: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s advice to the Jamaat

(Transcribed by Al Hakam from the original in The Moslem Sunrise, October 1922)

Are Islam and the Quran anti-Semitic? – Response to Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern – Part 1

against the believers.” (Surah al-Mai’dah, Ch.5: V.83)

Dieppe’s citation of this verse appears to be anti-Semitic at face value. The verse is telling us there is animosity among some Jews towards Muslims and so it seems the Quran is categorising all Jews as being spiteful towards Muslims. Is this the case?

The first problem is that Dieppe does not cite the whole verse:

“Thou shalt certainly find the Jews and those who associate partners [with God] to be the most vehement of men in enmity against the believers. And thou shalt assuredly find those who say, ‘We are Christians,’ to be the nearest of them in love to the believers. That is because amongst them are savants and monks and because they are not proud.” (Surah al-Mai’dah, Ch.5: V.83)

Why does Dieppe not cite the whole verse? The rest of the verse tells us that Christians are the closest to the Muslim community because they are not given to arrogance. The verse is making a comparison between the respective communities of the Jews and Christians towards the message of Islam, especially in the era of the Prophetsa

Dieppe does not want the reader to know the positive outlook Islam has towards Christianity because it goes against his antiIslam agenda. We point this fact out not to provide a sufficient answer to the question of anti-Semitism but to merely show the author’s deception.

“that which they themselves have sent on before for themselves; [with the result] that Allah is displeased with them”?

The Jewish convert to Islam, Muhammad Asad, states this refers to the stubborn belief that the Jews are “God’s chosen people” and their consequent notion that revelation is confined only to them. The belief that the Jews are God’s chosen people is fundamental to Judaism. Moreover, it is a tenet of Orthodox Judaism that God refrained from giving gentiles revelation after the time of Moses.

Is the author blissfully ignorant that the Jews made the same claim in the New Testament? Did he not read the passage where Jesusas tells the Jews “And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise children for Abraham.” (Mathew, 3:9, NIV)

Dieppe knows very well that the Jews were hostile to both Islam and Christianity, but is he willing to condemn the New Testament for saying the same?

It is a mystery why Dieppe chooses to overlook chapter 5, verse 79 of the Quran, a passage just two verses prior:

“Those amongst the children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of David, and of Jesus, son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and used to transgress.” (Surah al-Mai’dah, Ch.5: V.79)

In his article on the Christian Concern website, “Is Islam anti-Semitic”, Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern’s Head of Public Policy, gives an affirmative reply. Dieppe argues the recent spike in anti-Semitism found in the UK is not due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues Islam is inherently antiSemitic.

The purpose of this response is to examine Dieppe’s article and provide a response structured on Islamic understanding. At the onset, we want to make clear that antiSemitism is evil – it has no place in Islam and must be eradicated.

What is anti-Semitism?

Dieppe tries to challenge the narrative that the modern conflict in the Middle East is responsible for anti-Semitism – he believes it is inherent in Islam. The author quotes eight verses from the Holy Quran that all deal with Jews, in his attempt to prove the core of Islam promotes anti-Semitism. Dieppe, however, refuses to tell us how those verses are anti-Semitic. Instead, he says:

“These verses require no comment –their antisemitism is explicit.”

What is anti-Semitic about these verses that Dieppe finds obvious? Dieppe does not even give us a definition of anti-Semitism to help lead the reader to his conclusions. We will define anti-Semitism and examine the respective verses in light to see if antiSemitism is justified.

Dieppe wants the reader to trust his judgement without telling us. The reality is that politics lends a great deal of weight

to the definition of anti-Semitism and unfortunately, the term has been abused much by proponents of the term. For this reason, we will use the definition of anti-Semitism provided by the Pro-Israel advocates in the USA so that Dieppe, as a self-proclaimed champion of the Jewish people, will be unable to challenge us on the definition we use of anti-Semitism.

The ADL states that anti-Semitism is:

“The belief or behaviour hostile toward Jews just because they are Jewish. It may take the form of religious teachings that proclaim the inferiority of Jews, for instance, or political efforts to isolate, oppress or otherwise injure them. It may also include prejudiced or stereotyped views about Jews.” (www.adl.org/anti-semitism)

Anti-Semitism, according to the ADL, has to do with the promotion of hatred towards the Jewish people.

We would have to find some proof that Jews are considered inferior in some way to Muslims. We would need to find evidence that the sacred texts promote hatred of Jews. Furthermore, there would have to also be an ethical system in Islam that promotes the oppression of Jews.

With the ADL’s definition of antiSemitism in mind, we wonder which religion fits the bill of anti-Semitism more: Islam or Christianity?

‘Anti-Semitism in the Quran’

Let’s analyse the verses Dieppe presents as ‘proof’ of the supposed anti-Semitism in the Quran.

“Thou shalt certainly find the Jews and those who associate partners [with God] to be the most vehement of men in enmity

The question is whether the Holy Quran is categorising all of the Jews as having enmity towards the message of Islam. People who attack Islam may interpret this verse that way, but the notion that this passage has condemned all Jews is problematic from the contextual analysis.

In Surah Aal-e-Imran we are told the following about the Jews and the Christians: “They are not [all] alike. Among the People of the Book there is a party who stand [by their covenant]; they recite the word of Allah in the hours of night and prostrate themselves [before Him].” (Surah Aal-eImran, Ch.3: V.114)

Surah Aal-e-Imran makes it clear that not all Jews (and Christians) are on problematic terms with God and that there exist People of the Book who are righteous.

Indeed, chapter 5, verse 83 never says “all” the Jews are hateful and this is consistent with chapter 3, verse 114, which explains the differences between those from the people of the book who are on the right path and those who are not. Chapter 5, verse 83 is referring to the Jews as a general community at the time of opposing Islam but does not condemn every single Jew.

At this point, we want to ask what Dieppe’s disagreement is with chapter 5, verse 83 as a Christian. To answer this question, we need to first see what the Holy Quran says about why there was animosity between the Jews and Muslims.

