Khalifatul Masih
‘Islamic Light in the West’:
Centenary event held by Jamaat UK marking 100 years of Fazl Mosque
The Fazl Mosque, London’s first mosque, reached its historic centenary on 19 October 2024. A special event titled “Islamic Light in the West: A Century of Spiritual Revival” was held to commemorate this milestone.
Exactly 100 years ago from today, on 19 October 1924, the foundation stone for the Fazl Mosque was laid by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra on his landmark visit to the UK.
It was the first mosque to be built in London and quickly became a hub for spreading Islam in the West. It brought to life two significant prophecies – the Holy Prophet’ssa words of “the sun rising from the West” and the vision of the Promised Messiahas, in which he saw himself in London delivering an English address on the truth of Islam. From here, missionary activity blossomed into what we see today.
The mosque was built almost entirely from funds collected by women of the Jamaat who contributed whole-heartedly. Other Muslims had made numerous attempts to build a mosque in London, with initiatives such as the London Mosque Fund, but all to no avail. Despite huge funding and help from Muslim and Western countries, it was the Fazl Mosque which was first to be built.
Islamic Light in the West: A Century of Spiritual Revival
Earlier today, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat UK marked the centenary with
an event at Fazl Mosque titled “Islamic Light in the West: A Century of Spiritual Revival.” Journalists, academics, media representatives, and politicians, among other esteemed guests, attended.
Upon arrival guests were given a guided tour of the Fazl Mosque. This included the historic mosque and complex surrounding it, and a special exhibition detailing the history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in the UK.
The Exhibition, organised by the History Department of Jamaat UK, highlighted Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’sra tour to the
UK in 1924. From the outset, it shed light on the mission of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, which was to spread the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat across the world and enable mankind to connect with its maker.
After a brief journey through the Khilafat of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, the journey of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra to the UK in 1924 was laid out in great detail. Guided tours were given, assuring a bespoke experience for all attendees.
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Hadith-e-Rasul – Sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa
Hypocrisy, ostentation, and pretence
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbasra narrated, “Allah’s Messengersa said, ‘Whoever performs deeds for fame, Allah will punish him for it by exposing him; and whoever acts to show off, Allah will punish him for it by exposing him.’” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab az-zuhdi wa r-raqa’iq, Bab mun ashraka fi amalihi ghayrAllah, Hadith 5287)
How to become truthful
“The philosophy in attaining to the excellence that is characteristic of the rank of the Truthful is that firstly, a person must realise their own weakness and helplessness. Then, in accordance with their individual strength and ability, they must proclaim
(Thee alone do we worship) and adopt the truth, whilst abandoning falsehood. They must flee far from all forms of filth and impurity which are associated with falsehood. They must promise that they will never speak a lie, or give false testimony. They must promise that they will not allow the desires of the inner self to move them to utter any falsehood whatsoever, either as vain speech, neither in the cause of good, nor to repel evil—in no way and
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words
<< Continued from previous page under no circumstances will they adopt falsehood. Now, when a person makes a promise that is as widely encompassing as this, they act upon the words دَبُعَ�
(Thee alone do we worship) in a special way and such action is worship of the highest degree.
“The words دَبُعَ�
(Thee alone do we worship) are followed by
(Thee alone do we implore for help). Now, whether a person of the nature just described proclaims the latter by verbal profession or not, Allah the Exalted, nonetheless, who is the source of all grace and the fountainhead of all truth and rectitude, will definitely help and support such an individual, and open to them the sublime principles and verities of truth. It is an established fact that when a person involved in business follows ideal practices and principles, and holds fast to honesty and integrity, even if he starts with a penny, Allah the Exalted grants them hundreds and thousands of rupees in return for their penny.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 2, p. 80)
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Raheel Ahmad sahib, in-charge of the Jamaat UK History Department, gave the following remarks:
“The most significant part of this exhibition is the message given by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa upon the publication of the book ‘Islamic Renaissance: The Historic Journey of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II, in 1924’. Huzooraa emphasised the journey’s importance, not only as a historic event but as a beacon of guidance for all Ahmadis. This exhibition serves as a call to every Ahmadi Muslim to elevate their faith and the propagation of Islam, fulfilling the objectives of the Promised Messiah with sincerity, devotion and a unified effort.”
