Al Hakam - 4 November 2022

Exclusive USA 2022: A tour with many blessings

The last days of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan - An eyewitness account

Europe seeks Islam: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s lecture at a reception held in Karachi, 1955

Are Islam and the Quran anti-Semitic? – Response to Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern Part 2

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022 | Issue CCXLII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL, UK info@alhakam.org | ISSN 2754-7396

Muslim youth ask, the Khalifa responds: USA tour 2022

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

Blessings in invoking durood upon the Holy Prophetsa َ​َ َ ُ َ َ ّ ٰ َّ ّٰ َ ‫ أ ّن َر ُسﻮل الل ِه ﺻلی الله‬،‫ع ْﻦ أ�ِ� ﻫ َریْ َرة‬ ً َ َ َّ َ َ َّ َ ْ َ َ َ ّ ‫اﺣدة‬ ِ ‫علﻴﻪ وسلم ﻗال مﻦ ﺻلی علی و‬ ْ َ َ ّ ٰ َّ ‫َﺻلی الل ُه َعل ْﻴ ِﻪ ع� ً�ا‬ Hazrat Abu Hurairahra narrates that Allah’s Messengersa said: “If anyone invokes blessings on me once, Allah will bless him ten times.”

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab as-Salat, Hadith 408)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

The rank of Allah’s Messengersa and the Shaykhaynra

Waqifeen-e-nau and waqifaat-e-nau from Texas, USA were blessed to have in-person meetings with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, at the Bait-ulIkram Mosque on 5 October 2022. During the two separate meetings, they asked various questions and sought guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa. For the benefit of our readers, Al Hakam has compiled their questions and the guidance Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graciously gave.

Rida Eman Ahmad Sahiba said the first country Huzooraa had chosen to visit after Covid-19 was America. She asked Huzooraa why he chose America.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “I didn’t have any choice. I was only invited by Jamaat Ahmadiyya United States.

They said they were going to open their Zion mosque and Dallas mosque, so, I should visit them. Then I said, ‘okay’. This is the reason I have come here. Had there been some other jamaats who had invited me, I would have gone there before even coming to the USA. So, there is nothing special.

Only your invitation is special. This is why you are special.”

Nauman Ahmad Fareed Sahib said that in response to many letters to him, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa often wrote that the key

to success lay in being punctual in salat and reciting the Holy Quran. Nauman Sahib asked why then people like Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, and Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, were extremely successful and wealthy in their worldly lives despite not offering salat or remembering Allah.

In reply, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked Nauman Sahib what the purpose of life was – to which he said “to worship Allah”.

Huzooraa then questioned what the life purpose of worldly people was. Continuing, Huzooraa said: Continued on next page >>

On one occasion, a friend who was truly absorbed in love for the Promised Messiahas, submitted to him: “Why should we not consider you to be greater in status than the Shaykhayn [Hazrat Abu Bakrra and Hazrat Umarra] and closer in rank to the Noble Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him?”

Goodness gracious! On hearing this, His Holiness became pale and inexplicable anxiety and restlessness overtook him from head to toe. I swear in the name of God, who is Jealous and Holy, that this particular instance increased my faith in the Promised Messiahas even more. The Promised Messiahas delivered an allencompassing address continuously for six hours. When he began Continued on next page >>

Friday 4 November 2022 | AL HAKAM

2 << Continued from previous page

speaking, I looked at my watch, and when he finished, I looked at my watch again. He spoke for six hours.

Not a minute less.

Speaking on a subject for so long, without rest, was an extraordinary occurrence. In his entire discourse, the Promised Messiahas spoke of the virtues and qualities of the Noble Messenger, may the choicest blessings and salutations be upon him, and about his own servitude and subservience to him. He also spoke of the excellences of the honourable Shaykhayn, may peace be on both of them. The Promised Messiahas said: “It is sufficient for me that I am an admirer of these men and the dust beneath their feet. The partial superiority which God Almighty has conferred upon them can never be attained by anyone until the Day of Resurrection. When will Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, ever be born again on earth so that one may receive the opportunity to render such service as the honourable Shaykhayn, peace be on both of them.”

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 2, p. 44)

<< Continued from previous page

“When Allah the Almighty created Adam, at that time Satan refused to bow before Allah or submit before Adam. What was the reason? Arrogance – the worldly desires.

“And he [Satan] said that most of the people will follow me – he challenged Allah the Almighty, saying ‘most of the people will follow me and I will lead them to go astray from the right path.’ And Allah did not say that ‘you cannot do it’. Allah said, ‘yes, there will be a few people who will be righteous; who will follow my commandments, who will submit to my injunctions and commandments, and who will accept my prophets. Although they will be small in number, they will ultimately succeed’.

“Because your purpose is not to fulfil worldly desires, but to gain Allah’s love. […] And a righteous person always tries to gain Allah’s love because for the life after death, because a righteous person will be rewarded in the Hereafter and these worldly people have been rewarded in this world. This is why the Holy Prophetsa said that their right eye is blind. The eye of their religious knowledge and religion is blind and the left eye is working, which means they will increase in worldly matters. So, if your desire is only to gain worldly benefits, then, of course, you can leave namaz and leave Islam and do whatever you like. But if you believe that there is a life after death and that it is an eternal life, then you will gain the love of Allah here in this world and in the Hereafter.”

Huzooraa pointed out to Nauman Sahib

that Allah had given him worldly sustenance and helped him with his studies etc. Along with that, Nauman Sahib also enjoyed the spiritual life by praying to Allah and would get a reward in the Hereafter too if he was a righteous Muslim. Huzooraa continued: “So, it is in your hand now, you have to choose. Do you want both of the benefits or only one, in this world? […]

“We are better off than these people.

They are gaining worldly benefits only, and we have been promised by Allah the Almighty that we shall get benefits in this world and in the Hereafter.

“Our purpose is not of this world, a good believer’s purpose is to win the love of Allah and to win the love of Allah you will have to work hard for the enhancement of your spiritual level and also service of humanity.”

Syeda Waseema Sadaf Sahiba asked if it was permissible for waqifaat-e-nau to peruse psychology and counselling, to which Huzooraa said: “Every subject which is beneficial for human beings is permissible for waqifaate-nau, and psychology is also one of them.

So, you can do it, no problem. You need counselling and psychology because in this present day there are quite a number of problems which girls face; and when they face these problems, they need some psychiatrist or psychologist to treat them, to listen to them, to handle their cases. So, this is why it is good to choose psychology or counselling.”

Fatima Sahiba asked if nursing was a good field to serve as a waqifa-e-nau.

Huzooraa said: “Any field that is good for humanity is good. In this field, you can serve humanity.

If you are a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, or any other service which you are discharging for the benefit of human beings, is good for waqifaat-e-nau.

“But, your main aim and objective should be that you must reform yourself.

There should be a big change in yourself and you should have a close relationship with Allah the Almighty. And you should spiritually and morally be an example for others.”

Danial Janjuah Sahib asked what profession Waqf-e-Nau boys should prioritise; what the Jamaat needed or their personal interests. Huzooraa asked Danial Sahib what he wanted to do in the future.

Danial Sahib desired to become a real estate agent. To this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “If you choose this profession to help the Jamaat get some good places and plots for the construction of mosques and mission houses, then it’s good for you.

“You are a waqif-e-nau, right? Waqf means you will have to work for the cause of Allah the Almighty. Being a waqif-e-nau, your first preference should be to choose a career which is more beneficial for the Jamaat.

“And if you think that you cannot do that duty, you cannot fulfil your waqf requirement, then you do whatever you like.

But for that, you will have to seek permission from the centre – write to me – and then I will let you know.

“But even if you choose to be an estate agent […] then at least you [should] increase your religious knowledge and learn more about religion; offer your five daily prayers, read the Holy Quran, know the meaning of

the Holy Quran and then do tabligh of Islam.

“As a real-estate business person, you can also be good for preaching as quite a number of people will come to you.

“Always remember that whether you work directly under the Jamaat or indirectly, your main objective should be to preach the message of Allah the Almighty, of Islam.

That is the main purpose. And for that, you will have to try to forge a good relationship with Allah the Almighty by obeying all His commandments and offering your five daily prayers and learning more about the religion.”

Muneefa Eman Tariq Sahiba asked if Allah mentioned how angels communicated with each other. Huzooraa replied: “I do not know in which way they communicate, but among angels also, there are some angels who are of a higher status such as Jibrail, Azreal, Israfil, Mikail, whom we know; and there are quite a number of subordinate angels who are working under them. “‘How do they communicate?’ God knows better, but there is a system there.

They ask their subordinates to just convey this message to [this or that place or person].

So, just in a flash of a second, if they want to convey their message anywhere across the world — whether there is day or there is night — the angels will immediately go and discharge their duties. How they do it, Allah knows or they know it. Anyway, I don’t know it till today. If I come to know, then I will let you know.”

Ramis Mirza Sahib said he tried his best to offer his five daily prayers and other religious worship, but, in reality, he felt that for the most part, he did these things as if they were an obligation. He asked Huzooraa how he could worship with his heart and feel pleasure in it.

Huzooraa asked Ramis Sahib if he ever wept while praying and as a result, felt pleasure and satisfaction. Ramis Sahib replied in the affirmative. Huzooraa continued: “It is not necessary that you offer prayers of the same quality all the time – ups and downs are human nature. But if you have once tasted the joy of offering prayer, then I don’t think you should raise such type of questions; [especially since] you say, you have offered prayers, you have enjoyed so many of your prostrations while crying and praying to Allah and you have felt satisfaction. […]

“You spend at the most 40 or 45 minutes on all your five daily prayers, whereas for your studies, after school, even for doing your homework or getting some other knowledge, you will read for two, three, or four hours. So, you cannot say you are doing justice with your prayers. And it is a process as well, so it will take time.

“If you continue doing it [praying], while in prostration you ask Allah that ‘O, Allah, increase my spiritual level, give me some satisfaction in my heart and always keep me close to You.’ “If you get closer to Allah in this way by asking Him, requesting Him, praying to Him, then one day you will also feel more satisfaction than you are feeling now.

“It’s a process. Even prophets get the status of prophethood at the age of 40 years, not at the age of 10, 20, or 25 years. So, it is a process. You keep on doing it. One day you will feel that you have a good relationship

with Allah and you can not live without praying to Allah the Almighty.”

Naba Ahmad Sahiba said that Allah created man with free will to do as he pleased. She asked if Allah also created animals with free will.

“You have a choice. Allah has given you the choice and given you free will. He has clearly, categorically told you that ‘these are the bad things, these are the good things.

So, these are the good things. If you do good deeds, you will be rewarded. These are the bad things. If you do those things, it means you are following Satan and you will be punished for that.’ Or if Allah wishes, He can even forgive. […] “[As for animals,] it is in their instinct that they have to do whatever Allah created them for. It means they are always free [from religious obligations]. A goat cannot do anything else, or a lion cannot do anything.

It is in the nature of the lion to attack others, to fill his belly and goats can only graze grass. Then, Allah has created them for the food of human beings; as for the cows, you get milk and meat from them […] so every animal has been created by Allah the Almighty for the best of human beings. They can be utilised and used by human beings.

So, there is no free will in them. This is why they will not be rewarded or punished in the Hereafter.”

Abdul Muqeet Khan Sahib asked Huzooraa what one could do to prepare for Jamia Ahmadiyya and what prayers one could do so that they stay true to their desire of going to Jamia. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “You see, one thing is, are you regular in offering your five daily prayers? Do you know the meaning of your prayers? Do you seek Allah’s help while in prostration, to help you, to make you a good murabbi or an Ahmadi? That is the first thing. Secondly, do you know how to read the Holy Quran?

Do you do tilawat daily? You should do at least one or two rukus daily and try to learn the meaning of it as well. Do you have good morals? Try to read a passage from the books of the Promised Messiahas from The Essence of Islam – not any particular book – but from The Essence of Islam and then try to absorb and understand that subject.

Then, you will know what religion is.

“This is the only training. You should know the meaning of Surah al-Fatihah and read the Holy Quran, which is the basic requirement for Jamia students or general knowledge about Ahmadiyyat; you should also try to learn more about Ahmadiyyat.

When did the Promised Messiahas claim to be the Promised Messiah? When did he take the first bai‘at? When was the Promised Messiahas born? […]

“Then also recite the prayer:

ۡ َۡۤ ّ ۡ َ َۡ �ٌ �‫َر ِّب ِانِ ۡی ل َِما ان َﺰل َت ِال َ َّی ِم ۡن خ� ٍ� ف ِق‬

[“‘My Lord, I am in need of whatever good Thou mayest send down to me.’” Surah al-Qasas, Ch.28: V.25)] “This is a prayer of Mosesas. I like this one. You should also recite it.”

Maheen Warraich Sahiba asked how one could inculcate Allah’s attributes in one’s daily life. Huzooraa advised: “If you keep on reciting the names of Allah and know the meaning of it, then it will become a habit of yours. You will Continued on page 4

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AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022

USA 2022: A tour with many blessings Exclusive

This photograph was taken on 23 October 2022. The key to the City of Zion can be seen on the shelf behind

Asif M Basit Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre

This photograph was taken on 23 October 2022. The key to the City of Zion can be seen in shelf behind Upon Hazrat Amirul Momineen’saa return from his successful tour of the US, I had the blessed opportunity to have an audience on Sunday, 23 October 2022.

Some moments are too delicate to be wrapped in words, lest they lose their fragile serenity. Therefore, I will not even attempt to wrap my own words around these blessed moments, and will describe them as I found them.

Everything Huzooraa mentioned about the tour was full of gratitude for Allah the Almighty. I congratulated him on the immense success, and the essence of his response was, in the words of the Promised Messiahas: ‫ریت‬

�‫ایک اجعبئ اکم ںیہ ی‬ ‫ ی ا‬،‫ی�رے اے یریمرے رمیب‬ ‫اتیت‬ ‫د� ےہ تمسق ےک امثر‬ ‫ ربج ےس ا‬،‫رگہچ اھبگ�یں‬

Oh my Lord, your ways leave us all in awe; Unworthy as we are, you bring to us rewards.

I mentioned how warmly the dignitaries of the US had taken Huzoor’s words, to which the reply was a reflection of:

‫ادتبا ےس وگۂش ولخت راہ ھجم وک دنسپ‬ ‫رہشوتں ےس ھجم وک رفنت یھت رہ اک تمظع ےس اعر‬ ‫رپ ےھجم وت ےن یہ ریت اےنپ اہھت ےس اظرہ ی‬ ‫ایکا‬ ‫ی‬ ‫ںیم ےن بک اماگن اھت �ہی ی�را یہ ےہ بس ربگ و ابر‬

Always dear to me was my solitude And always I despised fame and honour; But You, O Lord! Shone your light on me I’d never asked for it, you brought about this blossom.

There was mention of the mayor of a city who had initially said he would not be able to attend. He had later called to say that not only would he attend but would also present the key of his city to Huzooraa. When he arrived for the reception, he requested a private audience with Huzooraa where he expressed how deeply moved he was – so much that he found it hard to hide his emotions. Huzoor’s contentment, while speaking about this incident, revolved around the fact that:

‫آراہ ےہ اس رطف ارحا ِر �وی ورپ اک زماج‬ ‫ضبن رھپ ےنلچ یگل رُمدوں یک انہگ زدنہ وار‬

The liberal hearts of the West are now

flocking to us; The dead silent pulse, is beating to life again.

I expressed how faith inspiring it was to witness the love of the American Ahmadis for Huzooraa throughout the tour; Huzoor’s response was along‫ ریت‬these ‫ ںیئ‬lines:

‫ی‬ ‫اِس دقر ھجم رپ‬ ‫وہ� ی�ری ایقانع ای�ات و رکم‬ ‫نج اک لکشم ےہ ہک ات رو ِز ی‬ ‫�اتم وہ امشر‬

O Allah, so much bounties have you bestowed upon me, If I count till the doomsday, I cannot count them all.

The success of the US tour had further pushed our enemies in their jealousy. But on this topic, I saw Huzooraa filled with sympathy and prayer for them. He was, as if, saying: ‫ریت‬

‫اہھت ی‬ � ‫رسُع و خ ُ رسُی ر‬ ‫ںیم ی�رے ےہ رہ رسخان و عفن و ُ ر‬ ‫وُت‬ ‫ب� ت‬ ‫ُ و� یہ رکات ےہ ریتیسک وک ےب ونا ایا� ���ی�ار‬ �‫ریتزعت و ذتل �ہی ی�رے مکح رپ وموقف ںیہ ی‬ ‫ی�رے رفامں ےس زخاں آیت ےہ اور اب ِد اہبر‬ ‫ض‬ ‫ںیہ‬ ‫ری ی‬ ‫� ارگ اچےہ ایتختدخا‬ ‫ق�ب���ۂ‬ ‫دقت�ر ںیم دل ی ںیئ‬ � ‫ی‬ ‫آاج� رھپ ےب ی‬ ‫ا�ار‬ ‫پھ�ی�ر دے یریمری رطف‬

O Allah! You alone grant failure or success, hardship or ease,

You alone make someone heard, or mute the fanfare of others; Honour and disgrace both rest on your command, With your orders comes autumn to some, and spring to others.

All hearts are held in the custody of your hand; Turn them such, that they come flying towards me.

Just behind Huzoor’s chair, on the shelves, was placed the key to the City of Zion. Huzooraa asked if I wanted to have a closer look. Restless to do so, I went closer and had a look at the historic souvenir.

Huzooraa also mentioned that he intended to send it to be displayed with other such souvenirs in a few days’ time.

I congratulated Huzooraa on the key of the City of Zion and the response I received can be summed up in the following verse:

‫ یریمرا کلُم ےہ بس ےس دجا‬،‫ایک ُوکلُموں ےس‬ ‫ھجم وک ی ا‬ ‫روضان ای�ار‬ ‫ایک اتوجں ےس یریمرا اتج ےہ‬ ‫ھجم وک ی ا‬ ِ

Do I care about territory? My territory transcends land; What is a crown for me? My crown is the pleasure of God. (‫)اللھم اید امامنا بروح القدس‬

Friday 4 November 2022 | AL HAKAM

4 Continued from page 2

become habitual in reciting the names of Allah and whenever you need Allah’s help or you want Allah to accept your prayer in some particular matter or case, then you will recite that particular attribute which is related to that matter.

“So, if you know the meaning and you know the names of Allah the Almighty, and you are reciting them daily or regularly or at least at the end of the day, before going to bed, you just read the book – at least 99 names have been given in The Prayer Book. […] Whenever you are praying, you should take one of the attributes that you need at that particular moment and this is how you can make it a habit in your daily life if you remember Allah.

“It all depends on the remembrance of Allah the Almighty. So, if you remember Allah daily, if you are offering your five daily prayers, if you are praying fervently in your prayers and you are praying to Allah in your sajdahs [prostrations] that Allah helps you to remove all your difficulties and problems and give you the rewards of the good deeds and also use the attribute which, you think, is related to your problem, then this is how you would know and you would become habitual of reciting the names or the attributes very often.”

Salman Rehman Sahib asked what young people could do in preparation for a possible world war. In reply, Huzooraa said that his answer would include older people as well. He said: “The first thing is that you pray that it should not happen. […] Secondly, you prepare yourself for the preaching and spreading of the message of Islam. So be determined and promise Allah the Almighty that when you grow up, you will spread the message of Islam. […]”

Huzooraa said by preaching the message of Islam and making people understand the purpose of their lives, the war could be delayed. Continuing, Huzooraa said: “Secondly, as I have already said, every family should also reserve some food for a few months in their houses and the young are also amongst them – they should also help their family members. And also pray to Allah the Almighty – this is the only thing.

“If you mean to ask, ‘how we can save the world from the war,’ then, pray to Allah the Almighty. […] If the world is determined to destroy itself and the leaders are not trying to come to their senses, then we can’t do anything.”

Saba Ijaz Sahiba Sahib said that Sufi theology claimed to promote nearness to Allah through their spiritual practices.

She asked if there were any benefits to such practices and customs that promoted gaining nearness to Allah. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “There was no Sufism during the time of the Holy Prophetsa. Was there any Sufi at that time? No. There was no Sufi during the time of the four rightly-guided Khulafa-e-Rashideen. After centuries, this thing started and when it started it was because at that time the Khilafat was not the spiritual Khilafat. It was a worldly Khilafat.

And the Khulafa of those times were after worldly gains. And the Khalifa was not the chosen Khalifa by the community, but they inherited it. This is why, at that time, there was a group of people who stood up

and said ‘We are the spiritual people and we tell the people what is the actual spirit of your religion, what is the spirit of prayers, and how you should pray, how you should bow before Allah, how you should practise the commandments given in the Holy Quran’, and this is how they started and how they started explaining different ways of teachings of the Holy Quran and this is how it all developed.

“But, now, after the coming of the Promised Messiahas who came to revive the religion of Islam, according to the prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa of Islam there is no need for any Sufi, nor to follow any Sufi.

“Even, I remember once I explained in my khutbah [sermon] the following verse:

ۡ َ ۡ َ ٰ ٰ َّ ُ ۡ ُ ُ ّٰ َ ‫ض‬ ِ ‫اللہ نور السمو ِت والار‬

[Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. (Surah an-Nur, Ch.24: V.36)] One of the Arab persons, who had newly converted to Ahmadiyyat, said, ‘I was a follower of Sufism. And now after having listened to your khutbah, I can see there is no bigger Sufi than the Promised Messiahas, and how he has explained the Holy Quran.