A few verses earlier, the Quran says:

“Thou shalt see many of them taking the disbelievers as [their] friends. Surely, evil is that which they themselves have sent on before for themselves; [with the result] that Allah is displeased with them; and in [this] punishment they shall abide.”

(Surah al-Mai’dah, Ch.5: V.81)

The Jews were found allying with the polytheists against the Muslim community to create discord. What is the meaning of

In this verse, we learn that the Jews engaged in disbelief and were cursed by God for their transgressions. Furthermore, the verse tells us that both the prophets Davidas and Jesusas cursed the Jews for their rebellion against God. The verse displays the same sentiments as 5:81 – so why doesn’t Dieppe add this passage to his list of “antiSemitic” verses?

The Holy Quran makes the bold claim that the Israelite prophets pointed out the flaws in their people. If this was a lie, then surely Dieppe could mention the problem with the passage and have the case book closed. But Dieppe knows, on the pain of proclaiming biblical illiteracy, that the Quran’s claim is correct. Commenting on chapter 5, verse 79, Asad lists four passages from the bible where Israel is severely rebuked for their transgressions (Psalm 78:21-22,31-33; Mathew 12:33-34; 23:33-35) where both Davidas and Jesusas say exactly what the Quran claims that they say. Davidas said that God was “furious” against Israel for their sins and that his people did not even believe or trust in God. Elsewhere, Davidas mentions the anger of God against the Jews and how the Almighty will “cut” down the sturdiest of the Jews, and how they persisted in disbelief despite the miracles shown to them.

The sentiments of Jesus are even harsher in Mathew 23 about the shedding of blood on the hands of the Jews. Indeed, the language of these passages in rebuking the Jews is harsher than that of the Quran.

So, we wonder if Dieppe is willing to condemn these passages of the Bible as being anti-Semitic.

“And the Jews say, Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say, the Messiah is the son of Allah; that is what they say with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before them. Allah’s curse be on them! How are they turned away!” (Surah at-Taubah, Ch.9: V.30)

Dieppe believes this verse is anti-

Abdul Malik USA

Semitic because the Quran says that the Jews referred to Ezra as a son of God. But is Dieppe willing to condemn the Quran as “anti-Christian” since it also condemns Christians for making a similar claim about Jesus? If that is the case, then Dieppe has no choice but to claim that Christianity is inherently anti-Semitic because the Jews reject the belief that Jesusas is part of the Trinitarian Godhead and even the messiah. Christianity intrinsically condemns the Jews for not having that belief. Moreover, the obvious mention of two peoples (Jews and Christians) makes a mockery of the notion that the passage is anti-Semitic, as anti-Semitism, by definition, is limited to the singling out of the Jews. This is the same problem as with the author’s citation of 5:51. To merely point out that someone’s belief is in error is not evidence of animosity (or anti-Semitism) but perhaps Dieppe does not understand the difference between constructive criticism and hatred.

Verse 9:30, as well as the seven other passages commented on by the author, have to do with criticism towards the Jews for their failure to live up to the divine standards given to them, their hostility towards Islam and their willful transgression. Is the mere pointing out the flaws of Israel anti-Semitic in itself? In that case, one would have to condemn the entire bible as anti-Semitic. Even as early as the Torah, Mosesas felt compelled to testify with the heavens and earth as a witness that the future generations of Israel would be destroyed for their transgressions (Deuteronomy 4:26).

Surah al-Mai’dah 5:65 is cited in which the Jews mock the Muslims by saying, “the hands of Allah are chained.” The meaning of the verse is that the Muslims did not get divine assistance quickly enough, so the Jews mocked the Muslims by claiming that God must be stingy with them. Allah responds in the verse by stating that both God’s hands are open and that the Jews’ assertions are based on disbelief. Is Dieppe upset that the Quran accuses the Jews of transgressions? Did he not read what Isaiah says about the Jews, “Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity” (Isaiah 1:4) Perhaps Dieppe is upset that the Quran claims the Jews asserted that God was stingy with the believers. In that case, he would have to accuse Jacob of anti-Semitism, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?” (Genesis, 30:2)

Dieppe quotes in a similar vein 3:182, which also has the Jews saying “God is poor while we are rich.”

The Jews mocked the believers for having to spend their wealth for the cause of Islam. But did the Jews remember what the prophets said about their destruction for being stingy? The prophet Malachi warned the Jews that their withholding of tithes would result in severe punishment. (Malachi 3:6-12) The Jews and their priests brought the lowest-grade produce and livestock to the temple for sacrifice. (Malachi 1:7) They should have headed the wisdom of Solomon. People curse the one who hoards grain. (Proverbs 11:26)

“And We revealed to the children of Israel in the Book, (saying), ‘You will surely do mischief in the land twice, and you will surely become excessively overbearing.’” (Surah Bani Israil, Ch.17: V.5)

We do not understand why Dieppe quoted this verse as proof of the Quran’s

Years Ago...

Passion of Hazrat Yaqub Ali Irfani for Al Hakam

Return of the editor of Al Hakam to Qadian

For the last three years, I was in Hyderabad Deccan for employment purposes. Now, on 18 October 1922, I have returned to [Qadian] Dar-ul-Aman [abode of peace] on temporary leave. My friend and my master, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] is aware of the fact that although I was blessed with worldly benefits during my stay in Hyderabad, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, my soul yearned at the same time to serve the Jamaat with my pen. Thank God, nothing is more precious in my eyes than this work. Thus, my first and last wish is to live the rest of

my life in this service [of the Jamaat], which has always been my beloved, without caring about material and financial interests.

I never left [Qadian] of my own accord. However, there was a hidden downpour of divine blessings that I had never previously experienced. During that time, I also witnessed some remarkable displays of God’s bounty (the details of which will be published in Al Hakam, insha-Allah). They were a result of the efficacy of the prayers of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih.