Commencement of formal proceedings
The formal session commenced at approximately 6:40 pm with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Naseem Bajwa sahib, who recited verses 128 to 130 of Surah al-Baqarah. The English translation was presented by Johnathan Butterworth sahib. Rafiq Hayat sahib, Amir Jamaat UK, welcomed the guests and introduced the event. He spoke about the significance of the 1924 journey: it was the first time a Khalifa was visiting the UK, and also the foundation stone of Fazl Mosque was laid during this visit. A brief history of the Jamaat in the UK was outlined, as well as the activities of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. He talked about the efforts of the current Caliph, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, in establishing world peace. Adding to the significance of the Fazl Mosque, he touched on how Huzooraa was elected as the Khalifa in this very mosque in 2003, and was the first Khalifa to be elected outside the Indian subcontinent. Huzooraa resided here since his election, before moving to Islamabad, Tilford in 2019.
The first guest speaker was Chris Cotton DL, His Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Greater London. He spoke about the historical importance of the 1924 journey, and read out an excerpt of the second Caliphra speaking to the English press in which he presented the mission of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – to establish virtue in the world and bring mankind closer to its creator. Huzoorra expressed to the press his desire that the English press may help this cause. Chris reflected that since then, the Jamaat has played a pivotal role in spreading the Islamic message of peace and serving humanity.
The Reverend Jonathan Sedgwick, Archdeacon of Southwark, was second to take the podium. He congratulated the Jamaat and said it was most befitting for the first mosque to be built in London, the most diverse city in the world. Fazl Mosque plays a key part in this diversity, and he said that if we are to safeguard the future of the world, it is vital that we embrace one another. He then extended his deep respect and appreciation for the work of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
The third speaker was Fleur Anderson, MP for Putney, Southfields and Roehampton and Minister for Northern Ireland. As the local MP of the Fazl Mosque area, she said it was a great privilege to work closely alongside the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. She specifically highlighted the impact that the relationship between people in community have had on her, young and old. She was especially impressed by the Lajna Imaillah, the women’s chapter of the Community, at how much they had sacrificed for their faith. This was in special reference to how the women sold their jewellery to raise funds to build the Fazl Mosque, and said that this is an inspiration to everyone.
Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of Liberal Democrats, then took to the podium to deliver the final guest speech of the night. He touched on how despite the persecution faced by the Community in Pakistan, it has remained resolute in contributing to society, such as the great deal of charitable work, blood donations, raising money for veterans, among many other efforts. He finished by commending Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, saying that his leadership in the campaign for world peace is outstanding and has never been needed more.
Keynote address by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa
The event took place at the historic mosque, where external guests and
members of the Community gathered to commemorate this significant milestone. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, delivered the keynote address via video link from Islamabad, UK. Huzooraa arrived at the pulpit shortly after 18:15 GMT. A brief summary of Huzoor’saa address is as follows:
A message of peace and unity
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa expressed profound gratitude to Allah the Almighty for the opportunity to celebrate this momentous occasion. He stated:
“Today, with profound gratitude to Allah the Almighty in our hearts, we are holding this reception to mark and celebrate the centenary of the foundation stone laid at the Fazl Mosque in London. The reception or events associated with our mosques are entirely unlike worldly functions as they are free from all material objectives or pursuits. A mosque is a spiritual sanctuary where individuals congregate to worship Allah the Almighty five times a day to foster spiritual growth and moral development.”
Huzooraa highlighted the increasing materialism in today’s world, where money and power often overshadow spiritual and moral values. He noted that in such times, the Mosque’s importance becomes even more pronounced for those who believe in God and strive to remain close to Him.
“Today we live in an age of rampant materialism, where money and power reign supreme. Increasingly, people are turning away from God Almighty, rejecting His very existence, and forsaking moral values. At such a time, the light and value of a mosque shines even brighter for a religious person who believes in God and who trembles at the mere thought of moving away from Him.”
The purpose of worship
Elaborating on the true essence of worship in Islam, Huzooraa emphasised that worship is not limited to formal rituals but encompasses fulfilling the rights of God’s creation.
“Indeed, the Holy Quran proclaims that the very purpose of mankind’s creation is to worship God. Here, the concept or meaning of ‘worship’ should not be misunderstood as being limited only to the formal worship of God. Certainly, it is a fundamental obligation upon Muslims to fulfil the rights of Allah by congregating in mosques and offering the five daily prayers. However, the Holy Quran explicitly states that a person’s supplications shall be rendered meaningless and be rejected if
they neglect their responsibilities towards their fellow human beings.”
