Arrangements and key information for Jalsa Salana Germany 2024
With the recent conclusion of Jalsa Salana UK, the Jamaat’s momentum continues unabated. Progress, as promised by God, is evident daily, and we now look forward to the upcoming Jalsa Salana Germany 2024 with great anticipation, to be held from 23-25 August 2024 in Mendig, located roughly 140 kilometres west from Frankfurt.
This year, after a very long time, Jamaate-Ahmadiyya Germany will be hosting their Jalsa Salana in a similar fashion to the UK Jamaat with a tent-city being built for the guests of the Promised Messiahas
Al Hakam reached out to Ilyas Majoka Sahib, Afsar Jalsa Salana Germany, who provided us with the following details and updates about this year’s Germany Jalsa:
After nearly 20 years, Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Germany’s Jalsa shall, inshaAllah, take place in an open-air field. While the area naturally has some existing tracks, most of it is still grassy. Additional tracks, similar to those used at Jalsa Salana UK, will be installed to accommodate the event.
How to get there
The address of the Jalsa site is: Flugplatz Mendig Am Flugplatz 48 56743 Mendig. The most common route is via the A61 motorway, which connects directly to the Mendig area. Arrival at the site is straightforward, located just 2.4 miles (4 kilometres) from the motorway exit. Parking
will be available on the Jalsa grounds. Travelling by train can also be convenient. One can easily purchase a ticket to Mendig station, where a shuttle service shall be made available. The Jalsa reception team shall be present to assist those coming attend the Jalsa.
For those arriving by car, parking spaces are available in front of the Jalsa grounds. Buggies will be provided for people with disabilities, the elderly and the sick. Access to the disabled parking area requires an
It is narrated by Hazrat Abdullah bin Umarra, that “Allah’s Messengersa said, ‘Islam is based on five [pillars]: 1) Testifying that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad[sa] is Allah’s Messenger; 2) Establishing the prayer [salat]; 3) Giving the Zakat; 4) Performing the Hajj; and, 5) Fasting in the month of Ramadan.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, kitabu l-iman, bab du‘aukum imanukum, Hadith 8)
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words
Du‘a: A proof of God’s existence
“Prayer [du‘a] is a powerful proof of God Almighty’s existence. Thus, God Almighty states in one place:
“[And when My servants ask thee about Me, say: I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me. (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch. 2: V. 187)]
“In other words, ‘When My servants ask you where God is and
Muhammadsa
Review of Jalsa Salana UK 2024
During his Friday Sermon, delivered on 2 August 2024, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, said:
“Alhamdulillah, last week Jalsa Salana UK [2024] concluded, displaying the blessings of Allah the Exalted. These three days were immensely blessed and left a positive impact on both [Ahmadi] attendees and [nonAhmadi or non-Muslim] guests. Today, I shall relay the impressions of some guests, but before doing so, I wish to express my gratitude to the workers who played their part in organising and wrapping up the event before, during, and after the convention.
“By the grace of Allah the Exalted, the characteristic diligence of the Jamaat members—women, men, and children— is praised even by outsiders and serves as a form of silent preaching through the responsibilities they fulfil. Workers from all departments of the Jalsa play a significant role, whether they are stationed at entrances, gates, security checks, parking areas, food serving, cooking, cleaning, children’s duties, water distribution, or performing various other duties. In every respect and in every department that contributes to the Jalsa Salana, the effort is highly effective and worthy of gratitude. Minor weaknesses do exist, and some might notice them, but in such a vast arrangement, these should be
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what is the proof of His [existence], say that He is very near, and its proof is that ‘I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me.’ This answer is sometimes found through righteous visions and sometimes through divine revelations and inspirations. Furthermore, through prayers, the powers and might of God Almighty are manifested, demonstrating that He is All-Powerful and, as such, He resolves difficulties.”
(Al Hakam, 17 January 1905)
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official disability ID, a copy of which should be sent to office@jalsasalana.de. If you do not have an ID, please send an email with details and confirmation from your Sadr Jamaat to the same email address.
Upcoming arrangements for Jalsa Germany
The Germany Jamaat is overseeing the installation of water supply arrangements and electricity generators in the new Jalsa site of Mendig. Sleeping accommodation
overlooked.
“Moreover, this year, workers from the UK along with a large number of volunteers from Mauritius participated for the first time and performed commendably. Similarly, volunteers from Canada are assisting in the wind-up. May Allah the Exalted reward them all.
“The press and media coverage this year was also very favourable. The traffic management was excellent, keeping the neighbours content. Every year they used to have some complaints, but this year, no complaints were received. In fact, they thought the smoother traffic flow meant fewer attendees than last year, although attendance was actually two thousand higher. When this was explained, the neighbours were quite astonished. The traffic arrangements were excellent, thanks to a local councillor, who is also a missionary of the Jamaat, for playing a significant role in neighbourhood relations and traffic planning. May Allah the Exalted reward him as well.
“Now, I will share the impressions of the guests. May Allah Almighty open their hearts to understand the true meaning of
the message of Ahmadiyyat and enable us to achieve the purpose of the mission of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him; not just during these three days but as a part of our entire lives.” [Amin]
Following this, Huzooraa shared the impressions of several Jalsa attendees and highlighted how individuals in various
countries embraced Islam Ahmadiyyat after listening to Huzoor’saa addresses at the Jalsa, broadcast through MTA International. Additionally, Huzooraa discussed the extensive press and media coverage the Jalsa received globally, with the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat reaching some 46 million through this extensive media exposure.
is also being arranged, with approximately 900 families confirmed to camp on-site, and additional arrivals expected. Around 100 caravans are anticipated, based on submitted applications.
Preparations for the Jalsa’s main marquees are underway, with hundreds of marquees – both large and small –scheduled to be set up in the coming days. Additionally, preparations for waqar-e-amal are in progress, including the installation of kitchen facilities and a storage system that will serve to cater for refreshments and needs of the Jalsa Salana. Further developments will occur over the next week.
For attendees travelling by air and who require help with transport to and from the airport, it is recommended to email the Germany Jamaat in advance with your flight details and airport of arrival. This will help ensure that you are properly greeted and picked up upon arrival. Additionally, for all attending the Jalsa, it is essential to bring your AIMS card so please don’t forget this.
Accommodation
Accommodation options include large sleeping tents on both the men’s and women’s sides, with mattresses available for a €10 deposit. Due to limited availability, it is recommended to bring your own mattress and bedding, though air mattresses can be purchased on-site. For those with private
tents, registration is required, and you must bring your own bedding and mattresses. If you are using a caravan, please note that water and electricity hookups are not provided.
For your safety, always carry your AIMS card with you. Sharp objects should be kept in your car or private tent, away from the Jalsa site, and personal drones are not allowed on the premises.
For more information, please contact: info@jalsasalana.de
You can also visit the website at www. jalsasalana.de
New Jalsa Salana app: Services at your fingertips
There is a Jalsa Salana app that will provide all the features for the Jalsa at a glance. You can benefit from various facilities. The app includes information on entering the Jalsa site, translations, contact details for the information centre, direct access to the Jalsa programme, and current updates on the Jalsa. Additionally, it offers helpful links to further services, such as Jalsa Radio.
Stay tuned for more updates on this year’s Germany Jalsa as details become available. We shall, insha-Allah, endeavour to provide the latest information as it unfolds.
Brief history of Germany Jalsa
The first Jalsa Salana in Germany was held in 1975 at the Fazl-e-Omar Mosque in Hamburg. It moved to Groß-Gerau in 1985 due to increasing attendance, and then to the Maimarkt grounds in Mannheim in 1995. Since 2011, the event has been hosted at the exhibition centre in Karlsruhe, attracting around 40,000 attendees annually, before it was held in Stuttgart in 2023.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)
This Week in History
A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
9 - 15 August
9 August 1900: Lala Keshudas Sahib, revenue officer (Tehsildar) of Batala, visited Qadian in 1899. He visited the Mubarak Mosque and had a sitting with the Promised Messiahas. The editor of Al Hakam, Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira took note of what Huzooras said on this occasion, which was then published in Al Hakam, on this day.
For more details on this event, see “Coming from every distant track: Lala Keshudas, Tehsildar of Batala, visits Qadian” at alhakam.org (21 January 2022, pp. 19-20).
10 August 1916: On this day, The Civil and Military Gazette published a review of the English translation of the Holy Quran by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, published under the auspices of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra
For more details, see “Promised Messiah’s message spreads to corners of earth and continues through Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya”, at alhakam.org (17 March 2023, pp. 6-9).
11 August 1982: During his tour of Europe, on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh presided over the first Majlis Shura of Jamaat Denmark. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 816)
11 August 1999: On the occasion of the solar eclipse on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh led the Kusuf prayer in London. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 900)
11 August 2006: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa instructed the Jamaat to pray for his upcoming tour of America and said that in light of events that had transpired at various airports a day earlier (a plot to blow up planes), some members had expressed concern. Huzooraa asked members of the Jamaat to pray and said that all of our affairs depended on prayers. Huzooraa added that if this
journey was blessed in the eyes of Allah the Almighty, then He would remove all hurdles. (Khutbat-eMasroor, Vol. 4, pp. 391-398)
12 August 1982: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh addressed a press conference in Copenhagen and gave an interview to a newspaper. He also called on some Danish intellectuals. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 816)
12 August 1988: During his Friday Sermon on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh warned the opponents of Ahmadiyyat in general and General Zia-ul-Haq of Pakistan in particular. Then on 17 August, this military dictator of Pakistan died in an air crash near Bahawalpur, Pakistan. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Part 4, p. 848)
13 August 1927: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra embarked on his visit to Simla (now Shimla), where he stayed until 2 October. Throughout this tour, Huzoor’sra engagements were focused on religious, national, and community matters. Various leaders and dignitaries had the opportunity to meet him, including the then Viceroy of India and the then Governor of Punjab.
For more details, see “Communal harmony, Unity Conference and Muslim rights: Hazrat Musleh-eMaud’s 1927 visit to Shimla” at alhakam.org (24 February 2023, pp. 13-16).
13 August 1961: The Mubarak Mosque in Montagne Blanche, Mauritius, was inaugurated on this day. It was a historic day for the local Jamaat for many reasons, one being that there was already a small mosque built some two decades back on this island, under the supervision of missionary Maulana Fazl Ilahi Bashir Sahib. But sadly, a strong typhoon caused extensive damage to this structure.
The devout local Ahmadis planned to rebuild this house of God once again with their limited resources. This beautiful, eye-catching mosque was
renovated mostly through rigorous and tireless waqar-e-amal by Jamat members. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 21, pp. 379-380)
14 August 1907: On this day, the Promised Messiahas received an Urdu revelation
“Today the Holy Prophet, on whom be the peace and blessings of Allah, came to our house. Along came
honour and security.” (Tadhkirah [English], p. 992)
15 August 2008: During his Friday Sermon in Hamburg, Germany, on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned that he had visited Hamburg after a long interval. He announced the inauguration of two newly built mosques in the region: Baitul Karim in Stade and Baitus Sami in Hannover. (Al Fazl International, 5 September 2008, pp. 5-7)
Baitul Karim Mosque | Stade, Germany
Sami Mosque | Hannover-Stöcken, Germany
Ahmadi Muslims in Bangladesh A Community under siege amidst political turmoil
Staff Writer Al Hakam
Bangladesh is currently engulfed in widespread political turmoil, with Ahmadi Muslims also finding themselves in an increasingly precarious situation. Disturbing images and horrifying reports from the general public are circulating on social media platforms revealing a grim picture of the crisis.
One Ahmadi witness writes on social media: “They are inside Jamia with 40 other students. Rioters attempted to break down the Jamia gate using a gas cylinder and set the gate on fire.” The account continues, “The army eventually arrived, causing the rioters to leave the area.”
Background
For those unfamiliar with the current crisis, the question may arise: How did the situation deteriorate to this point, and what exactly is transpiring?
The current crisis has its roots in a June 2024 decision by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh to reinstate a controversial quota system. This system reserved 30% of government jobs for descendants of those who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 war of independence. The decision was met with widespread dissatisfaction among students, who viewed it as unjust. Their discontent with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Bangladesh Awami League government quickly escalated into a nationwide antigovernment reform movement, spearheaded primarily by university students.
As the protests intensified, violent clashes erupted between demonstrators and the student wing of the ruling party. The situation further escalated when police attempted to quell the unrest, ultimately spiralling beyond the government’s control. The scale of the violence and its impact on the country became increasingly apparent, as evidenced by recent media reports.
Just two days ago, Al Jazeera reported:
“At least 91 people have been killed, including 13 police officers, and dozens more injured in a new round of violence in Bangladesh as police fired tear gas and lobbed stun grenades to disperse tens of thousands of protesters who returned to the streets to ask Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign.” (“At least 90 killed as Bangladesh protesters renew call for Hasina to quit”,
www.aljazeera.com)
The crisis reached a critical point on 5 August 2024, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, had founded in 1971. The rapid escalation of events was further illustrated by another Al Jazeera report:
“Hasina resigned after weeks of protests against quotas for government jobs flared into nationwide unrest. At least 280 people were killed and thousands injured as the government cracked down on the demonstrations.” (“Bangladesh’s Sheikh Hasina forced to resign: What happened and what’s next?”, www.aljazeera.com)
With the death toll nearly tripling and a sudden leadership vacuum, Bangladesh found itself plunged into anarchy, leaving communities, including Ahmadi Muslims, particularly vulnerable.
Impact on Ahmadi Muslims of Bangladesh
In the ensuing chaos, individuals and groups perceived to have any connection to or sympathy for the former government became targets of violence. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, an already persecuted minority community in Bangladesh, found itself particularly vulnerable in this volatile environment.
To gain insight into the current situation facing Ahmadi Muslims, Al Hakam spoke with Feroz Alam Sahib, In-charge Markazi Bangla Desk of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. He provided a sobering account of recent events:
“In the last 24 hours alone, over 80 Ahmadi homes in Ahmednagar have been burned and demolished,” Feroz Alam Sahib reports. “Our local mosque, including its prayer hall, guesthouse, and entire ground floor was also razed to the ground.”
He continues, “The jalsa gah of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Bangladesh has been severely damaged. Its perimeter and stores were set ablaze, destroying numerous valuable items. Jamia Ahmadiyya, our educational institution, came under attack, resulting in injuries to many students. Fortunately, the attackers were unable to breach the building before the army intervened.”
Further detailing the extent of the damage, he said: “Thus far, 22 khuddam have been injured, with two in critical
condition. Additionally, five mosques and several mu‘allim quarters have been burned and demolished.”
Highlighting the gravity of the situation he adds: “It is rather unfortunate to note that there is no functional government; no one is at the helm to control the situation in our beloved homeland.”
Hope for the future
When asked about the future prospects for Ahmadis in Bangladesh, Feroz Alam Sahib said
“The situation remains extremely tense. Our Community is small, and we remain vulnerable against potential attacks; there’s no law and order. Our members are watching their homes burn and are understandably very anxious. However, our spiritual leader, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, has provided guidance and encouraged us to seek solace in prayer.”
Despite the immediate challenges, Feroz Alam Sahib maintains a sense of long-term
optimism, stating:
“The Promised Messiahas has prophesied that our Jamaats’s future is divinely secured, even in the face of hostility and adversity. While we may face temporary setbacks, as all divinely guided communities do, we believe we will ultimately progress. Our Community in Bangladesh accepts that we may have to make sacrifices. However, we maintain faith that, by Allah’s grace, something positive will emerge from this crisis.”
The plight of the Ahmadi Muslims in Bangladesh highlights the broader challenges facing various groups amidst political upheaval. As the country grapples with a leadership vacuum and widespread unrest, it serves as yet another example of the global leadership crisis. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa has consistently warned about the spread of such unrest worldwide. We hope and pray that the situation calms down for not only Ahmadis but all citizens of Bangladesh.