However, now that I have returned to [Qadian] Dar-ul-Aman, I want to arrange for the regular and permanent issuance of

Al Hakam as soon as possible. Moreover, I do not want to let the idea of leaving Qadian come back to my mind again. By the way, I did not leave of my own will before, and now I do not think of going back again. This note is only for the information of members of the Jamaat. All future correspondence should be sent by the friends to the office address of Al Hakam. The regular issuance of the Al Hakam newspaper will restart very soon, insha-Allah. We request members of the Jamaat to please pray for its bright future and success.

supposed anti-Semitism. The Quran explains that the children of Israel were told twice about their corruption. Did not Mosesas use stronger language against Israel by warning them of their future corruption?

“You are going to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them.”

(Deuteronomy, 31:15-16)

Mosesas warned Israel of their fate if they refused to tread the right path: “But, if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and

possess.” (Deuteronomy, 30:17-18)

That the Jews killed their prophets is clear in the New Testament. The false notion that the Jews were responsible for the death of Jesusas on the cross has led to the death and persecution of Jews for centuries. (https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_deicide)

The New Testament has been accused of anti-Semitism for this vary reason as it is clear the Jews persecuted Jesus Christ and took the leading role in his death sentence.

Are the passages concerning the Jews killing prophets in the Quran anti-Semitic? GS Reynolds uses the term “anti-Jewish” to refer to these Quranic verses. (On the Qur’ān and the Theme of Jews as ‘Killers of the Prophets’, Gabriel Said Reynolds, 2012, AlBayan Journal) In his opinion, the origins of the Quranic notions of prophetic side

lie in the Christian sentiments against the Jews prevalent in pre-Islamic Arabia. So if this was the case then Christianity is still to blame for the Quran’s “anti-Semitism.”

From the Islamic perspective, though, the point of reiterating the Jewish past is not to give a history lesson. The Quran only uses the stories to shine a light to give lessons on contemporary problems, so, in essence, God Almighty has warned the Muslims that they could befall the same fate as the Jews if they transgress the path laid down for them by the Quran.

Any condemnation by the Quran of the Jews or any other people is a warning for the Muslims and not a way for them to boast about how they are “better” than the people of the past.

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 26 October 1922 issue of Al Fazl)

A group photograph with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra during the 1924 tour of Europe. Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira standing second from right

Coming from every distant track

Mahmood Khairuddin, editor of Wafa al-Arab visits Qadian

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

Awwab Saad Hayat Al Hakam

“I am lost in wonder when I see how Qadian was a small, anonymous settlement in the past, and today, due to the emergence of the Ahmadiyya [Jamaat], it has become the home of muhajirun [emigrants] and devotees, and a vast city with about 8 thousand people.” –Mahmood Khairuddin

It is recorded in the Jamaat’s literature that a famous writer of Damascus, Mahmood Khairuddin, editor of the journal,  Wafa’ alArab, came to India, Qadian, and met with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. His stay in Qadian lasted for three days, during which he learned about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

When he returned, he published a detailed article in his journal Wafa’ al-Arab, dated 29 Dhul Hajj 1339 AH, which was translated and published in the 20 October 1931 issue of  Al Fazl by Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad Sahib Maulvi Fazil.

He had the chance to learn about the Jamaat and ask Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra questions on an array of matters. Most of the questions were related to the HinduMuslim conflict. Mahmood Khairuddin wrote in his journey:

“As I safely arrived in Bombay, I felt the desire to meet Ustaz [master] Syed Zainul Abidin Shah Sahib, Nazir Dawat wa Tabligh Silsala Ahmadiyya, due to his natural disposition of love, which is deposited in his nature and because most well-known people of Islamic countries are acquainted with him. I also wanted to visit Hazrat Mirza Mahmud Ahmad Sahib, Khalifatul Masih, so I may meet him and find out about Ahmadiyya, which has spread rapidly in Islamic countries.

“I reached Qadian after a 50-hour car journey and arrived at the house of the aforementioned Shah Sahib [Syed Zainul Abidin Shah Sahib] who was present and greeted me very politely and said, ‘��ﻬﺳ و ��ﻫا اﺒﺣ�� و’ [greetings of welcome in Arabic] and made arrangements for my accommodation.

“I stayed with him for three days. During this time,  Ustaz showed me the Ahmadiyya administrative offices of Ahmadiyya and Madrasahs – which were in no way inferior to the offices of a regular government in terms of management. I am lost in wonder when I see how Qadian was a small, anonymous settlement in the past and today, due to the emergence of the Ahmadiyya [Jamaat], it has become the home of muhajirun [emigrants] and devotees, and a vast city with about 8

thousand people.”

“I was also told by the respected Ustaz [Syed Zainul Abidin Shah Sahib] that mubashireen and mubaligheen of the Jamaat were making efforts to preach in every corner of the world. As so, there is no notable place in the world that does not have Liwa Ahmadiyyat flag bearers. Even in Western countries, intelligent, educated people have been convinced of the truthfulness of the true religion [Islam] by Ahmadi preachers.

“When I came to know  amirs and secretaries of various branches of jamaats [under markaz] sent monthly reports of their preaching, organisational, and educational activities to the relevant central offices – from where it is conveyed to the Nazrat Uliya – the significance of the organisational efforts of this Jamaat increased in my heart, as the organisation of any community remains incomplete without the performance of these matters.

[Meeting with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra]

“I conveyed my desire to respected  Ustaz [that I’d like to] meet with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih. After making proper arrangements, he informed me that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih approved the request for mulaqat. When I arrived [for the mulaqat] at the appointed time, he [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II] got up from his place, smiled and greeted me in a pleasant mood and congratulated me on my safe arrival.

“His complexion is brownish, he is of medium height, has dark and extremely beautiful eyes, which express ingenuity and intelligence. He is fully versed in Arabic. He is loved by his own people as well as by non-Ahmadis, despite severe [religious] disagreements.