He underscored the inseparable link between a Muslim’s prayers and their treatment of others, highlighting that compassion, empathy, and love must be manifested towards all people, irrespective of their faith or background.
Reflecting on the Mosque’s objectives
Huzooraa called upon Ahmadi Muslims to reflect upon the objectives of the Fazl Mosque as they celebrated its centenary.
“So today, as we celebrate 100 years since the laying of the foundation stone of the Fazl Mosque, Ahmadi Muslims must reflect upon these objectives. Only by fulfilling our responsibilities to both God and humanity can we truly honour the purpose for which this mosque was built.”
He reiterated a fundamental Islamic principle taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa:
“A beautiful Islamic principle taught by the holy founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is that a true believer loves for others what he loves for himself. This guiding principle requires those devoted to God to strive to ensure their every movement and act is a source of benefit for others.”
Mission of the Promised Messiahas
Delving into the history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Huzooraa spoke about the Promised Messiahas and his mission to revive the true spirit and teachings of Islam.
“These are the values instilled in our Community by our founder, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian, who we believe was sent by Allah Almighty as the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, the Guided One, according to the promise of Allah and the prophecies of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. He founded our Community with the objective and mission of reviving the true spirit and teachings of Islam and to guide humanity towards peace, justice, equality, and tolerance.”
He shared the vision of the Promised Messiahas for the propagation of Islam in the West, mentioning the significant dream wherein the Promised Messiahas saw himself addressing the people of London.
“In terms of this country, it was through a dream that Allah the Almighty gave the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, glad tidings of divine help, assuring him of divine help and informing him that people in this country would be receptive to his message. Narrating his dream, the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, said: ‘I saw that I was standing on a pulpit in the city of London and was pronouncing upon the truth of Islam in the English language in a very logical and wellreasoned manner.’”
Foundation of the Fazl Mosque
Huzooraa recounted the historical efforts that led to the establishment of the Fazl Mosque. He spoke of the early missionaries Continued on
Centenary of Fazl Mosque London
During the historic milestone of the 100-year anniversary of the Fazl Mosque in London, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, in his Friday Sermon delivered on 18 October 2024, reflected on the significance of this occasion. After briefly recounting the mosque’s history and significance, he stated:
During the historic milestone of the 100year anniversary of the Fazl Mosque in London, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, in his Friday Sermon delivered on 18 October 2024, reflected on the significance of this occasion. After briefly recounting the mosque’s history and significance, he stated:
“As I mentioned earlier, we are holding a ceremony marking the completion of 100 years [since the construction of the Fazl Mosque in London]. This ceremony is not for any worldly purpose. As I have explained through the directives and sayings of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and the words and teachings of the Promised Messiahas, this mosque is a place where people are to gather to worship Allah the Almighty, worship the One God, fulfil the rights owed to one another, work towards their spiritual reformation, and elevate their moral standards.
“In this era, when people are forgetting God, the importance of the mosque has greatly increased. According to the teachings of Allah the Exalted, the purpose of human creation is worship, and we are moving away from this. Therefore, today we must strive to fulfil the due rights of worship. In
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who, despite minimal resources, diligently conveyed Islam’s teachings in the UK, during the Khilafat of Khalifatul Masih Ira and later Khalifatul Masih IIra
He highlighted the pivotal moment when Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra, laid the foundation stone of the mosque in 1924, coinciding with the Conference of Living Religions held during the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley.
“Just exactly a century ago, the Second Khalifa graced the land in Southfields where you are sitting and laid the foundation stone for the Fazl Mosque, which proved to be a landmark moment in the history of Islam in the UK.”
Excerpts from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’sra address
Sharing profound excerpts from the address delivered by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II ra during the foundation stone
our environment, among the people around us, and for our future generations, we must draw attention to the fact that true life and our survival lie in worshipping Allah the Exalted, fulfilling His due rights, fulfilling the rights of His creation, and following His commandments. Only then can we successfully run the world with peace and harmony and live in it. Otherwise, there is nothing but disorder and conflicts, as we are witnessing these days. Therefore, every Ahmadi should remember this purpose.