Image courtesy of Central Bangla Desk of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
Echoes of colonialism: Britain’s struggle with Islamophobia and the path to reconciliation
Iftekhar Ahmed Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre
The United Kingdom finds itself grappling with the lasting effects of its colonial past, in which it was confronted with a multitude of ethnicities and religions. The recent disturbances in the coastal town of Southport, triggered by a terrible act of violence and made worse by a storm of false information, have painfully revealed the ongoing problem of Islamophobia that continues to deeply affect Western society. As an Ahmadi Muslim, I feel a strong duty to look at these troubling events through the experiences of our Community and the enduring wisdom found in Islamic teachings.
The brutal killing of three innocent young girls in Southport – a terrible tragedy that should have brought the nation together in shared sorrow – became the trigger for long-hidden tensions to explode. In an alarmingly short time, a harmful mix of lies began to spread rapidly: it was carelessly claimed that the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker who had secretly entered the country. This hurtful misinformation, made louder and more widespread by the constant noise of social media, unleashed a flood of xenophobic and Islamophobic feelings. These emotions had long been simmering just below the surface of Western society, waiting for a chance to burst out.
As mosques, which should be places of peace and spiritual reflection, came under attack, and the night sky glowed with the unsettling light of burning vehicles, it was impossible not to be reminded of some of the most shameful and cruel chapters in human history. The frightening ease with which parts of society accepted this simplistic and dangerous story of Muslims as a supposed threat echoes the excuses used to control entire populations during the time of colonial expansion. It serves as a stark and sobering reminder that the ghosts of a supposedly bygone era, with all its associated prejudices and unfairness, still linger in the Western mindset, whispering their harmful messages of fear and distrust.
For Ahmadi Muslims, this renewed surge of hatred is especially painful and
personal. Our community has long suffered persecution, from the harsh and systematic oppression we face as Ahmadis in Pakistan to the more subtle forms of discrimination we encounter as Muslims in the West. We understand, perhaps better than most, the devastating human cost of the poisonous ideology of religious intolerance, and we recognise the deep dangers of allowing fear and ignorance to control public discussions.
Yet, even in the midst of darkness and despair, small rays of hope stubbornly shine through, lighting a path towards healing and coming together. As the founder of our community—the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas—clearly stated, “Hence, my faith, which I make clear again and again, is that Islam consists of two parts: first, that we should obey God Almighty, and secondly, that we obey the kingdom that has established peace and given us shelter under its protection against the cruelties of the tyrants; and that kingdom is the British Government.”
(Testimony of the Holy Quran, p. 130f)
This unwavering commitment to being loyal to both faith and country is not a contradiction, as some might hastily assume, but rather a harmonious combination. It provides a model for positive integration that allows us to honour both our rich spiritual heritage and our important responsibilities as citizens.
We saw this principle in action, brought to life in its most inspiring form, as communities across Britain spontaneously came together after the violence, united in their determination to reject hatred and embrace compassion. People of all faiths and backgrounds stood side by side, forming a human chain of solidarity, to protect mosques and offer comfort and support to those targeted by this wave of senseless hate.
In Southport itself, where the discord initially erupted, Muslims responded to the hate not with anger or blame, but with acts of extraordinary kindness and humanity, giving water to volunteers selflessly working to clean up the mess and damage left behind by the rioters. In doing so, they embodied the timeless wisdom found in the Holy Quran, which urges believers to “Repel
[evil] with that which is best.” (Surah HaMim as-Sajdah, Ch.41: V.35)
These remarkable acts of solidarity, freely given and born out of a spirit of genuine love and understanding, serve as a powerful and much-needed rebuke to those who seek to divide us along lines of religion, ethnicity, or ideology. They are a testament to the unbreakable strength of the human spirit and a timely reminder that the threads of compassion, empathy, and
shared humanity that bind us together are far more numerous and infinitely stronger than the forces of fear and hatred that can tear us apart.
However, as encouraging as these moments of unity are, we must not allow them to lull us into a false sense of security. The events in Southport, as disturbing and disheartening as they have been, have also
Samuel Regan-Asante | Unsplash
A tifl’s diary of Jalsa Salana UK 2024
Day 1 – 26 July 2024
I had been waiting for what felt like centuries for three of my most favourite days of the year, Jalsa Salana. When I woke up, I felt bubbly and jubilant, knowing I had three joyous days ahead of me.
At around 9:10 am, my father and I arrived at the Press and Media Marquee, where I was doing duty. Soon after we arrived, journalists started to emerge and one of the media outlets who attended was ITV.
The reason journalists were coming, apart from covering Jalsa, was because the Press and Media Office was hosting a talk on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Two journalists and a doctor, who had travelled on the ground to Gaza, were panellists. The doctor was present in the marquee, while the journalists attended virtually. They talked about the desperately dire conditions in Gaza and narrated devastating stories of piles of dead bodies spread everywhere. They further described how once tall and proud buildings had been demolished into pieces. This topic was very sad but, at the same time, a reminder to us all about how fortunate we are to be able to live with luxurious facilities and food that nobody in Gaza has access to. Everyone appreciated learning about the ground reality.
I then gave a tour, along with two more senior members of the Press team, to a kindhearted, jolly journalist from the Farnham
Herald. We first went to the main Jalsa Gah, where Jumuah had started. The journalist was poised for the Jumuah prayer, and he found it intriguing. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa talked about how every Jalsa worker should strive to fulfil their duties. The guests of the Promised Messiahas should make it easy for the workers and, at the same time, the workers should be hospitable.
Soon after namaz, we went to the Tabligh Marquee, where we found ourselves eating the langar food like pasta and aloo gosht with rice.
Minutes later, we were driving on a buggy up to the highest hilltop in the Jalsa site, where the journalist took a scenic photo of the amazing view. It was a tad scary going back down the steep hill as the buggy was tilting and we went down pretty fast. A bit of an unexpected Jalsa ride!
We then visited the exhibitions, which gripped me so much that I almost forgot that the journalist was there! The journalist was very interested in Islamic history and was especially absorbed by the Makhzane-Tasaweer photo exhibition. Before he left, he observed the flag hoisting, where Huzooraa raised the Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat.
Masha-Allah, he was very impressed by what he saw and said he would write a
section about Jalsa in the Farnham Herald newspaper.
It was time for the second speech of Jalsa. Huzooraa called for global peace and making the world more harmonious.
Soon after the session, I started to feel hungry, so I went with some of the Press team to the langar, where we ate the yummiest aloo gosht, which tasted even better than gold.
Later, we were told that Huzooraa was taking a walk around the Jalsa site. We were all excited to hear this unexpected news! And, alhamdulillah, Huzooraa even came to our Press marquee, where he talked to a young Englishman who had come from Sheffield to learn about Islam. When Huzooraa walked in, it was like a spiritual star had entered and his presence made the marquee so much brighter! I felt so lucky as I was standing just a few feet away from Huzooraa! It was a very blessed experience and I hope to remember it forever.
It was then time for Maghrib and Isha prayer. By the grace of Allah, this day was hugely successful, and I hoped the next two proved even more so.
Day 2 – 27 July 2024
Early in the morning, I arrived at the Press marquee and started by helping to clean it because the Human Rights Department was to host a talk on the persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan later in the day.
At midday, Huzooraa went to the Lajna side to give a speech. Huzooraa talked about the parental duties of mothers after they give birth – like safeguarding children from bad websites. Huzooraa also spoke about
modesty and hijab as well.
After namaz, I went to the bazaar, and it was so hot that I felt as if I were sizzling on a barbeque so I bought a water bottle from Humanity First’s stall and a portable fan, which cooled me down and I felt like a new person. When I came back to the Press Marquee, the Human Rights talk had started so I had to stay pin-drop silent! During the break, I also took the opportunity to return to the Langar Khana to eat some of the magical aloo gosht and the remarkable pasta. Nothing can beat the Langar Khana food!
Later in the day, I listened to the fourth address of Huzooraa. It was a report of the Jamaat’s successes over the year. For example, the Jamaat had extended to a new country: Taiwan. The Jamaat is now in 214 countries and territories. One of the people who became an Ahmadi was a scholar named Professor Chong Kuan. Also, 106 mosques were constructed. Alhamdulillah!
After the afternoon address, I went to the roti plant on a buggy with some other members of the press team and I could smell the fresh roti being made.
We had dinner, offered namaz and then went home. Today was another incredibly enjoyable day.
Day 3 – 28 July 2024
The final day had come. The moment we had all been waiting for: The bai‘at.
However, before it started, Abba (my father), my brother and I went to visit the eye-capturing exhibitions, which were all
Mahid Khan (age 11) Islamabad, UK
Mahid while performing duty with the Press and Media team at Jalsa UK 2024 | Image: Library
very alluring (used a thesaurus here!). We were given a fascinating tour of Makhzane-Tasaweer and a similarly amazing tour of The Review of Religions and Tabligh joint exhibition where I learnt about the existence of God. One of the key points was that scientists only figured out that the world was created by the Big Bang decades ago. However, the Holy Quran already told us about the Big Bang 1400 years ago. This shows that the Quran has all the knowledge of the future and how Allah conveyed what was important to his people through the Holy Prophetsa.
After what felt like just seconds, it was time for the bai‘at. When I did the bai‘at, it was an extremely powerful moment for me and I am sure many other people found it powerful too. I think the whole marquee was filled with unique energy and everyone was filled with emotions and feeling extremely passionate. I felt very lucky to take part. Alhamdulillah
Soon after namaz, I had langar food with my brother and Abba. It was very nice to be able to spend time with my family. It is yet another blessing of Jalsa! We then went to the bazaar. It was great and amidst the scorching hot weather, Abba bought cooling ice creams for me, my brother and even for himself! It was so hot that the ice cream was dripping on our faces as it melted so quickly – but it was worth it!
When we got back, it was time for the final session. I tried to get into the marquee, but it was full, so I couldn’t get a space and had to listen outside Jalsa Gah. During the final session, Huzooraa talked about the Promised Messiah’sas love for the Holy Prophetsa. Huzooraa also talked about the Promised Messiah’sas teachings and the status of the Holy Prophetsa. There was so much knowledge in Huzoor’s words. I hope I can learn Urdu better as I get older so I can understand more.
Even though Jalsa had ended after the concluding session, our duties did not end there. Instead, in the office, we packed countless packets of roti bread because the Press and Media team had launched a campaign called ‘Bread For Britain’ where we sent bread to food banks across Britain. We had some spare bread, so I and my brother distributed packets to people as they returned home. It was a lot of fun and Ahmadis were very glad to take some fresh Jalsa roti home with them!
What I learnt over the Jalsa days
With the grace and blessings of Allah, the days of Jalsa Salana proved to be some of the best days of my life. Personally, during this Jalsa, I learnt that work or duty isn’t always easy, but you should always try your hardest and keep smiling, as Huzooraa has instructed us. I hope this Jalsa was a blessed experience for all and I hope this diary has been an enjoyable read.
In conclusion, the highlight of Jalsa was undoubtedly the presence of our Khalifa –it made the Jalsa much more blessed, and special and I will especially never forget when Huzooraa came to our Press marquee unexpectedly!
I hope the next Jalsa is as exceptional as this year’s or actually even better, inshaAllah!
Relief efforts in Jamaica after Hurricane Beryl
Misbah Anmol Tariq Jamaica Correspondent
On 3 July 2024, Jamaica was struck by a category 4 storm, Hurricane Beryl, with winds exceeding 200 km per hour and heavy rains causing waist-high flooding on the streets as well as people’s homes. Houses were destroyed, infrastructure was heavily impacted, and many families found themselves in dire need of assistance. The aftermath left a profound mark on the lives of those affected, highlighting the urgent need for relief and support.
On 12 July 2024, Humanity First and the Jamaat in Jamaica organised a significant relief effort, distributing over 300 food hampers, providing a week’s worth of essential food items, and offering muchneeded relief to those struggling in the wake of the storm. The gathering of supplies and packing of these hampers took several days of effort. The volunteers worked tirelessly day and night to get them to the people in need as soon as possible.
Before the distribution, the Missionaryin-Charge and Amir Jamaat Jamaica, Tariq Azeem Sahib, delivered a small speech to uplift the spirits of the people. He emphasised trust in Allah in times of
adversity in light of the Quranic teachings. The recipients deeply appreciated the effort and prayed for the well-being of the donors and the volunteers. Andrew, one of the recipients of the hampers, said:
“We thought the worst part was over after the strong winds passed; we all had fallen asleep, when the water started seeping in at 3 am. The water was waist-high; we couldn’t pack up our furniture. We had no water or electricity for five days a week. We weren’t even able to clean up our houses. It is an uncertain time ahead of us. I really appreciate these packages from you. We really needed them. I’m looking forward to coming back to the mosque to learn more.”
Jalsa and peace symposium held in Jinja and Kampala regions of Uganda
On 14 July 2024, the Jinja Region of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Uganda held its Jalsa and peace symposium in Namagera. This event was attended by 1755 people. Various speeches were held, including by the regional missionary, Naveed Ahmad Rasheed; LC1 Chairperson, Mugabo Elias; Reverald Bamuwane Aron; and James Hamba.
Another peace symposium was held in the Kampala Region as well. In his concluding speech, Amir and Missionaryin-Charge Uganda, Muhammad Ali Kaire Sahib, shed light on the responsibilities of leaders on all levels of society as emulated by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. Mr Eriga Raegan Elijah, a political scientist and an international relationship expert who is a member of the Uganda Council of Foreign Mission also attended the event and delivered a short speech. More than 700 people attended the event.
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shone a harsh and unforgiving light on deep-rooted issues that demand our urgent attention and united action.
We must face head-on, with unwavering determination, the harmful influence of false information and hate speech, particularly on social media platforms, which, in far too many cases, have become breeding grounds for extremism of all kinds. We must challenge, at every turn, the cynical statements of opportunistic politicians and far-right agitators who shamelessly exploit the worries of a world struggling to come to terms with its changing identity in the postcolonial age.
As Muslims living in a country that has offered us safety and the freedom to practice our faith without fear, we have a special responsibility to fully engage in this vital work of healing and reconciliation. We must double our efforts to be active, engaged, and visibly positive members of our communities, reaching out to our neighbours, building bridges of understanding, and participating fully in civic life. Through our actions, both big and small, we can effectively show the true, peaceful, and compassionate nature of Islam and counter the ugly caricatures and harmful stereotypes that have been unfairly painted of our faith by those who spread
fear and division.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat’s motto, “Love for all, hatred for none,” has never been more relevant, more necessary, or more urgently needed. It is more than just a saying; it is a clear call to action, a timely reminder that in the face of hatred, we must respond with love; in the face of unfamiliarity, with awareness; and in the face of division, with unity.
As we move forward, let us find inspiration and guidance in the wise and compassionate words of His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, the Fifth Caliph and Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat: “Muslims are commanded to defend and protect all religions and places of worship rather than cause them any harm.” (“The Critical State of the World – What is the Blueprint for Peace?”, www.reviewofreligions.org, 13 March 2024)
This profound statement, rooted in the very heart of our faith, holds the key to building a more just, fair, and harmonious world for all.
The path ahead, as we all know too well, will be full of challenges. The ghosts of bygone days, with their tempting whispers of prejudice and intolerance, are not easily driven away, and the work of genuine reconciliation is a long, difficult, and often thankless task. But as we engage in this
noble struggle, let us draw strength and hope from the timeless words of the Holy Quran: “O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female; and We have made you tribes and sub-tribes that you may know one another.” (Surah al-Hujurat, Ch.49: V.13)
Our differences, rather than being a source of division and conflict, are in reality a precious opportunity for mutual understanding, respect, and growth.