[Considering] how he has explained the teachings of the Holy Quran, we don’t need any Sufi now.’

“And now the Khilafat is also rightly guided, as long as it will remain as it is, there is no need of Sufism. So, it was the requirement of the past, not the present.”

Ibrahim Syed Ahmad Sahib asked Huzooraa how Ahmadi youth could uphold their identity and promote their beliefs in the face of prejudice from other Muslim students. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “You should have self-confidence. How do you see yourself, are we right or wrong?

If we are right, then don’t bother about their jest.” Huzooraa said, Ahmadi youth should be proud they were on the right path, whereas other Muslims were not. Ahmadis should have complete self-confidence and should not bother about other people at all.

Rohan Zafar Sahib from Portland asked what supplications Ahmadis should offer when praying for the Khalifa-e-Waqt.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “You should pray that Allah the Almighty helps the Khalifa of the time to discharge his duties – that the burden of the duties Allah has put on the shoulder of the Khalifa-e-Waqt is properly discharged. So, Allah gives him strength and health so that he works properly for the cause of Islam and Ahmadiyyat.

“And whatever the plans are in the mind of the Khalifa of the time, they are completed with Allah’s help in the shortest possible time and in the best way. And Allah the Almighty may also give him the helpers – that is Sultan-e-Naseer – so that a team of helpers can also help the Khalifa-e-Waqt.

And Allah may also make us the helpers of the Khalifa of the time, so that, as waqifeene-nau, we also discharge our duties to help the Khalifa-e-Waqt in completing his assignments, tasks, wishes and plans.”

Sajeela Ahmad Sahiba asked whether, as a mother of a waqif-e-nau baby boy, there were any unique practices to focus on during her child’s early years to strengthen his pledge to serve the Jamaat. Huzooraa asked how old the child was, to which she replied that he was nearly 15 months old.

Huzooraa said: “The first thing is that you pray for him

in your five daily prayers and offer two rakats of nafl for him, praying that Allah Almighty make him a true waqif-e-nau. And then, as he grows up, you teach him about morals and teachings of the Holy Quran and of Islam.

“And show your own example. Both, husband and wife should set their own example before their children so that they will know that our parents are always offering five daily prayers, they read the Holy Quran, they try to understand the meaning of the Holy Quran, they are the thorough example of the teachings of the Holy Quran and Islam and they are true followers of Islam Ahmadiyyat. Then they will grow up in that atmosphere, environment, and then they will become a good waqifeen-e-nau.”

Amatul Nur Rida Sahiba asked what limitations an Ahmadi girl should be aware of when going out with friends. Huzooraa said: “[…] You have some obligations, being an Ahmadi girl. The first thing is, whenever you are going out [in the morning before you leave home], you offer the Fajr prayer, recite a portion of the Holy Quran – do tilawat – and then go out. When it is the Zuhr salat’s time, prayer time, then offer your prayer. If the Maghrib or Isha time comes, then offer your prayer.

“Always talk in a dignified manner, not loosely; there should not be any loose talk from an Ahmadi girl, or even an Ahmadi boy – [for] every Ahmadi [in fact], not only particularly for girls. And if you set your own example, then your girls would know that ‘if you have to learn spirituality, religion, morals, then you learn from Amatul Nur.’ This is the thing you have to keep in mind.”

Mashood Ahmad Sahib said that the Promised Messiahas had stipulated that whoever joined the wassiyat scheme, should give 1/10th of his wealth to the Jamaat.

Mashood Sahib asked if he was allowed to join the system of wassiyat as a student.

Huzooraa said that students were allowed to do so as they could give 1/10th of their pocket money and when they were eventually employed, they could pay their wassiyat contribution based on their income.

Ramiya Chaudhry Sahiba said that the Promised Messiahas had said, “I see my Jamaat [Community] in the area of Russia like the grains of sand in numbers.”

[Tadkirah, p. 1115] She asked how and what a waqifa-e-nau ought to do to fulfil this vision. Huzooraa answered: “Again, as I have already said, you are a waqifa-e-nau and you must always keep in mind what your duties are. I gave a very lengthy, detailed sermon almost 5-6 years ago in Canada about the duties of waqifeene-nau and waqifaat-e-nau. If you practise that one then [...] The first thing is, set your own example, be spiritually and morally good, and always remember Allah the Almighty whenever you are doing anything.

“And then, your job is to also preach.

If you get the chance to go to Russia – if only we are saved after the war which is hovering over us – then after that, I think, Russians will also try to find some system that is good for them. And at that time, we should try to preach to them. So, the first thing is reforming ourselves, the second is preaching.”

Taufiq Ahmad Khalid Sahib asked whether Huzooraa would advise Ahmadis to continue paying chanda in the event of

financial hardships. Huzooraa advised one could make cuts to eating out and in turn save money to give to chanda instead.

“This is up to you; how important do you consider chanda. What is chanda? Chanda is sacrifice and what does sacrifice mean? […]

To do something by forc[ing yourself] and by leaving something which you desire. This is sacrifice. Chanda is a sacrifice, so you will have to leave your desires and force yourself to do that. If you realise the importance of it and the reward, then you will know the importance of chanda. […]

“If you know the meaning and the importance of sacrifice, then you cannot raise this question [of] financial hardships.”

Huzooraa said if one had not reduced any of their consumptions etc. They were not sacrificing to pay chanda.

Amatul Halim Zain Wahab Karim Sahiba said it was commonly observed that people who committed to intercultural and interracial marriages faced many issues. She asked about the Jamaat’s view on interracial and intercultural marriages. Huzooraa responded: “If there are interracial and intercultural marriages, that’s good, but both sides should be very tolerant. The thing is that the Holy Prophetsa says that before you choose any match, you should try to choose somebody who is spiritually good, who has good religious knowledge and who is a firm and staunch Muslim. If you consider all these things – both parties, boy and girl – then no matter whether it is interracial or intercultural or within your own culture or race, you will enjoy your life. Always keep in mind that nobody’s perfect, everyone has some shortcomings in them. […]

“If different cultures are joined together in Ahmadiyyat, then that will be a very good Ahmadi environment, and that is what we should try to create. That is what I believe, and that is what Islam says. But people have some shortcomings in them, sometimes they do not behave in this manner.

“Whenever we are choosing someone for marriage, we normally see that ‘if the person is well qualified, the girl is well qualified, the boy is well qualified, they are earning substantial money, they have a lucrative job’.

Instead of seeing all these things, we should try to see that a person has a good religious background and is a practising Muslim.”

Further, she said that her mother was from Ghana and asked if the shape of Masjid Mubarak in Islamabad reminded Huzooraa of a hut in Tamale. Huzooraa smiled and said: “No, the Masjid Mubarak’s architecture is much, much, much better than that hut.”

Minar Ahmad Sahib asked Huzooraa if he thought psychokinesis was possible.

Huzooraa said: “Yes, it is possible. The Promised Messiahas has written on this issue in his book Izala-e-Auham […] but he says that it does not mean that the person has the power which God has. […] He has even mentioned that there are some people who can, even with their concentration, move this table, not only could they move the table, but there were even some people sitting on it who also moved. But that was a temporary process, whenever they lose their concentration, it will stop there. So, they cannot say that they are now on par with Allah the Almighty.

“But it still needs some research and the Promised Messiahas said Allah the Almighty has told him that, ‘Yes, some people have the

5

AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022 power of it but that does not mean that it is the same as the power given to the prophets

by Allah or His pious people.’”

Huzooraa encouraged Minar Sahib to read Izala-e-Auham to find out more.

Sameera Sohail Sahiba asked how Ahmadi Muslims should mourn the demise of political figures and gave the example of the recent demise of Queen Elizabeth II. Huzooraa replied: “Any human being who dies, we normally condole. I also sent a message of condolence to King Charles on the demise of Queen Elizabeth, and it has even been published in their paper. We can say, ‘We are sad. Allah have mercy on them’. We can seek Allah’s mercy for those deceased people, no matter, whether they are Muslim or not.

Huzooraa said, it was only certain infidels [mushrikun] about whom Allah had expressly stated that He would not forgive them, that we should not pray for.

“Otherwise, for other people, Allah did not stop us from praying for them when they die. Although, we don’t offer their janazah prayer, but at least we can express our sympathy and sentiments for the deceased person and for those people who have lost their loved one. You can pray for them, no problem. Otherwise, how can you say, ‘Love for all, hatred for none’? Love is that we love human kind, we love human beings. And this is one of the ways to express your love.”

Labeeb Ahmad Sahib asked Huzooraa what steps he could take to see the existence of Allah. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “You cannot physically see Allah the Almighty. You cannot. Allah the Almighty is Noor [Light].” Huzooraa then asked Labeeb Sahib if he had ever experienced the acceptance of his prayers, to which Labeeb Sahib said he had. Huzooraa said this was experiencing the existence of Allah as He answered the prayer. Another sign of Allah’s existence was when one prayed and felt satisfaction or knew He would answer the prayer. Huzooraa asked Labeeb Sahib if he had experienced these things – Labeeb Sahib said he had. That was how Allah showed Himself, Huzooraa said. “Ahmadis always have their experiences with Allah the Almighty”, Huzooraa said.

Labeeb Sahib then asked why some prayers didn’t come true, as this hindered belief in God’s existence. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “It is not necessary that Allah accepts all of your prayers, He is Malik. He says, He will accept some of your prayers and sometimes some of your prayers are not good for you. If you are praying fervently, then Allah will not let it go to waste. That will be in your credit account, so whenever you need something, Allah will give it to you – the credit benefit.”

Jazib Bhatti Sahib asked how one could find a good spouse. Huzooraa said: “The Holy Prophetsa has said that whenever you are trying to choose your match, there are 3-4 things; that either you like a beautiful girl, or a wealthy girl, or a girl from a good family – these are worldly things. But a pious, good believer should always try to choose the match of that girl who is good in her religion, who is pious and righteous; a good believer.

“So if the boys consider this thing, then the boys themselves have to be good believers and pious people. Not that you search for a good girl and you are even not

offering the five daily prayers. If both of you are good, spiritually good and religiously good — then there will be peace and harmony in the house. And your progeny and generation will also be brought up in good hands.”

Hibatul Saboor Sahiba asked for Huzoor’saa advice on making and being a good friend. Huzooraa said: “You are an Ahmadi girl […] you know the good and bad. You know your duties.

You know what Allah has commanded. You know the two main objectives of a human being for which the Promised Messiahas came, that is [...] to bring human beings closer to their Creator and, secondly, to discharge their duties towards their fellow beings. If you are doing all these things, you are a good girl, a good Ahmadi Muslim woman. And if you have these qualities, then always, when you are choosing your friend, you will try to choose those girls who are of this nature or who are of good nature. You will never ever try to make friends with bad

girls. And the same thing will apply when you have all these qualities, then people will also consider you a good friend.”

Fatiha Atiatul Haye Sahiba stated that when a person passed away, we Muslims َ ۤ َّ ّٰ َّ َ said ‫ ِانا لِل ِہ َو ِانا ِال ۡی ِہ ٰر ِج ُعوۡن‬. She asked why we also recited this whenever we lost a material belonging. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said: “‘We are for Allah, and to whom we have to return’. The Quran [teaches] that it is not only when someone dies that we say this, but, whenever you lose something or you are in difficulty, you are in a problem, then you say [this] and that will remind you of the power of Allah Almighty that Allah will always remain in this world and every other thing has to either die or get lost. This َ ۤ َّ ّٰ َّ َ is why, you see, we say: ‫ ِانا لِل ِہ َو ِانا ِال ۡی ِہ ٰر ِج ُعوۡن‬.

“It also has a very deep meaning as well.

When, sometimes, you lose something and you have forgotten and you have kept it َ ۤ َّ ّٰ َّ َ somewhere, if you say ‫ ِانا لِل ِہ َو ِانا ِال ۡی ِہ ٰر ِج ُعوۡن‬it so happens – and it has happened on so many occasions with me and also with many other

َ ۤ َّ

ّٰ َّ

people as well – that when we say ‫ِانا لِل ِہ َو ِانا ِال ۡی ِہ‬ ‫ ٰر ِج ُعوۡ َن‬then, immediately, either we find that thing or it comes into our mind that, ‘Yes, I kept that thing in there’. So, it also works to find things, to save you from your loss.

“This is the prayer that if a person dies, [one may think] ‘I was relying on him, I am very sad about his demise or her demise, but Allah is always there, He will protect me, He will save me.’

“The same thing happened when the father of the Promised Messiahas died and he was very much worried because he was not working anywhere and his source of income was his father. When he was worried, he prayed, ‘Oh God, what will I do.’ After َ ۤ َّ ّٰ َّ َ saying ‫ ِانا لِل ِہ َو ِانا ِال ۡی ِہ ٰر ِج ُعوۡن‬then immediately it was revealed to him by Allah the Almighty ّٰ َ ‫أليس الله بكاف عبده‬, ‘Is Allah not sufficient for His servant’. You are Allah’s servant, so Allah is sufficient for you. So, this is how Allah Almighty comforted him. This is why we say this. It is a prayer which gives you comfort.”

6

Friday 4 November 2022 | AL HAKAM

This Week in Hi 4 November 4 November 2013: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered a historic address at New Zealand’s National Parliament in Wellington. During his address, Huzooraa advocated the urgent need for justice as a means to develop world peace in the face of increasing tensions and conflicts in various parts of the world.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivers the keynote address at the reception given in his honour, in Nagoya, Japan

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurating Baitul Ahad Mosque in Nagoya with his Friday Sermon

4 November 2016: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated the Mahmood Mosque in Regina, which serves as the capital city of Saskatchewan Province in Canada. Huzooraa delivered the Friday Sermon from the newly built mosque, in which he outlined the true and entirely peaceful objectives of building mosques.

On the same day, Huzooraa delivered the keynote address at a special reception held to mark the inauguration of the Mahmood Mosque, which was attended by more than 180 guests, including the Premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall. During his address, Huzooraa reflected upon the true objectives of mosques and spoke of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya’s continued commitment to serving humanity. Huzooraa also spoke about the situation in the Muslim world at that time, which he described as “extremely precarious and turbulent”.

5 November 5 November 2010: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa announced the new year of Tahrik-e-Jadid and commended the financial sacrifices of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Lahore, which stood first in the whole of Pakistan in Tahrik-e-Jadid’s collections. Huzooraa said that the incident of 28 May 2010 did not discourage them, rather they exceeded in their spirit of sacrifice.

5 November 2013: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa arrived in Japan from New Zealand. Huzooraa spent his first night in Japan in Tokyo city centre, before Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressing dignitaries, general public and community members at the inauguration of Al-Mahdi Mosque in Bradford, UK

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AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022

istory

4 - 10 November

travelling to Nagoya, where the Ahmadiyya centre in Japan is based.

This was his second visit to Japan.

6-7 November 6 November 2016: A special reception was held to mark the opening of the newly built Baitul Aman Mosque in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada, at which Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered the keynote address. During his address, Huzooraa spoke of the true purpose of mosques and how the new mosque would not only be a place to worship God Almighty, but would also prove a means of serving and protecting all people.

He said that at a time when there was widespread fear of Islam, it was a sign of open-heartedness and “extraordinary courage” that the guests had attended an Islamic event. Both prior to and after the reception, Huzooraa met personally with a number of guests and also held a press conference with local media representatives.

7 November 2008: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated the Baitul Mahdi Mosque in Bradford, UK, and narrated the history of Jamaat in Bradford.

7 November 2012: Fanatical religious extremists targeted Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Bangladesh in a village named Taraganj, district of Rangpur in an extremely brutal and vicious attack. At least 15 local Ahmadis were injured during the course of the attack. Apart from the mosque, two Ahmadi homes, one of which was used as a prayer centre, were also attacked. The three properties were all vandalised, looted and set on fire.

7 November 2014: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned a missionary of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ghana, Alhaj Yusuf Edusei Sahib, who passed away on 2 November. He was born on 15 December 1942 in a Christian

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressing the UK Peace Symposium, Baitul Futuh, London

household and accepted Ahmadiyyat at the age of 16. He graduated from Jamiatul Mubashireen Ghana. He had the opportunity to build around 40 mosques in Ghana, and also translated the Holy Quran into the Twi language.

8 November 8 November 2013: During his Friday Sermon on this day, from the newly built Baitul Ahad Mosque in Nagoya, Japan, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa shed light on the importance of building mosques and the purpose of mankind’s creation.

On the same day, Huzoor held an interview with the Japanese media outlet The Asahi Shimbun, one of the four largest newspapers in Japan. aa

8 November 2014: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered the keynote address at the 11th National Peace Symposium hosted by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya UK. During his address, Huzooraa categorically condemned

the activities of ISIS and other extremist groups as “entirely un-Islamic” and said they were “viciously spreading a network of terror” throughout the world.

Masih Vaa addressed an audience of more than 100 Japanese dignitaries and guests at a special reception held at the Mielparque Hotel in Nagoya.

Quoting extensively from the Holy Quran, Huzooraa proved Islam to be a religion of peace that promoted tolerance, mutual respect and understanding at all levels of society.

Huzooraa also raised the issue of how extremist groups such as ISIS were able to receive funding and support.

During his address, Huzooraa explained Islam’s true and peaceful teachings, condemned all forms of terrorism and extremism, spoke movingly about the Japanese people and appealed to Japan’s leaders to strive for world peace.

9-10 November 9 November 2017: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned a missionary from Sierra Leone, Yusuf Khalid Sahib, who had passed away on 2 November.

He graduated from Jamia Ahmadiyya Rabwah with the Shahid degree. He had the opportunity to serve the Jamaat in Sierra Leone in various capacities, such as Naib Amir I and Principal Jamia Ahmadiyya Sierra Leone.

9 November 2013: Hazrat Khalifatul

10 November 2017: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned Hassan Muhammad Khan Arif Sahib, who had passed away on 3 November. He served the Jamaat in various capacities, such as Naib Wakil-ut-Tabshir, Wakil-ud-Diwan, Wakil-ut-Talim, Wakil-uz-Zara’at, Wakil-ul-Maal, and Officer Amanat.

In 1981, he migrated to Canada, and served there as the editor of the Ahmadiyya Gazette for 26 years. He also wrote a book titled Muqaddas Kafan.

Friday 4 November 2022 | AL HAKAM

8

Answers to Everyday Issues

Part 43

Reincarnation and prophethood after the Promised Messiah Guidance regarding basic Islamic issues – which Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa has given on various occasions in his written correspondence and during MTA programmes – is being officially published below for everyone’s benefit.

Reincarnation A lady from Austria wrote to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa that people from different cultures, some Muslim sects and Muslim scholars and many other religions had expressed their views about reincarnation, an overview of which was as follows: God Almighty reincarnates man in order to establish justice. He brings man into the world repeatedly, so that he may go through different experiences like poverty, wealth, sickness and health etc., because it would be unjust for man’s soul to go through only one experience.

She asked what the position of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was on this issue and whether the Promised Messiahas or any of his caliphs had said anything in this regard.

Huzoor-e-Anwaraa, in his letter dated 6 September 2021, provided the following guidance on this issue: “The doctrine of reincarnation, in fact, stems from not understanding and not believing in the life of the hereafter, which is the eternal life. It is the result of unfamiliarity with God’s nature and His attributes, especially the attributes of creation, sovereignty and various other attributes related to His Rahmah, such as generosity, effacing of sins, forgiveness and mercy, etc. As per the doctrine of reincarnation, God Almighty is compelled not to grant everlasting salvation to any human being. If a person wishes to attain salvation by repenting from his wanderings and misdeeds during his life, God is unable to grant it to him, merely on account of his repentance and pure transformation.

Rather, that person must, according to the doctrine of reincarnation, re-enter the world in another state, even if it means departing from human existence and transmigrating into a dog, a monkey or a pig. Moreover, this false doctrine also prevents a person from following the paths of purity, because, as a result of believing in this doctrine, it is possible, for instance, that the woman he marries in the reincarnated life, may have been his mother, sister or grandmother in the previous life. Apart from this, there are many other absurd and nonsensical aspects of this doctrine.

“The Promised Messiahas has refuted this un-Islamic doctrine of reincarnation, which is completely inconsistent with the attributes and nature of God Almighty, in a very detailed and reasoned manner in several of his works (including The Philosophy of

the Teachings of Islam, Chasma-e-Ma‘rifat, Arya Dharam, Qadian Ke Arya Aur Hum).