“The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said, ‘Love for others what you love for yourself.’ In light of this teaching, it is the duty of every Ahmadi to convey and spread this preaching, this message of Islam—which is a message of love, affection, living in peace, reconciliation, and harmony—to the world, so that people become acquainted with it. This is the guarantor of human survival; there is nothing else besides this. Otherwise, future generations will continue to fall into the pit of destruction and ruin, and due to these wars, it is not far-fetched that future generations may be born disabled and crippled. Therefore, it is necessary to make people aware in this regard as well.
“May Allah the Almighty grant us all the ability to fulfil the rights of this mosque
laying ceremony, Huzooraa highlighted the timeless messages of unity, tolerance, and peace.
“He said: ‘Today, we have gathered here for a venture that is unique: to lay the foundation stone for a building that is being constructed solely to remember and submit in servitude to that Supreme Being Who has created all the worlds. Those who enter it, shall, regardless of their nationality, the government they live under, or the language they speak, unite and come together as one.’”
Huzooraa emphasised the relevance of these words in today’s world, where differences and diversity should be a source of enrichment rather than conflict.
“In words that are as pertinent today as they were at the time, the Second Khalifa said: ‘Differences and disagreements have always existed in the world and always will. As long as humans have the capability to progress and innovate, there will surely be differences and disputes, because the progress of the world results from such disagreements and differing ideas.’”
and fulfil the rights of every mosque—not just this mosque. Every Ahmadi, wherever they are, should strive to populate every mosque and endeavour to fulfil its rights, to fulfil the rights of worship, to fulfil the right of conveying the message of Allah the Exalted, to fulfil the right of preaching Islam, and to truly become those Muslims for whom Allah the Exalted sent the Holy
A call for peace in turbulent times
Addressing the current global situation, Huzooraa expressed deep concern over the prevailing unrest and conflicts.
“Unquestionably, we live in an era of profound turmoil and find ourselves amidst a storm of unrest and global conflict. Across the globe, wars are raging, lives are being tragically lost in unimaginable numbers, and we are witnessing a blatant disregard for the rights of Allah the Almighty and the rights of humanity.”
He called upon humanity to recognise their shared Creator and work together to extinguish the flames of war and conflict.
“Therefore, as the creation of the One God, we must extinguish the flames of war and conflict that are burning. And as a religious person, it is my conviction that this requires us to fulfil the rights of worship, ought to God Almighty. We earnestly desire that all people, irrespective of their beliefs, may unite in fulfilling the rights of their Creator and play their respective roles in sowing the seeds for
Prophet Muhammadsa, and in this age sent his true and most ardent devotee , peace be on him, so that the era of the renaissance of Islam may begin anew, and the rule of Islam and the One God may be established in the world, and the flag of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa may fly high in the world. May Allah the Almighty grant us all the ability to do so.” [Amin]
lasting peace in the world.”
A heartfelt prayer and conclusion
Concluding his address, Huzooraa offered a heartfelt prayer:
“So, as I conclude, it is my heartfelt prayer that may the love of God Almighty and His creation enter the hearts of all mankind. Certainly, it was to achieve this objective that the Fazl Mosque was constructed, and for the sake of reiterating this message and recognising the immense blessings of God Almighty that we have held this event today. May Allah the Almighty enable all of us, irrespective of our faith or beliefs, to play our respective roles in the creation of a society where people of all religions, ethnicities, and backgrounds live harmoniously and manifest grace and love to one another.”
At the end, Huzooraa led all the attendees in silent prayer, after which dinner was served.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)
This Week in History
A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
25 - 31 October
25 October 1926: On this day, Hazrat Maulana Zahoor Hussain returned to Qadian after two years of imprisonment in Russia. This devout missionary travelled to the Soviet lands to spread the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat but was apprehended upon his arrival on false suspicions of espionage. He patiently faced barbaric torture and other hardships during his captivity. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 475)
25 October 2013: During his tour of Australia, on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa inaugurated a mosque in Brisbane, which was the first Ahmadiyya mosque in Queensland State, by delivering his Friday Sermon in it. Huzoor also mentioned some details about the building of the mosque and the financial sacrifices of the local Jamaat members.