In this crucial moment of crisis, Britain stands at a crossroads, facing a clear choice. We can choose to give in to the tempting but ultimately destructive forces of division, fear, and blame, or we can find the courage and the moral imagination to embrace the promise of a truly diverse and inclusive society, one that recognises, respects, and celebrates the inherent dignity and worth of all its members. As Ahmadi Muslims, as Britons, and above all, as fellow members of the human family, let us choose the latter path. Let us dedicate ourselves, tirelessly and without reservation, to building bridges of understanding, to challenging hatred and prejudice wherever we encounter them, and to creating a future where the echoes of empire are finally and decisively silenced by the sweet tone of a united, just, and compassionate society.
Batte Ahmad Uganda
Image courtesy of AMJ Jamaica
Arba‘in and fierce opposition to the Promised Messiah A glimpse into the Indian press of 1900
Ata-ul-Haye Nasir
Al Hakam
The later part of the 19th century was an era that saw a rising tide of opposition to Islam. In particular, the Christian and Arya clergymen, supported by their press, were running a malicious campaign against Islam. They were objecting to the teachings of the Holy Quran and attempting to malign the blessed character of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. At that juncture, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian undertook to defend Islam, prove the magnificence of the Holy Quran and highlight the blessed character of the Holy Prophetsa
This article endeavours to focus on the Indian press of the year 1900 and the Promised Messiah’sas series of tracts, titled “Arba‘in (Li Ittmamil-Hujjati ‘AlalMukhalifin)”, commencing in July 1900.
Arba‘in’s English translation has recently been published and was made available for the first time on this year’s Jalsa Salana UK. It was mentioned by Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in his secondday address at the Jalsa Salana UK 2024.
The year 1900 was a very significant one. In addition to the publication of Arba‘in, the Promised Messiahas announced the construction of Minarat-ul-Masih, issued the edict regarding Jihad, and challenged many opponents, such as the Bishop of Lahore, Pir Mehr Ali Shah of Golra, Munshi Ilahi Bakhsh, Accountant of Lahore, and many more.
Unfortunately, while the opponents of Islam were making all possible efforts to tarnish Islam, the Muslim clerics were also leaving no stone unturned in opposing the Promised Messiahas. However, this great champion of Islam bravely stood on this battlefield to defend Islam.
Announcement about Arba‘in
On 23 July 1900, the Promised Messiahas wrote an ishtihar – published in Al Hakam on 9 August 1900, exactly 124 years ago –and announced that he intended to publish 40 tracts to conclusively communicate the truth to the opponents (itmam al-hujjah), particularly the Muslim clerics, Christian missionaries and the Arya Samajists. This first tract was titled “Arba‘in Number 1”. Huzooras announced that after this tract, each tract would be published fortnightly,
provided there was no hindrance of any kind, until the 40 tracts were completed or until an opponent came into the field with a pure intention and manifested any sign similar to Hazrat Ahmadas
In this first tract, the Promised Messiahas stated that he intended to publish 40 tracts to invite the opponent Muslim clerics and the non-Muslim clergymen, and to conclusively communicate the truth to them (itmam alhujjah). Huzooras addressed the opposing clergymen and reiterated his claim of being a ma‘mur (God’s appointee) and stated that the objective behind his advent is to uplift morality, reform beliefs and remove weaknesses of faith. He said that he has been commanded by God Almighty to spread the Truth by manifesting heavenly signs and righteous teaching. (Al Hakam, 9 August 1900, p. 4)
Opposition from the press
While Huzooras was inviting all clergymen to seek the truth and while he was proving the truthfulness of Islam, we find that it was a time when not only the opponent clergy, but the press too was leaving no stone unturned in opposing the Promised Messiahas. If we glance at the opponent press in the year 1900 alone, we find a huge storm of opposition against one single person — the God’s Appointee and the Saviour of mankind in the Latter Days. The prominent among the Muslim press was The Paisa Akhbar of Lahore and Sat
Dharam Pracharak among the Arya press, while the Nur-i-Afshan of Ludhiana was leading the Christian rhetoric.
Inflammatory articles by Nur-iAfshan before Arba‘in
It was a practice of the Christian newspaper, Nur-i-Afhsan of Ludhiana, to publish harsh and abusive articles against the Promised Messiahas, and the year 1900 was also no exception.
Around three months prior to Hazrat Ahmad’sas above-mentioned ishtihar, the Nur-i-Afshan published an article by a person named J.K., titled “Yasu ke Masih honay mein mukhalif ki mukhalifat” — The opponent’s opposition to Jesus being the Messiah, in which it was falsely asserted that among the Muslims, the Promised Messiahas was the biggest opponent of Jesusas. Addressing the Promised Messiahas, he wrote:
“You have staunchly opposed Jesus; it is incumbent upon you to believe Jesus the Messiah to be God, and accept him in order to attain a [spiritual] life.” (Nur-i-Afshan, 6 April 1900, p. 4)
The author of the article continued by using a harsh tone and wrote that in the past, the deniers of Jesus have received a strong response from the Christians and punishment from God as well. (Ibid.)
The fact is that the Promised Messiahas, in accordance with the Quranic teaching, considered Jesusas to be a prophet of Allah. He did not oppose him; however, he certainly opposed the false belief of the Christians and contemporary Muslims about Jesusas being alive in heaven. He announced after receiving divine revelation that Jesusas had passed away and would never return to the world. Moreover, as per the divine revelation, he claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi.
For more details on this, see “Hazrat Ahmad’s claim to be the Promised Messiah and opposition from the religious clergy and press”, at alhakam.org (19 April 2024).
In the same issue, another article was published titled “Masihi Mazhab Hind mein aur uska aainda tasallut” –Christianity in India and its future rule –by some H. Golaknath of Phillaur, in which he wrote that “a new Muhammadiyyat has appeared, which has commenced through Mirza Ghulam Ahmad”. (Nur-i-Afshan, 6 April 1900, p. 5)
The author then mentioned the Promised Messiah’sas prophecies in relation to the plague and used inappropriate and abusive language. (Ibid.)
The same newspaper published an article by Abul Fazl on 20 April 1900, in which he used inappropriate comments about the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and the Promised Messiahas as well. He asserted that the Muslims were unable to prove any of the miracles manifested by the Holy Prophetsa and attempted to give a false impression that the Promised Messiahas could also not prove his miracles. (Nur-iAfshan, 20 April 1900, pp. 5-6)
In the same issue, another article by Ramanand Anwar asserted that the Promised Messiahas wrote lengthy articles in relation to the miracle of the splitting of the moon but could not prove the Prophet Muhammad’ssa miracles. (Ibid., p. 6)
The truth is that the arguments and proofs that were presented by the Promised Messiahas in his writings, particularly Surma-e-Chashm-e-Arya in 1886, were so powerful and solid that no Arya had any courage to refute those, despite being challenged in the said book.
For more details, see “Anti-Islam rhetoric before and after Surma-e-Chashme-Arya: A glimpse into the Indian press”, at alhakam.org (5 May 2024).
Another point which must be noted by the opponents of the Promised Messiahas is that all these abuses and harsh comments towards him were only due to the fact that he was seen as the biggest defender of Islam and all opponents of Islam were putting every possible effort to down him, but they were helpless and thus, forced to use such inappropriate and vile language in desperation.
Minarat-ul-Masih: Comments of Akhbar-i-’Am and Koh-i-Nur
On 28 May 1900, the Promised Messiahas published an ishtihar, expressing his intention of constructing a minaret called “Minarat-ul-Masih” in the courtyard of the Aqsa Mosque in Qadian, as a physical and literal fulfilment of the Holy Prophet’ssa prophecy about the white minaret. He mentioned its details and the importance of fulfilling this prophecy and called the attention of Ahmadis towards contributing to a fund for the construction of this minaret. (Majmu‘ah-e-Ishtiharat [2019],
Vol. 3, pp. 49-62)
Upon this, Akhbar-i-‘Am and Koh-iNur of Lahore published articles on 5 and 24 July 1900, respectively. These articles incorporated particular perspectives pertaining to the Promised Messiahas or his claims, which seemingly stemmed from the authors’ individual comprehension or convictions.
The Indian Newspaper Reports mentioned the article by Akhbar-i-‘Am, and stated its details under the heading “The Mirza’s tower”. (Indian Newspaper Reports, c1868-1942, Vol. 13, No. 29, p. 354) This article also mentioned the Promised Messiah’sas edict about the prohibition of Jihad with the sword, issued on 7 June 1900, titled “Deeni Jihad ki mumani‘at ka Fatwa Masih-e-Maud ki taraf se” – The edict of the prohibition of religious Jihad from the Promised Messiah. (Majmu‘ah-e-Ishtiharat [2019], Vol. 3, pp. 63-66)
The Koh-i-Nur of Lahore, dated 24 July 1900, also commented on Minarat-ulMasih and the Indian Newspaper Reports mentioned it under the heading “The Mirza and his followers”. (Indian Newspaper Reports, c1868-1942, Vol. 13, No. 33, pp. 417-418)
‘Miracle of Christianity’?
It is important to mention here that on 27 July 1900, the Nur-i-Afshan published an unnamed article in which it mentioned that the editor of an American Christian newspaper had come to India upon seeing the prevailing problems in India with an aim to personally assess the situation. The author wrote that the American Christian had sacrificed his own comfort and facilities available to him in his home country and accepted to face all kinds of hardships here in India, just for the betterment of mankind. It was stated that he did not come just because of Christianity, but rather, it was nothing else than human sympathy and love. He continued:
“The Hindus and Muslims ought to ponder over this miracle of Christianity. It is my desire that Mirza Qadiani — who is very proud of the power of his pen and often demands miracles from the Christians — shall look at this miraculous act of Christians, and remain silent until he manifests Messianic attributes, just like the Christians.” (Ibid., 27 July 1900, p. 7)
The fact is that by that time, Allah the Almighty had already manifested hundreds of signs at the hands of Hazrat Ahmadas, which served as a great proof of the existence of Allah, blessings of the Holy Prophetsa and Islam’s superiority over all other religions. However, strangely, these “seekers of signs” pretended as if they had not seen any sign from this champion of Islam.
Indian Newspaper Reports about the Arba‘in Number 1
This first tract was published in Al Hakam on 9 August 1900. This issue of Al Hakam and the Promised Messiah’sas tract was mentioned in the Indian Newspaper Reports, under the heading “The prophet of Kadian”:
“The Al Hakam (Kadian), of the 9th August 1900, publishes the first of a series of forty manifestoes in which Mirza
Ghulam Ahmad[as] of Kadian states that his object in publishing these manifestoes is to fulfil his divine mission so that he may not be called to account on the day of judgment for not performing the task with which he has been charged by the Almighty. He, therefore, informs the learned men of Islam and Christianity, as well as Pandits, Hindus and Aryas, that he has been commissioned to remove moral weaknesses and mistaken beliefs; that he will walk in the footsteps of Christ; and that it is for that reason that he is called the Promised Messiah. He has been directed to reveal and spread the Truth by means of miracles and holy teachings. He is opposed to the drawing of the sword and the shedding of blood for the sake of religion and has been commissioned to remove all such misapprehensions prevailing among the Muhammadans and call them to the path of morality, toleration, justice and righteousness. He bears enmity to no one; on the contrary, he loves everybody more tenderly than a mother loves her child. He is opposed only to false beliefs that are at variance with the Truth. It is his duty to sympathise with mankind and to express disgust at falsehood, polytheism, tyranny, &c., &c. The Mirza[as] then goes on to state that Islam is the only true and perfect religion, that the Koran [sic., Quran] is the only book that contains the best teaching
this inestimable boon.” (Indian Newspaper Reports, c1868-1942, Part 8, Vol. 13, No. 34, pp. 434-435)
Nur-i-Afshan’s response to Arba‘in Number 1
The Nur-i-Afshan of Ludhiana, dated 3 August 1900, criticised this tract published by the Promised Messiahas and used inappropriate language, and wrote under the heading “Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani”:
“Mirza Sahib has a great desire that the Muslims and Christians somehow accept him as the Promised Messiah. For this, he has initiated a new series of tracts, the first one of which has already been published.”
(Nur-i-Afshan, 3 August 1900, p. 11)
Nur-i-Afshan further wrote that “in response to these manifestoes by Mirza Sahib, we only suffice to say that these manifestoes might induce the Muslims to acknowledge you as the Mahdi,” but the Christians would not give any importance and that the “Christians are very well aware of your life and know that your life is completely contrary to the nature of Jesus.” (Ibid.)
The Indian Newspaper Reports, under the heading “The Prophet of Kadian”, stated that Nur-i-Afshan “remarks that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Kadian has again taken to publishing manifestoes in the
faith. Hence, he strongly propagates and teaches this superiority of the Quran, even to the extent that this very superiority of the Quran is mentioned by his [followers] too in some places. In addition, another proof which he had presented while commenting on مۡﻜل
[Surah al-Maidah, Ch.5: V.4] during the debate with late Deputy Abdullah Athim Sahib in Amritsar, was that in accordance with the Quran, the criterion for the perfection of a Revealed Book is based on three points.
“‘Meaning that the basic principles of faith of that Book must be solid and proven,’ that is, they are proven and ‘the nature of man accepts them,’ it is then that ‘Allah strengthens the believers with the Word that is firmly established—that is to say, a word that is proven and well argued—both in the present life and in the Hereafter. [The Holy War (Jang-e-Muqaddas), pp. 61-62].’
“As far as the meaning of a firmly established Word is concerned, it has been explained in his further statement. Those three signs are: Firstly, �الاا�الا, whose proof he presents from the second Surah [of the Holy Quran] al-Baqarah [2:165], that is, Allah ‘has argued within this verse in favour of this principle of faith of His, from His law of nature,’ meaning that the system of the universe is a sufficient proof of Allah’s Tawhid [Oneness], etc. [The Holy
and that Muhammad[sa] was the only man who lived an ideal life. The Mirza[as] calls himself the Promised Messiah and Mehdi, because, in the first place, the Prophet[sa] himself called him by that name and, in the next, because the Almighty, in direct communion with the Mirza[as], addressed him by those titles. Moreover, the moral requirements of the age demand that he should be called by such a name. The Mirza[as] claims the power of working miracles and asserts that his prayers are granted by God and that he knows things that are to happen in the future. If the world can produce another man who can equal him in any of these things, then the Mirza[as] is a most consummate liar. The Mirza[as] ridicules the assertion of Christian Missionaries that Muhammad[sa] never performed a miracle or made a prophecy and remarks that he was the only Prophet whose prayers were granted and whose prophecies were fulfilled. Nor is this all. Such things have been and are still being performed by the followers of Islam. Can the followers of other religions hold their own against the followers of Islam in this respect? A true religion leads its followers to a living God and those who firmly believe in Islam and follow the Mirza[as] shall acquire
hope of persuading the Christians and the Muhammadans to acknowledge him to be the promised Messiah.” (Indian Newspaper Reports, c1868-1942, Part 8, Vol. 13, No. 34 , p. 418)
Nur-i-Afshan’s response to Promised Messiah’s defence of Quran
One thing which stands out is that the Promised Messiahas was seen by the opponents of Islam as a major proponent of Islam and the Holy Quran, and thus, they were making all possible attempts to refute his arguments in favour of Islam. They left no stone unturned in their efforts, though resulting in utter failure, to veil the magnificence of the Holy Quran that was being highlighted by the Promised Messiahas in his writings and discourses.