“During the conversation, he inquired about the important political issues of Syria, to which I submitted, ‘although the French are willing to give some rights to the Syrians, the political situation in the country still seems to be a bit shaky.’

[Discourse on Indian Political Science]

“Sensing the opportunity during the meeting, I inquired, ‘What is your opinion on the political insurgency in India? And will the British Government give [people] their rights after this struggle?’

“Responding, he said: ‘Surely, such rights which are suitable for both parties shall have to be given by the government. It is the strong desire of the government

to resolve mutual misunderstanding and mistrust. Therefore, a meeting of the country’s leaders has been organised for this purpose to discuss and analyse Indian affairs and the national interest and then make a settlement, the result of which shall certainly be useful.’

[Hindu-Muslim Conflicts]

“Then I said, ‘we often hear about HinduMuslim disputes and debates, what are the causes of these mutual differences?’

“‘He said: The Hindu-Muslim issue is more severe than the issue that was between the Copts of Egypt and the Israelites during the reign of Pharaoh. [...]

Moving on from questions regarding the Hindu-Muslim political situation, beliefs of Hindus, etc. The guest asked Huzoorra:

“‘We often hear about your respected community, but we do not know anything about many matters. Will you inform me of such facts that I can present as a gift to my countrymen?’

“Upon this, [Huzoorra] said: ‘Our Jamaat strictly adheres to the sharia, the Quran and the ahadith and we do not deviate from them. The truth is that Quranic verses and the Prophetic ahadith are conclusive proofs of the appearance of the Promised Messiah,

Years Ago...

Islam Ahmadiyyat in Chicago and efforts of Mufti Muhammad Sadiq

Fazl, 23 October 1922

Muhammad Yusuf Khan Sahib of Jhelum in Chicago

I [Muhammad Yusuf Khan Sahib of Jhelum] came to the city of Chicago for personal reasons. We are extremely grateful to Allah the Almighty for blessing the Ahmadiyya Jamaat with a person like Hazrat Dr Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib. It will not be out of place to call him Khalid of the present age. The fruit of his two-year struggle has been that until today, around 300 people have abandoned their faith in the trinity and become followers of the perfect religion of Islam. Secondly, he has launched the magazine The Muslim Sunrise

[The first issue of The Muslim Sunrise]

I remember very well the days when Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib was preparing articles for the first issue of The Muslim Sunrise. In those days, he had not received any expenses from the Anjuman for several months. Even then, putting his trust in Allah the Almighty, he somehow launched the magazine, which is now being

published on a regular basis. Then, there was a longing in his heart for a mosque which cannot be described in words.

[Prayer of Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib]

Last year, I happened to read two or three of Mufti Sahib’s notebooks and found the following handwritten [prayer] on their first page:

which he was engaged in prayers all day and night. Whether sitting, eating or drinking, he was only anxious for them to be fulfilled. Finally, the time came when the Almighty God fulfilled all three wishes of his righteous devotee. There are two minarets and a big dome on the mosque. The lower compartment of the mosque has an office and a residential place.

[Chicago Jamaat]

In this city [of Chicago], there are 150 new Ahmadi Muslims and it is a sincere jamaat I am surprised to see their sincerity because it is a miracle to have such devotedness and spirit of love among the Western nations, especially the American people.

rain. However, a group of ardent followers of Islam gathered at the appointed time. Before the proceedings of the jalsa started, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib led the Maghrib prayer and the people were taught the Salat with its English translation. Thereafter, the commandments of Islam were explained to the jamaat

[Brother Yaqub]

When the series of questions and answers ended [towards the conclusion of the jalsa], Brother Yaqub said:

“Dr Sadiq, I converted a new man last night to our movement. Although it was hard to convert him, I have converted him.”

This gentleman [Brother Yaqub] has been an Ahmadi for almost a year and is a sincere and zealous preacher. Every week, he converts someone to Islam Ahmadiyyat.

At the end of the jalsa, a gentleman and a lady converted to Islam at the hands of Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib.

[St. Louis Jamaat]

“O

a sincere group

[An example of the sincerity of new converts]

on whom be peace. His advent disseminated the true religion of Islam.’

“‘Alhamdulillah, most wise people and scholars from Arab and Western countries have entered this divine community through the efforts of our preachers. We aim to defend Islam from evil propaganda which is centred on insulting our Prophet, may the peace blessings of Allah be upon him, and gather the whole world to the one religion. It is our duty and the duty of the entire Islamic nation to stand against all opponents of Islam.

[Population of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat]

“When I [Mahmood Khairuddin] asked what the population of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat would be, he responded, ‘I can’t tell

people

perform

ibadat [worship].

the strength to publish a magazine

spread the message of Your perfect religion of Islam. And give me the opportunity to help build a mosque in which Your name be exalted.”

These were the desires in his heart for

Today was Sunday and it started raining heavily. A jalsa was going to be held at 8 o’clock in the evening. This city is so vast that it is difficult for members of the Jamaat to gather in one place and it was not expected that any friends would come in such heavy

In the city of St. Louis, which has a population of about one million, a significant jamaat of around sixty to seventy people has been established. There is an enthusiastic preacher in that jamaat as well who is engaged in spreading the message of Islam. His Islamic name is Sheikh Ahmad Din.

[Lecture at the Church of Love]

Apart from the aforementioned jalsa, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib also delivered a lecture at the Church of Love at 12 o’clock in the morning. After listening to the lecture, the audience expressed delight.

Every week, the Ahmadiyya Jamaat holds two jalsas here [in America]. With the succour of Allah the Almighty, the seed of Islam has been sown in the Western World and the Muslim Sunrise has also emerged, and insha-Allah, the time is near when it will enlighten the entire Western World with its divine light.

Muhammad Yusuf Khan of Jhelum, Chicago, [America]. 10 September 1922.

you the exact figures, but I can say that it is more than 700,000 and is increasing at a fast pace, and most of the members of Ahmadiyya Jamaat have dedicated their lives to propagating and preaching [Islam]. We are hopeful, by God’s grace, that within a short time we shall be able to raise a large number of Ahmadis in Arab countries, etc.