26 October 1979: The 22nd annual ijtema of Majlis Ansarullah began on this day. As the government (of Pakistan) did not permit the use of loudspeakers, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III’srh address was conveyed through the use of messengers (who would stand at a particular distance so as to relay
Huzoor’srh words to the audience)
In his concluding address, some of the points Huzoorrh mentioned were as follows:
• Every child should know the rules for reciting the Holy Quran.
• Those who can recite the Holy Quran fluently should learn its translation and commentary.
• Every boy should at least study up to matriculation and every girl should pass middle school at least.
• Every Ahmadi should adhere to the beautiful teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat.
The gathering was attended by about 3,000 ansar from 672 majalis. (Tarikh Ansarullah, Vol. 2, pp. 99-120)
26 October 1984: On this day, while announcing the new financial year of Tehrik-e-Jadid, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh mentioned that after 50 years from its inception, the pledges for Tehrike-Jadid have exceeded 100 million rupees. (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 3, p. 599)
27 October 1889: The Promised Messiahas was in Ludhiana, in the house of Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawabra. On this
date, Huzooras wrote to Hazrat Munshi Rustam Alira that he was in Hazrat Mir Sahib’sra house, due to the poor health of Hazrat Mir Sahib’sra wife, who was the mother-in-law of the Promised Messiahas. Huzoor was also an excellent example of kindness and good conduct towards his in-laws. (Maktobat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, 2008, p. 562)
27 October 1963: The Alam-eInami award was introduced for Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya. Previously, it was distributed among the leading majlis of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya only. The first ever Alam-e-Inami was given to Sialkot Majlis. (Al Fazl, 31 October 1963, p. 8)
28 October 1966: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh laid the foundation stone of Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah. (Al Fazl, 20 October 1966, p. 1)
For more details of this mosque, see: “Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah” at alhakam.org (22 October 2021, pp. 10-11)
29 October 1905: On this date, the Promised Messiahas, during his stay in Delhi, visited the shrine of the Sufi Muslim saint, Hazrat Muhammad Nizamuddin Auliyarh and that of Amir Khusrow Dehlvi, a Sufi musician, poet and scholar. Khawaja Hasan Nizami also had an audience there with Huzooras
One exemplary incident of the high standards of obedience shown by Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra is reported in books of history, when he acted without delaying a single moment. It is reported that he was busy examining his patients in his clinic in Qadian, when a telegram from Hazrat Ahmadas reached him asking him to reach Delhi without any delay. He left everything on the spot and began his journey, literally dragging his shoes half-worn and tying his turban as he left. He did not even check whether he had money in his pocket for travel expenses. On this day, he reached Delhi. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 425)
29 October 1982: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh launched the Buyutul Hamd Scheme for building homes for the poor as a gesture of gratitude for the inauguration of the Basharat Mosque in Spain. This was the first financial scheme during his Khilafat. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 818)
30 October 1987: During his tour of the United States, on this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh inaugurated Masjid Rizwan in Portland in the US state of Oregon. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 844)
30 October 1992: On this day, in his Friday sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh announced a financial appeal to aid the war-torn orphaned
Masjid Aqsa, Rabwah.
children and adults of Bosnia and personally donated a thousand pounds. Huzoorrh also made an appeal for donations to assist the famine-stricken people of Somalia and for the construction of mosque in Mississauga, Canada. (Khutbat-eTahir, Vol. 11, p. 776)
For more details of Jamaat’s efforts for Bosnian Muslims, see: “Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya: Standing by oppressed Bosnian Muslims” at alhakam.org (9 June 2023, p. 15)
30 October 2000: On this day, in a tragic incident, terrorists attacked a local Ahmadiyya mosque in Ghatiyaliyan, a town in Sialkot District, Pakistan, during the Fajr prayer. The attackers opened indiscriminate fire on worshippers, resulting in the martyrdom of five Ahmadis. Their names are: Iftikhar Ahmad (35), Shehzad Ahmad (16), Ataullah (50), Ghulam Muhammad (60), and Abbas (45). The funeral prayers for the deceased were led by Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the then Nazir-e-Aala and Amir-e-Muqami in Pakistan. (Al Fazl, 1 November 2000, p. 1)
31 October 1980: On this day, during of the ijtema of Majlis Ansarullah Markaziyya, a successful experiment was conducted to deliver a live English translation of the address by Hazrat Khalifatul Masihrh III to 18 listeners. This project was financially sponsored by the Fazl-e-Umar Foundation and overseen by Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahib. During the Jalsa Salana 1980, live translations of Huzoor’srh addresses were broadcast in two languages, English and Indonesian. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 813)
For the history and success of this project, see: “The Pentecost at Jalsa Salana – A brief history of simultaneous translations” at alhakam.org (2 August 2019, pp. 10-11)
31 October 1983: On this day, the first Jalsa Salana of the Jamaat in Spain was held, in which 510 people participated, out of which 475 were non-Ahmadis. (Silsila Ahmadiyya, Vol. 4, p. 828)
15th annual ijtema of Lajna Imaillah and Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya Ireland
Najia Nusrat Malik
Sadr Lajna Imaillah Ireland
Lajna Imaillah and Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya
Ireland held their 15th annual ijtema on 21 September 2024, at the Maryam Mosque in Galway, attended by 86 lajna members, 24 nasirat and seven girls under the age of seven from across the country.