For instance, on 31 August 1900, the Nur-i-Afshan of Ludhiana, published an article by H Golaknath, in which he wrote: “Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani presents the fundamentals of the faith — meaning the kalima
[there is none worthy of worship except Allah] and the kalima
[All praise belongs to Allah] — to be a major proof of the completion of
War (Jang-e-Muqaddas), p. 63]
“The second [sign] is � �ا [All praise belongs to Allah], that is authenticated from the manifestations of nature [sahifae-qudrat], which mankind could witness upon pondering over the heavens. He states:
“‘Now, look how Allah, the Lord of Glory, has argued within this verse in favour of this principle of faith of His, from His law of nature’, and ‘by looking at which, in clear accord with the intent of this noble verse, it becomes very clearly evident that, without a doubt, there is an Eternal Creator of this world.’ [Ibid.]
“The third sign is ‘meeting with Allah, the Lord of Glory, together with all its accompaniments by way of heavenly blessings and Divine converse.’ [Ibid., pp. 64-65]
“Who would be the recipients of these blessings? He states, ‘Those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then they adopted steadfastness’ … and God became their Protector and Guardian in this life and the Hereafter as well. [Surah Ha Mim asSajdah, Ch. 41: V. 31-32]. [Ibid., p. 65]” (Nur-i-Afshan, 31 August 1900, p. 3)
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The author then attempts to refute the above-mentioned arguments, and before proceeding to his arguments, states:
“I will shortly narrate about the principles or the principles of faith which are often mentioned by Mirza Ji and then comment on لکم �لمکا in light of the Sacred Scriptures.” (Ibid., p. 4)
The fact is that despite all their efforts, for instance, these articles in Nur-i-Afshan, they were unable to refute the majestic arguments presented by the Promised Messiahas in his writings and discourse.
The Paisa Akhbar’s one-sided articles
In 1900, The Paisa Akhbar of Lahore was publishing one-sided articles and using inappropriate language in relation to the Promised Messiahas, particularly when reporting about his challenge to Pir Mehr Ali Shah of Golra in its issues of 1 and 8 September 1900.
Moreover, on 29 December 1900, it published a review of Munshi Ilahi Bakhsh of Lahore’s book Asa-e-Musa which he wrote against the Promised Messiahas, and mentioned that this book was written in response to the Promised Messiah’s book Zuroorat-ul-Imam (The Need for Imam). The article’s tone was very harsh and onesided.
In relation to that book of Ilahi Bakhsh, the Promised Messiahas had stated:
“I received the book of Munshi Ilahi Bakhsh Accountant, Asa-e-Musa, in which he has made personal attacks on me, merely based on suspicion and against some of God’s true and sacred foretellings with utter haste.” (Majmu‘ah-e-Ishtiharat [2019], Vol. 3, p. 155 [footnote])
Sat Dharam Pracharak’s article and response by Akhbar-i-‘Am and Al Hakam
An Arya newspaper, Sat Dharam Pracharak, in its 14 September 1900 issue,
published an article in response to the Arba‘in and criticised it in very abusive and harsh language.
The Indian Newspaper Reports, mentioned an article by Akhbar-i-‘Am, under the heading “The Aryas and the Mirza of Qadian”, which criticised Sat Dharam Pracharak’s article:
“The Akhbar-i-‘Am (Lahore), of the 25th September 1900, publishes a communication in which the writer endeavours to refute the comments made by the Sat Dharam Pracharak on the manifesto issued by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad[as] of Kadian and advises the Aryas to ask the latter to work some miracle instead of challenging him to repeat the Vedas. Even if the Mirza accepted the challenge, no good would accrue, inasmuch as the repetition of that book would in no way tend to the reformation of the world. What benefit has the founder of the Arya Samaj conferred on the world by means of the Vedas beyond preaching the doctrine of Nayog and misinterpreting passages relating to idol-worship, and why should the Aryas ask the Mirza to repeat the text of the Vedas? The writer is not at all surprised at the language used against the Mirza by the Aryas, seeing that their leader denounced a good man like Nanak[rh] to be an impostor, &c., and thereby injured the religious feelings of thousands of Sikhs.”
(Indian Newspaper Reports, c1868-1942, Part 8, Vol. 13, No. 41, pp. 546)
Al Hakam, in its 16 September 1900 issue, wrote a detailed article in response to the article by Sat Dharam Pracharak. The Indian Newspaper Reports included a summary of this Al Hakam article as well. (Ibid., p. 547)
Arba‘in Number 2 and Arba‘in Number 3
Arba‘in Number 2 was published on 27 September 1900. In the beginning, Huzooras stated that the jealousy, glory and honour of God Almighty demanded that He once again manifest Himself to mankind. Hence, God Almighty has appointed him at the beginning of the 14th century for the revival of Faith and for propagating the true understanding (ma‘rifat), and that with the support and grace of Allah, heavenly signs are being manifested on his hand. The Promised Messiahas swore in the name of the Gracious and Mighty God that he is from Him and has come at the appointed time with His Will. Huzooras declared that Allah the Almighty is with him at every step he takes and He will not cause him any failure, nor will He destroy his Jamaat until He fulfils all of His plan that He has intended. (Arba‘in Number 2, p. 2; Ruhani Khazain Vol. 17, p. 348)
It is important to mention here that in this tract, the Promised Messiahas mentioned various revelations he received from God Almighty, including the following revelation that was received in 1865:
17, p. 419)
Arba‘in Number 4
On 15 December 1900, the Promised Messiahas published the fourth tract, titled “Arba‘in Number 4” and towards the end, wrote under the heading “Ittilaa” –announcement – that he had intended to publish 40 tracts of this series, with each consisting of one to four pages. However, such circumstances occurred that the opposite transpired and the second, third and fourth tracts became like magazines themselves. Hence, the fourth one reached about 70 pages and the objective that he had intended to achieve had been fulfilled. Therefore, he concluded this series on the fourth tract and announced that they will not be published in the future. (Arba‘in Number 4, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 17, p. 442)
Conclusion
The opponents of the Promised Messiahas often allege that he did not fulfil his promise of writing 40 tracts and just published four. However, the above-mentioned words of the Promised Messiahas are sufficient refutation to such notions. Since the purpose behind writing these tracts had been fulfilled with just four tracts, there was no need to continue this series.
As far as the opposition in the year 1900 is concerned, there was an unprecedented rise in the opponents’ efforts to halt the Promised Messiah’sas mission. However, divine help and succour was with him at all times, hence, he continued to succeed in his mission to prove the magnificence of Islam and the Holy Quran, and to highlight the blessed character of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa
Buffalo to Bradford on bikes
Daoud Chattha USA
Following advice from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa on riding a bicycle to stay fit and healthy, Majlis Ansarullah USA organised a ride in collaboration with Majlis Ansarullah Canada to participate in Jalsa Salana Canada 2024.
Our bike ride began at the Mahdi Mosque, in Buffalo, NY. Our first major landmark was crossing the iconic Rainbow Bridge, which offered a breathtaking view of the majestic Niagara Falls. That is where we met our host Canadian cyclists and we started our journey together with prayers. We then pedalled towards St. Catharines. We stopped for lunch at the Ahmadiyya Mission House, St. Catharines. With renewed energy, we continued our journey, passing a picturesque landscape and rich farmland. We offered Zuhr and Asr prayers in Burloak Waterfront Park. Our route took us through Southdown Rd., Mississauga Rd., and Bristol Rd., and we biked 82 miles to arrive at the Baitul Hamd Mosque, Mississauga, Ontario. Canada where we were warmly welcomed. The cyclists rested for the night there. The
hospitality was heartening and set a positive tone for the day.
The next day, after Fajr prayer and breakfast, we headed towards Bradford, which was 51 miles away. On our way, we stopped at the Baitul Islam Mosque, Ontario, where the President of Majlis Ansarullah Canada greeted us with a warm welcome. After a short break, we continued our ride with renewed enthusiasm. More Canadian members joined the ride to draw the attention of the public and elected officials to the critical issue of fostering unity and promoting peace, especially in the face of global conflicts.
Our final leg took us north on Jane Street to Bradford, Ontario. As we approached jalsa gah, the anticipation grew. We had traversed diverse landscapes and experienced the warmth of different communities, and arriving at our destination felt like a rewarding culmination of our journey. The ride was not just a physical challenge but a celebration of brotherhood and camaraderie. Each stop, each sight, and each interaction enriched our experience, making this bike ride from Buffalo to Bradford truly unforgettable.
“Your age will be 80 years, a few years less or some years more.” (Arba‘in Number 2, p. 31; Ruhani Khazain Vol. 17, p. 380)
This revelation was also mentioned in Arba‘in Number 3. (Ruhani Khazain, Vol.
Caliph in Europe 1924 Historic lecture in Dulwich
(A series highlighting the chronological events in connection with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra 1924 tour of the Arab world and Europe)
During a reception in Peckham, on 5 September 1924, a member of the local committee of the Dulwich Conservative Association met with Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra. He requested Huzoorra to deliver a lecture in Dulwich. Accepting the invitation, Huzoorra wrote an article, which was read out in English at the Constitutional Hall on East Dulwich Grove. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 195-196)
Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Dulwich Conservative Association
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Dulwich Conservative Association was held on 12 September 1924, presided over by Councillor Herbert D. Bott. Giving us proof of preparations taking place in anticipation of Huzoor’sra lecture.
Within the minutes of this meeting, we find the following:
“The Chairman drew attention to the Educational Meeting to be held on Friday, 26th September, at which His Holiness the Khalifat-ul-Masih was to speak on India, and asked for a strong attendance.”
Announcement in press
The South London Observer reported on 24 September under the heading “Dulwich Conservative Association”:
“The first of the season’s educational meetings will take place in the Constitutional Hall, East Dulwich Grove, on Friday next, at 8.30 p.m., when an address on ‘India’ will be delivered by His Holiness the Khilafat-ul-Masih, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad[ra], head of the Ahmadia Movement in Islam, who is on a visit to England in connection with the Conference of Living Religions within the Empire, which is being held at Wembley. At the present time, when Empire and Indian affairs are so much to the fore, this meeting will afford members a rare opportunity to gain, at first hand, authoritative information about our greatest possession from one who is an acknowledged leader of religious thought in his own country.”
On 26 September 1924, Forest Hill, Sydenham and Penge Examiner, wrote:
“The first of the season’s meetings will take place in the Constitutional Hall, Dulwich Grove, tonight (Friday) at 8:30 when an address on ‘India’ will be delivered by His Holiness the Khalifat-ul-Masih, Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad[ra], head of the Ahmadia Movement in Islam, who is on a visit to England in connection with the Conference of Living Religions within the Empire which is being held at Wembley.”
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra arrival at the venue
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra reached the Constitutional Hall via motor car, precisely at 8:30 pm. The attendees were eagerly waiting Huzoor’sra arrival and they all welcomed him with loud ‘cheers’ when they saw him proceeding towards the stage. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 311-312)
A leader of the Conservative Party, Councillor Herbert D. Bott delivered a welcome speech and introduced Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and requested Huzoorra to deliver the lecture. (Ibid., p. 313)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra then took to the podium and expressed his gratitude to the organisers for arranging this event. Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khanra read out the paper, since rather than prepared, Huzoorra was accustomed to doing extempore speeches. (Ibid.)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra Urdu article, titled “Hindustan ke halaaat-e-hazirah aur ittehad paida karne ke zara‘ey” — Contemporary circumstances of India and means to foster unity, was read out in English by Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Zafrulla Khanra. In this article, Huzoorra shed light on the ongoing situation of India, and solutions to its problems and granted valuable guidance to the British Government.
After Huzoor’sra lecture, the session president gave a vote of thanks and praised the lecture highly. (Al Fazl, 1 November 1924, p. 3)
Impact of the lecture
Mentioning the impact of the lecture by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, the South London Observer wrote on 1 October:
“The first of the season’s education meetings was held under the auspices of the Dulwich Conservative Association at the Constitutional Hall, East Dulwich Grove, on Friday evening. The announcement that an address on India would be delivered by His Holiness the Khilafat-ul-Masih, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad[ra], head of the Ahmadia movement in Islam, who is on a visit to England in connection with the Conference of Living Religions within the Empire, drew a large
audience, pretty equally composed of both sexes. The presence of a number of Hindus [sic., Indians] in their native dress added interest to the proceedings. Cllr. H. D. Bott presided. A vote of thanks was accorded to the speaker upon the proposition of Mr. Geo, Nye, seconded by Capt. H. Bridger, and a similar compliment was paid to the chairman.”
(Prepared by the Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre)
Dulwich Hall
South London Observer, 1 October 1924
A Southern Railway ticket between London and Dulwich
Caliph in Europe 1924 Miscellaneous receptions
(A series highlighting the chronological events in connection with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra 1924 tour of the Arab world and Europe)
During his tour of Europe, Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra arrived in London on 22 August 1924 and stayed there for two months. During this time, each day was full of engagements. In our previous articles, we have been addressing key events of Huzoor’sra stay in London. However, this article endeavours to present various other events that deserve to be mentioned in the vast sea of receptions, meetings, lectures and interviews.
Interview by the Daily News
On 24 August 1924, a correspondent of the Daily News London interviewed Huzoorra and, on the next day, published an article under the heading “An Eastern Sage: Holy Man’s Pilgrimage to Ludgate Circus”, along with a photograph:
“In a West End drawing-room last night, a holy man from the East sat cross-legged upon the floor in the midst of a semi-circle of disciples.
“The holy man was the Khalifatul Masih, head of the Ahmadiyya movement in Islam, who has come to London to take part in the conference on living religions within the Empire.
“The movement was started in India half a century ago.
“His Holiness, a man 35 years old, whose delicate ivory features are set off by a bushy black beard, permitted a ‘Daily News’ reporter to be present.
“Entering the room, his audience removed their boots and squatted on praying-rugs.
“When the ‘Daily News’ man was shown as an earnest young student put some abstruse points of theology. Something relating to the progress of the soul.
“‘One of the first things the Khalifatul [Masih] did in London,’ said one of his followers, ‘was to visit Ludgate-circus. In the Islamic ‘Traditions’ there is a prophecy that the Messiah would enter Ludgate. The words in the prophecy are Bab-el-Lud,’ which means ‘the gate of Lud.’”
At-home reception for London journalists
On 28 August 1924, Hazrat Musleh-e-
Maudra gave an “at-home” reception to prominent journalists of London. The president and secretary of the Conference on Some Living Religions Within the Empire were also present. Huzoor’sra special message for the guests was read out by Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khanra. The guests then discussed various topics with Huzoorra and made notes, which were later published in their newspapers. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 166167)
Belfast Telegraph wrote 29 August 1924 under the heading “Promised Messiah: Moslem Religion’s Head — Son’s Arrival in London”:
“The Calif Ul Masih (Caliph of Messiah), head of the Ahmadia sect of Moslems, who has come to London with twelve holy men to be present at the Conference on Living Religions, was ‘at home’ yesterday afternoon in a house in Chesham Place. He is the son of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who is regarded by his followers as the Promised Messiah. He wore a white turban and sat in an armchair with a gilded back. His followers all wore green turbans—the colour of intellectual spirituality—with the exception of his brother, who was entitled to wear a grey one.
“The Calif will read a paper on Islam at the conference at the Imperial Institute. His family traces its descent from the Moghul and Persian Royal houses, and settled in India a few generations ago.
“His father claims to have had manifestations that he was destined to give the world religious guidance. One night [during his stay in Sialkot before his claim] he awoke and heard a faint ticking, from which he concluded that the roof was about to fall. He aroused his companions [i.e., roommates], but, thinking that this was only a fancy of his, they went again to sleep. He aroused them once more, but they refused to listen to him. A third time he heard the same sound, and he felt that the roof was only waiting for him to leave the room before it fell. He then forced his companions to leave the room. As soon as he stepped out, the roof fell in.
“The Calif’s engagements include a visit to Brighton today, to inspect the monument on the downs near Patcham to the Indian soldiers who died in the Great War and the
memorial gateway at the Royal Pavilion, which is the offering of the Indian people to the town in acknowledgement of its help to their men. After that, he will make a pilgrimage to Glastonbury.”