“I said, ‘Do you have any plans to visit the Arab countries?

“He [Huzoorra] smiled and said: ‘Multiple occupations and other matters are obstacles in this; although the good manners of the Syrians have a deep impact on me.’

“At this point, our conversation ended, and I took my leave, thanking him for his explanation.

“He is considered to be among the top thinkers and top leaders of India. ہللا رثکا ہلاثما نم [May Allah make many more like him].” (Al Fazl, 20 October 1931, pp. 6-7)

Health Seminar in Bondoukou region, Ivory Coast

Shahid Ahmed Regional Missionary, Bondoukou

On 2 October 2022, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Bondoukou, Ivory Coast, held its first health seminar at Bait-ul-Ahad Mosque. The seminar was attended by 28 members. Dr Anoumay was invited as a special guest from the Regional Government Hospital. The seminar started with a recitation from the Holy Quran and its French

translation, followed by a speech on the importance of health according to Islam, delivered by Ahmad Sawadogo Sahib, a mu‘allim

Dr Anoumay explained in detail about common diseases such as blood pressure, diabetes, malaria and typhoid, and gave a dietary chart to participants which is beneficial in daily life.

A question and answer session was held at the end.

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 23 October 1922 issue of Al Fazl)

Friday Sermon

30 September 2022

The Inauguration of Fath-e-Azeem Mosque

After reciting tashahud, ta’awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said: Today, you have all gathered here for the inauguration of the mosque in Zion. Allah the Almighty has granted Jamaat-eAhmadiyya USA the opportunity to build this mosque in a city which holds a special significance with regards to the history of the Jamaat. Two days ago, a journalist asked me why this mosque was of such significance. I mentioned to her that all the mosques hold great importance for us. She thought that perhaps I had only come especially for this mosque. I told her I had previously travelled

to inaugurate other mosques as well. In any case, I told her that this mosque does have a special significance, however, and that is owing to the fact that it has been built in a city that was established by an opponent of Islam. Those who have an interest in history will try and learn about the history and background of this city. However, apart from our Jamaat, no one knows about this city’s history or about Dowie. Therefore, the Jamaat has set up an exhibition which sheds light on its history in relation to the Jamaat. Those who take a keen interest in this will be able to derive benefit to some extent

from this exhibition. [The journalist] may even write an article tomorrow on this as well. In any case, as I mentioned, given the historical significance of this city, and the fact that there was a false claimant who used ill language against the Promised Messiahas, and who then later died, and then for the Jamaat to be established here, are all such aspects which will, and should, make every Ahmadi express their gratitude to Allah the Almighty.

In light of the instruction of the Holy Prophetsa, we also express our gratitude to the people of this city. Despite the fact

that the council initially opposed the construction of the mosque and rejected the proposal, the people of this city stood in our support and compelled the council to permit us to build a mosque.

It is the guidance of the Holy Prophetsa that whoever is not grateful towards people, is not grateful to Allah the Almighty as well. (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Abwab-ul-Bir wa alSilah, Hadith 1954) In accordance with this guidance, we should express our gratitude to that Magnificent God, Who enabled us to build this mosque. As such, this is not merely a day to rejoice for us Ahmadis, but it is also

a day to express our immense gratitude to God Who, along with the construction of this mosque, also manifested to us a living sign of the Imamas of the age and the ardent devotee of the Holy Prophetsa

I will also mention a few aspects from the historical records of that time, which shed light on its significance, the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas as well as the testimony of the people who acknowledged this sign. The more we express our gratitude, the greater the blessings of God Almighty will be bestowed upon us and the signs of the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas will continue to be revealed to us. Hence, it is our expression of gratitude that will make us a witness to the truthfulness of those signs. There is no doubt that Allah the Almighty has vouchsafed countless promises to the Promised Messiahas in relation to the progress of the Jamaat. Allah the Almighty has shown the progress of the Jamaat and will continue to show you its progress. However, we will only truly be able to witness and be part of this progress when we become grateful to Allah the Almighty, act in accordance with His commandments and fulfil the rights we owe to Him. There are countless promises, that we have seen fulfilled during our lifetime. Allah the Almighty manifests the fulfilment of each of His promises at its appropriate time.

If this [mosque] is not a manifestation of the fulfilment of His promises, then what is it? Today, Allah the Almighty enabled the Jamaat to build a mosque in the city belonging to a false claimant and an enemy of Islam, whose destruction had been prophesied by the Promised Messiahas 120 years ago after being informed by Allah the Almighty about it. Moreover, this opponent had announced that no Muslim would be able to enter the city until they had converted to Christianity. Thus, these are the works of Allah the Almighty. Allah the Almighty proved the falsehood and ultimately destroyed such an individual, who was extremely wealthy and held great worldly esteem. On the other hand, Allah the Almighty granted the means to propagate the claim of His appointed one – who came from a small village in Punjab, and whose claim was in relation to the rejuvenation of Islam – to reach 220 countries of the world. However, is this where our responsibility ends? Is it enough for us that we have built a mosque in a small city in America and that the Jamaat has made progress? Certainly not.

In fact, Allah the Almighty has made the entire world an arena for the Promised Messiahas. We must bring small cities, large cities and entire countries into the servitude of the Holy Prophetsa. Based on the means we have, this seems like a grand task, yet despite all of this, this duty has been entrusted to us and this too is a promise made by Allah the Almighty to the Promised Messiahas. However, the Promised Messiahas has stated that all of this work being carried out is nothing but our humble efforts; along with this, what we truly require are prayers, for it is through prayer that this task can be achieved. Hence, we must always keep in mind this important aspect, which is to focus on prayers. The very reason for building mosques is to allow people to gather for worship; so that they may present themselves before Allah the Almighty five times a day; so they become

regular in the Friday prayers and so that amidst the attractions and pastimes of the world, they do not forget their worship. If we forsake our worship, then building this mosque will be nothing more than having built a physical structure. Although we will be telling the world that a mosque has been built here by the Muslims, our actions will not be of the standard in the sight of Allah the Almighty that can allow us to reap the blessings of this mosque or to be considered amongst the true helpers of the Promised Messiahas. The Promised Messiahas has stated that one should become his helper through constant prayer in order to see the fulfilment of the blessings of Allah the Almighty as swiftly as possible.