From among those works of the Promised Messiahas, The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, Chasma-e-Ma‘rifat, Qadian Ke Arya Aur Hum, Lecture Lahore and Lecture Sialkot have also been translated into Arabic and are available online, along with their Arabic translations. [For the English translation of the Promised Messiah’sas works, visit www.lislam.org/books/hazratmirza-ghulam-ahmad — Editor, Al Hakam] There you will be able to find the Promised Messiah’sas refutation of the doctrine of reincarnation. As an example, the following excerpt from one of his works is reproduced below. Huzooras states: “‘Transmigration — the returning of the souls to this world in different forms — is the other aspect of their doctrine which relates to the creation. Despite all their claims to reason and rationality, the Aryas believe that Parmeshwar is a hardhearted being who punishes the souls for millions of years as a penalty for a single sin and keeps throwing them back into the cycle of transmigration even though they are not His creation and He has no right over them. Would it not be more appropriate to punish them for a specific number of years, as earthly governments do? Greater punishment can only be justified if one has an equally greater right over the guilty, but when all particles and souls are self-existent and the Parmeshwar has no right over them — except, perhaps to cast them into repeated rebirths — He is surely not entitled to put them through such a long punishment. “‘In Islam, although God says that He is the Creator of every particle and every soul, and the Source of all their powers, their life and their existence, He still says:

ّ ٌ َّ َ َ َّ َ َّ َ ُّ َ َ َ َ َّ ‫ال ل َِما یُﺮِیۡ ُد‬ ‫ِالا ما شﺂء ربﻚ ؕ ِان ربﻚ فع‬

“‘i.e., they will dwell in hell for eternity, but this eternity should not be confused with God’s eternity, it only means a long period of time after which His mercy will intervene, for He is the Almighty and does what He wills. [Surah Hud, Ch.11: V.108] This verse has been explained in a Hadith where our lord and master, the Holy Prophetsa, says: ّ ٌ ٰ ٌ ّ ‫اﺣد و�ﺴیم‬ ّ ‫الﺼبا‬ ‫�حرك‬ ‫زمان ليس ﻓﻴﻬا‬ ‫یﺄﺗی علی ﺟﻬ�م‬ ‫أبﻮابﻬا‬ “‘i.e., a time shall come upon hell when no one will be left in it, and its gates shall be moved to and fro by the morning breeze. “‘But the Aryas present God as a rancorous and unforgiving being whose fury is never appeased and who does not forgive sins even after putting the souls through the cycle of transmigration for billions of years. [...] “‘Further proof of the falsity of the concept of transmigration is that it is contrary to the true moral and ethical values.

For instance, when a man takes a woman for his wife, how can he be sure that she is not his mother or sister or granddaughter who might have died earlier on? Would such a person not be breaking the Vedic law by contracting such a marriage? Such a situation could be avoided if every child was born with a written record of its parentage in its past lives, but since no such arrangement has apparently been made by Parmeshwar, would one not be justified in believing that He Himself desires to spread such evil? “‘We also find it difficult to understand what the transmigration of souls is really meant to achieve. Salvation — mukti — undoubtedly depends upon God-realisation — gayan — and if this is what transmigration

is meant to achieve, then why is it that a soul loses all the stock of knowledge and awareness it has so laboriously earned in its past lives, and without which there can be no question of salvation. We see that every child comes into the world utterly devoid of knowledge, just like a spendthrift who has squandered away all his fortune and finds himself penniless. Even if one has read the Vedas a thousand times in his previous life, he will not remember even a page of it. It is hard to see how a soul can ever be delivered from the cycle of transmigration when it keeps losing all its stock of knowledge and awareness acquired in its past lives. “‘The souls are indeed ill-fated, for they do not only lack God-realisation — gayan — to become deserving of salvation, but, according to the Arya belief, their salvation also lasts a short period of time after which they are thrown back into the cycle of transmigration.’ (Lecture Lahore, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, pp. 170-172)”

Prophethood after the Promised Messiahas Someone from Egypt inferred something from the following verses of the Holy Quran:

َّ َ َ​َ َ ّٰ َّ ّٰ َ َّ ‫ُسنۃ الل ِہ فِی ال ِذیۡ َن خلوۡا ِم ۡن ق ۡب ُل � َول َ ۡن ت ِج َد ل ُِسن ِۃ الل ِہ‬ َ ‫ت ۡب ِدیۡ�ًا‬

[Such has been the way of Allah (in the case of) those who passed away before, and thou wilt never find a change in the way of Allah. (Surah al-Ahzab, Ch.33: V.63)]

َ َ َ َ ۡ َ َ َّ َّ ُۡ ّٰ َّ ‫ف َہ ۡل یَن� ُ� ۡو َن ِالا ُسن َت الۡا ّول ِ� َ َ� � فل ٰ ۡن ت ِج َد ل ُِسن ِت الل ِہ‬ َ ّ ّ َ َ ‫ت ۡب ِدیۡ�ًا � َول َ ۡن ت ِج َد ل ُِسن ِت الل ِہ ت ۡﺤ ِویۡ ًل‬

[Do they then look for anything but (God’s) way of (dealing with) the peoples of old? But thou wilt never find any change in the way of Allah; nor wilt thou ever find any alteration in the way of Allah. (Surah alFatir, Ch.35: V.44)] The person then wrote his conclusions to Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, stating that some of God’s laws were categorical and permanent, including God’s law of sending independent or subordinate prophets. He then asked whether a lawbearing prophet, like Hazrat Musaas or the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, could come 622 years after the advent of the Promised Messiahas or, if Islam was the ultimate religion, could a non-legislative prophet, or a caliph of the Promised Messiahas, become a follower prophet of him?

Huzoor-e-Anwaraa, in his letter dated 9 September 2021, gave the following reply to

9

AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022 this question: “First of all, your argument, that God Almighty’s sunnah of sending independent or subordinate prophets was categorical and eternal, cannot be inferred from the verses of the Holy Quran you have quoted and inferred this from.

In the verses of Surah al-Ahzab, Allah is talking about the defeat and destruction of the opponents of Islam, especially the hypocrites, against the Muslims. Then, He states that that was His sunnah which had been in operation in favour of the earlier divine communities too and would continue to be so, i.e. the hypocrites and other opponents of Islam would be humiliated and disgraced and the followers of Islam would be granted success.

“As for the verses of Surah al-Fatir, they discuss the following theme: Before the advent of a prophet, people make many tall claims that if a warner from God came to them, they would surely become more guided than the people before them.

However, when God sends a messenger to them, they collude against him, arrogantly reject him and plot against him in every possible way. Under such circumstances, Allah the Exalted also instigates his other sunnah against those opponents and causes them to utterly fail by calling down various punishments upon them. Then, He exalts his messengers with His succour and ultimate victory.

“Thus, the conclusion you are drawing from these verses is incorrect. However, we do believe that whenever a prophet or a reformer was needed for the guidance and reformation of the world, Allah the Exalted, out of His mercy for humankind, certainly sent prophets or reformers. That mercy will continue to descend in the future, but He alone knows best how His mercy will be manifested.

“When we seek guidance on this issue from the Holy Quran and the ahadith of our lord and master, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the chosen one, peace be upon him, we find that Huzoorsa has given the glad tiding of the establishment of a caliphate on the precepts of prophethood [Khilafah ‘ala

time, he kept silent. It can be deduced from this, that this blessing shall then last until the Day of Resurrection. (Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Vol. 6, Musnad Nu’man ibn Bashir, Hadith 18596, Beirut: ‘Alam Al Kotob, 1998, p. 285) “Moreover, the Promised Messiahas, the most ardent devotee of the Holy Prophetsa and the Just Arbiter [Hakam ‘Adl] of the current age, after having been informed by God Almighty, has argued from various verses of the Holy Quran, the ahadith of the Holy Prophetsa and the history of other religions, that the lifespan of the human race was seven thousand years; the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa was sent in the fifth millennium and we were passing through the seventh millennium of this dispensation.

Hence, Huzooras states: “‘But the Holy Quran tells us that God is the Eternal Creator Who, if He so wills, may destroy the heaven and earth billions of times and create them anew just as before.

God has informed us that the present human race originated from Adam, our common ancestor who came after the previous ‘races’, and this human race has an age of seven thousand years, and that these seven thousand years are to God just as seven days are to man. It has been decreed by the Divine law that every ‘race’ has a lifespan of seven thousand years, and it is to highlight this fact that the seven days have been ordained for man. Thus, the time ordained for the children of Adam is seven thousand years, five of which had already passed by the time of our Holy Prophetsa, as shown by the numerical value of the words of Surah Al-‘Asr. By now six thousand years of this era have gone and a thousand years remain. It has been prophesized, not only by the Holy Quran but by many earlier scriptures, that the last Messenger who will appear in the likeness of Adam, and will be named the Messiah, will appear at the end of the sixth millennium, just as Adam was born towards the end of the sixth day.

All these signs should suffice for a man of understanding. “‘According to the Holy Quran and other Divine scriptures, the seven millenniums

Minhaj an-Nubuwwah] twice in his ummah.

He said that this blessing would be lifted after having been established for the first time, but after giving the glad tiding of this blessing’s re-establishment for the second

have been further divided as follows: First millennium: for the spread of guidance and virtue. Second millennium: for dominance of Satan. Third millennium: for the spread of guidance and virtue. Fourth

millennium: for the dominance of Satan.

Fifth millennium: for the spread of virtue (this was the millennium in which our lord and master the Holy Prophetsa appeared for the reformation of mankind and Satan was put in shackles). Sixth millennium: for the release and dominance of Satan (this millennium extends from the end of the third century of the Islamic era to the beginning of the fourteenth). Seventh millennium: for the supremacy of God and His Messiah, spread of virtue and faith and righteousness, establishment of the Unity of God and Divine worship, and dominance of every virtue. “‘We are now at the head of the seventh millennium and there is no room for any other Messiah to come after this, because there are only seven millennia that have all been divided into good and evil. All Prophets have spoken of this division whether in passing or in detail. But the Holy Quran has mentioned it very clearly, and from this we deduce the prophecy about the Promised Messiah. “‘It is indeed remarkable that all Prophets, in one way or the other, have foretold about the time of the Messiah and the mischief of the Antichrist. In fact, no other prophecy has been made so frequently and with such consistency.’ (Lecture Lahore, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, pp. 184-186)” “In another place, he writes: “‘[...] the scriptures of all the Prophets(as) as well as the Holy Quran show that, from Adam to the end, God has ordained the age of the world to be seven thousand years, with a thousand year periods both for light and for darkness. In other words, there is a period for righteousness to prevail and a period in which evil and misguidance reign supreme. According to the Divine scriptures, both these epochs are divided into periods of one thousand years each. The first of these periods was dominated by guidance during which there was no sign of idol-worship.

This was followed by another period, also lasting a thousand years, in which all kinds of idol-worship took root and Shirk became rampant and spread in every land. In the third millennium, the foundation of Tauhid was laid afresh and it spread in the world as far as God willed. Then, during the fourth millennium, darkness reappeared; the Israelites went astray and Christianity died right at its birth, as if its birth and death had taken place at the same time. “‘Then came the fifth millennium, which was the age of guidance. The advent of our Holy Prophetsa took place in this millennium.

Through him, God re-established Tauhid in the world. The mere fact that he appeared in the millennium which had been destined for guidance since eternity, is enough to prove that he was from God. This is not only my view, but all the Divine scriptures testify to it. This fact also proves the authenticity of my own claim of being the Promised Messiah, because, according to this division of periods, the sixth millennium is the time of darkness and evil. This thousand-year period starts three hundred years after the Hijrah and ends at the turn of the fourteenth century. The Holy Prophetsa had designated those belonging to the sixth millennium as Faij-e-A‘waj [The misguided horde]. “‘The seventh millennium in which we live is that of light and guidance. Since it is the last millennium, it was inevitable that the Imam of the latter days should be born

at the turn of this millennium. After him, there is no Imam and no Messiah except the one who comes in his image, for in this millennium the world comes to an end as all the Prophets(as) have testified. This Imam, whom God has designated as the Promised Messiah, is the Mujaddid [Reformer] of this century as well as of the last millennium.

Even the Christians and the Jews do agree that, counting from the time of Adam, the present millennium is the seventh. God has disclosed to me the time of Adam, as calculated upon the numerical values of the letters of Surah Al-‘Asr. This too proves that we are now in the seventh millennium.

All Prophets(as) are in agreement that the Promised Messiah would be born at the end of the sixth millennium and make his appearance at the turn of the seventh, for he would be the last to come, as Adam was the first.’ (Lecture Sialkot, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, pp. 207-208)” “Thus, this is the last millennium of that dispensation during which God sent the spiritual son and the most ardent devotee of the Holy Prophetsa, in exact accordance with his prophecies as the Promised Messiah and the Khatam al-Khulafa’. It can be deduced from the prophecies of the Holy Prophetsa and the sayings of the Promised Messiahas that, by the grace of Allah the Exalted, since this is the era of the Islamic Ahmadiyya Caliphate, established through the Promised Messiahas in the last millennium, therefore, if ever there is a need for a reformer for the reformation of the world, Allah the Exalted will raise someone from among the followers of the Promised Messiahas for that reformation, who will be the Khalifah of the time and will also be granted the status of a reformer [musleh] in addition to being a caliph, as Allah the Exalted conferred this status on Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. Hence, while elucidating the status of that promised caliphate, he states: “Moreover, it is not just a question of any caliphate, but a question of a promised caliphate. It is a question of a caliphate established by divine inspiration and revelation. One kind of caliphate is when God Almighty causes people to elect a caliph and then He endorses him, but this is not only such a caliphate. That is, I am not only a caliph because, on the day after the demise of Hazrat Khalifah Ira, the members of the Ahmadiyya Community gathered together and agreed on my caliphate, rather, I am also a caliph, because even before the caliphate of Khalifa Ira, the Promised Messiahas had also said, on the authority of divine inspiration [ilham], that I would become a caliph. Thus, I am not just a caliph but a promised caliph. I am not an appointee [ma’mur] but my voice is the voice of God Almighty because God Almighty gave this news through the Promised Messiahas. In other words, the position of my caliphate is between Ma’muriyyat and Khilafat. This is not an opportunity for the Ahmadiyya Community to let go and still be exonerated

by God. Just as it is true that prophets do not appear every day, so it is also true that promised caliphs do not appear every day.’ (“Report Majlis-e-Mushawarat 1936” in Khitabat-e-Shura, Vol. 2, p. 18)” (Compiled by Zaheer Ahmad Khan, Head of Records Department, Private Secretariat, London.

Translated by Al Hakam)

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The last days of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan - An eyewitness account Awwab Saad Hayat, Jalees Ahmad Al Hakam

Hazrat Ahmadas, in his book, Haqiqatul Wahi —The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, in which he documents some of his prophecies, signs, and revelations spanning over 25 years, writes: “89. Eighty-Ninth Sign — I had prophesied about Sayyed Ahmad Khan that in the latter part of his life he would experience some hardships and that his days were numbered. The subject matter was published in handbills. After this, Sayyed Ahmad Khan had to suffer great sorrow and grief because of the embezzlement of funds by a mischievous Hindu. Thereafter, he lived only for a few days and died of the same sorrow and grief.” (Haqiqatul Wahi — The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, p. 304) Sir Sayyed Ahmad Khan, who was made a Knight Commander of the Star of India by the British crown, was a Muslim leader, philosopher, and educationist from the subcontinent. He became well-known after the events of the major uprising in India, known as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. He died on 27 March 1898, when he was more than 80 years of age.

He endured severe shocks in the latter part of his life when the treasurer of his educational institution, established in Aligarh, embezzled 1,50,000 Rs. Further, Sir Sayyed’s son, Sayyed Mahmud’s, excessive drinking caused further grief and aggravation. Upon his demise, funds had to be raised for his funeral arrangements.

Sir Sayyed Ahmad Khan was a politically astute personality and an important and well-known name of his time. With regards to the latter part of his life and last days, information is found in the book Mushahidaat wa Ta’suraat, based on the memoirs of Dr Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, known as Papa Mian. This book has been arranged and edited by Athar Siddiqui, of Aligarh.

To establish the importance of the traditions and statements of this eyewitness and close companion, Dr Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, it is deemed essential to mention his relationship with Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Professor Athar Siddiqui, who compiled the above-mentioned book, writes: “Two prominent personalities rose from the state of Kashmir who shone like bright stars and gained fame throughout India.

Both were named Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, but one was an expert activist for women’s education and was commonly

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan Bahadur's house

known as Papa Mian. The other was the heart and spirit of Kashmir politics. With the passage of time, people are forgetting about people of the past and often confuse one with the other due to the similarity of names […] Whatever Sir Syed accomplished concerning the education of boys is a neverto-be-forgotten fact; however, concerning the education of girls and women, as of that time, the feat Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah (1874-1965) accomplished alone, as the founder of women’s education, is no less than the feat accomplished by Sir Syed. Another important aspect we find in the book under discussion, “Mushahidaat wa Ta’suraat”, is that Sheikh Sahib came to Aligarh at the age of 17. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was alive at that time and [Sheikh Sahib] spent the next 10 years in the shadow of Sir Syed. He was probably the last person of his time to have seen Sir Syed and has detailed his meetings and relations with him in this book.”

(Mushahidaat wa Ta’suraat, preface) On page 30 of the above-mentioned book, under the title “Sir Syed Ka Ma’moole-Zindagi” Sheikh Abdullah writes: “Sir Syed used to wake up at 4 am […] he would read books […] and start his

literary work. During this time, when his mail would arrive, he would leave all his work and turn his attention to the mail, and he would instruct an employee, educated in the English language, to respond to the letters received from the government or the officers of the government. The letters that were sent to the government in English were shown to an English professor at the college and especially Mr Beck (Theodore Beck), the principal of the college. The very important correspondence was drafted by Mr Beck.

“The funds collected for the college would be sent through the finance secretary, Babu Shyam Bihari Lal, to the Bank of Bengal, Agra branch, for deposit. The Bank of Bengal was then no more and the Imperial Bank of India was replaced by the State Bank of India.

“Sir Syed had employed one person who knew the English language and two Kayasthas [a cast of Hinduism] who had little knowledge of English. The management of collecting boarding house fees was not organised. [...] The boarding house fees were collected by Saeed Ahmad resident of Kandhala district Muzaffarnagar. [...] My personal experience is that he was

neither competent nor reliable. In his time [of employment], there was a lot of confusion in the calculations. He did not have any regular accounting register or account system. A register containing plain pieces of paper was bound in book form.

When a student came to pay his fees, he [Saeed Ahmed] would make a note of it wherever he found a blank space or a blank page, and if he did not remember, he would ask [for the fees to be paid] again. When they would say to him, ‘you had taken it and entered it into the register’, he would start searching through his book and sometimes, after spending two hours, an entry would be found somewhere. He would not even give a receipt to anyone. Some students used to complain that ‘we paid our fees and Secretary Saeed Ahmad did not register it anywhere, nor did he admit that he received the fees.’ […]” (Mushahidaat wa Ta’suraat, p. 30)

The incident of Babu Shyam Bihari Lal’s embezzlement On pages 32-34 of the aforementioned book, it is written: “Sir Syed, apart from Babu Shyam

11

AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022 Bihari Lal, who was caught embezzling [the monetary funds of the college], had two Kayasthas who used to work as clerks. Babu Shyam Bihari withdrew 170,000 Rs from the bank by forging Sir Syed’s signature.

Shyam Bihari Lal had become so proficient at copying Sir Syed’s signature that even Sir Syed was sometimes deceived as to whether it was his original signature or copied by someone else. Babu Shyam Bihari Lal was a resident of Aligarh and was a very extravagant and luxurious man. Sir Syed was under the impression that he belonged to a noble family because some of his relatives had landed estates and houses. Babu Shyam Bihari Lal used to write cheques in English, submit them to the bank after getting them signed by Sir Syed, and receive the money from the bank. Along with this, apart from the usual monthly expenses, he would forge fake cheques and withdraw money. Sir Syed bought government promissory notes with some college funds and deposited them in the bank. The bank would collect interest on them.

“Shyam Bihari Lal withdrew the trust money, which was deposited in the bank in cash and concerning the promissory notes of the college’s capital fund, which were deposited in the bank, he forged proceedings of a meeting by the trustees and presented them to the bank, stating the capital fund be used to cater for the needs of the college. In this way, he withdrew a lot of money from the bank on guarantee of the cash promissory notes and spent it all on luxury. Sir Syed was unaware that his trusted secretary was a fraud.

“In 1893 Shyam Bihari Lal suffered a stroke. People suspected that he had embezzled the college’s monetary funds before suffering a stroke and said that it should be investigated. When Sir Syed was informed of this, he did not believe it. He made his way to Shyam Bihari Lal’s house in his carriage and informed him, ‘You will be shocked to hear that people are saying you have embezzled money from the college fund, but I do not believe it and I have come to assure you there will be no investigation until you regain your health. I still have the same faith in you as before.’

“Shyam Bihari Lal, weeping and crying, pleaded before Sir Syed, saying he was his servant, ‘If you, Sir, have confidence in me, then I hope I will not be found guilty and your confidence [in me] will remain.’ Upon Sir Syed’s return, people said, ‘whether you investigate this matter or not, at least see what is going on’. On that day, when the copies of the official records and chequebook were taken out and examined, Shyam Bihari Lal’s dishonesty was completely revealed.

After contacting the bank and finding out the situation, it was confirmed that indeed Shyam Lal had embezzled a lot of money.

Compelled, Sir Syed went to court, himself, and filed a case against Shyam Behari Lal in the Joint Magistrate’s Court. Shyam Bihari Lal was arrested, taken into custody, and brought to court. His health was frail but he was in full possession of his senses.

“A few hearings on the case were conducted. Sir Syed’s statements were also recorded. Mr Beck, the Principal of the College, being accustomed to Sir Syed’s handwriting, came forward to identify the signatures. He spent a lot of time identifying the forged and genuine signatures as it seemed very difficult to distinguish between

the two. However, in the end, a fake remains a fake.