On the same day, The Glasgow Herald gave a similar report under the heading “Problem of the East: Plea for Sympathy and Unity”.
A reception in Peckham
On 5 September 1924, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra attended a reception held in his honour in Peckham. There, in addition to some new converts, a member of the Dulwich Conservative Association also had the opportunity to meet Huzoorra. He invited Huzoorra to deliver a lecture in Dulwich, which Huzoorra accepted and thereafter delivered a lecture at the Constitutional Hall on East Dulwich Grove.
(Safar-e-Europe, pp. 195-196)
Reporting on the reception at the house of Mr Khalid Sheldrake, South London Observer published articles on 10 and 13 September 1924, under the heading “His Holiness the Khalifatul Masih”:
“On Friday His Holiness the Khalifatul Masih was the guest of Dr and Mrs Khalid Sheldrake, of Fennimere, Fenwick Road, Peckham. He was accompanied by twelve
learned Indians and his representatives from Berlin, Chicago and Nigeria.
“His Holiness is in London to speak at the Conference of Living Religions Within the Empire on the invitation of the organiser, who include Col. Sir Francis Younghusband of Tibetan fame, Sir E. Dennison Ross, Sir Thomas Arnold and W. Loftus Hare.
“The conference was to have taken place at the British Empire Exhibition, Wembley, but as now arranged for the 22nd instant to October 3 at the Imperial Institute, South Kensington.
“In an interview with a ‘Camberwell and Peckham Times’ reporter, His Holiness explained that he came to the West to endeavour to find some basis of agreement between East and West. He admired the British nation and felt honoured to live under the British flag, which ensures safety to the peoples of the Empire. In very truth, the British Empire is the real League of Nations. As to the conference, His Holiness explained that he was to voice the Abroidir ideals. He was a Mahommedan, and as the Holy Quran stated: ‘It matters not what you name yourselves—Muslims, Jews, Christians or whatnot, whosoever believes in God, the last everlasting day, and acts right, their meed is with their Lord; no fear shall come upon them nor the touch of woe.’
Rare image of Lieutenant Col. M. W. Douglas with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra uncovered by the Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre
This message of the Lord, given through the lips of the Blessed Prophet of Arabia, urged men of all religions to act up to their ideals when mankind would in reality be blessed.
“His Holiness said that Islam is very much misunderstood in the West and he hoped to bring about a new feeling of regard for the millions of fellow-subjects of the King Emperor who form numerically the largest group of any religious body in the Empire. His Holiness desires that, on some future occasion, he may be able to speak to the people of South London and give them the message he has travelled so far to bring to the West.
“It may surprise some people to learn that the Mahommedan faith is becoming very strong in Britain and numbers amongst its following members of the Peerage and other distinguished people. Dr Khalid Sheldrake, whose works are read with avidity in all parts of the Mahommedan world, is a prominent British Muslim and his is the first house that has been visited by His Holiness and the delegation. A prayer was offered by His Holiness for Dr Sheldrake and family before the party left for the Dulwich Pavilion Hall, where he received other friends.”
A message to Londoners
On 7 September 1924, a tea party was arranged in honour of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra at the London Mission House. It was attended by many local dignitaries and Indian students. Mentioning this, The Daily Mirror published Huzoor’sra photograph on 8 September, with the following caption:
“Islam’s Representative.—The Khalifatul-Masih[ra] (white turban), who has come to England to attend the Conference of Religions, at Wembley [sic., Imperial Institute], taking tea at a reception held at the Mosque, Southfields.”
On the same day, the Westminster Gazette reported under the heading “Moslem Tea Party: Eastern Scene in a Suburban Garden”:
“London Mohammedans gathered yesterday afternoon at their Mosque in Melrose Road, Southfields, to meet His Holiness the Khalifa tul Masih, and to take tea with him.
“It was a strange scene, set in the garden of a London suburban house. Indians — some in purely Western garb, others in semi-Western clothes surmounted either by a turban or a fez [...].
“There were about sixty guests present at the invitation of the Imam of the Mosque, the Maulvie Abdur Rahim Nayyar. His Holiness engaged many of them in earnest religious discussions, and his whiteturbanned figure was always surrounded by reverent adherents of his new movement.
“Intermittent showers of rain did not appear to damp the spirits of the ‘Faithful of Allah,’ and they enjoyed the tea and cakes served in Western style while the heavens wept upon them.
“After tea had been concluded, the Maulvie delivered a stirring address of welcome to His Holiness, speaking in perfect English. His Holiness replied suitably and at length.
“At the conclusion of the proceedings, the Mohamedans present entered the Mosque and performed their customary Maghrib, or evening prayers.”
From Chesham Place, Huzoorra departed for Southfields on motor car along with four other members of the entourage, the rest were instructed to go via train. On the return journey, Huzoorra travelled via rail in the First Class.
The reception was attended by the Turkish ambassador to London, Yusuf Kemal Bey (later changed his surname to Tengirşenk) and his deputy. The deputy ambassador knew Arabic and thus Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra had a discussion with him in Arabic, and the photographers began capturing photos, but they requested Huzoorra to sit on a chair. Thereafter, Huzoorra and the deputy ambassador had a discussion in Arabic while seated. Huzoorra conveyed to him the message of Ahmadiyyat and acquainted him with the beliefs of the Jamaat. The photographers kept taking pictures from various angles. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 200-201)
Huzoor’sra paper that was read at this reception entailed a special message for the people of London.
Kedar Nath Das Gupta
On 13 September 1924, Huzoorra granted an audience to Mr Kedar Nath Das Gupta, Director of the Union of East and West, at dinner. Mr Das Gupta discussed an array of topics with Huzoorra
During the discussion, he repeatedly urged Huzoorra to visit America as well, and said, “You have now come from India and it will be unfortunate for America if you return without visiting there.” He said that the people there have a great spirit of acceptance. He submitted that if Huzoorra intends to visit, he will immediately arrange lectures in four to five cities, such as New York, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago. Mr Das Gupta then praised Huzoor’s writings and style of speech and said that after the lecture at the Guild Hall on 9 September during a session of the Union of the East and West, five individuals came to him and greatly appreciated that lecture.
Huzoorra responded that he might not even be allowed to enter America according to American law (he did not specify, whether due to the ailment of his eyes or polygamy). Upon this, Mr Das Gupta said that he would take responsibility and would make sure that there is no hindrance regarding entry into America.
Meanwhile, Huzoorra was contemplating on the proposal and calculating as to when he could visit and then return. Finally, Huzoorra informed him that the arrangements for his return to India had already been made. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 255-256)
On 16 September, Mr Gupta had another meeting and repeated his request for a visit to America, but Huzoorra said that he had decided that for the time being, this plan ought to be postponed, and whenever there will be a need to visit America, he will do so, insha-Allah. (Ibid, p. 276)
Sir E Denison Ross
On 19 September, at 4 pm, Sir Edward Denison Ross (1871-1940) — the director of the University of London’s School of Oriental Studies (now SOAS) — came to meet Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.
He told Huzoorra that his visit to England is attracting great interest in the English press and multiple news reports have been published. This was followed by some academic discussion. Sir Ross praised the English translation of the first part of the Holy Quran, published in 1915. He said that he had a copy of it and would read it. Huzoorra and Sir Ross had tea as well.
On 15 October 1924, at around 11 am, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra went to visit the London School of Oriental Studies, where Sir Edward Denison Ross had another meeting with him.
Sir Denison apologised, for had he known that Huzoorra was coming, he would have prepared a greater reception and made other arrangements. He said that he was only told that some eastern people were coming. Whilst there, Huzoorra visited the ongoing classes of Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Hindi, and then visited the library. Huzoorra had a discussion with an English professor of history, and said that he did not agree with the English history books nor their historiography. English historians are often mistaken and act with prejudice. For instance, Huzoorra said, if a certain point is attributed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan, it is said to be very good and is held up as an example of high morals and great bravery. However, if the same words are ascribed towards Aurangzeb Alamgir, they deem it very bad and detestable. (Safar-e-Europe, pp. 402-403)
Colonel Douglas
On 21 September 1924, at 4 pm, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra granted an audience to Lieutenant Col. Montagu William Douglas CSI, CIE (1863-1957). During the meeting, photographs were also taken.
When Huzoorra arrived, Colonel Douglas stood up and expressed his emotions by saying, “You are the son of my friend; I consider your respected father as a friend.” (Al Fazl, 21 October 1924, p. 4)
A photograph of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra and Captain Douglas was captured by Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra while they were having a discussion in the study room. (Ibid., 8 November 1924, p. 4)
A correspondent of the Nottingham Evening Post meets Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra
The Nottingham Evening Post wrote on 23 October 1924, under the heading “Holy Man in London”:
“I had a personal invitation the other day to lunch with the head of the Ahmadia Community who, to visit London, left the quietude of a little village off the track— Qadian, in the Punjab—from a sense of religious duty. It is the first time he has ever had to come in contact with great centres of civilisation. At his table were many Indian scholars, calm, soft-spoken men in green turbans, who, while partaking frugally of Indian curry, with sweetened vegetables, and chupatees (Indian bread), spoke careful English in answer to my many questions.
“Many of them were travellers, and there were men present from all over the world. His Holiness is leaving for Paris on Friday, and he will depart from Marseilles to India, where he returns to his comparative seclusion. He is a broad-minded man. The world, he says, needs toleration and largeheartedness. He is impressed by the speed at which we live.”
(Prepared by the Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre)
10th annual tarbiyat rally held in Bosnia
Mufeezur Rahman
President Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Bosnia
On 13 July 2024, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Bosnia held its 10th tarbiyat rally. Throughout the year, classes are held twice a week to prepare children, women and men for this special event, which usually takes place one day before Jalsa Salana Bosnia. To commemorate this event, a special football tournament was organised under the slogan “Voices for Peace.” Seven teams from different orphanages all around Bosnia were happily invited to participate in this tournament. This project was supported and sponsored by four mayors of different cities who frequently work together with Jamaat on different social and humanitarian projects. The football tournament took place in a sports
hall called “Sabit Hodzic” in Ilidza. The director of this venue, Mr Haris Topalovic, wholeheartedly offered this venue to the Jamaat free of charge for this purpose.
The day started at 9 am with the flaghoisting ceremony at the Jamaat’s centre in Sarajevo. After that, all attendees made their way to the sports hall, where the football tournament started with the national anthem of Bosnia. At around 1 pm, everybody returned to the Jamaat’s centre, where salat was offered, and lunch was served. In the afternoon, academic and sports competitions were held separately for children, women and men. Wasim Ahmad Saroya Sahib presided over the concluding session. After the recitation from the Holy Quran, prizes were distributed among the participants. The total number of attendees was around 170.
100 Years
Ago... Accounts of 1924: Port Said to Jerusalem – Part I
Preaching work in Cairo
Arrival in Port Said and departure to Damascus
On 28 July 1924, we arrived in Port Said and spent the night at the Continental Hotel. At 12:30 pm on 29 July, we departed for Cairo by train. On 31 July at 6 pm, we left Cairo for Jerusalem by train, arriving there before noon on 1 August. We stayed at the Grand Hotel and remained in Jerusalem until the evening of 2 August 1924.
On 3 August, we left Jerusalem in the morning, arriving in Haifa by night, where we stayed overnight as we were to proceed to Damascus by train from there. Departing from Haifa in the morning of 4 August, we arrived in Damascus around 8:30 pm that same evening, staying there until 9 August 1924.
At around 8 am on 10 August, we left for Beirut, arriving there around 5 pm the same evening. The details of the journey from Port Said to Beirut cannot be fully covered in news columns nor is it the purpose of my letters to do so, and I do not have the time to write about these events in detail at the moment. Therefore, I will only recount those incidents that pertain to the Jamaat and will write very little about other matters.
Purpose of the journey to Damascus
The journey to Damascus was undertaken by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] with the specific intention of fulfilling the prophecy of the Promised Messiahas, as Huzooras stated that either he or one of his successors would descend in Damascus. Another purpose was to observe firsthand the conditions of the Muslims in Palestine and Syria to consider their spiritual development and the preaching of the Jamaat’s message. We intended to stay in Damascus for a few days for this blessed objective. Thus, with this purpose, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud[ra] embarked for Damascus.
There are two routes from Egypt to Damascus: One via Jerusalem and the other by ship through Port Said. Since Huzoor[ra] also wanted to examine the situation in Palestine, he chose the route through Jerusalem. This way, he could also visit Jerusalem, where our esteemed brother Syed Zainul Abidin Sahib (then Nazir Umur-e-Ama) spent a part of his life. From Cairo, we departed and changed trains at Qantara Junction, crossed the Suez Canal, and headed towards Jerusalem.
In Cairo, dear Sheikh Mahmood Ahmad Sahib had begun the work of spreading the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to the best of his ability. By the grace of God, a small jamaat has also been established there. However, the influence of European civilisation and politics is so strong in Egypt that people generally prefer politics over religion, even though Islamic politics is inherently linked to the practical essence of Islam. The dominance of European civilisation is so manifest in Cairo that it is surprising to observe. This surprise increases even more when we hear from the editors of some Islamic journals that they not only prefer but take pride in this civilisation. If only they were aware of its harmful effects.
In Cairo, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] honoured dear Mahmood Ahmad’s residence by spending the night there instead of a hotel. Mahmud Ahmad, through printed cards sent by mail, had already informed [the people] aboutHuzoor’s[ra] arrival and also sent a note to the newspapers. However, due to their biased attitude, most newspapers, except a few, did not publish it.
As we had been informed, a group of Al-Azhar scholars, led by the President of Jamiat-ul-Quzat, Al-Ustadh Muhammad Farah Manelawi, came to meet and discuss the issue of Khilafat and certain other matters. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s[ra] speech and reasoning had a significant impact on them. Consequently, they published an article in Cairo’s famous newspaper AlMuqattam, (a long-standing Christian daily newspaper), on 31 July 1924.
Conversation with Syed Abul Azaim
Syed Abul Azaim Sahib is a well-known and influential figure in Egypt. He is involved not only in spiritual mentorship but also in current politics. Due to the ship’s delay by a day and the announced date of arrival in Cairo being 28 August 1924, he came to the residence on 28 and left his card. On the night of 30 August, he came with a group of his followers. Initially, he sent one of his followers to express the desire for Huzoor[ra] to stay at his residence. However, since that was no longer possible, he came to meet personally, and heard the accounts of Ahmadiyya Jamaat from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] for a long time, expressing his deep interest despite being a spiritual leader and in the presence of his followers.
On 31 July 1924, Huzoor[ra] instructed this humble one, Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad
Sahib, and Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib to meet with the editors of the Egyptian journals. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] gave us specific instructions for this purpose. Accordingly, accompanied by Mahmud Ahmad Sahib, we met with the editors of Al-Liwa, Al-Akhbar, Al-Mahrousa, Al-Muqattam, Egyptian Mail, and Al-Lataif Al-Musawwara. The main point of these meetings was to inform them about the Jamaat’s organisational structure, and its work of tabligh and edification. Moreover, to let them know the objectives of this journey so that they would not have any misunderstandings. In these meetings, there was a practical exchange of views on the issue of Khilafat and our perspective. In Egypt, there are various factions concerning the issue of Khilafat. The scholars of AlAzhar wish to elect King Fuad as the caliph and are actively working towards this goal. Hence, the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat was conveyed to the newspaper editors.