Hence, it is the duty of every one of us today to make worship a part of our lives in order for our prayers to reach the stage of acceptance. We must also inculcate the habit of prayer in our children as well. We must offer our prayers in the manner taught by Allah the Almighty. We must sincerely bow before Allah the Almighty and implore Him for further victories. How fortunate will those among us be, who attain all of this and then witness the blessings of Allah the Almighty raining down? If we elevate the standards of our prayers and give precedence to our faith over the world, then we will see the fulfilment of Allah the Almighty’s promises to the Promised Messiahas within our lifetime. Therefore, we must give due attention to our own conditions. Having come to these developed countries, do not become immersed in worldly endeavours. In the recent past, new asylum seekers have arrived here; do not become immersed in worldliness. Every mosque that is built here should bring about in us a new passion, zeal and connection with Allah the Almighty. Allah the Almighty will certainly fulfil His promises; it should not be that due to our actions, their fulfilment is delayed or that they are fulfilled through others or those who come after us, whereas we remain deprived.

Allah the Almighty had promised the victory of Islam to the Holy Prophetsa, and who could be more beloved to Allah the Almighty than the Holy Prophetsa? However, despite this, on the occasion of the Battle of Badr, had his fervour, humility, fear and prayers not reached an extraordinarily high level? His fervour was such that his cloak constantly fell off of his shoulders and then when Hazrat Abu Bakrra submitted, “O Messengersa of Allah, Allah the Almighty has promised victory and help, why then are you so restless?” Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, “Allah the Almighty is Self-Sufficient. Even in victory, there are hidden conditions. Hence, it is my duty to seek Allah the Almighty’s help with great humility.” (Malfuzat [English]Vol. 1, p. 10)

Then, despite the constant enemy attacks on various occasions and despite them trying to cause harm in every possible way, Allah the Almighty granted such a grand victory a few years later, the likes of which have never before been seen or heard of in history, where not only did the enemies bent on taking his life, become Muslims, but they became those who loved him and became a practical example of those prepared to lay down their lives for him. They proved to the world that no one could reach the Holy Prophetsa without first crossing over their dead bodies. However, Allah the Almighty

utterly destroyed those people who were destined for disgrace and humiliation.

The Promised Messiahas states that it was the supplications of the one who had lost himself in God that brought about this revolution. (Barkat-ul-Dua, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 6, p. 11)

Today, it is the prayers of the true servant of the one who had lost himself in God which will be fulfilled at the right time and will bring the world into the servitude of the Holy Prophetsa. However, the Promised Messiahas states, “Those of you who associate themselves with me should help me with their prayers and actions.”

Today, we are sitting in this mosque for its inauguration and it’s named the Fathe-Azeem Mosque. This mosque has been given this name based on a divine revelation and prophecy of the Promised Messiahas Upon receiving the revelation from Allah the Almighty, the Promised Messiahas prophesied the death of Dowie and stated, “This sign, which we will be a great victory, is going to manifest very soon.” (HaqiqatulWahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, p. 511 [Footnote]).

And the world witnessed how within 15 to 20 days, Allah the Almighty destroyed Dowie in a humiliating manner. The manner in which Allah the Almighty treated him before his death requires a detailed exposition of its own. In any case, upon receiving news from Allah the Almighty, the Promised Messiahas declared this sign as a great victory. Today, we enter the next stage [of this victory] by inaugurating a mosque in this very city. We witnessed the fulfilment of one aspect of this revelation approximately 115 years ago and today we are witnessing the fulfilment of another aspect. Around 115 to 120 years ago, the secular newspapers of the time published the challenge issued by the Promised Messiahas in their newspapers and then also published the news of Dowie’s death. Thus, this was a sign of God Almighty, which the world accepted. I will not be able to cover a lot, but nevertheless, I shall mention some details of the news as published by a newspaper.

On 23rd June 1907, The Sunday Herald Boston wrote an introduction to the Promised Messiahas, his claim and also the challenge he had issued. It also wrote about Dowie. I shall present some of the quotes from that very newspaper. The heading which it gave to its news article read as follows:

“Great is Mirza Ghulam Ahmad The Messiah - Foretold pathetic end of Dowie, and now he predicts plague, flood and earthquake.”

It further states:

“Twenty-three were the days of August in 1903 when Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, India, foretold the death of Alexander Dowie, yclept Elijah III., which took place last March.”

It further states:

“The Indian gentleman has been well known in the eastern pastures of the world for many years. His claim is that he is ‘the true Messiah who was to come in the last ages,’ and that God has showered him with grace. He first came to the attention of the United States in 1903, on account of a controversy with Elijah III. Since the death of Dowie, the Indian prophet’s reputation has soared, for did he not tell the death of Dowie, that it should take place within his

(the Messiah’s) lifetime, should take place with ‘with great sorrow and torment’?”

The newspaper then further states, quoting the Promised Messiahas:

“If (Mr Dowie) shows his willingness by any direct or indirect means to enter the lists against me, he shall leave the world before my eyes with great sorrow and torment.”

It then further states, with reference to the Promised Messiahas:

“‘But if Dr Dowie cannot even now gather courage to appear in the contest against me, let both continents bear witness that I shall be entitled to claim the same victory as in the case of his death in my lifetime if he accepts the challenge. The pretensions of Dr Dowie will thus be falsified and proved to be an imposture. Though he may try as hard as he can to fly from the death which awaits him, yet his flight from such a contest will be nothing less than death to him, and calamity will certainly overtake his Zion, for he must take the consequences of either the acceptance of the challenge or its refusal.