The proceedings commenced with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the Lajna pledge, poem and annual report by Secretary Talim and Secretary Nasirat.
Following the opening session, the members were divided into age groups for their academic competitions. Various nonacademic games were also organised between the competitions. Several interactive and informative stations were set up, such as health checkups, crochet workshops, registration for Quran classes, writing letters
to Huzooraa, and information desks for IT and further education. An art competition was also held, featuring creations by nasirat based on this year’s theme, “The Attributes of Allah.” Lajna members also had the opportunity to participate in an on-the-spot art competition and a cooking contest.
The second session began with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a poem and a message from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa that was read by my humble self. In his message, Huzooraa advised Lajna Imaillah to establish a strong relationship with Allah, strive for selfreformation and lead the future generation by setting good examples. Huzooraa emphasised on paying special attention to the upbringing of children and to pray for them to make them God-fearing and pious. The programme concluded with a prize distribution ceremony and silent prayer.
MSPs call for a ceasefire at the ‘Voices for Peace’ event at the Scottish Parliament
Arshad Mehmood Khan
Glasgow Correspondent
Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK hosted a “Voices for Peace” event at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on 24 September 2024, advocating for justice and a lasting ceasefire to promote peace in the Middle East. More than 75 guests, including members of the Scottish Parliament and councillors, attended the event.
The formal programme started with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a video clip about the worldwide “Voices for Peace” campaign. Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ulAhmadiyya UK, Abdul Quddus Arif Sahib, read out an excerpt of Hazrat Khalifatul
Masih Vaa where he highlighted the utmost need for united efforts to make the world a better and far more harmonious place.
This initiative was launched in November 2023, hosting several events across the UK, beginning with the House of Commons on 15 November 2023. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, and Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, attended the event. In recent months, such events were held at the Senedd and the Northern Ireland Parliament.
A video clip of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa was shown to all, where he highlighted the importance of prevailing peace and how to avoid another world war.
Jalsa Seerat-un-Nabi held in Banjul/ Kombo Region of The Gambia
Ali Fatty Missionary, The Gambia
On 15 September 2024, the Banjul/Kombo region of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya The Gambia held a Jalsa Seerat-un-Nabi at the Baitus Salam Mosque, Tallinding, and was attended by 164 members.
The programme commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a speech by Ustaz Dawda SK Cham Sahib on the blessed life and character of the Holy Prophetsa, highlighting his humility, tolerance, and leadership. My humble self then spoke on the Holy Prophet’ssa perseverance during trials, emphasising his unwavering faith and reliance on prayer, particularly during the Battle of Badr. Saeed Samba Sowe Sahib elaborated on the Holy Prophet’ssa role as a “Prince of Peace.”
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation observed in Canada
Syed Mukarram Nazeer Canada Correspondent
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Saskatoon, Canada, observed the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Baitur Rahmat Mosque, on 26 September 2024. It is an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day intended to raise awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools, and to promote the concept of “Every Child Matters.” A number of non-Ahmadi guests attended the event, including the First Nation Elders, local school principals and teachers, the Saskatoon Police Department, the Saskatoon Fire Department, and many other local dignitaries.
The formal programme started with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Some of the guests were invited to share their thoughts who emphasised the importance and role of Indigenous people, and appreciated the efforts of the Jamaat to develop relations with them.