Editor
of Al-Mahrousa
and tabligh in Egypt
During the conversation, the editor of AlMahrousa stated that, “You should not preach the message of Ahmadiyyat in Egypt, as no one here would accept it. He warned us that people would force our missionaries to leave Egypt.” Chaudhry Sahib responded that, “We are not afraid of such threats. These words cannot deter our resolve. We fear only God; no other power can intimidate us. The opposition we have faced in India has been no less severe, yet it has never stopped us from our mission. This community belongs to God, and God has promised our Imamas that He will support and assist him. We have witnessed this divine support. Therefore, no matter how much effort is put against us, we will not only continue our preaching efforts in Egypt but also strengthen them. We are confident that we will succeed, insha-Allah.”
The editor of Al-Mahrousa was awestruck by the courage and determination instilled in us by the spiritual attention of our resolute Khalifa. The same tongue that issued the warning began to commend our courage and resolve.
In truth, it is essential for nations that succeed in the world to develop this kind of spirit of freedom and courage. And this cannot be developed without faith in God Almighty. If we truly believe that this Jamaat is a divine community and it is indeed from God, then we need to make great sacrifices for it. Until thousands of Abdul Latifs are born among us, our destiny will remain far from us. The spirit of sacrifice must be present within us. It is not necessary for every person to become a martyr and be
stoned to death. But we must be ready in our hearts that if the need arises to reach our goal through this path, each one of us will move forward reciting this couplet:
[“In your street, if the heads of lovers are to be struck, the first to boast of love will be me.”]
In short, Chaudhry Sahib’s words left the editor of Al-Mahrousa in a state of awe.
Egyptian Ahmadis
Shabrawi Sahib is a sincere young man who was once part of Saad Zaghloul Pasha’s political party and endured the hardships faced by the party during its days of opposition. However, now he is an Ahmadi, has withdrawn from political affairs, and is filled with love for the Jamaat. During our stay in Egypt, he tirelessly served day and night.
There is also a blind young Ahmadi who is exceptionally intelligent, knowledgeable, and wise. He is familiar with the modern method of education for the blind, which involves reading raised dot script books by feeling the embossed characters with one’s fingers. He is an expert in this field and is studying at Al-Azhar University. InshaAllah, he will soon emerge as a distinguished scholar. He is also a poet and writer, capable of composing impromptu poetry. In the presence of Huzoor[ra], he read a written piece comprising both prose and poetry and then recited an extemporaneous qasidah about the Khalifa’s arrival. Hafiz Roshan Sahib also recited a section from Surah Bani Israel and presented a poem in praise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra]
Address of Ahmad Abdul Aziz and response of Huzoor
Another Ahmadi, Ahmad Abdul Aziz, belongs to a respectable Egyptian family and is the nephew of a former Egyptian minister. He is a young man, enthusiastic by nature, and sincere at heart. After meeting Huzoor[ra], he stood up and began delivering a heartfelt and moving address of welcome. His emotional state of mind was evident in his speech. He painted a true and accurate picture of the state of Islam in Egypt and appealed to the Khalifa to pay attention to this situation.
In response, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] spoke a few words in Arabic, emphasising that:
“It has always been the sunnah [divine Continued
Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira (1875-1957)
Tahajjud: The night prayer
Lawal Ibraheem Olaniyi Student, Federal University of Technology, Akure
In the stillness of the night, where tranquillity prevails and the beautiful cold blankets the earth, the mercy of the Most Gracious God resonates. It is a divine rendezvous, a whisper between a troubled soul and as-Salam (the Source of Peace). It is a moment of solace for the heart that seeks communion with the Almighty.
Perhaps in a world filled with noise and distractions, the Tahajjud prayer offers a sanctuary of peace and serenity –demanding on the body but soothing on the soul.
Allah says to the believer in the Holy Quran:
“And wake up for it (the Quran) in [the latter part of] the night as a supererogatory service for thee. It may be that thy Lord will raise thee to an exalted station.” (Surah Bani Isra’il, Ch.17: V.80)
The word Tahajjud derived from hajjada, which means he remained awake or was sleepless in the night or awoke from
<< Continued from previous page
practice] of Allah the Almighty that when the world falls into transgression, He sends His appointee to reform the people. God has sent the Promised Messiahas for this very purpose. Indeed, the state of Muslims as you described is correct, if not worse. But there is no need for despair. We are here to announce that God has revealed the truth, and the truth will dispel falsehood. We possess this truth. Observing the situation here, I am determined to strengthen this Jamaat, insha-Allah. All of you should work together and demonstrate through your actions that you are the community destined by God to establish the dominance of truth.”
Some other Ahmadis were out of the country due to their employment. Thus, the series of meetings continued, and people kept coming. As Huzoor[ra] did not have much time, and some essential tasks related to the upcoming journey had to be completed, so some of his time was spent on that as well.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] also visited some ancient sites. This humble one, Chaudhry Sahib and Hafiz Sahib had the opportunity to see the Pyramids of Egypt. – Yaqub Ali Irfani.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 16 September 1924 issue of Al Fazl)
sleep to pray. (Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 3, p. 1456)
Further in the Commentary, it is explained that the word naafilah used in the verse highlights that prayers are not a burden to weary the flesh but an opportunity to receive special favour from Allah the Almighty. (Ibid.)
In a hadith, narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairahra, he reported Allah’s Messengersa as saying:
“The most excellent fast after Ramadan is God’s month al-Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab as-siyam, Hadith 1163a)
The spiritual journey of Tahajjud
In the depths of the night, when the people of the world are lost in their slumber, the believer rises to take the special opportunity of meeting with his Lord in silence, casting off the heaviness of the night sleep. A special opportunity to ask for the “impossible,” whispering and crying over their grievances. Waking up in the depths of the night to stand up for prayer is a task that requires much effort. On this, the Holy Quran commends the believer by saying:
“Their sides keep away from their beds; [and] they call on their Lord in fear and hope, and spend out of what We have bestowed on them.” (Surah as-Sajdah, Ch.32:V.17)
Becoming a true believer and finding solace in the eternal blessings of Allah the Almighty requires significant sacrifices, one of which is giving up sleep for the sake of worship. The Holy Quran emphasises this by stating:
“Never shall you attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which you love; and whatever you spend, Allah surely knows it well.” (Surah Al-e-Imran, Ch.3: V93)
This means dedicating what we hold dear, including our time, effort and comfort (sleep), for the purpose of attaining true righteousness and the pleasure of Allah.
In the Five Volume Commentary, it is mentioned that nothing conduces the spiritual development of a man so much as the night prayer. It is important for anyone who wishes to acquire self-discipline and develop an effective character to stick to the habit of waking up for Tahajjud. (Five Volume Commentary, Vol .5 p. 2706)
Scientific insights into Tahajjud
Some researchers have explored potential physiological effects associated with the Tahajjud prayer. One study by Dr Fitri Faiza Rachmawati suggested there may be changes in brain wave activity when waking at night, potentially affecting alertness. The researcher hypothesised this could create favourable conditions for mental functioning, though more research may be needed to confirm this. (“THE BENEFITS OF TAHAJUD PRAYER ON BRAIN INTELLIGENCE”, fk.uii.ac.id)
Another preliminary study examined stress responses before and after Tahajjud prayer. The researchers reported observing decreased stress levels following the nighttime prayer ritual. They theorised that the practice may influence perception and hormone levels in ways that could affect wellbeing, but noted that further investigation would be required to establish any definitive effects. The physical movements involved were also speculated to potentially increase blood flow to the brain (“Night/Tahajjud Prayer | A Scientific Analysis”, www.subjecteducator.com/ tahajjud/)
While these early studies offer intriguing possibilities, more rigorous research may be needed to draw firm conclusions.
Personal experiences on Tahajjud:
From personal experience, I can say that after performing the Tahajjud prayer, it feels as though a heavy burden is lifted off my body. I feel incredibly refreshed as if I have been given a ‘tranquil pill’. On days when I offer the Tahajjud prayer, I feel more active and energised compared to the days I don’t. The serenity it brings and the indescribable peace it imparts are overwhelming.
The power of invocation in Tahajjud
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa is narrated to have said:
“Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying, ‘Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?’”
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab at-tahajjud, Hadith 1145)
The Tahajjud prayer is a secret to getting your prayers answered. It brings one closer to Allah, increases their trust in Allah, and helps strengthen their faith. Its inherent beauty lies in its ability to unlock divine doors of mercy. It is a time to ask for the impossible from Allah the Almighty – a time when the gates of the heavenly realm are open to the people of the earth.
An exhortation to pray Tahajjud
In a hadith, narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairahra, we learn that the Messengersa of Allah said:
“May Allah have mercy upon a man who wakes up at night and prays, and awakens his wife. If she refuses, he sprinkles water on her face. May Allah have mercy upon a woman who wakes up at night and prays, and awakens her husband. If he refuses, she sprinkles water on his face.” (Sunan AnNasa’i, Kitab qiyami l-layli wa tatawwu’i n-nahaar, Hadith 1610)
In this hadith, the Holy Prophetsa emphasised the importance of the night prayer. He deemed it essential for the husband to wake up the wife for the prayer, knowing how hard it might be to get up for the prayer.
The Promised Messiahas has said:
“If our entire lives are spent in worldly engagements, what will we have accumulated for the hereafter? Make a special effort to wake up for Tahajjud and offer it with fervour and joy.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 5)
Implementing Tahajjud into daily routine: Practical strategies
Incorporating Tahajjud into one’s routine requires discipline and determination. It’s not merely about waking up physically but hearkening the soul towards the spiritual success it craves. The Holy Quran acknowledges this by saying:
“Verily, getting up at night is the most potent means of subduing [the self] and most effective in respect of words [of prayer].” (Surah al-Muzammil, Ch.73: V.7) Furthermore, according to a hadith
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46th Jalsa Salana held in Canada
Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada held its 46th Jalsa Salana at Hadiqa Ahmed, on the theme “All goodness lies in the Quran.”
2001 saw the last outdoor Jalsa Salana Canada on a Jamaat property. 2002 Jalsa was held at the International Centre – a multipurpose convention centre in Mississauga, Ontario. As most facilities were already set up, only three days were needed for setup, and two for windup. For the following two decades, this was the routine. This changed in a big way for the 2024 Jalsa Salana. 100 acres were set aside for Jalsa at Hadiqa Ahmed. Parking, Langar Khana, jalsa gah, exhibitions, stalls, washrooms, office marquees, etc., were arranged on it. Until last year, the area set aside for Jalsa was used as agricultural land. This year, a lot of effort and money went into developing it for Jalsa Salana. This required approval from the city, region, and Ministry of Labour. This process spanned over two years. Official permission to hold the Jalsa was received in October 2023.
With an expected attendance of 20,000, a tent city was planned and executed. Sourcing tents and other products was challenging. Multiple suppliers were engaged to meet the need. Electrical and water systems had to be constructed from scratch. Work started in April with over 200 volunteers working regularly to prepare for the event. Marquee structures were erected first, followed by flooring and tents. HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) and electrical teams laid electrical wiring across the site and prepared HVAC systems. Three
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reported by Hazrat Abu Hurairara, Allah’s Messengersa said:
“Satan puts three knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and exhales the following words, ‘The night is long, so stay asleep.’ When one wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone, and when one performs ablution, the second knot is undone, and when one prays, the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise, one gets up lazy and with a mischievous heart.” (Sahih alBukhari, Kitab at-tahajjud Hadith 1142)
Nowadays, many stay awake through the night, sometimes on necessary matters and other times on trivial activities, until the time of the Tahajjud prayer. However, in reference to the earlier mentioned hadith, it is important to recognise that the discipline of the Tahajjud prayer involves first sleeping, and then waking up from the comfort of sleep to perform the prayer.
Nevertheless, if for some exceptional
kilometres of perimeter fencing secured the jalsa gah. It took over two months to complete all this. The Langar Khana was set up on-site to ensure fresh and hot meals for Jalsa attendees. Gas stoves were set up, water tankers hooked up for water supply, and storage trailers were brought onsite to provide supplies promptly. The city’s fire marshal inspected and approved the Langar Khana for operations. New this year was Jalsa Radio with live broadcasts starting two hours prior to the start of Jalsa and ending two hours after the end of Jalsa. It provided traffic reports, weather reports, announcements, as well as Jalsa proceedings. Listeners could call into the programme and share their experiences and feedback. A total of 7,000 parking spaces were arranged, with three main entrances for guests to enter the site.
A remarkable tabligh exhibition showcasing the teachings of Islam Ahmadiyya, welcomed non-Ahmadi guests. It featured various banners and displayed well-preserved copies of the Holy Quran, including a 1,000-year-old Quran and a 300-year-old Quran. Missionaries had engaging discussions with guests that covered a variety of topics. The Review of Religions hosted their “Great Blind Taste” experiment. Many non-believers maintain that as God can’t be experienced by any of our five senses, hence He does not exist. This experiment aimed to refute this allegation.
The Jalsa Salana Canada began on Friday with a recording of Hazrat Amirul Momineen’saa Friday Sermon from the UK, followed by Jumuah and Asr prayers. The formal Jalsa proceedings commenced with a flag-hoisting ceremony. The opening session started with Principal Jamia Ahmadiyya
reason, one cannot sleep and desires to observe the Tahajjud prayer, then there is no restriction on such a person under Islamic jurisdiction.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, in his book, Remembrance of Allah, highlights several methods on how to wake up for the Tahajjud prayer. One of the best ways to get up for the Tahajjud prayer is to have a strong determination. (Remembrance of Allah, pp. 63-73) This is a proven method from personal experiences and it explains the notion that a strong resolve and sincere intention towards getting up would propel the inertia of sleep and hasten one towards spiritual success.
In a narration from Hazrat Abu Umamahra, he relates that the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said:
“Make a practice of getting up at night, for it was the custom of the pious before you, is a means of bringing you near to your lord, an atonement for evil deeds and a preventative of sin.” (Mishkat al-Masabih, Kitab as-salat, Hadith 1227)
This beautiful tradition of our beloved Prophetsa re-echoes the significance of
Canada, Daud Hanif Sahib, presiding. The session began with a recitation from the Holy Quran and a poem. Missionary Imtiaz Sra Sahib, and Malik Kaleem Ahmed Sahib, Naib Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada, were the speakers.
The second session of Jalsa was led by Missionary-in-Charge Canada, Abdur Rashid Anwar Sahib. It began with a recitation from the Holy Quran and a poem, followed by speeches by Secretary Umur-eKharijiyya and the Missionary-in-Charge of Canada. A special question-and-answer session answered questions from members of Jamaat. Naib Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada Farhan Khokhar Sahib conducted the session, while a panel answered the questions.
The third session of Jalsa started with Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada Lal Khan Malik Sahib presiding. After recitation from the Holy Quran and a poem, various
waking in the depths of the night when other people are asleep to draw near to Allah, and ask forgiveness for the past and future misdeeds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the benefit of waking up for the Tahajjud prayer cannot be accented enough. Make an effort to stay consistent in the habit of praying Tahajjud and watch how your path is illuminated and the doors of God’s mercy unfold unto you as the rain pours over dry land.
Establishing a strong connection with Allah the Almighty transcends a mere verbal expression of faith but requires greater effort and dedication.
Perhaps tonight is the night one’s prayer is accepted. If you pray with greater fervour, utmost sincerity, and deep conviction, it may be that God is waiting to answer your prayers. Those two raka’ahs might transform your entire existence in this world. Maybe tonight is your night.
speeches were held, including by Naib Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada, Farhan Khokhar Sahib; Vice Principal Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada, Mukhtar Cheema Sahib; Professor Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada, Abdus Samee Khan Sahib; Missionary Hafiz Ataul Wahab Sahib; and Amir Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Canada.
The concluding session of Jalsa was presided over by Naib Amir Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Canada, Hadi Ali Chaudhary Sahib and began with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a poem and speeches by Secretary Talim Jamaat Canada, Dr Tauseef Khan Sahib; and Missionary Aizaz Ahmed Khan Sahib. Awards for Hifzul-Quran School Canada and for academic excellence were handed out afterwards. These were followed by a speech by Naib Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada, Hadi Ali Chaudhary Sahib. The closing remarks were delivered by Amir Sahib Canada. He announced the total Jalsa attendance to be 25,211. He also led the silent prayer.