“I close these brief remarks with the following prayer: O powerful and perfect God, Who hast ever been revealing and wilt ever continue to reveal Thyself to Thy prophets, do Thou give Thy judgment and show to Thy people the imposture and falsehood of Dowie and Pigott, for Thy weak creatures, having taken to humanworship and trusted in weak mortals like themselves, have fallen away from Thy path and are wandering in errors far from Thee.’”

It is then further stated in the newspaper:

“Dowie at first paid no public attention directly to the challenge from the far east. But on the 26th of September, 1903, he said, in his Zion City publication:

“‘People sometimes say to me, “Why do you not reply to this, that and the other thing?” Reply! Do you think that I shall reply to the gnats and flies? If I put my foot on them I would crush out their lives. I give them a chance to fly away and live.’

“Only once did he show in any way that he knew of the existence of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. He referred to him as the ‘foolish Mahometan Messiah,’ (God-forbid) and on Dec 12, 1903, he wrote:

“‘If I am not God’s prophet, there is none on God’s earth that is.’ In the following January, he wrote:

“‘My part is to bring out the people from the east and the west, from the north and from the south, and settle them in this and other Zion cities until the time shall come when the Mahometans are swept away. May God grant us that time.’”

This is what Dowie stated. It was further stated in the newspaper:

“Whereupon Mirza Sahib tersely challenged him to ‘pray to God that of us two whoever is the liar may perish first.’

“Dowie died with his friends fallen away from him and his fortune dwindled. He suffered from paralysis and insanity. He died a miserable death, with Zion City torn and frayed by internal dissensions.

“Mirza (Sahib) comes forward frankly and states that he has won his challenge, or a ‘prediction.’ And he asks every seeker after truth to accept the truth as he announced it. He regards the misfortunes which befell his traducer in America as evidences of divine vengeance commingled with divine judgment. As a follower says, however:

“‘It is not to exult over a fallen enemy that we refer to certain circumstances in Dowie’s

life. Such a thing is furthest from our ideas. It is only in the cause and for the furtherance of truth that we publish these facts. The holy religion of Islam, no doubt, teaches us not to mention the faults of the dead, but this does not mean that facts should be concealed when their disclosure is in the interests of society and a service to humanity, truth and God.’”

It was further mentioned in the newspaper with reference to the Ahmadi:

“In bringing disaster upon Dowie’s head, and ultimately in his untimely death, brought about with sorrow and torment, Almighty God has given His judgement exactly as He had informed His messenger three or four years previous to these occurrences.’” (Sunday Herald of Boston, 23 June 1907, Magazine Section)

This was an example from a newspaper which I have just presented. Indeed, this was a victory and a testament to the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas. However, as I have mentioned, the mission of the Promised Messiahas is very vast and this is just the mention of a victory on one front. We will find true happiness and joy only when we bring the entire world into the subservience of the Holy Prophetsa. To achieve this, we must seek out new avenues of propagating Islam alongside the construction of this mosque. We must present the arguments of the Messiah of Muhammadsa to the world. More so than ever, we must improve our actions and spiritual states. As I have already mentioned, the true “great victory” took place during the conquest of Mecca. Following the conquest of Mecca, did the Holy Prophetsa and the rightly guided caliphs or the Muslims that came after cease in their efforts to propagate Islam? Did they not make every effort to spread the message of Islam to the corners of the earth? Did they not conquer lands through wars? Indeed, wars took place, but wars were not fought to spread the faith. Rather, hearts were won, which brought troves of people towards Islam, who were prepared to offer sacrifices. Thus, we must give continuity to the victory attained by the Promised Messiahas into the future by propagating Islam and through prayers. The followers of the Promised Messiahas are counted amongst the people of the latter days who would come together with those who came before them. Did those who came before them cease in the propagation of Islam and the reformation of their spiritual and moral states? Did they lower their standards of worship? As long as these traits remained in Muslims, Islam continued to progress. The Muslims started to face decline only when the world became more important to them; their standards of righteousness began to fall and their regard for worship continued to decrease. However, because it was the promise of Allah the Almighty to the Holy Prophetsa that this religion would remain established and will be granted strength until the Day of Judgement, He sent the Promised Messiah and Mahdias in the latter days. After his advent, the Promised Messiahas informed the world of his coming and despite not having sufficient means, his message reached Europe and America and many other countries.

In relation to Dowie, we are witnesses to the glory in which the message [of the

Promised Messiahas] spread. The seed planted by Allah the Almighty through the Promised Messiahas for the revival of Islam is continuing to grow and spread with such glory throughout the world. Allah the Almighty made countless promises to the Promised Messiahas and revealed to him, “God will not abandon you. God will grant you extraordinary respect. The people will not save you, but I will save you.” (Izala-eAuham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 3, p. 442)

Allah the Almighty has made countless promises to the Promised Messiahas such as this one, and the 133-year-history of the community is a testament to how Allah the Almighty continues to fulfil these promises. Today, the community has spread to 220 countries of the world, and this is due only to the fact that Allah the Almighty provided the means for its message to spread. Today, the world recognises Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadianas as the Promised Messiah and Mahdi. The Promised Messiahas challenged all his enemies and they were left with no choice but to either run or face ruin and destruction at the hands of Allah the Almighty. Indeed, opposition against the communities of prophets does not stop, however, the enemies can never achieve their objective. The same is happening to the Ahmadiyya community. The enemy is putting all of their means and strength to use to bring an end to the community and continues to do so even now. Those of weak faith at times fall prey, however, when we lose one, Allah the Almighty grants us thousands in return. Thus, if our claim is sincerely from the heart and we proclaim that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian is the Promised Messiah and Mahdi whose advent was prophesied by the Holy Prophetsa, then we must employ all of our faculties to become helpers of this Messiah and Mahdi. We must demonstrate the same example given to us by the companions. It is our responsibility to bring all the Muslims under one faith and rid them of all their innovations in faith and also bring the beautiful teachings of Islam to all non-Muslims so that they may become worshippers of the One God and offer salutations to the Holy Prophetsa. Only then will we do justice to our pledge of allegiance made to the Promised Messiahas, otherwise our pledge is hollow. To achieve this, we must raise our standards of worship. If not, then constructing mosques is pointless. However, we can only achieve this if we recognise the purpose of our lives. What is the purpose of our lives? The Promised Messiahas states:

“Humans cannot designate themselves the purpose of their life. It is God Who has created humankind, and He states:

have created man and the jinn so that they may worship Me.