Elder Rick Daniels was the keynote speaker about the residential school system in Canada. The concluding address was given by local missionary, Saad Hayaat Bajwa Sahib.
Around 100 people attended the programme. We received very positive remarks from the Indigenous Guests, a glimpse of which is presented below:
Jolon Lafond, Executive Director, of White Buffalo Youth Lodge, said:
Naveed Ahmad Qamar Sahib, regional missionary, delivered the concluding speech on the Promised Messiah’sas profound love for the Holy Prophetsa. The programme ended with closing remarks and a silent prayer led by Naib Amir and missionaryin-charge of The Gambia, Mahmood Tahir Ahmad Sahib, who reminded the participants of the true purpose behind commemorating the Jalsa Seerat-un-Nabi
“Thank you to my relatives of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for offering us space to celebrate an important time, and for all the work each member contributed in seeing it a success. Thank you to all my relatives who attended and joined in the festivities, it was wonderful seeing so many familiar faces after some time apart. Thank you … for thinking of me and approaching me to be a part of something good. I hope we continue a healthy, positive, and reciprocal relationship with one another down the road.”
Elder Rick Daniels said:
“So powerful to witness the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and Indigenous communities come together at the Bait ur Rahmat Mosque last evening. This is truly a night I will never forget. History was made!”
Image courtesy of AMJ The Gambia
Handle differences with compassion
Majlis Ansarullah Belgium’s amila meets with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V
Islamabad, UK, 20 October 2024: On 20 October 2024, the national amila members of Majlis Ansarullah Belgium, along with the zu‘ama of various majalis and regional nazimeen, had the blessed opportunity to meet with Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, at Islamabad, UK.
As Huzooraa arrived, he addressed Sadr Sahib and enquired, “Is this the amila? What brings you here?”
Sadr Sahib replied, “This is the amila of Ansarullah Belgium along with the zu‘ama of various majalis as well as regional nazimeen, and we have come to seek guidance regarding our duties.”
Adherence to the Constitution and organisational guidelines
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa emphasised the importance of adhering strictly to the organisational guidelines and the Constitution (Dastur-e-Asasi). He said, “The members of the amila should work according to what is written in the Constitution. Implement the plans you formulate, cultivate humility, work with cooperation and righteousness. Collaborate with the Jamaat’s system, and show love and affection among yourselves. This is what should be present in an Ahmadi, and this is also why Majlis Ansarullah was established.”
Responsibilities of Ansarullah and self-reflection
Huzooraa reminded them of his recent address at the Ansarullah UK ijtema, stating, “You raise the slogan of
(We are the helpers of Allah), so then demonstrate being helpers. This is what is required of the ansar.” He urged them to reflect on their roles, noting, “You have reached such a [mature] age; you are not children whom we have to hold by the finger and lead.”
Huzooraa further illustrated his point with a saying: “There is a saying, isn’t there, that you can awaken someone who is asleep, but who can awaken someone who is already awake—meaning someone whose eyes are already open but is being obstinate—you cannot awaken him. So, do not be obstinate.” He encouraged selfreflection, adding, “If you are truly asleep, then you can be stirred. For that, there are guidelines: in the latest Ansarullah UK’s ijtema, I gave a speech—you have listened to it—so that is your plan of action. What more is there to say? I explain to children, but what can I explain to the elders? Their beards have turned grey; they should think for themselves.”
Studying Jamaat literature and the roles of Tarbiyat and Ta‘lim departments
Following this, Qaid Sahib Ta‘lim asked how to cultivate interest among the ansar in studying Jamaat literature.
Huzooraa advised, “If they are not interested, first create interest among them. The Tarbiyat Department should first instil in them the spirit that although they have come to Belgium, or other Western countries, to earn a living, earning worldly wealth should not be their sole objective.”
He elaborated on the importance of prioritising faith over worldly pursuits: “You have pledged to give precedence to faith over worldly matters, and faith can only be given precedence when you know what faith is. And to know faith, what must you do? Alongside worshipping Allah and offering prayers—seeking His help by praying that He teaches us faith—all this is necessary. Acquiring knowledge of faith is also essential. The Holy Quran is the fundamental source for this. Therefore, reading the Holy Quran and its translation is necessary. Then there are the books of the Promised Messiahas, which are explanations of it.”