“Mr Beck showed the cheques with forged signatures separately. While the case was still ongoing, Shyam Behari Lal died whilst in custody. Some used to say that he had eaten something. Some opponents of Sir Syed even created a scandal and started saying that Sir Syed was ruining Shyam Bihar Lal’s reputation, embezzling money, and framing Shyam Bihar Lal. There were only two or three such people. The rest did not give any value to their statements and considered them untrue. Sir Syed thanked God that the secret of Shyam Behari Lal’s embezzlement was revealed in his lifetime, otherwise, his opponents would have accused him of embezzlement.

This misappropriation was a huge cause of grief for the late Sir Syed. At that time, people believed that this trauma shortened his lifespan significantly and if it had not happened, he would have lived for a couple more years.

“After the above-mentioned incident with Shyam Beharilal, the accounts of the college were managed separately by Mr Beck and trustees. Mr Beck was appointed as the treasurer. Arrangements were made to keep the accounts via a double-entry system. A Bengali gentleman, who had been employed in the Government Accounts Department, and was now retired, was employed by the college. Syed Abdul Baqi Sahib, who was a teacher of the High School, was made the Bengali gentleman’s subordinate to assist him. Since then, thank God, not a single penny of the college and university monetary funds has been misappropriated.

This misfortune that befell the trustees put the matter of accounts on the right track and till now the efforts in safeguarding the accounts and funds is looked after with the same method and arrangement.”

(Mushahidaat wa Ta’suraat, pp. 32-34) After mentioning various other issues, the author has recorded the following information on pages 72-73 under the title Sir Sayyed ki Aulad, (The Children of Sir Syed): “Sir Syed had two sons. One was named Syed Hamid and the other was Syed Mahmud. When Sir Syed was 45 years old, his wife passed away. […] Syed Mahmud was the younger child. Syed Hamid was employed in the police, and at the beginning of my studies in Aligarh, he was alive and served as a superintendent in the police. Syed Mahmud received his education overseas.

He returned after passing the bar exam. He was very distinguished among the people of his time in his art and jurisprudence. He worked as a district judge and then became a judge of the Allahabad High Court. He remained a High Court Judge for around 9-10 years and then resigned due to a disagreement with the chief justice of the High Court, Sir John Edge.

“About three years after I came to Aligarh, he also came to Aligarh and started living with Sir Syed and also started assisting him in matters related to Aligarh College and the Muslim Educational Conference. When I first saw him, his physical condition, which affected his mind, was not satisfactory.

Gradually, his condition worsened until Sir Syed and he began to have differences. The reason for the disagreement was Sir Syed’s honest nature and Syed Mahmud’s mental disorder. Syed Mahmud desired the total

financial management of the college to be entrusted to him and the responsibility of the income and expenses of the college be left to him. Sir Syed simply did not agree to this.

Gradually, Syed Mahmud’s disagreement on this matter reached the point of lunacy, and in late 1897 and early 1898, Sir Syed and Syed Mahmud had such a great conflict and disagreement that Syed Mahmud said to Sir Syed, ‘The house in which you live belongs to me, hence, you should arrange your stay elsewhere.’

“In 1897, I lived in a bungalow in the MAO [Government Muhammadan AngloOriental College] college premises, which was situated some distance from the Union Club. There was another bungalow very close to the Union Club in which some students from the senior classes lived. One day, when I came to my house after finishing work, I came to know from an employee that Sir Syed had moved to the bungalow, which was located near the Union Club, with some of his belongings. I went out and saw that Sir Syed was sitting on the bungalow’s veranda and Syed Ross Masood was playing in the front field.

After drinking tea, I immediately went to Sir Syed. I was surprised to see his chairs and furniture etc. The reason for my surprise was that I saw Nasir Khan, who oversaw the buildings, ordering labourers to clean the bungalow. The labourers were carrying some of Sir Syed’s belongings on their heads.

“I understood that today there must’ve been a dispute between Sir Syed and Syed Mahmud which was beyond the tolerance of Sir Syed and for this reason, he left his home and came here. I did not ask him anything but just stood and watched. Sir Syed smiled and said, ‘what is the matter of surprise and worry? You are now ready to vacate the boarding house, as you will leave in the coming months. I deemed it appropriate to come here and settle in boarding rather than occupying a house. In this way, I will become a boarder.’ I was extremely hurt, but I did not say anything. I directed Nasir Khan to pick up some rubbish lying on the side of the bungalow. After talking for a while, to learn more about the situation, I left.

“The circumstances that I came to know were that Syed Mahmud, who had been insisting for a long time that the

responsibility of the college monetary budget be entrusted to him and that Sir Syed should not interfere in this work, finally reached such a point that he very sternly said to his father, ‘leave my house and take up your abode in another place.’

After hearing about the situation, Sir Syed ordered Nasir Khan to ‘deliver mine and Ross Masood’s essentials, beds, etc., to the bungalow situated near the Union Club.’

Then [Sir Syed] took Ross Masood with him, sat in a carriage, and moved towards the college premises.

“Before evening, a few dignitaries from the trustees came to meet Sir Syed, among whom I remember the names of Mirza Abid Ali Baig, Nawab Muhammad Ismail Khan Sherwani, and Syed Muhammad Ahmad, who was Sir Syed’s nephew.

“Since their arrival, comments of reconciliation between Syed Mahmud and Sir Syed were shared; however, neither of them deviated from their word. Sir Syed did not want to hand over the financial management of the college to Syed Mahmud, and his son was very adamant that Sir Syed leave the income and expenses of the college to him. Sir Syed remained only a few days in this bungalow and then heard from the trustees that Syed Mahmud had given up his insistence that the monetary funds of the college be entrusted to him. And, on the advice of his friends, Sir Syed deemed it appropriate to return to his residence.

Therefore, [Sir Syed,] accompanied by Syed Ross Masood, returned the same way he came.” (Mushahidaat wa Ta’suraat, pp. 7273) On page 74 of the book, before writing the account of the disagreement between Sir Syed and Maulvi Samiullah Khan, the author narrates: “The above-mentioned events are not mentioned anywhere else. Maulana Hali [Altaf Hussain Hali] did not mention it in Hayat-e-Javed, nor did he refer to it in his account of the events of Sir Syed’s life. The reason for this was that in the lives of Sir Syed, Syed Mahmud, and Syed Ross Masood, he thought it inappropriate to add the details of this incident for later generations. However, I found it very appropriate to record this Continued on next page >>

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incident. This incident is very important for those who want to know the circumstances of Sir Syed’s life.

“It is known to everyone from the book, Hayat-e-Javed, and other literary works [about Sir Syed] that roughly 12 years before these differences, when Sir Syed established the college trustees’ association and appointed himself as the life honorary secretary and Syed Mahmud as the joint secretary, it was stipulated that Syed Mahmud would be the life honorary secretary after him. This rule and such conditions were strongly opposed by one party. The ringleader of the party was Maulvi Samiullah Khan Sahib CMG. He did not see much opposition towards Sir Syed.

However, Syed Mahmud and he had had an unpleasant relationship for a long time. For this reason, he did not want Syed Mahmud to be the joint secretary, and after Sir Syed, without any election, become its secretary and take Sir Syed’s seat.” (Mushahidaat wa Ta’suraat, p. 74) Further, the author, on pages 76-77, writes: “On this occasion, it was necessary to mention the reasons for the disagreement between Maulvi Samiullah Khan Sahib and Sir Syed. The differences that arose between Sir Syed and Syed Mahmud were caused by Syed Mahmud’s mental disorder, owing to a bad habit of his - which is prohibited in Islam - and those who embrace this habit have to face severe problems and losses in the world. When Sayyed Mahmud served as a judge, he became an alcoholic. As he

aged, this habit also became excessive.

Thus, by the time I saw him personally, he had become mentally weak. His insistence, ‘the responsibility of the college’s monetary funds be entrusted to me’ was due to his mental feebleness.

“Sir Syed would witness, before his very eyes, the monthly pension of 600 Rs which was fixed for Syed Mahmud would be spent as soon as it came into his possession, and he would always have a need and trouble for money. After witnessing these circumstances, if Sir Syed had been an ordinary person, he would not have had such a strong disagreement with his son on the issue of finance. However, his personality, honesty, and being a man of firm principles were not such that he would yield and show such a weakness that he would entrust the responsibility of college expenses at the request of Syed Mahmud.

“The incident of disagreement between Sir Syed and Syed Mahmud is an essential part of Sir Syed’s biography. Because of this, the superiority of his morals and the greatness of his principles have a great effect on one’s heart.

“Sir Syed, who at one point harboured bitter differences against his friends for the sake of his son, upon witnessing Mahmud’s situation, paid absolutely no attention to his son’s desire. Sir Syed’s departure from his son’s house to the college premises for a few days was proof of the extreme tension between the two. Since Sir Syed’s return, it was assumed that the tension was resolved.

However, in reality, it was not.

“Now, having shed light upon the

The last message of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, at University Triangle, Aligarh Muslim University

circumstances of the middle period of Sir Syed’s life, we return to the main topic and present, to the readers, incidents of the last days of Sir Syed’s life.” (Mushahidaat wa Ta’suraat, pp. 76-77) On page 94 of the book, under the chapter titled Sir Syed ke Aakhiri Din (Sir Syed’s last days), the author writes: “I have mentioned above that in 1897, Sir Syed and Syed Mahmud had a bitter dispute regarding the college’s financial matters. Sir Syed did not want to entrust the management of the college’s monetary funds to Syed Mahmud. Syed Mahmud, whose mental condition had deteriorated, desired that the monetary funds of the college be entrusted to him so he might allocate them as he wished. It would be contrary to the event and unfair to say that, despite his condition, Syed Mahmud harboured any intention of taking hold of the monetary funds of the college and spending it on himself as he desired. I completely absolve him of this charge. However, at the same time, I consider it far from Sir Syed’s foresightedness, honesty, and selfless life that he would have entrusted the college fund to Syed Mahmud given SyedMahmud’s condition at that time.

“Though, due to the recommendation of friends, Sir Syed returned from the boarding house and went to Syed Mahmud’s house, as mentioned earlier, the mutual dispute between the two continued and their differences remained.

“The late Maulana Shibli narrated that once Syed Mahmud, fed up, punched the chair where Sir Syed was sitting and said, ‘Hey old man! It still remains your greed and desire to rule and hold on to the monetary funds for yourself.’ I have not investigated this incident as the late Maulana Shibli did not personally see this incident. However, if this incident is true, Syed Mahmud’s behaviour was out of line. However, we cannot illuminate its possibility considering Syed Mahmud’s condition at that time, seeing the differences between him and Sir Syed had reached their limit. Despite the unpleasantness of his private life, the pain Sir Syed possessed in his heart for the nation was not lessened in any way.” (Mushahidaat wa Ta’suraat, p. 94) On page 96, the author explains Sir Syed’s last service and how his condition deteriorated day by day. Under the title, Sir Syed ki Wafaat (Sir Syed’s Demise), he wrote: “Since January 1898, Sir Syed began to feel some kind of pain, more or less, every day. He was quite old. He had many worries. Syed Mahmud’s hostility and day and night troubles had a deep impact on his heart, which was visible on his face. Those who enjoyed the company of Sir Syed often heard things like, ‘the sun is nearing its setting point’. Sir Syed often used to say, ‘I have reached a ripe age. Now, there is very little hope of life.’ In those days, his food intake was very scarce. This was the reality.

However, his daily routine of attending to the college letters continued. Restrictions set on official correspondence remained the same as before. People would often come and go and engage in conversation [with Sir Syed Ahmad] and, from time to time, even glimpses of his wit and humour were witnessed.

“The months of January and February came to pass and from March, Sir Syed’s face began to show signs of worry. I cannot

recall if it was in February or March that Sir Syed was again under severe pressure and compelled to leave Syed Mahmud’s house once again. He went to Nawab Haji Muhammad Ismail Khan, chief of Dattawalli’s house, which is known as Bibi Wali Kothi. This villa is located at a distance of 100 to 125 yards to the southwest of Muzammal Palace. Now, Muhammad Jan Khan Sahib Raees [a person belonging to the aristocracy of noble distinction] has built a big building near it called Bait-ulIkram, popularly known as Panwali Kothi.

“In the last week of March, I, the author, went to Delhi for personal needs and spent a few days buying various goods. On 27 March 1898, when I returned from Delhi, I heard the news at the Aligarh railway station that Sir Syed had just passed away […] From the station, I went to my house and from there I went in search of the house whose name I had not heard before. It was a small two- or three-room abode. No need had ever arisen to go there and there was no way to identify it. Eventually, at 11 pm, I arrived at the house. After investigating the situation, I found that Sir Syed had been suffering from chills for three or four days.

“He was under a doctor’s treatment where his urine was drained through a catheter as its passage was being repeatedly blocked. In the end, he became severely ill, lost his conscience, and passed away. I did not see Sir Syed’s son, Syed Mahmud, his nephew, Syed Muhammad Ahmad, or anyone else dear to him there. I only saw employees and, as far as I can recall, Nawab Muhammad Haji Ismail Khan and Maulvi Wahiduddin Saleem were also there. I came to know that the burial would take place the next morning; however, the whereabouts was yet to be determined.

“I went back home at around 12 and slept. When I woke up in the morning, I made my way back to the place [where Sir Syed’s body was]. Upon arrival, strangely, it was said that there was not even a single penny to conduct Sir Syed’s burial.

“Shehzada Aftab Ahmad Khan was not in Aligarh that day, but his employee, Wali Muhammad, was. He went to the late Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk and returned saying, ‘Look, no one has donated a single penny for the burial; however, I have collected 50 Rs from Nawab Sahib,’ although, at that time, Syed Muhammad Ahmad, Sir Syed’s nephew, were present. I then came to know that Syed Mehmud, accompanied by Munshi Nasir Khan, went to the college mosque at 2 am and instructed labourers to dig a grave on the adjoining land on the northeast side of the mosque.

“Mr Beck went there and said that some Englishmen wanted to attend the funeral, and said that they had fixed four o’clock in the evening for the funeral.

“During this time, the late Khwaja Muhammad Yusuf, Nawab Muhammad Ismail Khan Sahib, and Maulvi Samiullah Khan Sahib arrived. They objected, asking, ‘Who is Mr Beck to set the time for the funeral? When his [Sir Syed’s] heirs are present, what right do others have to set the time?’ This objection merely remained an objection; no further discussion or action was taken on this matter.

“At around 11 o’clock, the deceased, Sir Syed, was bathed. Khwaja Muhammad Yusuf Sahib bathed him himself. Khwaja Sahib wept profusely and also uttered words

13

AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022 of complaint towards Sir Syed’s heirs. After bathing the deceased, the body was kept in a room in the house. The deceased was bathed in the courtyard. I can still recall in my mind all these places: where he died, where he was bathed, and where his funeral was kept after the ghusl. As far as I know, there is no other living person except me who is familiar with these events.

“Around one o’clock, myself, the late Ziaullah Khan, and another friend whose name I cannot recall went to Syed Mahmud and told him, ‘the funeral shall take place at four o’clock. You must also attend it.’ Oddly, Syed Mahmud, at the time of Sir Syed’s illness or at the time of his death or after his demise, until the time we went to see him, had not come to the house where Sir Syed died.

“Syed Mahmud, seeing us, resting his hands on his head, began to sigh loudly and said, ‘Oh, my father has passed away and I don’t even have any arrangements in my house that I may seat guests.’ As he became quiet, we reminded him, ‘Don’t forget, your coming is necessary. It is better that you go along with the funeral.’ He merely replied, ‘Yes, I shall come.’ As we returned, the time for the funeral approached. College students, staff members, British and Indian officials, and some chiefs who lived in Aligarh accompanied the funeral procession and the people of the city also joined the procession in large numbers. Upon reaching the mosque, it was decided that the funeral prayer should be offered on the cricket ground. Meanwhile, Syed Mahmud also appeared, wearing an Arab robe.

“The funeral prayer was led by the late Maulvi Abdullah Ansari, the college dean.

Syed Mahmud also stood in a row and so too did Mr Beck and Mr Morrison. After the prayer, the body was brought to the grave. Tears were flowing from the eyes of the students as they carried the body to the grave, even Mr Beck and Mr Morrison were weeping.

“After the burial, the late Nawab Mohsinul-Mulk sat on a chair in the field and said to Sir Syed’s heirs, ‘The person who earned them [heirs of Sir Syed] respect and wealth in the world, among them, not even 50 Rs were donated from their pocket to provide for the funeral. I was certainly a friend of Sir Syed but not an heir. The heirs must spend and bring about the means [to aid the funeral]’ but they did not.

“This was the history of the latter days of Sir Syed’s life, his illness, his grief, his demise, and the story of his burial proceedings, which I recall. Sir Syed was born in 1817 and died in 1898, making him 81 years of age upon his demise.” (Mushahidaat wa Ta’suraat, pp. 98-99) As has previously been mentioned, Maulvi Altaf Hussain Hali’s book, Hayat-eJaved, on the biography of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan is very popular. Although he penned a detailed chapter on the circumstances of the demise of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and collected a lot of information from various places, however, the above-mentioned important matters with the recollections of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, who holds the status of an eyewitness, are completely overlooked.

(For details, see: Hayat-e-Javed, by Altaf Hussain Hali, pp. 265 - 280)

Ahmadi Muslim missionaries meet Pope Francis, who pays homage to Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Marwan Gill Missionary, Argentina

On 5 September 2022, the missionary-incharge of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Italy, Attaul Wase Tariq Sahib and my humble self had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis, the worldwide leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

The meeting took place in his office at the Vatican and with us, were also two Jewish representatives from Argentina. It was a historic moment, as it was the very first time that the current Pope received a delegation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in a private audience.

After the formal reception and pictures, the Pope started the conversation by commenting on our logo in Italian on the gift bag: “‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ is such a beautiful message, but sadly there is too much hate in the world.’”

Tariq Sahib continued this conversation by introducing him to the background of this motto and our work worldwide under this slogan.

Thereafter, I introduced myself in Spanish, to which the Pope immediately inquired if I was Argentinian due to my accent

of Spanish. The current Pope is Argentinian and was previously the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, so he was curious why we had never met before in Argentina. I clarified to him that I arrived as a missionary of our Community in Argentina after he was already elected as the Pope. After giving him a detailed background of our Jamaat, we introduced to him the magnificent work of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa as a worldwide ambassador of peace. We presented the Pope with an Italian translation of the book World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace. We also presented him with the letter that Hazrat Khaliftul Masih vaa had specifically written for this audience. The Pope received the letter with great respect and acknowledged gratitude for this gesture of Huzooraa.

Furthermore, we gifted him the Spanish and the Italian translation of the Holy Quran and spoke specifically about chapter 19 which is dedicated to the virgin Mary. The Pope shared with us his personal anecdote and told us that he was very surprised when he visited Dubai and was invited to a mosque that was named “Mariam”. We told him that the Holy Quran in general gives great importance to dialogue with Jews and Christians to promote similar values.

In light of a few verses of the Holy

Quran, we expressed to him our commitment to undertake joint efforts in an attempt to establish peace and justice in our societies. Thereafter, the Pope continued the conversation with the Jewish representatives, who also shared their personal testimonies.

Just a few days earlier they had the privilege to meet Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in a private audience in Islamabad. Hence, they expressed to the Pope their positive remarks about their audience with Huzooraa and their experience in general with the members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.

The Pope was deeply interested and overwhelmed by our joint activities in Argentina, whose aim is to promote interfaith brotherhood and have so far had a very inspiring impact on the wider society.

The Pope was pleased and highlighted the fact that interfaith relations require constant effort and sincerity from all parties.

As an acknowledgement of our efforts towards interfaith harmony, he gifted us all a miniature of the Vatican and a copy of his latest books. Furthermore, he dedicated his book “Fratelli tutti” (All Brothers) to Huzooraa with a short message and personal signature. The audience lasted in total for around 40 minutes.

Friday 4 November 2022 | AL HAKAM

14

Zikr-e-Habib ‫ﺫﮐﺮ ﺣﺒﯿﺐ‬ Part 6

A beloved remembered

[Migration of Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq to Qadian] Near the end of 1900, when the middle school of Qadian was upgraded to a high school and another teacher was required, and as I had experience in the work of teaching, the attention of the administrators of the school drew towards me that I should be called to Qadian. Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib and Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahibra appeared before the Promised Messiahas and asked permission for me to move to Qadian. The Promised Messiahas instructed me to take a three months’ leave from the office for the time being and come [to Qadian]. Thus, I went to Lahore and applied for a three-month leave, but I also wrote in it that, “If I cannot be granted a leave, then my resignation should be accepted.”

After some time, when Khwaja Kamaluddin Sahib came to know about this in Qadian, he opposed the matter and requested the Promised Messiahas that, “The office in which Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib is currently employed has many opportunities for promotions and advancement. Some of the clerks employed in this office become EACs [Extra Assistance Commissioners] and are promoted to certain other prestigious positions. It is not right to withdraw Mufti Sahib from there.

He will not only have personal benefits if he stays there but there are also many national gains.” On this, the Promised Messiahas sent me an instruction that, “You should not hand in a resignation. However, if you can easily secure a leave, then take it and come here.” Sheikh Abdul Aziz Sahib was sent from Qadian to Lahore for handing over this letter [of the Promised Messiahas] to me. He brought [the letter] to me at the time of dawn. In those days, I and Dr Mir Muhammad Ismail Sahib who was studying in the first year of medical college, lived together in one house. By that time, my application had been marked and reached the desk of the Deputy Accountant General.