In regards to the Jalsa report of Lajna Imaillah Canada, it was reported that all Lajna members were contacted via email and social media. They were made aware of the preparations needed for Jalsa. A series of flyers titled “Are you ready for Jalsa?” shared guidelines for Jalsa. Lajna side of Jalsa Salana Canada organisation was led by Sadr Lajna Imaillah Canada, Nadia Mahmood Sahiba. She was assisted by 12 nazimat-e-a’la and around 80 nazimat. This year for the first time, a proper bazaar was arranged, which had stalls by Lajna. Various exhibitions were also held. Lajna also arranged a human rights exhibition, advocating the true meaning of peace and justice. The second day of Jalsa is especially exciting for Lajna members. This year was no different. The session started with a recitation from the Holy Quran and a poem. The award distribution ceremony recognises students for their academic achievements. In addition to a speech by Sadr Lajna Imaillah Canada, various other speeches were also delivered, including by Abida Mansoor Malik Sahiba, Mansoora Rauf Sahiba, Dr Maryam Sheikh Sahiba, and Salmana Rajput Sahiba.
Image courtesy of AMJ Canada
Friday Sermon
Mubarak Mosque, Islamabad, Tilford, UK
12 July 2024
Muhammadsa: The Great Exemplar
After reciting the tashahhud, ta‘awwuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:
Today, I will speak about Ghazwah Banu Mustaliq, which is also known as Ghazwah Muraisi. Historians differ as to when this expedition took place. According to Ibn Ishaq, Al-Tabari and Ibn Hisham, this expedition took place in Sha‘ban, 6 A.H. (Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Ishaq, Dar AlKotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, p. 439; Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Hisham, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, pp. 669-670; Tarikh alTabari, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, p. 109)
And some historians have stated that it took place in 5 AH. (Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Ibn Sa’d, Vol. 2, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, 1990, p. 48; Kitab-ul-Maghazi, Waqdi, Vol. 1, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, 2004, p. 341)
In Sahih al-Bukhari there is a narration from Musa bin Uqba which states that this expedition, i.e. Ghazwah Banu Mustaliq took place in 4 AH. However, a commentator of Bukhari, Allama Ibn Hajar Asqalani has written that this is an error on their part, as it should have been 5 AH instead of 4 AH. (Fath-ul-Bari, Vol. 7, Kitab-ul-Maghazi, Maktabah Salafiyyah, p. 430)
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra has also carried out his own research regarding this expedition and written that this took place in Sha‘ban 5 AH. (Sirat Khatam-unNabiyyeen, p. 577)
Since this expedition took place against a branch of the Khuza’ah tribe called the Banu Mustaliq, that is why it is called Ghazwa Banu Mustaliq. This tribe lived near a well, named Muraisi. It is for this reason that this expedition is also called Ghazwah Muraisi. Muraisi was approximately 108 miles from Medina. (Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Ibn Sa’d, Vol. 2, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, 1990, p. 48; Urdu Lughat, Vol. 17, Under the definition of the work “Marhala”, p. 773)
The Banu Mustaliq were confederates of the Quraish. They gathered together at the base of a mount named “Habashi”, which was situated in the lower plains of Mecca, and pledged that they would unite and support the Quraish. It was for this reason those people became known as “Ahabish” and were part of the Quraish army during the Battle of Uhud. (Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah,
Vol. 2, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, p. 297)
One reason for this expedition was that the Banu Mustaliq had become bold in their enmity of Islam and exceeded all bounds. They had the full support and backing of the disbelievers of the Quraish. Because they had taken part in the Battle of Uhud against the Muslims, they had now openly announced their hostility against the Muslims. Their rebellion and insolence had now increased greatly. The second reason was that the main route leaving from Mecca was under the control of the Banu Mustaliq. They had the strength to stop the Muslims from having any dealings in Mecca. (Marwiyat Ghazwah Bani Mustaliq, Ibrahim bin Ibrahim, Ihya al-Turath al-Islami, p. 898)
The third and most significant reason was that the leader of the Banu Mustaliq, Harith bin Abi Darrar had stirred up his tribe and other Arabs to go to war against the Holy Prophetsa and began gathering an army at a distance of 96 miles from Medina. (Subul Al-Huda Wa Al-Rishad, Vol. 4, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, 1993, p. 344; Furhang Sirat, Zawar Academy Karachi, p. 226)
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra has written in The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets:
“The opposition of the Quraish began to take on a more dangerous form day by day and through their conspiracies, they had already incited many tribes against Islam and the Founder of Islam. However, now their animosity created a new threat, in that, those tribes of Hijaz who had thus far, held good relations with the Muslims, now began to stand up against them due to the seditious designs of the Quraish. In this respect, the Banu Mustaliq, a branch of the renowned Khuza’ah tribe took the lead, and began to mobilise in order to launch an attack against Medina. Their chief, Harith bin Abi Darrar toured the other tribes of that region and brought various other tribes aboard as well.” (Sirat Khatam-ul-Nabiyeen, p. 557)
When news of the Banu Mustaliq’s preparations reached the Holy Prophetsa, he sent Hazrat Buraidah bin Husaib Aslamira to assess the situation. He departed and met
them at their well. These devious people were not the only ones there, rather they had gathered tribes in the nearby vicinity as part of the army. They asked Hazrat Buraidahra who he was, to which he replied, “I am from among you. I came here upon learning about this army.” Through this tact, he was able to fully assess their entire war preparations and return to inform the Holy Prophetsa. The Holy Prophetsa gathered the Muslims and informed them about the enemy. The Islamic army mobilised quickly
and departed. Details regarding the departure of the Muslim army are as follows: According to one narration, the Holy Prophetsa appointed Hazrat Zaid bin Harithahra as his deputy in Medina. Ibn Hisham has mentioned the name of Hazrat Abu Dhar al-Ghifarira Similarly, the name of Hazrat Numailah bin Abdullahra is also recorded. Nonetheless, this army departed. The Muslim army consisted of 700 men. The Holy Prophetsa set out with the Muslim army from Medina
on Monday, 2 Sha‘ban, 5 AH, and headed towards the Banu Mustaliq. In Ghazwah Muraisi, Hazrat Mas’ud bin Hunaidahra was the guide along the way. In this expedition, the Muslims had a total of 30 horses, of which the Muhajirin had 10. The Holy Prophetsa had two horses, Lizaz and Zarib. The names of the Muhajirin who had horses are as follows:
Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umar alFaruqra, Hazrat Usman al-Ghanira, Hazrat Alira, Hazrat Zubairra, Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Aufra, Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullahra, Hazrat Miqdad bin Amrra. From among the Ansar, there were 20 companions who were part of the cavalry unit; only 15 names have been recorded. Among them are: Hazrat Sa‘d bin Mu’adhra, Hazrat Usaid bin Hudairra, Hazrat Abu Abs bin Jabrra, Hazrat Qatadah bin Nu’manra, Hazrat Awaim bin Sa’idahra, Hazrat Ma’an bin Adira, Hazrat Sa‘d bin Zaid Ash’halira, Hazrat Harith bin Hazmahra, Hazrat Mu‘adh bin Jabalra, Hazrat Abu Qatadahra, Hazrat Ubayy bin Ka’bra, Hazrat Hubab bin al-Mundhirra, Hazrat Ziyad bin Labidra, Hazrat Farwah bin Amrra, Hazrat Mu‘adh bin Rifa’a bin Rafira
In any case, further details have been mentioned that many hypocrites also set off alongside the Holy Prophetsa. Prior to this, they had not gone forth for such expeditions, so why did they do so? It is said that they did not have the desire for Jihad, but went forth to receive the spoils of war in the case that they were successful.
(Subul Al-Huda Wa Al-Rishad, Vol. 4, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, 1993, p. 344; Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 4, Dar alKutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2001, p.169; Kitab-ul-Maghazi, Vol. 1, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, 2004, pp. 341-343; AlIsabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah, Vol. 6, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, 1995, p. 82; Sirat Encyclopaedia, Vol. 7, Darussalam, p. 154)
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra has written in relation to this:
“‘When the Holy Prophetsa received news of this, as an act of precaution, the Holy Prophetsa dispatched a Companion named Buraidah bin Husaibra towards the Banu Mustaliq in order to gather intelligence, and urged him to return swiftly with insight into the state of affairs. (Inform us of what is really going on.) When Buraidahra arrived, he found that, in fact, a very large gathering was present and preparations were underway to attack Medina with great vehemence and uproar. He returned at once and relayed his findings to the Holy Prophetsa. According to his custom, as a pre-emptive measure, the Holy Prophetsa urged his Companions to set out towards the dwellings of Banu Mustaliq. (Instead of them attacking first, he instructed [the Muslims] to go forth before them.) A large number of Companions prepared to go forth. In fact, a large group of hypocrites, who prior to this had never come along in such numbers, also set out.
“The Holy Prophetsa left behind Abu Dharr Ghifarira or, in light of various narrations, Zaid bin Harithahra as the Amir of Medina, and set out in the name of Allah from Medina in Sha‘ban 5 A.H. There were only thirty horses in the army, albeit, camels were available in a somewhat greater number. The Muslims travelled on these horses and camels in turns.” (Sirat
Khatam-ul-Nabiyeen, pp. 557-558)
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra further writes:
“During the course of this journey, the Muslims happened to find a spy of the disbelievers, who was taken captive and presented to the Holy Prophetsa. After questioning him, when the Holy Prophetsa was assured that he was actually a spy, the Holy Prophetsa attempted to probe him for information relevant to the disbelievers, but he refused. Furthermore, since his attitude was suspicious, according to the customary law of warfare (according to the rules of warfare at the time), Hazrat ‘Umarra executed him.
After this, the Muslim army continued to advance. When the Banu Mustaliq found out about the imminent arrival of the Muslims, and received news that their spy had been killed, they became very fearful. Their actual intention was to somehow attack Medina unexpectedly, but as a result of the Holy Prophet’ssa attentiveness, now the tables had turned. They became immensely awe-stricken and the other tribes who had come out to join them in support became so fearful due to the power of God, that they immediately left their side and returned to their homes. However, as for the Banu Mustaliq, the Quraish had so deeply intoxicated them with enmity towards the Muslims that they still did not hold back from war, and remained fully bent upon fighting the Muslim army with full force.” (Sirat Khatam-ul-Nabiyeen, p. 558)
When the Holy Prophetsa reached Muraisi, a tent of leather was erected for him. Of his blessed wives, Hazrat Aishara had accompanied him. Some historians have mentioned that Hazrat Umm-e-Salamahra also accompanied him with Hazrat Aishara However, Allamah Ibn Hajar has deemed such narrations to be weak, in which Hazrat Umm-e-Salamahra is mentioned to have accompanied them. According to him, the words of Hazrat Aishara recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari are:
I.e., “My lot was drawn.” It can be concluded from this that it was only Hazrat A’ishahra who went on this expedition alongside the Holy Prophetsa from among his blessed wives. (Fath-ul-Bari, Translated by Faiz Al-Bari, Ch. 19, Kitab-ul-Tafsir, Ashab-ul-Hadith, Lahore, p. 193)
What were the slogans of the Muslims during this expedition? Ibn Hisham has written that the slogan of the Muslims on the day of the expedition of Banu Mustaliq was:
The translation of which is, “O ye who is granted help, bring death, bring death.” The wisdom behind using such a slogan was so that no ambiguity remained between the Muslims and the disbelievers, and that the Muslims could recognise one another even in the darkness of the night. (Kitabul-Maghazi, Waqdi, Vol. 4, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, 1993, p. 358; Marwiyat Ghazwah Bani Mustaliq, Ibrahim bin Ibrahim, Ihya al-Turath Al-Islami, p. 109; Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Ibn Hisham, Darul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2001, p. 673)
The Holy Prophetsa arranged the ranks of the Companions, and gave the flag of the Muhajirin to Hazrat Abu Bakrra. In another narration, it is mentioned that it was given to Hazrat Ammar bin Yasirra, and the flag of the Ansar was given to Hazrat Sa‘d bin Ubadahra. The Holy Prophetsa commanded Hazrat Umarra to announce among the people, i.e., to announce in front of the enemy army, “O people! Proclaim that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and protect your lives and your wealth through Him.” Hazrat Umarra did so, yet the idolaters rejected this call.
An exchange of arrows took place for some time. Someone from among the idolaters shot his arrow first, then the Muslims shot their arrows for a while. The Holy Prophetsa then instructed his Companions to attack. They attacked in unison, leaving no idolater able to flee. Ten of them were killed, and the rest were all made captives. He imprisoned their men, women, children and animals. (Subul AlHuda Wa Al-Rishad, Vol. 4, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, Beirut, 1993, p. 345)
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra has written in relation to this:
“When the Holy Prophetsa reached Muraisi‘ close to where the Banu Mustaliq were present, which is a place situated between Mecca and Medina near the coast of the sea, the Holy Prophetsa ordered the setup of camp. After arranging the ranks and the distribution of flags, etc., the Holy Prophetsa instructed Hazrat ‘Umarra to move forward and announce to the Banu Mustaliq that even now if they refrain from their enmity (and refrain from their hostility) towards Islam and accept the rule of the Holy Prophetsa, they would be given peace, (there is no mention of changing their religion. They would be given peace if they accepted the rule of the Holy Prophetsa) and the Muslims would return. However, they vehemently refused and prepared for war. It is even written that the first arrow was shot by a man from their tribe (i.e., from the Banu Mustaliq).
“When the Holy Prophetsa witnessed their hostility, he ordered the Companions to fight as well. For some time both sides exchanged a shower of arrows, upon which the Holy Prophetsa ordered the Companions to launch a sudden attack. As a result of this sudden assault, the disbelievers lost their footing. The Muslims surrounded them so skilfully that their entire tribe became surrounded and was forced to throw in their arms. With only ten casualties among the disbelievers and one from among the Muslims, this war, which could have taken on a dangerous form, came to an end.”
(Sirat Khatam-ul-Nabiyeen, pp. 558-559)
I wish to also mention a martyr and some deceased members today. For this reason, I have kept this portion of the sermon brief. With reference to the month of Muharram, which we are currently passing through, I would like to draw attention towards prayers. The incident that took place was extremely tragic, in which cruelty and injustice reached their utmost limits.
The Holy Prophet’ssa grandson and other members of his family were martyred. However, it is unfortunate that instead of taking heed, the Muslims continue perpetrating injustices even now. During the month of Muharram, incidents of disorder between Shia and Sunni or terrorist attacks
increase, which result in the loss of life on both sides. Furthermore, sectarianism and the desire for personal gain have caused a great deal of strife in the Muslim world. In fact, throughout the year, we see injustices and cruelty perpetrated against one another instigated by the clerics, various groups and by the governments.
The Muslims do not seem to learn or have any fear of God. Furthermore, in accordance with His promise, the means that Allah the Almighty has sent in order to bring these disorders to an end, they are not willing to accept it. They do not want to pledge allegiance to the Promised Messiahas He is the only means of uniting the Muslim world and who can bring an end to the disorder. The Muslims will be able to unite and regain their honour once again and this is the only means. If only these people would understand. In any case, during these days, Ahmadis should have an increased focus towards sending salutations upon the Holy Prophetsa and to especially pray for the unity of the Muslim world. Moreover, we should strive to improve our own conditions and establish a stronger bond with Allah the Almighty. May Allah enable everyone to do so.
As I mentioned, I will speak about some deceased members, among whom is a martyr. The name of the martyr is Bondja Mahmoud Sahib from Tamanjouare Jamaat in Togo. The terrorists broke into his house on 21 June and martyred him.