Promised Messiahas has elucidated on this verse at many instances. At one instance, while expounding upon this verse, the Promised Messiahas states:

true purpose for the creation of man is to recognise his Creator and to obey Him, just as Allah Almighty states:

I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they worship Me.

“Yet, it is unfortunate that after reaching maturity, instead of understanding their duties and focussing on the purpose of their lives, the majority of people who come into the world forsake God, incline to the world, and become so enamoured by the wealth and honours of this world that there remains very little space for God; in fact, He is not at all in the hearts of many. They are immersed in this world and lose themselves in it. They are completely unaware if there is even a God. Of course, they become conscious of this when the One Who seizes the souls comes to take their soul away.” (Malfuzat [1984],Vol. 7, pp. 177-178)

i.e. when the time of death arrives.

We, who claim to accept the Imam of the age, should not live such lives. We must do justice to our worship through continued efforts to recognise the purpose of this life. Only when we strive to attain the help of Allah will people pay attention to this beautiful mosque; only then will we truly be able to further spread the message of Islam, and only then will we be able to fulfil the mission of the Promised Messiahas. And this will not be possible until we fulfil the rights of our worship. Hence, every Ahmadi must ponder over this and strive to make this a part of their lives, whereby they do justice in their worship so that they may adorn their life in this world and the next, whilst drawing the blessings of Allah the Almighty.

Therefore, the opening of this mosque today will only be “great” when we recognise what the true purpose of our lives is, otherwise, there are countless mosques around the world that are beautiful and outstanding, but those who go there do not fulfil the purpose of their lives. Worship does not merely entail offering the five prayers, or a few prayers, by simply going through the physical motions of the prayer. Rather, worship means doing justice in one’s prayer and offering it in an excellent manner. The Holy Prophetsa instructed a person to offer their prayer three or four times over, because he felt that he was not fulfilling the due right of prayer nor offering it in the excellent manner that behoves it. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Adhan, Hadith 757)

Hence, one must offer prayers whilst doing justice to them. Only then can we attain the nearness to Allah the Almighty and our prayers will only be accepted when one is also fulfilling the rights of the creation of Allah the Almighty. Allah the Almighty states that the prayers of those who usurp the rights of others become the means of their destruction and are thrown back on their faces.

Hence, our objective is to fill the mosques and do so in line with the commandments of Allah the Almighty in order to attain His pleasure.

What did the one who challenged the Promised Messiahas want? In the name of religion, he desired to have governance over the world. In order to do so, he used the name of the Promised Messiahas and made tall claims that he would do so and so with the Messiah of Muhammadsa, as I have just quoted from a newspaper. When the Promised Messiahas challenged him to a prayer duel, his end was made manifest. The world witnessed the humiliation and disgrace of Dowie in every regard.

Such a clear sign was manifested that the newspapers had no choice but to accept it, and there was no alternative but to declare Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas as great.

But should we only build a memorable mosque and be pleased whilst rejoicing in this great victory? As I have said, we have reaped the fruits of the Promised Messiahas and continue to do so, yet the Promised Messiahas guided his followers to tread the paths which enable one to develop a relationship with Allah the Almighty. The Promised Messiahas did not only make this challenge to destroy him, rather, it was to establish the grandeur of Islam; to bring the world under the banner of Islam; and to show that now the supremacy of the Messiah of Muhammadsa will be established on the earth, who was to raise the banner of the Holy Prophetsa and establish the sovereignty of the One God in the world.

Thus, it is our responsibility, as those who attribute themselves to the Jamaat of the Promised Messiahas, to spread the message of the Messiah sent in the Ummah of the Holy Prophetsa, to every corner of this country. We have to prove to them the unity of God, but this will only happen when we ourselves forge a connection with God Almighty; when we excel in our righteousness.

The Promised Messiahas says:

“It is particularly incumbent upon my community to adopt righteousness, especially in view of the fact that they associate themselves with and swear allegiance to a man who claims to be divinely commissioned. In this way, they shall be delivered from any of the diverse forms of malice, rancour, associating partners with God, and worldly attachment that may plague them.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 1, p. 10)

Thus, purifying one’s inner self is of vital importance and when one cleanses their inner self, righteousness will be instilled within them. Then the world will see that sign after sign will continue to manifest itself. And this is that very state upon reaching which will pave the way to further victories, God willing. It is this state that will show us the reality of this great victory. Thus, O servants of the Messiah of Muhammadsa! Every sign of victory ought to bring about a transformation within us. Therefore, make an oath that today is the day that a great spiritual revolution will be brought about within us; and it ought to serve as a day of bringing about a spiritual revolution within our children and our progenies, and indeed it ought to be. Otherwise, how would the destruction of [Alexander] Dowie or the fact that the people of this town were unaware of him and that we made them aware of it, be of any benefit to us? It will only be of benefit when, upon fulfilment of this great victory, we bring about an extraordinary transformation within us and bring our fellow countrymen and the rest of the world into the servitude of the Holy Prophetsa; when they become convinced of the Oneness of God and are prepared to offer every sacrifice. May Allah the Almighty enable us and our progenies to attain this state.

(Official Urdu transcript published in Al Fazl International, pp. 5-8, 21 October 2022. Translation prepared by The Review of Religions)