I reached his table and crossed the word “resignation” from it. However, since the [application] had already been marked, my leave was approved. Subsequently, I went to Qadian and started working as the second teacher at the Talim-ul-Islam High School in accordance with the instructions of the Promised Messiahas.

When three months passed, the Promised Messiahas asked me to apply for another six months’ leave. Thus, I sent the leave request for six months to Lahore, of which three months’ leave was approved.

When those three months had passed, the Promised Messiahas advised me to do istikharah [prayer in which one seeks the best outcome].

I performed istikharah seven times and

From right to left: Harzat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra, Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkotira, Hazrat Dr Mir Muhammad Ismailra

after all the seven istikharahs, I observed that my heart was at peace with the idea of abandoning my job and settling permanently in Qadian. When I shared my feelings with the Promised Messiahas, he instructed me to send my resignation.

When this news [of my resignation] reached Lahore, a deputation of the Muslim clerks of my office paid a visit to the Promised Messiahas. Munshi Nizamuddin Sahib, who was deputed for this purpose, attended the service of the Promised Messiahas and presented the desire of the Muslims before Huzooras that Mufti Sahib should be allowed to remain in the office of the Accountant General in Lahore because he would not only gain personally but also greatly benefit the other Muslims.

I [Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib] used to help the Muslim clerks with their office work and writing, and also benefitted them in terms of religious affairs: I would lead them in prayers, deliver the Friday Sermons and also guide them in religious matters.

The Promised Messiahas did not approve the request for the deputation and considered it more essential and beneficial for me to remain in Qadian and asked me to resign. Thus, I sent my resignation, which was approved.

[Acknowledgements] It will not be out of place to mention that, for my employment in the aforementioned office, there was a special effort by Munshi Nizamuddin Sahib and Chaudhry Sardar Khan Sahib. At that time, both these individuals were members of the Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam and I was employed in one of its schools. They were employed in the office of the Accountant General.

Chaudhary [Sardar Khan] Sahib left when he was an AEC. However, Munshi Nizamuddin Sahib took a pension from that office and later he had the privilege

of serving as the Accountant General in several states. During my working days in the Accountant General’s office, both of them were very kind and friendly towards me. May Allah the Almighty grant them the best of rewards.

[Treatment with honey] Once, the Promised Messiahas had a severe pain in his kidney that lasted for several days. Due to this, he used to feel extreme pain and the servants [of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat] would remain present outside his room all day and night. Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin Sahibra was treating him. One medicine that I remember being given to the Promised Messiahas by Hazrat Maulvi Sahibra for the disease was pure honey dissolved in a little water.

[A Russian tourist] It was only a few days after I had migrated [to Qadian] that one morning a Russian tourist, who was a huge, tall man and a merchant by profession, came to Qadian and was seated in the clinic of Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin Sahibra. A lot of people gathered around him.

When the Promised Messiahas was informed, he blessed him with his presence. When I reached there, the Promised Messiahas told me, “This gentleman has come from Russia and does not know Urdu at all.” Hence, the conversation was carried out with him in the English language. Whatever he said would be translated and presented before the Promised Messiahas, and the words of the Promised Messiahas would be translated and conveyed to him.

The Promised Messiahas continuously preached to him for a long time and then, he requested that he wanted to take a photo of the Promised Messiahas. He had his own camera with him. The Promised Messiahas gave him permission and he took Huzoor’s picture while the Promised Messiahas was

standing in Masjid Aqsa.

He wanted to return on the same day, but it was insisted that he kindly stay overnight.

The next morning, when he was about to leave, the Promised Messiahas went along with him to the outer boundary of the village and preached to him. At that time, Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib translated the words of the Promised Messiahas and conveyed them to him. The tabligh [preaching] was carried out while walking. A large group of members of the Jamaat also joined him. The horse cart on which he was to ride to Batala was slowly following him. When we all passed the bend and reached the canal, i.e. we had gone about four miles out of Qadian, the Promised Messiahas bade him farewell and he went to Batala on the horse cart, and then we all came back to Qadian.

[Publication of Izalah-e-Auham (The Removal of Misconceptions)] When the book Izalah-e-Auham [The Removal of Misconceptions] was published, Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin Sahibra was working in the state of Jammu and I was also employed there. In Izalah-e-Auham, the Promised Messiahas had written the names of his devotees and my name was also included in it. It was mentioned at number 66.

Hazrat Maulvi Sahibra, who used to motivate us in every way for our [spiritual] advancement, addressed me and said, “Mufti Sahib! Your name is at number 66.

Can anyone pass on this number?” My dear friend, Maulvi Fazil Muhammad Sadiq Sahib said, “The names of those who fail are never published. Only the names of those who have passed are published.” At this, Hazrat Maulvi Sahibra smiled and did not say anything.

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in Zikr-e-Habib, pp. 21-23)

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AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022

Are Islam and the Quran anti-Semitic?

– Response to Tim Dieppe, Christian Concern – Part 2

hadith sees it as authentic and a reference to a great apocalyptic battle at the end of time. The traditional explanation is also careful to note that the Jews referenced in the hadith are only the followers of Dajjal (the anti-Christ). (The Myth of An AntiSemitic Genocide In Muslim Scripture, Justin Parrott, https://yaqeeninstitute.org/read/ paper/the-myth-of-an-antisemitic-genocidein-muslim-scripture) Based on the teachings of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiahas, it would be inconceivable to interpret such hadiths about the future concerning the Dajjal, Mahdi and final judgment in a literal manner.

The question remains of what we do with problematic Islamic literature that appears to be hateful or incongruent with the Quran, reason, or established religious principles. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas has provided us with a litmus test for analysing such hadiths as the ones in question. (A Review of the Debate Between Batalavi and Chakrhalavi) Hazrat Ahmadas reminded us that the Quran is the most authentic book on earth and that the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammadsa and ahadith must follow in that order. To this day, many people in the Islamic world continue to use ahadith to promote their various desires, even when those notions contradict the clear words of the Quran. The Promised Messiahas cleared up misconceptions about Islamic principles by subjecting the ahadith to the Quran.

Unfortunately, many Muslims have not heeded Hazrat Ahmad’s call and instead use ahadith to override the clear words of the Quran.

What does Islam teach about interactions with Jewish people?

Abdul Malik USA Dieppe takes issue with the Holy Quran’s characterisation of Jews as apes (Surah Ch.2: V.65, Ch.5: V.61), but on what basis does he, as a Christian, claim this is unfair or antiSemitic, since Jesus Christ, according to the New Testament, says about the Jews: “You brood of vipers, how can you, who are evil, say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Mathew 12:34) Many Jews have pointed out this verse as anti-Semitic and unfortunately, Christians for centuries oppressed Jews based on this verse. What explanation would Dieppe give for this verse that would not fall into hypocrisy?

Leaving the Christian hypocrisy aside for the moment, is it still fair to claim Islam is anti-Semitic based on the verses characterising Jews as apes? Chapter 2, verse 66 says, “You are already aware of those of you who broke the Sabbath. We said to them, ‘Be disgraced apes!’” The Quran is referring to Jews who did not keep the Sabbath as primates. In the first place, the Quran is not putting all Jews into one category, as we discussed previously. But the Quran is calling out those Jews who failed to live up to their standards (given by God). If Islam referred to the Jews in an undignified

manner because they did not accept Islam, that would be one thing, but the Quran is condemning the Jews for not following their own rules. Neither a Jew nor a Christian would have a basis to claim Islamic antiSemitism based on chapter 2, verse 66 in a consistent manner. Both Jews and Christians see Genesis 16:12 as a negative prophecy about Muslims. The common translations read Ishmael would be “a wild ass among men; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him.”

Dieppe quotes a hadith referring to the end of times in which it is stated: “The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say.

‘O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari) The late Professor Khaleel Muhammad saw this hadith as evidence of anti-Jewish hostilities from Christian converts to Islam.

(The Jewish and Christian Influences in the Eschatological imagery of Dajjal of Sahih Muslim, Khaleel Iqbal Mohammed, August 1997, www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/s4/ f2/dsk2/ftp01/MQ40170.pdf) In his view, the Christians of the time identified the anti-Christ and his followers as Jewish and so they brought these beliefs with them and they crept into Islamic literature. A traditional explanation of the

If religion is anti-Semitic, we should be able to find proof of that in the ethical system of that religion. What does Islam teach about interactions with Jewish people?

The Quran encourages positive interaction with the Jews. Allah says in the Quran that men may marry from among the people of the book and that believers can also consume food from the recipients of previous scriptures. The Quran does not encourage any hostilities towards the Jews.

The ahadith are also a source of ethical imperatives from which we learn how the Prophet Muhammadsa interacted with others. There is a well-known narration that the Holy Prophetsa stood during a Jewish funeral procession and when asked why he did so, the Prophetsa responded “is he not a living soul?” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1312) Dieppe claims Christianity is free of racism and that, compared to Islam, “The Bible, by contrast, has been used to oppose racism in all its forms.” He cites Acts 17:26 to show that all nations come from one man.

The reality is that the Bible has been used to justify racism for centuries. The Torah tells us that after the flood, Noahas and his sons settled down to replenish the earth. Ham, one of Noah’s sons, caught his father in a bad position and committed a serious breach of morality.

The Torah records God stating, “And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.”

(Genesis 9:25) The descendants of Ham are considered cursed according to the Bible.

The Sages commented that Ham was smitten with his skin. (Sanhedrin 108b) The Me’am Loez, an 18th-century commentary, states that Ham’s skin was cursed with blackness.

For centuries, Jews and Christians used Genesis 9:25 to justify slavery. The Church of Jesus Christ of the Later Day Saints also used this verse to justify the prohibition of black people from entering their temples until 1979. While Dieppe claims that the Quran writes off a whole group of people as accursed, it is only the Bible that does.

About the Bible, Dieppe writes that it “certainly cannot be used to support antisemitism.” Dieppe will have a hard time convincing many Jews of his assertion. We already pointed out that the New Testament refers to Jews as snakes and blames them for the death of the prophets and Jesus Christ himself. Revelations refer to the Jews as the “Synagogue of Satan” (Rev 2:9).

Concerning the responsibility for the death of Jesusas, Christian apologists claim that all people bear responsibility for the cross. However, the Bible does not justify this claim. During the trial of Jesusas, Pontus Pilate clears himself of responsibility and the Jews respond enthusiastically, “His blood is on us and on our children!” (Mathew 27:25) It is no wonder that Jewish academics such as Daniel Goldhagen have called for antiSemitic passages to be taken out of the Bible.

(A Moral Reckoning: The Role of the Catholic Church in the Holocaust and Its Unfulfilled Duty of Repair) James Dunn, a British Christian New Testament scholar, shared Hagan’s sentiments by admitting that the New Testament contributed to anti-Semitism.

(James DG Dunn (ed.) 1992 J, The Question of Anti-Semitism in the New Testament Writings of the Period)

Incident of the Banu Qurayza

Dieppe quotes two narrations about the conflict with the Banu Qurayza in an attempt to show Prophet Muhammadsa was anti-Semitic. If the only thing we knew about the conflict was that there was a siege and that people were executed (all the information that Dieppe provided), then we would not know much about the incident.

Why was there a siege in the first place?

What is the claim by Muslims about why the siege of Banu Qurayza took place and what are the non-Islamic counterarguments to the claim? Furthermore, what was the Prophet’ssa attitude toward the other Jewish tribes, such as the Banu Qaynuqa?

Dieppe does not bother answering any of these questions. The mere fact that there was a siege and that Jewish people were killed does not tell us the motive for why the incident occurred. It seems Dieppe wants us to believe that Prophet Muhammadsa was anti-Semitic simply because the Muslims won a siege against the Jews. Unfortunately, many of the Jewish and Christian polemics on the issue of Banu Qurayza do not bother discussing the reasons behind the siege and only want people to side with the Banu Qurayza just because they were Jews – these polemicists do not take account of the actions of those Jews. If we only take sides based on whom we like and not what is right then we are submitting to a parochial morality. The issue of the Banu Qurayza can only be discussed openly if Jews and Continued on next page >>

Friday 4 November 2022 | AL HAKAM

16 << Continued from previous page

Muslims are willing to hold all participants to a moral system that applies equally to both parties.

Jewish scholars such as Claude Cahen and Shelomo Dov Goitlein have long argued that antisemitism does not have an extensive history in the Muslim world. (A Mediterranean Society: An Abridgment in One Volume, Claude Cahen, “Dhimma” in Encyclopedia of Islam; Shelomo Dov Goitein, p. 293) Dieppe believes otherwise and devotes two short paragraphs to the topic. He mentions a study by Darío Fernández-Morera, The Myth of the Andalusian Paradise to make the case that the golden age of Islamic and Jewish relations was a myth. He also recalls Bat Y’eor’s book Dhimmitude. The article refers to the dhimmi status as “punitive” even though it is not seen as such by Muslim scholars themselves. (The issue of dhimmis can be studied elsewhere, www.alislam.org/ question/does-islam-oppress-dhimmis-anddemand-jizya-or-death/) Muslims have indeed exaggerated the golden age of the era and Bat Yeor and Fernadez-Morera have information to give us a clearer picture of historical interactions between Muslims and Jews. However, Bat Yeor and Fernandez-Morera have both been subject to scathing reviews due to their evident bias against Islam.

As Muslims, we should not be afraid to analyse our history and call a spade a spade.

There may have been oppression suffered by Jews at different times during Islamic rule in Spain (such as under the Almohads), but that was not the norm. If Jews are no longer in Spain today, it is not the fault of Muslims but the 1492 expulsion and the subsequent inquisition by Christians.

While Dieppe claims the Jews suffered under Ottoman rule, let us remind the reader that it was the Ottomans that sent ships to Spain in 1492 to offer a new home to the Jews. The common consensus remains that the Jews suffered more under European Christian rule than they did in the Islamic world. Yet, Dieppe does not point this out.

How could Dieppe, as a Christian, not admit to Christian wrongdoing if he would point out the faults of Islamic history? Dieppe is not willing to submit to that type of scrutiny.

Ahmadi missionaries continue #AskAMuslim initiative in Sweden

Kashif Virk Missionary, Sweden

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden has initiated a campaign titled #FrågaEnMuslim

(#AskAMuslim) to counter anti-Islam sentiments among the general public in Sweden and to create dialogue and understanding.

The fourth tour under this campaign

Pursuit, betrayal and triumph The formative years of Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin

What is the solution to antiSemitism?

The answer to the question is beyond the scope of this article, but the solutions will only come when everyone comes to the table to discuss ideas openly in a peaceful manner. Dieppe limits his scholarship to non-mainstream individuals with hostility towards Islam and thereby only seeks to speak to an echo chamber. Dieppe’s promotion of, what many would term as hate speech (https://christianconcern.com/ comment/speakers-corner-stabbing-freedomof-speech-is-already-in-danger/) in the name of free speech, would have serious fighters of anti-Semitism walk away from him. His attacks on multiculturalism enhance the fact that he is not interested in dialogue. (https://christianconcern.com/resource/ whats-wrong-with-multiculturalism/) Dieppe says in vague terms that Christians must “deal with Islam,” which the readers can interpret the way they want.

was held in September and October 2022.

Public events were arranged in seven cities, including Sundsvall, Östersund, Örnsköldsvik, Umeå, Skellefteå, Piteå, and Luleå. The journey covered a distance of over 3600 kilometres. All these cities are located in the northern parts of Sweden.

A caravan with the picture of the Promised Messiahas alongside the motto “Love for all, Hatred for none” and #AskAMuslim and #MessiahHasCome written on it was brought along. The caravan served as a discussion booth wherever it was positioned and attracted a lot of attention.

Questions that were frequently asked were about Islam’s view on freedom of speech, women’s rights and homosexuality.

Many people appreciated the initiative.

The tour was given a lot of attention in the media. A total of six local newspapers gave coverage to our stalls. The message was conveyed through two local radio stations and one national radio station. The journey was also widely circulated on different social media platforms.

The local Ahmadis residing in different cities assisted with the stalls and hospitality.

Read now in our Issue 219

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AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022

100 Years Ago...

Daily diary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II: Manifestation of God’s attribute ‘Kun fa-Yakoon’, expenses of missionaries, religious education, sacrifice sharpens mind and modest dress Al Fazl, 2 October 1922 to me, but you should ask it to yourself. The work can be carried out at any place [in the world], but there are two things that should be present. One should have ‘true faith’ or an ‘ideal’. The students are young and they do not possess the required state of faith.

Moreover, we are a new Jamaat, so they do not have all the traditions in front of them.

When a student gets the idea that they can earn something, their ambition to serve the religion is shaken.”

Huzoor[ra] said: “There should not only be verbal claims of sacrifice, but one should present themselves repeatedly and I should feel that each one is willing to make the sacrifice.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said about him [who had asked the question], “If I ask him to leave his business, he will immediately abandon it and come here [to Qadian].

Moreover, he will never even think about it again.”

Religious education after higher education Hazrat Khalifatul Masihra then said: “If a person is willing to do religious studies for at least two more years after doing an MBBS or an MA, we would prefer that they first do an MA or an MBBS. However, we will immediately take work from those who cannot acquire education after doing an MBBS or an MA, because it has been observed that when young students are capable of doing something else, their previous ambitions subside. Their state however should be such that whenever they are called for religious service, they should come immediately and not care about their exams being two or more months away.”

3 September 1922 Bai‘at [The following friends took bai‘at at the hand of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra]: 1. Mian Sultanan Sahib, alias Bhanan, of Barwal, District Gurdaspur 2. Mian Muhammad Shafi‘ Sahib Athwal of District Gurdaspur 5 September 1922

God’s attribute of “Kun fa-Yakoon” [Be! And it begins to be] Hazrat Khalifatul Masihra said: “I had written a note about a book about the attributes of God Almighty. It was written in it that if there arises a question about the saying that man becomes a manifestation of the attributes of Allah the Almighty, then what is the example of the manifestation of God’s attribute ‘Kun fa-Yakoon’ [Be! And it begins to be]?

“I had written the answer there [in the note] that when a person progresses and reaches the point where they no longer possess any desire and the will of God becomes their will, then God makes them say ‘Kun’ and it is considered ‘Kun’ by God Himself.”

Huzoor[ra] said: “The Promised Messiahas has also shed light on this subject in one of his books that one of the stations granted to a person [by God Almighty] includes [the status] where they say, ‘Kun fa-Yakoon’ [Be! And it begins to be].”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihra said: “It is not our intention that the people stop working and start relying on others.

We only say that everyone should work hard and excel in their areas of expertise.

However, they should not be absorbed in these works to such an extent that when they are called for religion, they hesitate to leave their work. Rather, they should be in such a state that when they are called, they come immediately and are happy about it.”

Expenses of missionaries

Sacrifice sharpens mind

On the mention of tabligh [preaching], a young graduate who has dedicated his life to the service of religion, asked [Huzoorra], “When will our missionaries become selfsupporting?”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihra said: “This question should not be directed

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihra said: “Behold, Hazrat Abu Bakrra used to sacrifice wealth on every occasion and would present thousands of rupees, but he never thought that he was going into loss.

The fact is that the mind is sharpened by sacrifice. Hence, Hazrat Abu Bakrra knew

Being prepared to offer sacrifices for the faith

that wealth does not decrease by sacrificing in the way of God and it is the best way of spending money. We thus observe that Allah the Almighty blessed his wealth to such an extent that it is impossible to imagine.”

A capable man is highly regarded Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said: “The people do not hesitate to spend on whom they are dependant. However, they find it difficult to spend on those who depend on them. For example, there is Sanaullah, the people think of him as someone who is doing their work, so they give him money. On the other hand, spending on a mullah is considered bad for them. Sanaullah has achieved perfection in opposing us. Thus, our youth should also achieve perfection and avoid asking. Then, they will be honoured on their own.”

What should be the approach of our young missionaries?

Hazrat Khalifatul Masihra said: “When our young missionaries go out, even though we always consider asceticism as bad and against Islam, once they go out in the state of a dervish and deliver lectures in English, they can turn the world upside down.”

Modesty in dressing Hazrat Khalifatul Masihra said: “I visit Lahore, etc., in this simple dress.

The people from every class meet me. My clothes are a lot better. Hazrat Maulvi Sahibra did not think about it at all. Once, when I had the book of Sahih Bukhari in my hand, the Promised Messiahas asked me what it was. I said, ‘I am going to Maulvi Sahib and this is Bukhari.’ The Promised Messiahas said to me, ‘Enquire from Maulvi Sahib, is there any hadith in Bukhari about wearing good clothes on Friday?’ I went to him and said the same. During the time of his Khilafat, he used to look after his clothes to some extent.”

6 September 1922 Hindu-Muslim unity

On the mention of riots in India, Huzoor[ra] said: “Relations that are called Hindu-Muslim unity have become apparent. We are not at all against the notion that there should be harmony [among the Hindus and the Muslims]. However, until the hearts are purified, how is it possible to achieve it, and such ‘peace’ without sincerity and the purity of the hearts will certainly be dangerous.”

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 2 October 1922 issue of Al Fazl)

Friday 4 November 2022 | AL HAKAM

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100 Years Ago...