[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
He was 64 years of age. He is survived by his two wives and 14 children. Naveed Naeem Sahib, who is serving as a missionary, writes:
“Tamanjouare is a Jamaat situated close to the central town of the northern region of Togo and it is close to the border of Burkina Faso. Bondja Mahmoud Sahib was among the pioneer members of this Jamaat. He worked as a farmer and had built a temporary accommodation [on the land] where he would move into during the rainy season with his family. During the dry season, he would move back to the village, which was quite a distance away and during the rainy season, he would go back [to his farm]. He was recently at his farm when four terrorists entered his home at 8 pm on 21st June. They had a torchlight, and his son, who is 14 years of age, saw the light and when he went towards it, he saw that the terrorists had surrounded his father. He got scared and ran off. The terrorists then placed their gun under the chin of the deceased and fired a shot, causing the bullet to pierce through his nose and come out from the other end. He passed away immediately at the scene.
[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
The terrorists then left the house and did not harm any other member of the family. It seems as if their target was to martyr him and that is why they came. Upon receiving news of this incident, the military also arrived. The government has very limited control and the terrorists have taken over most of the area. The military took the body
and after taking an assessment of the local area and carrying out a brief investigation, they returned the body to the family.”
Mama Bailo Sahib, who is a local missionary, says, “The deceased was among the pioneer members who did the bai‘at After doing the bai‘at, he would regularly offer his prayers and attend all the Jamaat programmes. He also regularly paid his Chanda.” His local missionary, Djidama Tahir Sahib, says, “The deceased did the bai‘at in 2007 and soon after the month of Ramadan began. It was the rainy season and preparations were underway to prepare the land for cultivation. A few of the villagers began to mock him by saying, ‘Now that you have become a Muslim, will you keep the fasts or do farming work because you will not be able to do such arduous work whilst fasting, whereas we will be able to work hard and, as a result, our crops will be better?’ Upon this, he replied, ‘I have accepted Islam with my heart; therefore, I will most certainly keep the fasts and Allah will take care of my land. I will do whatever work I can do and God will certainly grant me what is destined for me.’ Allah worked in such a manner that the rain stopped and it did not rain for the entire month of Ramadan. And so, he was able to keep the fasts comfortably and the very next day after Eid, the rain resumed once again. According to the manner in which they farm in those areas, the villagers then all came out and headed towards their farms. Thus, Allah the Almighty also stopped those who were mocking him from working and enabled His servant to worship Him.”
Four years after the establishment of the Jamaat there, there were plans from the headquarters to construct a mosque. The non-Ahmadis did their level best to say there was no need for a mosque and that they could offer their prayers in their mosque instead. However, they insisted that they would build their own mosque. After the construction of the mosque, whenever the deceased martyr was in the village, he would regularly offer all five prayers at the mosque. His elder brother Yaqub Sahib states that he was extremely soft-hearted and never wished bad for anyone. If anyone in the family had an issue which they could not resolve, they would go to him, and he would very easily resolve the issue.
May Allah the Almighty elevate the status of the deceased and enable his children and progeny to continue his good deeds. May Allah the Almighty bring an end to the terrorists in that area and establish peace and security. It is said that these circumstances are a result of the fighting between their own people or due to the disorder created by the Muslim groups; however, in reality, this is being backed by the major powers who fuel the terrorists in the countries in order to fulfil their own vested interests. They then issue statements for the establishment of peace and act as if they are sympathetic. If they were not to support these groups, they would not be able to operate. Moreover, Muslims do not reflect over their actions, as there are some Muslim groups and politicians who are a part of these terrorist organisations.
The next mention is of Rasheed Ahmad Sahib, who was the former Muavin Nazir Umur-e-Aama. He was the son of Noor Hussain Sahib. He passed away recently at the age of 86.
[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
He was born in Qadian and was Ahmadi from birth. Ahmadiyyat entered his family through his father, Noor Hussain Sahib, who had the good fortune to enter the fold of Ahmadiyyat by doing the bai‘at during the era of the Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra in 1924.
Rasheed Sahib attained his early education in Qadian. After the establishment of Pakistan and completing his matriculation exams, he began his service for the Jamaat. Although he retired in 1998, however, he was re-employed and continued to serve until 2021 till his health permitted. His total duration of service for the Jamaat spans 65 years. He possessed innumerable qualities. He had a habit of always completing his daily tasks. He was extremely loyal to the Jamaat and apart from being very responsible he would always discharge all his Jamaat duties with confidentiality. Punctuality was an outstanding quality of his. He was a member of the Al-Wasiyyat scheme and would always pay his Chanda diligently. He would always fulfil his Chanda contribution on time. He would make an effort to take part in every Jamaat initiative. He treated his relatives with great love. He would help the needy discretely. He had great love for Khilafat and a strong bond with it. He had the opportunity to serve from the era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra to the era of the fifth Khalifah and served with great loyalty. He would remain quietly engaged in his work and he worked in a selfless manner.
During the unrest against the Jamaat in 1974 and 1984, he had the opportunity of enduring the opposition [faced by the Jamaat]. As a result of the opposition faced in 1974, the police arrested him and was taking him to Faisalabad on a bus. A crowd of opponents in Chiniot attacked the bus that the police were transporting him in. The police and other guards of the bus fled and left him behind. Even the police fled. He had been handcuffed by the police. Whilst in this state, the crowd stabbed him with a dagger and severely wounded him. Miraculously, he survived. He remained in the hospital for several months, after which he was taken to prison. During this ordeal, his fingers were also severed. His face was wounded, and it was difficult for him to speak for quite some time. Nonetheless, Allah the Almighty saved his life.
In September of 1979 in Rabwah, as a result of an unfounded allegation, a lawsuit was filed against Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh and other office holders. Rasheed Ahmad Sahib was also implicated in this lawsuit. This lawsuit carried on for a long time. In 1987, another lawsuit was filed against Rasheed Sahib and three other officeholders in Rabwah’s police station. He had to appear in court for many years as a result.
His daughter, Amatul Saboor, says, “He was regular in offering his daily prayers, fulfilled the rights of mankind, and was sympathetic towards others. Many a time, he would forfeit his own right for the sake of settling a matter.” His daughter further says, “After my mother’s demise, I decided to go live with him. Thus, I came to live with
him along with my children. As soon as I arrived, he advised me that if I wished to live with him, I should let my children know that they would be praying five times every day, they would participate in programmes of the Jamaat, they would not leave the house in the evening, and they would not reject the call of any office holder.” She says, “This moral training benefitted me immensely.” May Allah the Almighty grant forgiveness to the deceased, show him mercy and elevate his station. May He also enable his children and progeny to carry on his virtues.
Next, I will speak about Chaudhry Matiur-Rahman Sahib, who was serving as the Naib Nazir Umur-e-Aama and was the son of Chaudhry Ali Akbar Sahib. He passed away recently at the age of 89.
[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
He was born into Ahmadiyyat. Ahmadiyyat entered His family through his father, Chaudhry Ali Akbar Sahib, who had the honour of pledging allegiance in February 1916 during the era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. After the establishment of Pakistan, his father Chaudhry Ali Akbar Sahib was given the opportunity to serve as Naib Nazir Talim. Chaudhry Mati-ur-Rahman Sahib received his elementary education in Qadian. After the establishment of Pakistan, he completed his education and became affiliated with the Department of Education. When he retired, he presented himself in service for the Jamaat, and he served as Naib Nazir Umure-Aama for more than 25 years up until his last breath. He was a quiet, yet hardworking person. Chaudhry Mati-ur-Rahman Sahib possessed many excellent qualities. He had the honour of entering Nizam-e-Wasiyyat at a young age. He was meticulous in keeping his accounts in order for Wasiyyat. He was very punctual. He regularly offered his daily prayers, gave alms regularly and on time, and also took a keen interest in attaining knowledge. He was a simple person, and was kind and friendly towards everyone. If ever there was any matter of contention between him and a co-worker, he was always the first to extend his hand to resolve the matter. Any office work assigned to him was completed at the earliest opportunity. He disliked when work was left pending, and he demonstrated this quality of his until the end of his life. He never allowed for any office work to remain pending. He always advised others to remain connected with Khilafat and to abide by the Nizame-Jamaat. He would always say to those close to him, to his daughter and to her children that there are immense blessings in obedience to Khilafat.
His wife also passed away a few years prior. He has one daughter, and her husband also passed away. He endured all these tragedies with immense patience. May Allah the Almighty grant forgiveness to the deceased, show him mercy and elevate his station. The deceased was also the paternal uncle of Chaudhry Ijaz-ur-Rehman Sahib, the former Sadr Ansarullah UK.
Next, I will speak about Manzur Begum Sahiba, wife of the late Mahmud Ahmad Bhatti Sahib of Sargodha. She passed away recently.
[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
She was the daughter-in-law of Hazrat Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain Sahibra, a Companion of the Promised Messiahas Ahmadiyyat entered her family through her paternal uncles, Chaudhry Ghulam Nabi Alvi Sahib and Chaudhry Ata Muhammad Alvi Sahib. Both these elders pledged allegiance after hearing a debate in Chichawatni. Chaudhry Muhammad Abdullah Alvi Sahib, the father of the deceased, accepted Ahmadiyyat in 1935 after studying it for another three years. Her late husband, Mahmud Ahmad Bhatti Sahib, and her son, Tahir Mahmud Bhatti Sahib, both had the honour of being imprisoned for the sake of Allah. The brother of the deceased, Naseer Ahmad Alvi Sahib, was martyred in 1991 in the Daur region of Sindh on account of being an Ahmadi. She was a Musia and is survived by her three daughters and seven sons. One of her sons, Abid Mahmud Bhatti Sahib, is a life devotee and a missionary serving as principal of Jamia Ahmadiyya and Naib Amir in Tanzania. Due to being in the field of service, he was unable to attend his mother’s funeral.
Qayyum Sahiba, the former Sadr of Lajna in her area, says, “I have had the honour of serving as Sadr Lajna for 15 years. During this time, I have observed many of her (the deceased) excellent qualities. She was regular in offering her prayers and fasting. As long as the women were allowed to come and pray in the mosque, she made sure to attend the Friday Prayers and sat in the first row.” Now, there are restrictions that prevent women from going to the mosque, even to attend the Friday Prayers or the Eid prayers. They stay within their homes, restlessly waiting for conditions to improve so that they can go to their mosques. Pray for them as well, that Allah the Almighty bestows His mercy upon the people of Pakistan. She participated in every event. “During Ramadan, she regularly offered the Tarawih prayer in the mosque alongside other women. She always attached her children, and her grandchildren, to the mosque. She imparted excellent moral training to her children. She always motivated her children to serve the Community.”
Her son, Qaisar Mahmud Bhatti Sahib, writes, “She would always offer financial contributions herself from her own allowance. She offered her contributions towards Wasiyyat from her savings. We insisted that we would offer her contribution for Hissa Jaidad; however, she completely refused, saying, ‘I have done Wasiyyat for the sake of God and so it is my duty.’ She had a special honour and regard for her faith. In 1989, the Jamaat in her village was facing difficulties and the opponents of Ahmadiyyat were attempting to burn the homes of Ahmadis and take over the mosque; she told her husband and sons, “Go to the mosque, I will protect the house on my own.” During those days, her father, husband and her sons were arrested by the police, yet she did not show any sort of worry, rather (her son says) she would spend the entire night weeping in prayer that, ‘May Allah the Almighty enable my
husband and children to steadfastly stand by the Jamaat.’”
May Allah the Almighty grant her forgiveness and mercy and enable her children to carry on the legacy of her virtues.
The next mention is of Master Saadat Ahmad Ashraf Sahib, who was the son of respected Khushi Muhammad Sahib, who served as a bodyguard for Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. He recently passed away at the age of 83.
[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.]
He is survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters. One of his sons is Uthman Ahmad Taalay Sahib, a missionary in Sierra Leone who was unable to attend his father’s funeral due to being in the field of service. Uthman Sahib, a missionary, writes, “My father was a teacher by profession. In 1963, he hearkened to the call of Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra and migrated to Bashirabad in Sindh and he was appointed to teach Arabic at the Talimul Islam High School. Before migrating to Bashirabad, Sindh, he resided in Dar-ul-Rahmat Gharbi. He had a very loving relationship with Maulana Ghulam Rasool Rajeki Sahibra.” He says, “Maulana Rajeki Sahibra used to call my father his adopted son and owing to his virtuous disposition, he treated him with a great
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deal of love.” He writes, “Maulvi Sahibra would even have him do his personal tasks as well. Whenever someone would leave an amount with Maulana Rajeki Sahibra as a gift for the sake of prayers, he would call my father so he could take the amount to Darul Ziafat and then bring back the receipt.” He would give the amount as a financial contribution. He says, “One day during the summer, Hazrat Maulana Rajeki Sahibra came to our home and started knocking on the door. When my father went outside, he asked Maulana Sahibra why he had come when it was so hot; he could have sent for him and he would have gone instead. Upon this, Maulvi Sahibra responded to my father, saying, ‘If you needed money, you should have told me yourself.’ Hazrat Maulana Rajeki Sahibra continued, ‘Allah the Almighty has commanded me, “Saadat needs money; go and give him money.” Maulana Rajeki Sahibra took some money out from his pocket and gave it to him and then left.” This was the kind of relationship he had with Allah the Almighty, that He placed it in His virtuous servant’s heart to go and help him. His obedience to Khilafat was praiseworthy.”
Murabbi Sahib says, “Some time ago, I took leave to go and meet him in Pakistan. Upon seeing the state of his health, I said that if he felt the need, I could extend my leave. Upon this, he sternly said, ‘Never think about such a thing again, nor ever
say something like that. The Khalifah has placed you on the front lines and that is where you should remain; serve the Jamaat and protect it until your very last breath.’
He always advised us siblings that whenever we travelled, we should continuously recite durood sharif [invoking salutations upon the Holy Prophetsa] as well as constantly reciting the prayer:
[There is no might or power except with Allah].”
There is an incident which has been related by Mubashar Ahmad Gondal Sahib that when he was sitting for his BA exams, the Arabic exam was very difficult and certain questions appeared which were not part of the course. He says, “After some time, my father took an extra sheet and kept writing. He kept taking extra sheets. His colleagues asked him that they had not even been able to fill out the sheets they were given with the exam; what was he writing? He responded, ‘I just wrote what I knew. After that, I wrote all 70 couplets of the Promised Messiah’sas qasidah “Ya Aina Faizillahi wal Irfani” as a means of tabligh at the very least for whoever will read them. I don’t know whether the examiner will pass me, but at least by reading those couplets the person will know that these were written by an Ahmadi, or they will wonder
who wrote these couplets and then they will investigate and this will serve as a means of opening paths for Tabligh. In any case, Allah the Almighty bestowed His blessings and my father was one of only three people who passed the exam.” He says, “This was only due to the blessings of Allah the Almighty and the blessings associated with the qasidah He would often offer voluntary prayers and fasts. He loved the Holy Quran and had a passion for reciting it. We always heard him reciting certain portions of the Holy Quran. We always heard him reciting the qasidah by the Promised Messiahas and oftentimes, as he recited it there would be tears flowing from his eyes. He would study the books of the Promised Messiahas and he would relate stories about the Companions of the Promised Messiahas. He would especially relate stories about Hazrat Maulana Ghulam Rasool Rajeki Sahibra to his students. He was a passionate caller unto Allah and was always ready to serve. He was always at the forefront of taking part in Jamaat programmes. May Allah the Almighty grant him forgiveness and mercy, elevate his station and enable his children to carry on the legacy of his virtues.
(Official Urdu transcript published in the Daily Al Fazl International. Translated by The Review of Religions.)