Islam in America and Syracuse Sunday Herald 1922 Al Fazl, 2 November 1922

The Syracuse Sunday Herald, a famous American newspaper, in its magazine section, has published a report on a largesized full-page of its issue of 25 June 1922 and given the accounts of the Ahmadiyya Mission in America. A picture of Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib, a sketch of the cover page of The Muslim Sunrise, a drawing of a minaret in New York with a muezzin standing giving the call to prayer, a view of the Highland Mosque and new converts praying in London are also depicted.

Moreover, it states: “The Christian people of America are spending millions of dollars every year in the effort to spread the gospel of Christ all over the earth and convert the people of every nation under the sun to Christianity.

“And while this tremendous outlay is being made to maintain thousands of devoted missionaries in foreign lands, one of the world’s other great religions is making a determined effort to gain a foothold in Christian America.

“The leaders of Mohammedanism not content with the 227,000,000 or more adherents that faith now has in Turkey, India and other countries, are turning their attention to the United States and Canada, with the hope of making both those nations strongholds of Islamism.

“They aim to make their picturesque mosques and the towers from which the muezzins issue their calls to prayer as numerous as our churches, and when that day arrives, they are confident it will not be

long before the crescent will overshadow the cross and a great majority of Americans will be following the precepts laid down in the Koran.

“To the millions of American Christians who have so long looked eagerly forward to the time when the cross shall be supreme in every land and the people of the whole world shall have become followers of Christ, the plan to win this continent over to the faith of the ‘infidel Turk’ will seem a thing unbelievable. But there is no doubt about its being actually well underway or that it is being pressed with all the fanatical zeal for which the Mohammedans are noted.

“A little more than a year ago there arrived in the United States a Mohammedan missionary who is charged with the duty of spreading his faith throughout the length and breadth of North America. His name is Mufti Muhammad Sadiq and he came from Qadian, Punjab, India, where there is the headquarters of what is known as the Ahmadia Movement in Islam. […]

“Christ they regard as a ‘blessed prophet,’ but secondary in importance to their own Mohammed[sa], whom they term the ‘greatest of all prophets.’

“The special concern of the Ahmadia Movement is the spread of Mohammedanism and the conversion to that faith of as many as possible of the followers of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and other religions.

Its slogan is ‘I will keep my faith above the world.’

“The way the Ahmadia Movement carries on its work bears a strong resemblance to the methods of the missionary organizations of the Christian churches. From the headquarters in India evangelists whose lives are dedicated to spreading the teachings of Mohammed[sa] as laid down in the Koran are sent to every part of the world where Mohammedanism is not yet the dominating religion.

“These evangelists are highly educated men, speaking many languages, trained for the work they are doing. They are called missioners and their duties and responsibilities correspond quite closely to those laid on our own missionary bishops.

“Already besides the missioner in America, there are missioners all over India, in England, Burmah, Ceylon, China, Australia, Mesopotamia, Persia, Arabia, Egypt, East and West Africa, Mauritius and a number of other places. More are being sent out just as fast as they can be trained and funds are raised to carry on their work.

“Dr Sadiq, as he calls himself, the missioner assigned to the task of winning the United States and Canada to Islamism, is showing himself an aggressive worker and

is apparently not hampered by any lack of funds. The progress he claims to have made in the few months he has been here leads some of his admirers to think that the day when America shall be Mohammedan may dawn sooner than they had hoped.

“In addition to several hundred converts whom he reports winning from various Christian denominations, he has done a great deal to renew interest in their faith among the thousands of Turks and other Mohammedan people who are living here.

“Since Dr Sadiq’s arrival here one Mohammedan Mosque has been built fluently and, in every way, carefully in Highland Park, Mich., a suburb of Detroit.

Here the Moslem missioner has made his headquarters until recently, when he moved to Chicago. He expects, in the near future, to see mosques built in Chicago, New York and many other large cities.

“Reports of the progress of Dr Sadiq’s work are made in a magazine called ‘The Moslem Sunrise,’ of which he is the editor and publisher and which appears every three months.

“This is a neatly printed affair of twentyeight pages, entirely in English, except for an occasional Arabic word. The front cover design is significant of what the zealous Mohammedans hope to accomplish. It shows a map of the United States and Canada, with the two nations bathed in the beneficent rays of the ‘Rising Sun of Mohammedanism.’

“The latest issue of ‘The Moslem Sunrise’ dated April 1922, prints a list of thirty-three American men and women who are said to have recently ‘accepted Islam in Ahmadia Movement.’ After their American names are given the Arabic titles which are assigned to them after they embrace the Moslem faith.

“Dr Sadiq’s magazine prints extracts from the Koran, the sacred book of the Mohammedans and also quotations from the writings of the later prophet, Ahmad[as].

There are numerous articles comparing Mohammedanism with Christianity, and always, of course to the great disparagement of the latter.

“Under the heading ‘If Jesus Christ Comes to America,’ Dr Sadiq tells what he imagines would happen if the Savior applied for admission to the United States under the present immigration laws. […]”

Thereafter, the aforementioned article is presented [by Syracuse Sunday Herald], which has already been published in one of the previous issues of Al Fazl.

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 2 November 1922 issue of Al Fazl)

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AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022

Europe seeks Islam: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s lecture at a reception held in Karachi, 1955

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra at a reception held in his honour in Karachi, Pakistan, 1955

Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Al Hakam On 21 September 1955, Hazrat Muslehe-Maud, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra delivered a lecture at a reception held in his honour after his tour of Europe.

The event was organised by Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Karachi at the Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi, Pakistan.

The reception was attended by various ambassadors, high government officials, notable locals, press correspondents and other dignitaries.

In this lecture, Huzoorra called on the Muslim world to leave aside their internal disagreements and unite to carry out the important task of propagating Islam.

Huzoorra said Muslims needed to refute the allegations that were raised by the people of Europe and other countries against the teachings of Islam and the blessed character of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.

Huzoorra quoted the following verse of the Holy Quran:

َّ َ ُ َ َ َ ۢ َ َ َ َ ٰ ۡ َ َ َ ٰ ۡ َ ۡ َ ٰۤ ۡ ُ ‫ٓاء بَ ۡیننا َوبَ ۡینک ۡم الا‬ ٍ ‫قل یاہل ال ِکت ِب تعالوا ِالی ک ِلم ٍۃ سو‬ ّٰ َّ َ ُ ۡ َ ً‫الل َہ َولَا ن ُ ۡشر َک ب ٖہ َش ۡی ًئا َّولَا یَ َّت ِخ َذ بَ ۡع ُض َنا بَ ۡع ًضا اَ ۡربَابا‬ ‫نعبد ِالا‬ ِ ِ ّٰ ۡ ُ ۡ ّ َ‫الل ِہ ؕ َفا ۡن تَوَلَّوۡا َفقُوۡلُوا ۡاش َہ ُد ۡوا باَنَّا ُم ۡس ِل ُموۡن‬ ‫ِمن دو ِن‬ ِ ِ

“Say, ‘O People of the Book! come to a word equal between us and you—that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partner with Him, and that some of us take not others for Lords beside Allah.’ But if they turn away, then say, ‘Bear witness that we have submitted [to God].’”

(Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.65) Commenting on this verse, Huzoorra said that if the staunch opponents of the Holy Prophetsa – Jews and Christians – could be invited to “come to a word equal between us and you”, then what was the excuse for the Muslims not to leave aside their internal disputes in order to strive with mutual cooperation for spreading the truthfulness of the Holy Prophetsa and Islam.

Huzoorra mentioned his recent tour of Europe and said it was his observation that Europe was inclining towards Islam and the Europeans were beginning to acknowledge the greatness of Islam and the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.

Huzoorra said the need of the time was to propagate Islam in those countries by offering sacrifices of wealth and devotion of lives so that we could witness the time when those people who had uttered disrespectful views about the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa in the past, began to send salutations and

durood on him.

He expressed that it was unfortunate to see various sects of Muslims disputing over trivial matters, whereas, the most crucial issue was to find ways to eradicate the vile attacks carried out against Islam and the blessed character of the Holy Prophetsa.

Huzoorra hoped that if the Muslim organisations and sects made efforts to establish missions to propagate Islam in the West, then within a few years, a huge number of Europeans would certainly gather under the flag of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.

Huzoorra continued by saying that it was a dire need of the time for the Muslims to realise what Islam required of them in this day and age and that they needed to eradicate their laziness and shortcomings.

(Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 17, pp. 29-34) Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s lecture was published by various Urdu and English newspapers of Pakistan, such as Roznama Inqilab of Karachi, Roznama Jang of Karachi, The Daily Evening Star of Karachi, The Daily Pakistan Standard of Karachi, Roznama Amroz of Karachi, Roznama Millat of Lahore, Roznama Nawa-i-Kashmir of Lahore, and Roznama Pasbaan of Dhaka.

Roznama Inqilab of Karachi reported on

23 September 1955: “The Imam of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad said that today Europe is starving for Islam, since they are unable to find peace anywhere else.

Therefore, we just need to carry out tabligh and convey to them the message of Islam, and they will be ready to accept it. He said that a time will come when America and Europe will accept Islam [in large numbers].

He appealed to the Muslims telling them to leave aside their internal disputes and unite to preach the Unity of God. He proposed that if every citizen of Karachi donated five rupees each, two million people could raise an amount of ten million rupees, which could be utilised to carry out tabligh in Europe on a large scale. While narrating his tour of Europe, he told: “‘In every European country where I visited, the people would meet me and inquire about Islam with great interest. I delivered a speech at a college in Switzerland that was translated into various languages.

A student expressed that “if there are such great features of Islam, then why can’t the Muslims and Christians jointly preach the message of Unity of God in those areas where people do not believe in God?”’ “Mirza Sahib continued by saying that ‘We are required to send tablighi missions [to Europe] as much as possible, which may not necessarily be sent by Ahmadis, rather

by Sunnis, Shias, Ahl-e-Hadith, and Aga Khanis as well. […] Our Jamaat is a small community, thus, if we send 10 [tablighi] missions, the others should send 10,000 missions, creating a spirit of competition in tabligh, which will surely be beneficial [for the cause of Islam].’”

The Roznama Millat of Lahore reported on 24 September 1955: “While speaking at a reception held at the Beach Luxury Hotel, Head of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud emphasised the need to send Muslim delegations to the European countries [for tabligh]. Mirza Sahib, who just recently returned from his tour of Europe, was narrating his impressions about the tour. He said that the Europeans are very eager to learn about Islam since wherever he visited, the people insisted that Muslim delegations be sent there in order to teach them about Islam. He stated that a huge number of people are ready to accept Islam, provided arrangements are made to convey to them the true teachings of Islam. He found there were many who favoured [the Islamic teachings of] purdah and polygamy.

Towards the end of his speech, Mirza Sahib emphasised the need to raise funds Continued on next page >>

Friday 4 November 2022 | AL HAKAM

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<< Continued from previous page

for sending Muslim delegations to foreign countries.”

Roznama Jang of Karachi reported on 24 September 1955: “While speaking at a private gathering, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud stated there is a need to send tablighi [preaching] delegations to the European countries to

propagate Islam. [...] He said that amongst those who met with him in London, many were in favour of the [Islamic teachings of] purdah and polygamy. He also advised raising funds for sending tablighi delegations to foreign countries.”

Roznama Pasbaan of Dhaka wrote on 24 September 1955: “While speaking at a gathering in

Karachi, the Imam of the Ahmadiyya Community, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, said there are many opportunities for propagating Islam in Europe, particularly in Germany, where the people desire to learn a lot about Islam. He further said that those people are continuing to come closer to Islam, since they have an eagerness and quest for searching the truth, and it is only

Islam which can satisfy them. Therefore, this is the time to show them the true and correct pathway towards Islam.”

‫اِک و� آ� � ہک ںیہ ی‬ ‫� � �م �گ‬ ‫� ےک اس �ا� � ر� دخا رکے‬

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

Islamic teachings on climate change at multi-faith event in Adelaide, Australia Sharif Rasel Secretary Tabligh, Jamaat Adelaide West, Australia

On 13 October 2022, different faith groups offered multi-faith services at cathedrals and other well-known places of worship in major cities across Australia to show support for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was also invited

to represent Islam in the multi-faith prayers for the climate justice event, at St John’s Anglican Church, Adelaide which was organised by the Multifaith Association of South Australia. A delegation of the Jamaat, led by the missionary Atif Ahmed Zahid Sahib, participated in the event.

Ms Philippa Rowland, President of the Multifaith Association of South Australia, welcomed the audience and introduced the event and its topic, “Multi-Faith Prayers for

Mayor of Merton, London launches Poppy Appeal Campaign 2022 by Ahmadi elders Mansoor Ahmad Naib Sadr Majlis Ansarullah Raynes Park, UK

On 21 October 2022, the mayor of Merton, Councillor Joan Henry launched this year’s Poppy Appeal Campaign of Majlis Ansarullah Raynes Park in the Mayor’s Parlour at the London Borough of Merton.

On this occasion, the mayor said:

“It is undoubtedly a noble assignment to raise funds for soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the nation and I really appreciate the role of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association, Raynes Park, who are always active in this regard.”

After this, I thanked the mayor for the inauguration of the Poppy Appeal Campaign 2022.

Climate Justice”.

The religious and community leaders from Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths presented different perspectives on climate change based on their religious teachings.

Amongst them, Atif Ahmed Zahid Sahib represented Islam, and shed light on the teachings of the Holy Quran and the guidance of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa to reduce carbon emissions and plant trees.

The event concluded with a multi-faith prayer, showing respect for and enhancing the harmony between different faiths.

At the end of the event, Jamaat members got an opportunity to interact with leaders and people from other faith groups and Adelaide-based journalists. This highlypublicised event has thus laid a foundation for tabligh activities in the community.

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AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022

From Hindu Brahmin to Muslim Companion of the Messiah: Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Raheem Sharma Kashif Virk Missionary, Sweden

The Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace be upon him, was sent in accordance with the prophecies of his lord and master, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, to propagate the universal message of Islam. The wisdom behind his appearance in India is that this was a contemporary melting pot where people from different religions and cultures lived side-by-side. Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, Jains, Christians and other religious denominations lived together in this vast empire, and thus they were all to be invited to the fold of true Islam.

Among the fortunate and blessed inhabitants of India who recognised the message of the Imam of the Age was my greatgrandfather, Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Raheem Sharmara. He made tremendous sacrifices when he accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat. This article will outline crucial events from his life and will serve as an inspiration for us all about the importance of upholding our faith in Allah Almighty.

Birth and upbringing

Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Raheem Sharmara was born in 1887 in the town of Banur, District Patiala, India. He was named Kishn Lal and was the son of pundit Ralya Raam, a local shopowner and a sahukar i.e. money lender who made a profit on interestbased loans. His mother’s name was Jamna Devi. Both of his parents belonged to the venerated priestly Brahmin caste. Among his ancestors, many were revered as gurus and Hindu saints.

Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Raheem Sharmara received his primary education according to contemporary standards. He later moved to Patiala to pursue further education and was married during his years of study. Upon the sad death of his father, he was unable to pursue further studies and instead became involved in the family business.

Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Raheem Sharmara was a staunch believer in the Hindu religion and had built his temple at home and used to ring his bell loudly. Often, he used to go on pilgrimage to pay homage to Hindu goddesses. But a series of events would eventually shatter his conviction in these deities, and indeed in the Hindu faith.

Nephew dies of plague One major reason for his waning belief in Hinduism was the shameful conduct of his elder brother, Shadi Raam. He was known as Bhagat Ji and used to have “religious” fits. He claimed that the souls of some deities entered him. In this state, he would sometimes state some facts and predictions.

Initially, the family was convinced of the truth of these messages, but once it so happened that the son of Shadi Ram fell ill from the plague.

Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Raheem Sharmara had a deep affection for his nephew and was deeply saddened by this. He started to pray with his family to the goddess Basanti Devi. At the same time, he was grieved by the continuous negligence of his brother.

One day, Shadi Ram had another fit, during which he predicted that his son would be cured on the 8th day. This gave the family great relief. However, on the very 8th day, the son died of his illness.

Hazrat Sharma Sahibra thought that if the Devi does not even listen to his esteemed brother, what could it do for the rest of them?

A wrong accusation

On another occasion, the brother accused him during a fit of not washing his hands after going to the lavatory and then getting himself seated on the couch of Lakhsmi, which they had placed in the shop. This was supposed to have angered Lakshmi and now, apparently, the goddess had expressed her displeasure to him. But this was untrue. He had indeed washed his hands, but instead of doing so in front of his brother, he had chosen another location where there was cleaner water. He thus protested and said that this was a blatant lie.

Incidents such as these increased the unrest in his mind and he was losing faith in the Hindu religion. At the same time, his brother was becoming increasingly extravagant and was severely damaging the family business.

Pardoning a poor Muslim family

Once, Hazrat Sharma Sahibra was sent by his brother to demand repayment of a loan from a poor Muslim family. But he knew the high rate of interest had made it impossible for them to return the loan. As he reached the farmer’s house, he met with his wife and his small children. When he saw their patched

clothes and poor state, his heart melted. She told him about the difficult situation of the household. When the farmer returned, he also begged for mercy and respite. Hazrat Sharma Sahibra told him not to worry about the loan, and that he had pardoned it.

The farmer could barely believe what he just heard, but Hazrat Sharma Sahibra reassured him that he had indeed had not made a joke. He kept this incident a secret from his brother, who found out about it much later and became enraged.

A new job

As his brother’s extravagance increased, Hazrat Sharma Sahib’sra mother told him to leave the shop and look for another occupation. He found work as a chuprassi (attendant) at the customs and tax office.

This would eventually prove to be a blessed occupation. It was here that he was introduced to Islam for the first time. Here he met Hazrat Munshi Abdul Wahhabra, who himself was a Hindu convert to Islam Ahmadiyyat. He used to preach to Hazrat Sharma Sahibra with a loving approach and would first compare Hindu and Islamic teachings and then establish the superiority of Islam.

Here, another interesting incident took place that weakened his faith in the Hindu religion even further. One day he was sitting next to a well with a soldier named Faqeer Muhammad. Suddenly, a cow emerged and urinated. As the stains fell on their clothes, Faqeer Muhammad (who was Muslim) rose and started beating the cow with his stick.

Hazrat Sharma Sahibra, due to his reverence for the cow according to the Hindu faith, protested at this outburst on an animal he had considered holy all of his life and started to quarrel with Faqeer Muhammad. He was told the cow was an animal just like other animals, and he was asked why Hindus held paid much reverence to it. Hazrat Sharma Sahibra answered that it was Gaumata and a benevolent animal. Like a mother, it provided them with milk, and thus it was considered holy. As the heated debate continued, Faqeer Muhammad asked whom he considered more esteemed, the cow or his real mother. He replied that the real mother obviously held higher esteem.

Faqeer Muhammad then said that since you drink cow urine, why then do you not also drink the urine of your mother? This retort left him dumbfounded and unable

to answer, but the effect of this argument lingered with him for a long time.

Answering of prayers

Meanwhile, Hazrat Abdul Wahhabra kept preaching to him and also gave him some books of the Promised Messiahas along with some copies of the Ahmadiyya Community’s periodicals: Al Hakam and Badr. Here he used to read the revelations vouchsafed to the Promised Messiahas and they caught his special attention.

During those days, Hazrat Sharma Sahibra faced some difficulties. As he had heard that prayers were accepted in Islam, he now decided to put the faith to the test.

There were three objectives which are summarised below: 1. His sister had to be married off, but the family was unable to bear the cost due to the extravagant lifestyle of his brother.

2. He needed a promotion from his current job that was compatible with the social status of his family and his upbringing.

3. To convert fully to Islam, he needed courage and strength to leave his family and relations.

He did not reveal these aims to anyone, not even to his close friend Hazrat Munshi Abdul Wahhab. Albeit, he learned from him how to offer salat and started to pray regularly. He had to pray secretly in order not to be exposed. He thus chose two different locations. One was in a room at the customs office, which was mostly empty.

He had asked Faqeer Muhammad to stand by the door and warn him if any Hindu was approaching. Faqeer himself did not pray, even though he was a Muslim. When he saw a Hindu pray fervently, this put him to shame. Eventually, he would amend his shortcomings and later even became an Ahmadi Muslim. The other location he had chosen was in a corner of a dark shed located in the backyard of his house. He used to shut the door behind him so no one could see him.

Performing salat

Initially, there were some difficulties in understanding the correct way of offering salat. Hazrat Sharma Sahibra used to count the qa’da (sitting position) in the second raka’ as one complete raka’. As a result, his Continued on next page >>

Friday 4 November 2022 | AL HAKAM

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prayers were twice as long as prescribed.

Furthermore, he had difficulty pronouncing the Arabic prayers. Consequently, the five daily prayers took him up to 3-4 hours a day to perform. The heat of the summer days made him sweat profusely, but he continued to pray in this manner for a few months until he learnt the correct method.

By the grace of Allah, the aims for which he prayed started to materialise. In his home, the family found a huge amount of money, that had been stored inside a wall long ago and had been forgotten. The wall suddenly fell one day due to the rain, and the money inside was still intact. Thus, they were able to marry off his sister in an apt manner.

Secondly, he was promoted from chuprassi to clerk of the customs office.

Later, when the superintendent (Darogha) of the office was promoted, he interceded on Hazrat Sharma Sahib’sra behalf and recommended he take over. Thus, he started to work as a superintendent of the customs office.

Regarding the third aim, Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Raheem Sharmara writes: “Then the third aim was fulfilled in such an extraordinary manner that now, when I ponder over the circumstances and how such a weak person as myself, who was entangled in the shackles of religion and kinship and lived in a Hindu state, which meant that there were many hurdles in the way of accepting the truth, how I still became a Muslim, and not only did I become a Muslim but was also blessed to join the fold of Islam at the hands of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) – my soul bows down in prostration.

“I was not firm enough to face all these challenges that were in my way after the truth had become manifest. It was only through the sheer grace of Allah that He guided me and without any special effort on my behalf, He pulled me towards the threshold of the source of light and guidance and put a hidden motivation and extraordinary vigour in my heart to accept the truth that I became ready to accept Islam at once, without any

concern for all the opposition and hurdles.”

(Ashab-e-Ahmad, Vol. 10, pp. 50-51)

Visiting ‘Krishna the Second’ in Qadian

After reading about the Promised Messiahas and his revelations in Al Hakam and Badr, the time had come to meet him in real life.

He thus took leave from his job and travelled with Hazrat Munshi Abdul Wahhabra to Qadian. This was in June 1904. They reached Qadian on a Friday, just before Jumuah.

They were welcomed by a handsome man who asked them to first have a meal. Hazrat Sharma Sahibra first thought that this was the Promised Messiahas but later he learnt that it was Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karimra of Sialkot who was a prominent companion.

In Qadian, some objected to the golden earrings he wore according to Hindu custom, but his friend explained to them that he was still a Hindu interested in Islam.

As they entered Mubarak mosque, Hazrat Sharma Sahibra seated himself near the window from which he was told that the Promised Messiahas would soon emerge.

As the Promised Messiahas arrived, Hazrat Sharma Sahibra was able to meet and shake hands with him. He recalled that he touched the garments of the Promised Messiahas and sensed the smell of a pleasant perfume.

This first encounter left a lasting impression on him and his attraction towards Islam increased.

Pledge of allegiance

At the time, his age was only about 15. His only intention was to meet the Promised Messiahas and he was told by his friend not to do bai‘at yet as the news of the conversion of a young Hindu could create disorder. But Hazrat Sharma Sahibra was unable to restrain himself now. Later that day, after Maghrib prayer, he did bai‘at and became an Ahmadi Muslim and thus a companion. He stayed in Qadian for a week and later returned to his hometown with some books.

Unfortunately, he was unable to return to Qadian again during his lifetime. However, he sent some letters to the Promised Messiahas asking for prayers about the consequences his conversion could have,

not only for him but in particular for his married sister. He received replies to these letters from Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib wherein he stated that the Promised Messiahas had indeed prayed for him.

A secret disclosed

Back home, his interest in Islam was still a secret. But as he spent more hours praying in seclusion, his wife became suspicious as to what he was up to. Once, she stood outside the shed trying to peep inside but was unable to see anything because of the darkness. On another occasion, she heard her husband crying whilst in prayer and rushed to her mother-in-law and informed her. His mother climbed the staircase of the house and looked down whilst he was in prostration. She became very upset, and upon confronting her son, she asked where he had learnt to pray like Neel Gurus (a term she used for Muslims). Hazrat Sharma Sahibra told her he accepted Islam as a true religion and was not ready to leave it, and were she to oppose this decision, he would announce his faith openly and leave the household.

His mother loved him deeply and was frightened by the notion of losing her son.

They reached an agreement that he could continue to pray secretly in their home and not let the wider family know.

But by now, the news of his conversion was spreading rapidly among the Muslim population of the town. Many approached him and gave him literature to read. In one of the books, he read that anyone who misses four consecutive Friday prayers intentionally, will lose his faith. This made him anxious. He decided to join the Friday prayer in an Ahmadi Mosque at a far distance from the town, where no one could recognise him. Every Friday he used to leave town covered in a blanket so he would not be exposed.

One day, it so happened that a Hindu who was collecting water from a well situated in front of the mosque spotted him. He followed Hazrat Sharma Sahibra secretly and observed him praying inside the mosque. Then he ran back to town and loudly announced that “I have seen Kishn Laal superintendent of the customs office,

pray with Muslims!”

This resulted in general turmoil.

Eventually, an elder Brahmin from his family calmed the situation down and reassured them that he would speak to the young man himself. Later in the evening, the elders gathered at his house to question him. Hazrat Sharma Sahibra replied that he had indeed accepted Islam. They spoke to him calmly and caringly, saying that there was still no harm since many made mistakes at such a tender age. They would be ready to alleviate any doubts that had arisen in his mind because of some deceiver. In the discussion that ensued, Hazrat Sharma Sahibra was able to give arguments against puja (worship of deities) and transmigration of souls which the elders were unable to answer. Thus, reinforcement had to be called and debaters from the zealous Arya sect arrived. The debates were held behind closed doors, but people stood outside and on top of the roofs to listen in. Since Hazrat Sharma Sahibra already had read the arguments of the Promised Messiahas against the Arya faith, as elaborated in books such as Surma-e-Chashm-e-Arya and Chashmae-Ma‘rifat, no one was able to refute him.

The elders then asked him that if he was not ready to leave Islam, he should at least refrain from visiting the mosque and instead pray at home. They pressured his mother and wife to be strict with him so he would not leave the home or the Hindu faith. His mother cried and told him that he had put the whole family to shame. At this, Hazrat Sharma Sahibra decided not to mingle with Muslims and to avoid visiting the mosque.

At the same time, the pundits (Hindu religious clerics) did their level best to bring him back to his former faith. They even made him the secretary of their community council and kept a strict watch on him so that he would not be able to meet any Muslims. This was indeed a troublesome period for him.

Pilgrimage to Haridwar

Another device on the family’s behalf to bring him back to Hinduism was to sponsor a trip for him to Haridwar, a famous place of pilgrimage. They considered it necessary to cleanse him from the “impurity” he had incurred from having meals and praying with Muslims. They also sent letters to their acquaintances there urging them to persuade and preach to the young man.

This worried Hazrat Sharma Sahibra and he asked his friend Hazrat Munshi Abdul Wahhabra what to do. He replied that there was nothing to worry about since bathing in the Ganges or any particular river would not affect his faith.

As the journey began, he faced yet another challenge. How would he be able to offer salat without being seen by anyone? He had told his fellow travellers where he was headed. So, when prayer time arrived, he had to hand over his luggage to them and went to look for a place at the train station where he could perform the ablution. This took quite some time. Eventually, as he stood in prayer, the train arrived, and it made him worried since he did not wish to miss salat at any cost or even perform it quickly since he considered this to be a great sin. (This I consider to be a great lesson, especially for the youth of our time, about the importance of safeguarding salat.)

When he had finished the prayer, the

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AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022 train had already started to move, and he thus had to chase it. He tried to open the doors to the carriages, but they were all locked. As he reached the 5th or 6th door and moved the handle, it opened up and inside the carriage were his fellow travellers and his luggage. Hazrat Sharma Sahibra considered this to be yet another sign of Divine help that had occurred to him.

The issue of finding a place to pray was even more difficult at Haridwar. He had to walk far away to find a secluded place. He also took occasional bathes in the river. But this only decreased his faith in Hinduism. It made his ancient religion appear even more objectionable to him. As he returned to Patiala and his friend Hazrat Munshi Abdul Wahhabra, he shared details of the journey with him and felt great relief that it had indeed ended.

Announcing his faith publicly

Time went by, and after the demise of the Promised Messiahas the era of Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddinra, Khalifatul Masih I, had begun.

Hazrat Sharma Sahibra was still hiding his faith and felt grief over this. It so happened once that he was walking home from work and felt so ill that he could hardly reach home, and as he did, he fell on his bed. His mother called the doctor. His state caused him great anxiety since he thought that if he died in this state, his body would probably be burnt and there was no chance of getting an Islamic burial. God would surely question him for this shortcoming, he thought. He prayed to God that he be granted respite until he could announce his faith publicly.

He wrote about this experience in the following words: “I was not quite aware of Islamic issues, and I thought that one could only pray during salat. And since I had never seen anyone pray on the bed, I thought that one could not pray whilst lying down. I lacked the strength to stand up. With great difficulty, I managed to fall down from the bed and started to offer salat, while lying on the floor, praying, ‘My God, if my death is predestined, then at least give me time to announce myself as a Muslim’. I felt that my health recovered during the salat.”

He would later consider this an awakening call from God, Who was not pleased with him for hiding his faith for so long.

A failed plan

But as he recalled what had happened to him, doubts were emerging in his mind again about announcing his faith publicly.

He thought to himself that he lived in a Hindu state with no religious freedom and if he announced being a Muslim, his wife and kids would suffer and be bereft of his inheritance.

These thoughts terrified him and he did all he could to change his mind. But then he thought he had made a promise to God and asked for respite to openly confess his faith. If he failed to fulfil this promise, what would happen to him? Surely, God would be displeased with him. Thus, he wrote to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira for guidance.

He received a reply instructing him to wait further and to keep preaching to his wife.

Hindu women were loyal and perhaps she would be ready to travel with him to Qadian, it said in the letter. On the other hand, his wife’s family was telling her to stay firm,

that Kishn Laal was staying only because of her and that if she showed any weakness he would become a Muslim.

At this, Hazrat Sharma Sahibra decided to shift his residence from the family home to an apartment of his own. There, it would be easier to persuade his wife. And this was also, apparently, the case. His wife agreed to travel with him and they even decided on a date of departure. But before the specified date, she informed her father of the plan.

He suddenly showed up on the day of their departure, shaking with anger. He grabbed Hazrat Sharma Sahib’sra son in his arms and took his daughter and left the house. Hazrat Sharma Sahibra asked his wife what was going on, to which she replied that she was not ready to leave her faith or parents.

Hazrat Sharma Sahibra thought that the very last reason for him to remain in town had now been removed. The same night, he put up posters in the town stating that he had happily renounced his faith and accepted Islam and that no one was to consider him a Hindu.

The next day, a clamour arose in the town. A boycott by his mother and brother started. His mother was prohibited from meeting her son, hoping this would trigger emotions of regret. His mother was heartbroken. She could not bear the separation from her beloved son. As Hazrat Sharma Sahibra left his office in the evening and walked with the Muslims towards the mosque, he used to pass by his mother’s home. She stood ready at the window, pointing towards the bazaar to observe him.

This was a very painful situation, Hazrat Sharma Sahibra recalls, and he would often hear his mother weeping from afar. But there was no possibility of meeting. This was due to the fear of the reaction from relatives.

As he saw his mother’s state deteriorating, he sent her a message saying that they could meet at night at a certain Muslim home.

Thus, these meetings started to take place in secret.

Another trial

Through Divine assistance, Hazrat Sharma Sahibra was able to keep his job at the customs office. The employer was British and had no concern about employees changing their faith. He had also moved into a room in the customs office.

One winter, he fell ill with a high fever.

As he was lying there all alone, doubts yet again arose in his mind. Here he was, all by himself. His wife, children and siblings had left him. He could not even meet with his own mother openly. Could he not remain a Hindu and keep worshipping

God? Was there a difference between Ram and Raheem? Then he thought that these were indeed Satanic thoughts, and he did and started to pray fervently in salat. This alleviated his fever and he felt great relief.

Migration to Qadian and departing with his wife and children forever

Hazrat Sharma Sahibra now wished to learn more about Islam, but he realised this was not possible where he lived in Banur. He decided to migrate to Qadian. He was offered a job at the magazine Tasheez-ulAzhan as an accountant. The agreement was a wage of 10 rupees a month. He would send half of this amount to his mother. Thus, on 26 December 1910, he arrived in Qadian.

Here, he learned more about Islam through his colleague, Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Ismail Sahib of Halalpur.

His efforts to bring his family were still ongoing. Once he was able to meet with his wife and they yet again decided on a date for the escape. But on the specified date, she did not show up. Instead, he was attacked by an angry Hindu mob. Luckily, he was saved by Muslims nearby. He feared that perhaps this was a plot of his in-laws and decided not to try again. He was never again to meet his wife or two children and was later informed they died along with his father-in-law in the plague in 1930.

Hazrat Sharma Sahibra remarried in Qadian in 1914 through Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra. The wedlock was with Aisha Begum Sahiba, a lady who had been partially raised

by Hazrat Amma Jan. With her, he had five sons and four daughters. One of his sons, Maulana Abdul Karim Sharma Sahib, served as a missionary in East Africa. All of his sons were prominent in their service of the Jamaat, by the grace of Allah.

To his great joy, his mother, Jamna Devi would later move to Qadian and stay with him. For a long time, she remained firm in her Hindu faith and customs. But, through Hazrat Sharma Sahib’sra prayers and efforts, she would eventually convert to Islam. She was given the name Hameeda and was buried in Bahisti Maqbara in 1935.

Her inspiring story can be read in the book Tabe’een Ahmad.

Gratitude to Allah

Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Raheem Sharmara wrote: “Now when I think of how I became a Muslim, I am extremely amazed. My friends who know me are aware of my personality and know that I am very shy. How could

I ever have had the strength to become a Muslim by myself and face all the hurdles and opposition? It was only by the grace of Allah that I was able to accept Islam. And not only was I blessed with accepting Islam, but I also saw the Promised Messiahas with my very own eyes and took the pledge of allegiance (bai‘at) in his hands. ّٰ ّٰ ‫سبحان اللہ و بحمدہ سبحان اللہ العظیم‬.

“Neither was I at loss in my worldly state. I arrived empty-handed in Qadian and at the time I only had a pair of shoes, two garments and a few rupees. But my Lord did not let me perish. I left my home and found a better one. I left my wife, but Allah gave me another wife. I had to leave two children, but Allah gave me five sons and four daughters. I had to leave my family and relations, but here I got a better family and loving relations. I got a home to live in.

I had to leave my mother, who was the most beloved to me. Apparently, there was no way to mend this loss. But my Lord removed this loss and gave me my beloved mother. She moved to Qadian and accepted Islam and stayed with me until her last breath, and she was buried in Bahishti Maqbarah Qadian. ٰ ٰ ‫الحمد للّہ‬ ‫علی ذلک‬ “When I think of how Gracious my Lord has been towards me, my soul falls down in prostration. O, my Lord, I was weak and You took hold of me! I fell down at every step, but you lifted me up. I became anxious at seeing all the troubles and trials, but You consoled me and gave me willpower.

How was I even able to become a Muslim?

It was only through Thy grace that I did become a Muslim. How was I ever to know that You had sent Thy servant to guide the world? It was You who guided me. How was my knowledge sufficient to know who Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, (my life be sacrificed for him) was? And what a prophet was? Thou did solve my difficulty. You solved my difficulty by Yourself and took my hand and subjugated me to a guide and filled my heart with that source of light and guidance to the degree that I was attracted to bai‘at automatically.

“At the time, I was unaware of the grace which was being bestowed upon me. My Lord, this was all Your working and it was marvellous.”

Today, the offspring of Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Raheem Sharmara live throughout the world and serve faith and humanity in different capacities, by the grace of God. May Allah enable us to follow and uphold the great example set by this companion of the Promised Messiahas and our predecessor.

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Friday Sermon 7 October 2022

Building of Mosques and Our Responsibilities After reciting the tashahud, ta’awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa recited verses 30-32 of Surah al-A‘raf:

ُ ‫ند ک ُ ّل َم ۡسجد َو ۡاد ُﻋ‬ َ ۡ ُ َ ُ ُْ ُ َ​َ ۡ ۡ َّ​َ َ َ ۡ ُ ‫وه‬ ِٖ ِ َ ُ َ ‫قل أمﺮ ر�ِ� ِبال ِقس ِﻂ � وأقِیموا وجوہکم ِﻋ‬ ۡ ّ َُ​َ َ ‫ود‬ ُ ‫ین � َﻛ َما بَ َدأﻛ ۡم ت ُع‬ َ ‫الد‬ ‫ون‬ ِ ‫ُمخ ِل ِﺼ�� لہ‬ ْ ُ َ َّ ُ ُ َّ ُ َ َ ٰ َّ ُ ۡ َ َ َّ َ ً َ َ ٰ َ َ ً َ ‫� ِر�قا ہدى و� ِر�قا ﺣﻖ ﻋلی ِہم الضللۃ � ِإنہم اتخذوا‬ ّ ُ َ َ ۡ َ َ ٰ َّ َ ‫ون أَنَّ ُہم ُّم ۡہ َت ُد‬ َ ‫اللَ ِہ َویَ ۡﺤ َس ُب‬ ‫ون‬ ‫ون‬ ِ ‫الﺸی ِﻄ�� أول ِیﺂء ِمن د‬ َ ْ ُ ُ َ َ َ ٓ َ َٰ َ‫ند ک ُ ّل َم ۡسجد َوک ُ ُلواْ َو ۡا� َربُواْ َولا‬ َ ‫ین َت ُک ۡم ﻋ‬ ِ ِ‫یب�ِ� ءادم خذوا ز‬ ِٖ ِ َ��ِ‫تُ ۡ�ر ُفوٓاْ � إنَّ ُہۥ لَا یُﺤ ُّب ال ۡ ُم ۡ�رف‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ The translation of these verses is as follows:

“Say, ‘My Lord has enjoined justice.

And fix your attention aright at every time and place of worship, and call upon Him, making yourselves sincere towards Him in religion. As He brought you into being, so shall you return.’ Some has He guided, and as for others error has become their desert. They have taken evil ones for friends to the exclusion of Allah, and they think that they are rightly guided. O children of Adam, look to your adornment at every time

and place of worship, and eat and drink but exceed not the bounds; surely, He does not love those who exceed the bounds.” [Surah al-A‘raf, Ch.7: V.30-32] Today, Allah the Almighty is granting you the opportunity to inaugurate your mosque. Although its construction had been completed a while back, however, its formal inauguration is taking place now. Initially, a hall was built here to serve as a mosque, however, now you have been able to build a

proper mosque. In any case, a very beautiful and splendid mosque has been built and it is also quite a large mosque with regard to its capacity. May Allah the Almighty enable all of those who helped in the construction of this mosque to do true justice to it.

It is our prayer to Allah the Almighty that those who have built this mosque have done so with the sole intention of worshipping Allah the Almighty. And may they derive benefit from the saying of the Holy Prophetsa

25

AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022 wherein he stated that whoever builds a mosque for the sake of attaining Allah the Almighty’s pleasure, Allah the Almighty will in turn build a house for them in paradise.

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Masajid, Bab Fadl Bina’ al-Masjid, Hadith 11890) The purpose of a mosque that has been built for the sake of attaining Allah the Almighty’s pleasure does not end upon the completion of its construction, in fact, one can only attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty when one adheres to His commandments; does true justice to His worship; fulfils the rights of His creation; gives precedence to their faith over all worldly objectives with utmost sincerity and does true justice to their bai‘at.

We are extremely fortunate that we have accepted the Imam of the age and the true servant of the Holy Prophetsa. We should always remember that to believe in the Promised Messiahas and to enter into his bai‘at places a great responsibility upon us.

After having entered into the bai‘at of the Promised Messiahas, our responsibilities are not finished, in fact, they have increased more than before. It is only through fulfilling these responsibilities that we can become the recipients of those rewards that Allah the Almighty had promised to grant to the Promised Messiahas. Thus, each and every one of us ought to understand our responsibilities.

To keep this mosque populated [with worshippers] is our responsibility. It is our responsibility to live with one another with love and affection. It is our responsibility to spread the message of tolerance and brotherhood across the world. It is our responsibility to convey the message of the beautiful teachings of Islam to the world.

It is our responsibility to always remain focused on our reformation through

constant prayers. It is our responsibility to be mindful of the reformation of our future generations. Only then will we be able to fulfil the due rights of the mosque.

The Promised Messiahas stated on one occasion: “You should build a mosque wherever you wish to introduce Islam.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 7, p. 119) Through the construction of this mosque, Islam will be introduced in this area from an external perspective. Some neighbours came and expressed their positive sentiments as well. Despite the increased number of people attending [the mosque] these days, and the rush and the noise, a neighbour living right next to the mosque came to visit us a few days ago and said, “We are happy to have you as our neighbour!” However, we must always be mindful of our neighbours and not create unnecessary noise and commotion here. We should perform all of our tasks within the legal boundaries. In any case, the neighbours and those passing by the road will be introduced [to Islam] through the mosque.

And this means of introduction will open new avenues for tabligh as well. As such, each and every Ahmadi should become an example of the teachings of Islam. The world should notice a clear distinction that in this materialistic society, there are such people as well who, whilst living in the world and participating in their worldly affairs, give precedence to faith over the world. They have a relationship with their All-Powerful Creator and they have compassion for mankind and render their services to humanity. When worldly people observe this, they become curious and this then opens avenues for the propagation of Islam.

Hence, every Ahmadi must now present a practical model of the teachings of Islam

more than before. In the verses I just recited, Allah the Almighty has drawn attention to various responsibilities for those who attach themselves to mosques. First and foremost, Allah the Almighty has said to establish justice. In relation to establishing justice, Allah the Almighty states at another place in the Holy Quran: “[…] let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice.” One who upholds this standard of establishing justice cannot think ill of another person. There is no question of causing harm to others, in fact, such a person will seek opportunities to play a role in benefiting others. When a person fulfils the due rights of others in this manner, then this most certainly leaves a virtuous impact on one’s surroundings. This very virtuous impact then opens avenues for tabligh. Hence, the first guidance in relation to the mosque, which Allah the Almighty has given to true believers who attend mosques, is to create means to fulfil the due rights of mankind and the most important aspect in order to achieve this is to establish justice.

When Allah the Almighty instructs us to uphold justice with non-Muslims and even with one’s enemies then how great should the standard of love and affection be among our own people? When such a condition develops, then Allah the Almighty also looks upon such people in a loving manner. When such people enter the mosque in order to worship Allah the Almighty, He accepts their worship. However, if a person does not treat his wife well at home, constantly taunts and scolds her, if his children are afraid of him and if his actions are leading them away from religion then neither his service to the Jamaat, nor his worship will be acceptable in the sight of Allah the Almighty. This double standard deceives no one but the person himself. Hence, a true believer is one who

establishes justice both in the private and public spheres and there is harmony in their actions and words, both inside and outside the home. These are the very people who fulfil the due right of populating a mosque.

This is due to the fact that their hearts are imbued with the fear of Allah. Thus, it is our duty to reach this standard, otherwise, it holds no importance if we simply build a mosque and come here and offer our prayers in haste as if it is a burden. When one attains this standard, they become like an innocent child in the sight of Allah. They shall have a good end, for they are fulfilling the rights of Allah the Almighty as well as the rights of His servants. Therefore, one should not be proud of the fact that they offer a lot of prayers, go to the mosque five times a day, and render services to the Community, considering this to be sufficient. The Holy Prophetsa has stated that one who does not fulfil the rights of others does not fulfil the rights of God. (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Abwab al-Birr wa al-Silah, Bab ma Ja’a fi al-Shukr, Hadith 1954) So we should not be under any false hope. The true worshipper who fills mosques is one who acts upon the commandments of Allah the Almighty whilst fearing Him. Allah the Almighty then emphasises once more, by stating that if one does not act upon His commandments, nor makes concerted efforts to tread the right paths whilst being sincere to Him in religion, nor repents or seeks forgiveness, then Satan will overcome them. Therefore, pay continued attention to repentance and seeking forgiveness, whilst submitting to Allah the Almighty.

Nowadays, there is a dire need to pay attention to this, especially in this environment of worldliness. Only then can one attain success and only then can one become like an innocent child in the presence of Allah the Almighty.

It was due to the deteriorating state of the Muslims that the decline of Islam began.

When they made justice and worship a mere show, or failed to fulfil its due rights, everything was then ruined. They by all means continued to build beautiful mosques, and continue to do so – in fact, nowadays in Pakistan, there are efforts to demolish Ahmadi mosques, simply because they do not wish for the mosques of the Ahmadis to look like theirs, nor that they have any minarets or mihrabs – however, no worshipper of the Gracious God has been produced from among them. They deem it worthy of pride as they persecute Ahmadis, and they are under the impression that they are striving to bring them to the right path.

In any case, this decline took place in the earlier era as well, owing to the fact that the filling of mosques became superficial.

Very rarely could one find true Muslims in certain places. But in general, there was a decline. As it were, this was all meant to transpire, and the Holy Prophetsa also drew attention to this. But after that era of darkness, as a result of the period of light that came with the advent of the Promised Messiahas, and owing to the pledge we have had the honour to make with this Ardent Devotee of the Holy Prophetsa that we shall give precedence to faith over the world and live according to the commandments of the Holy Quran, as I have mentioned, we must therefore pay great attention to our condition. We must safeguard our mosques

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from becoming like their mosques. In relation to this Hazrat, Alira narrates that the Holy Prophetsa stated, that “a time will soon come when nothing will remain of Islam except its name, nothing shall remain of the Quran except its words, the mosques of the people in that time will seem full, yet they shall be bereft of guidance, and their scholars shall be the worst creatures living under the canopy of the heaven. Disorder shall stem from them, and to them shall it return.” (Imam al-Baihaqi, Al-Jami‘ li Shu‘ab al-Iman, Vol. 3, Bab fi Nashr al-‘Ilm, Hadith 1863 [Riyad: Maktabah al-Rushd Nashirun, 2003], p. 318) This is exactly what we are witnessing today in the majority of Muslim mosques.

Hence, what we are seeing nowadays should cause us to become alert. They have nothing but disorder. As I have stated, their only efforts are to demolish the minarets and the mihrabs of the mosques of our Community – they do not even call them mosques, but ‘places of worship’. They render no other service to faith, nor any justice. In any case, this is a lesson for us, as to how we must fulfil the rights of mosques and the rights of others, whilst being sincere.

Whilst explaining the first of these verses [which were recited], the Promised Messiahas states: “The apparent and physical state of Islam has weakened; the Islamic empire no longer carries the same might and grandeur. In terms of faith, the example that was taught of ‘those sincere to Him in obedience’ is nowhere to be found. There has also been a drastic internal weakening in the state of Islam and external forces seek to eradicate Islam. In their view, Muslims

are worse than dogs and swine. Their purpose and intentions are solely to destroy Islam and bring an end to Muslims. Now, it is impossible to combat them without God’s Book, His help and manifest signs. It is for this very reason that God Almighty established this Community by His own Hand.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 3, p. 450) Hence, under these conditions, if we who have accepted the Promised Messiahas do not reform ourselves whilst doing justice to our pledge of allegiance and in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Quran and if we do not constantly analyse our own conditions, then we cannot be counted among those who did justice to their pledge of allegiance in the era of Islam’s revival. We are the ones who must restore Islam’s lost reputation once again. The condition described by the Promised Messiahas is indeed a very frightening one and practically, this is exactly what is being seen. We must inform the world that although they may see Islam and Muslims as despicable and consider them to be worse than animals, they should remember that the world’s salvation lies in acting on the teachings of these very people.

Hence, we must undertake the task of guiding the world with full conviction and bowing before Allah the Almighty in order to seek His blessings.

Some youngsters raise the questions; one youngster asked, “how can we confront such people who ridicule us?” I responded to him by telling him to be confident and to remain firm in the conviction that today, the world’s salvation lies in our hands because we have accepted that Promised Messiah and the most ardent devotee of the Holy Prophetsa who was sent by Allah the Almighty to

give life to the world and who was sent by Allah the Almighty to spread the teachings brought by the Holy Prophetsa. Now, it is only by association with him that one can adorn their life in this world and the next.

We must tell the worldly people that they should not suffice merely on the attractions and successes of this world; life after death is eternal and if one goes there empty-handed, they will have to face the wrath of Allah the Almighty. He knows best how He will treat them, however, at the same time, we should always remain mindful that when we warn the world in such great detail, our every word and action should be in concordance with those very teachings. The standards of our worship and fulfilling the rights of our fellow beings should be lofty as well. In any case, whilst further describing the state of Muslims and Islam, the Promised Messiahas states: “There is a discrepancy in what is currently regarded as Islam and morals have become degraded (meaning high morals no longer remain). The sincerity described in ‘those sincere to Him in obedience’ has risen to the heavens. Loyalty, sincerity, love for God and trust in God have been lost entirely. Now, God has intended to revive these forces once again.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 7, pp. 352-353) Hence, we should be grateful that we are associated with the one sent by Allah the Almighty in order to tend to the fallen state of Islam. Muslims also had a part to play in non-Muslims and the opponents of Islam attacking Islam and considering this esteemed religion to be abject and deplorable. Had the Muslims not deteriorated, then the enemy would

have never dared to attack Islam in such a manner. However, today we are the ones who must establish the standards of loyalty to God Almighty, as stated by the Promised Messiahas. We are the ones who must adhere to the commandments of Allah the Almighty with sincerity and loyalty. We are the ones who must spread love in every direction and remove hatred. We are the ones who must have complete trust in God Almighty for it is God Almighty Who can do everything.

Today, Islam is the only true religion that will prevail and for this, we must utilise all of our capabilities in order to become the true helpers of the Promised Messiahas. This has been decreed by God Almighty that the duties He entrusted to the Promised Messiahas and the promises that Allah the Almighty made to him will, God-willing, be fulfilled. If we become helpers in this cause, then we will reap the blessings of Allah the Almighty. If we do not progress, then Allah the Almighty will send others to assist the Promised Messiahas, but regardless, these tasks will be fulfilled.

Thus, we must keep our conditions in view and wherever we sense weaknesses and shortcomings, we must strive to remove them. With regards to the weaknesses that we must remove, the Promised Messiahas states: “This is an era in which ostentation, selfadmiration, haughtiness (which is a form of arrogance) and thinking very highly of oneself, arrogance, pride and conceit have become prevalent, whilst virtuous traits such as ‘being sincere to Him in obedience’ have departed to the heavens.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 6, p. 353, Footnote) Having faith in God and aspiring to do

27

AL HAKAM | Friday 4 November 2022 good have all but vanished; it is now God’s desire to plant them anew.

Hence, the Promised Messiahas has said that while evil deeds have increased, virtues have vanished, however, Allah the Almighty – Who is the Most Benevolent – does not desire ruin for them, He has now decided that virtues will increase and evil deeds will die away. Every one of us should evaluate whether we are playing our roles in completing the mission of the Promised Messiahas. Are we trying our utmost to rid ourselves of evil deeds? Are we trying our utmost to adopt virtues? Are we striving to our utmost to reach the true standards of worship? Even the ability to do good is attained through the grace of God Almighty.

If we are not trying our best to attain the grace of Allah the Almighty – which is attained through such worship that is solely for Allah the Almighty’s pleasure and not only for the fulfilment of one’s own desires and comfort – then all our efforts are in vain. Either that, or the desire to achieve this objective is pointless. Thus, we must very deeply evaluate ourselves. We must fervently seek repentance. We must consistently align our actions with the pleasure of Allah the Almighty.

The Promised Messiahas states: “Sincerity is a prerequisite for virtuous deeds. Just as [Allah the Almighty has] stated that the trait of ‘being sincere to Him in obedience’ is found within those who are true saints.”

The Promised Messiahas further states: “Bear in mind carefully that he who becomes solely for God Almighty, God Almighty becomes his.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 8, pp. 354-355) This is a fine principle that must be adopted. We, ourselves, do not fulfil the rights owed to Allah the Almighty and then say that Allah the Almighty does not hear our prayers. Some people also harbour such resentments. Evaluate yourselves and see to what extent you have fulfilled the rights owed to God Almighty. Allah the Almighty is very Benevolent; despite our countless mistakes, He continues to reward and provide for us. We should be mindful of how we will fulfil the rights owed to God Almighty. The biggest right owed to Allah the Almighty is that the rights of His worship be fulfilled. We have built a mosque and its rights must be fulfilled. Come into this mosque solely for God and His worship.

Whilst drawing our attention to this, the Promised Messiahas has stated: “Allah the Almighty states that ‘I have created the Jinn and man so that they worship Me.’ Of course, such worship and constant presence before the Lord of Honour is not possible without personal love for Him. And by love here is not meant a one-sided affair; rather, what is meant is both the love of the Creator and the love of creation so that the fire of lightening that falls upon the man who is ready to die and which also emanates from within such a man at such a time, should burn all human weaknesses, and joining together, they should take control of his whole spiritual being.” (Zamimah Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part V, Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 21, pp. 217218) Thus, we must safeguard our prayers with consistent attention and focus. This can

only be achieved when we truly love Allah the Almighty. It must be a deep and intimate love that resembles no other. Thereafter, the love of man for Allah the Almighty and His love for man brings about revolutionary results.

Those who tire after praying a little, or those who desire to learn about the philosophy of prayer, and want to build a relationship with God Almighty should be mindful of these things. Do not go to Allah the Almighty’s door only when you are in need, rather, build a bond of personal love with Allah the Almighty. In turn, Allah the Almighty also loves such a person. For this to happen, it is imperative to be completely obedient to the commandments of Allah the Almighty and His Messengersa. It is necessary to love the Prophetsa of Allah and to be obedient to him in the spirit of that love. Thereafter, Allah the Almighty also manifests His love. When these two forces of love come together, then as the Promised Messiahas has stated, the grace of Allah the Almighty, which is beyond our comprehension, showers upon man.

Furthermore, the Promised Messiahas states: Man has naturally been created for God, as it is stated:

ُ ۡ َّ َ ‫َو َما َخ َل ۡق ُت الۡج َّن َوالۡإ‬ ‫ون‬ ِ ‫نس إِلا ل َِيع ُبد‬ ِ ِ

Allah the Exalted has instilled within man’s nature an inclination towards Himself and has created man to be devoted to Him through the most hidden means. From this, we learn that the fundamental purpose for which God Almighty has created you is so that you may worship Him. However, as for those who detach themselves from this fundamental and natural purpose of theirs, and live like animals, and their only purpose in life is to eat, drink and sleep, they become distant from the grace of God Almighty and He no longer remains concerned for such people. God Almighty takes interest in the life of a person who believes in:

ُ ۡ َّ َ ‫َو َما َخ َل ۡق ُت الۡج َّن َوالۡإ‬ ‫ون‬ ِ ‫نس إِلا ل َِيع ُبد‬ ِ ِ

[I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me], and then transforms their life.

The Promised Messiahas states that one ought to fully adhere to this and make worship his ultimate objective. He further states: “There is no telling when death will arrive. […] It is immensely important for you to understand that the very purpose for which God Almighty created you is so that you may worship Him and become devoted to Him. The world must not be the centre of your aspirations.”

The Promised Messiahas further states: “I reiterate this single point again and again because, in my estimation, worship is the sole purpose for which man has been created and it is this very instruction of which man is negligent. I do not say that you should abandon your worldly businesses, or forsake your wife and children to retreat to a jungle or a mountain. Islam does not deem this to be permissible.”

One should take part in worldly affairs and also fulfil the rights owed to their wives and children, for this is part of the teachings of Islam. The Promised Messiahas further states: “Islam does not allow asceticism. Islam desires to make man active, diligent and able.

Therefore, I say that you ought to engage in your businesses with toil and labour. It is narrated in a Hadith that a person who owns land but does not use it for agriculture, will be accountable in the sight of God. Therefore, if someone understands this instruction to mean that they should detach themselves from the affairs of the world, they are mistaken. Not at all. The fact of the matter is that you ought to ensure that the pleasure of God Almighty is intended in the business that you engage in, and you must not ignore His will to give precedence to your own motives and emotions.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 1, pp. 181-184) Thus, one ought to carefully reflect and ponder over this. The Promised Messiahas stated in a very heartfelt manner that he repeatedly draws attention to this point that one should never forget the objective of their life. If, after having claimed to enter the bai‘at of the Promised Messiahas we then forget the purpose of our lives, then our bai‘at is of no benefit and our words will carry no weight. Thus, every Ahmadi ought to ponder over this. They should deliberate and ponder over this and assess themselves as to how many minutes they devote to the worship of Allah the Almighty in the entire day. Can one fulfil the objective of their life by simply offering salat for a few minutes and with very little understanding of what they are reciting therein? Allah the Almighty does not stop us from engaging in our worldly pursuits, in fact, He expects a true believer to reach the highest level in their worldly works, businesses, trade and agricultural work. But alongside this, He also states that, owing to being engaged in worldly endeavours, one should not become heedless of the purpose of their lives and they ought to safeguard their prayers. If you have built a mosque, you should not be proud of this owing merely to its physical beauty, in fact, its true beauty is owing to those who truly worship and one should be mindful of this fact. One should excel in righteousness and strive to attain its high standards. It is only when one achieves this that one can be considered a true worshipper.

In relation to true worshippers, Allah the Almighty states that they also ensure to keep themselves purified, both within and physically. Hence, there is a general instruction for those who observe the salat that their clothes should be clean and they should perform ablution before every prayer because one’s physical cleanliness has an impact on their inner state. Moreover, one becomes refreshed through performing ablution and their attention remains focused during salat.

Another commandment in addition to the commandment of salat is that one should eat and drink but not exceed the bounds. A general interpretation of this is with regards to a balanced diet and that a believer does not exceed the bounds with regards to food and drink and by not exceeding the bounds one is able to remain healthy and they are also able to worship properly. Another meaning is that the objective of a true believer’s life should not only be to eat, drink and sleep as Allah the Almighty has mentioned that to only do this is a trait of the animals. Moreover, I quoted the extract of the Promised Messiahas which expounded upon this that this is the life of animals. If we further delve into its meaning,

it also means that one should not only pursue worldly endeavours and aspirations, in fact, one ought to recognise the purpose of their creation. A true worshipper engages in worldly activities but does not allow themselves to become so engrossed in them that they become completely oblivious to the fact that it is the time for prayer or that they have to observe the prayer. In fact, when it is the time for prayer, one’s immediate thought should be that the time for their worldly activities has now ended and now they have to present themselves before Allah the Almighty and have to offer the prayer whilst doing true justice to the rights owed to Allah the Almighty. It should not be the case that one quickly offers the prayer, in fact, one should offer it in an excellent manner. Along with physical cleanliness and adornment, one should also adorn their hearts with righteousness.

Allah the Almighty then states that indeed one is permitted to eat and drink and everything pure and wholesome has been created for mankind and is permissible for them. Also, one is permitted to engage in their worldly businesses and endeavours, but if this prevents one from the worship of Allah the Almighty or causes one to be neglectful of going to the mosque, then this means that one has exceeded their bounds and Allah the Almighty dislikes one who transgresses the bounds. People say that why have five prayers been prescribed as this is very difficult to do in today’s day and age. They say that it is difficult for one to take time out from their daily activities in order to pray five times. However, Allah the Almighty states that this is not difficult, in fact, one has exceeded the bounds if they are only concerned about their worldly endeavours and have become neglectful of God Almighty. And when one exceeds their bounds, then gradually they become distant from Allah the Almighty. If Allah the Almighty becomes displeased with someone, then they are completely lost.

Though such a person may claim that they are a Muslim or that they are an Ahmadi and have done the bai‘at of the Imam of the age in accordance with the instruction of the Holy Prophetsa, their actions are causing them to incur the displeasure of Allah the Almighty. Thus, Allah the Almighty has given a very balanced teaching in that one can attain worldly material but one should also be mindful of one’s faith and should not exceed the bounds. A true believer is one who always gives preference to their faith over worldly things. When one gives their faith precedence over worldly things, then Allah the Almighty opens all kinds of new avenues in order to grant provisions to such a person and bestows blessings on his work. Thus, one who adheres to and lives according to the commandments of Allah the Almighty and strives to attain high standards in his worship, then by the grace of Allah the Almighty their worldly needs are also fulfilled.

One’s greed for worldly aspirations continues to increase and if they go on increasing a lot, then they are like a fire that never extinguishes. If one remains firm on their faith then the impulse to attain worldly desires no longer remains, otherwise, this is like a fire that can never be extinguished and one becomes completely consumed by it and such a person is neither granted anything in the hereafter, which is the true life.

Friday 4 November 2022 | AL HAKAM

28 The Holy Prophetsa states that only those people keep the mosques populated who believe in God and in the Last Day. Thus, we ought to become amongst those believers who keep the mosques filled and the hallmark of such people is that after observing their prayer, they remain in wait for the next prayer. (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, alZuhd, Bab ma Ja’a fi al-Hubb fi Allah, Hadith 2391, Abwab al-Iman, Bab ma Ja’a fi Hurmat al-Salah, Hadith 2617) They remain in anticipation for the next prayer so that they can offer it. Thus, the purpose of building a mosque is to keep them populated and this is how one can do so.

After having built this mosque, it is the responsibility of the local members to keep it populated and this is the way to attain the blessings of Allah the Almighty and to also reform oneself and to enable one’s progeny to remain attached to God Almighty.

Otherwise, the worldly attractions and allures of this current age will cause our children to become distant from faith. It is important to attach them to the mosque and instil the significance of faith from their childhood and this is the duty of both the mother and father. Also, as I mentioned before, be mindful of the fact that now with the construction and inauguration of the mosque, more people will be introduced to the Jama’at, this mosque and Islam. New avenues of tabligh will open and more contacts will be made. Thus, it is the duty of every Ahmadi to take advantage of this and spread the message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat. The Promised Messiahas states: “At present, our Jamaat is in great need of mosques, as they are the houses of God. In whichever village or town our mosque is established, one can assume that the foundations of the success of the Jamaat have been laid there.”

The Promised Messiahas further says, “However, the condition is that when establishing the mosque, one’s intentions should be sincere and it should be established solely for the sake of Allah.”

(Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 7, p. 119) Thus, as the Promised Messiahas has stated that with the establishment of a mosque, the foundations of the success of the Jamaat have been established. If the Ahmadis here strive with sincerity and elevate the standards of their worship, then, God willing, one can assume that Allah the Almighty will lay the foundations for the success of the Jamaat here as well. Therefore, continue to elevate the levels of your worship and sincerity; and ensure that sincerity, the importance of prayer and worship are passed on to your progenies. Through this, we will be able to see a transformation in even the people who are engrossed in worldly pursuits.

The Promised Messiahas states: “The real beauty of a mosque is not in its construction, in fact, it is dependent upon the worshipers who pray in it with sincerity.”

(Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 8, p. 170) May Allah the Almighty enable everyone to become those who offer prayers with sincerity and populate this mosque. May Allah accept our prayers and worship.

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(Original Urdu published in Al Fazl International, 28 October 2022, pp. 5-9. Translated by The Review of Religions.)

Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | Sub-Editorial: Ataul Fatir Tahir, Aqeel Ahmed Kang | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | © Al Hakam 2022