Huzooraa suggested a collaborative approach between the departments: “So, the Tarbiyat Department should inform people, and you [the Ta‘lim Department], when you observe them, should tell the ansar to read and give preference to this because this is what should be given precedence; we pledge this, and we should fulfil our pledges.”
He reiterated the earlier metaphor, stating, “I have already said that you can awaken those who are asleep, but who can awaken those who are already awake? At an old age, they are already awake; many, due to illness, sleep less, or if they sleep, they sleep a lot. So, awaken those who are asleep; tell them what faith is, with love, setting your own examples.”
Leading by example
Emphasising the importance of leading by example, Huzooraa said, “The first thing is that your amila members—your national amila members, the local majalis’ amila members—and all those who are involved, if they collectively reform themselves and pay attention to learning faith [...] then change will occur. Fifty per cent of your people will be covered in this way.”
He urged self-assessment before guiding others: “Those who are members of your amila, in any capacity—deputies or serving in any way—if they develop this attention, then instead of looking at others, set your own examples.” He added that national and local amilas, presidents, and zu‘ama should all set exemplary standards, ensuring, “In this way, everything will be fine.”
Huzooraa cautioned against focusing on others without self-improvement: “Do not just chase after people who have nothing. First, look at your own reformation: how
many members within your amila are practising? They may think they have become exempt, that they have a lot of knowledge of faith.” However, many do not fulfil their obligations, Huzooraa said. Quoting the Holy Quran, he reminded them:
“‘Why do you say what you do not do?’ (Surah as-Saff, 61:3). So, first, reform those [amila members] who are sitting here; the rest will be reformed.”
Highlighting the importance of mutual support, Huzooraa cited another Quranic verse:
“‘And help one another in righteousness and piety’ (Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:3). Strive to advance in righteousness and piety. Instil this spirit in the Jamaat that we have to cooperate. If this develops, then everything else will follow automatically.”
He assured them that with this spirit, all departments would become active and effective: “The Tarbiyat Department will become active, then the Ta‘lim Department will also become active, the Maal Department will also become active, the Umur-e-Ammah Department will not face difficulties, and in the field of preaching, you will find ease because people will have enthusiasm themselves. Until someone has enthusiasm, you cannot force anyone to work. So, it is necessary to create that enthusiasm. If you create that enthusiasm, then everything is fine.”
Creating a friendly environment and handling differences
Addressing the need for personalised approaches, Huzooraa noted, “Now, each person’s temperament is different; you will have to consider each according to their temperament. It’s not that you make one programme and handle all the ansar with the same stick; that will not work.”
He explained the rationale behind creating the saff-e-dawm category for ansar aged between 40 and 55 years: “Make separate programmes for them; tell them— their minds are still fresh; their memory is somewhat better. Some go over 60 years; their memories become weak, so you have to make different programmes for them, remind them accordingly.”
He emphasised the importance of kindness and a friendly environment: “You have to treat everyone differently; speak to each with kindness and love, not harshness. Create a friendly environment; live together in such a way as a society does.”
Huzooraa cautioned against authoritarian attitudes and highlighted the value of healthy differences of opinion, stating, “Recently, even in a sermon, I mentioned [...] that regarding difference of opinion, the Holy Prophetsa said that it is a good thing; it is a sign of progress. [Tadrib ar-Rawi fi Sharh Taqrib an-Nawawi, Vol. 2, 1996, Dar Al Kotob Al Ilmiyah, Beirut, p. 103)] There should be a difference of opinion. But one should not make difference of opinion a matter of personal ego.”
He advised office-bearers to handle disagreements constructively: “If the other
person understands, try to reform them. Those with whom there is a difference—the office-bearers, Sadr Sahib, others, qaideen, nazimeen, zu‘ama—should explain to people. Explain with love. If there is a difference of opinion, try to convince them, and if the other’s argument is good, accept it without any ego.”
Huzooraa stressed the importance of open dialogue: “These things develop by sitting together and talking, by trying to solve them.”
He reminded them of their shared commitment to the Jamaat’s mission: “If someone has taken bai‘at, they may say, ‘I have not pledged allegiance to you; I have accepted the Promised Messiahas; I have pledged allegiance to the Khalifa; so who are you?’ You will have to tell them that we are part of that very system. We are your brothers. We are your well-wishers, and we have been given this responsibility from the system of Khilafat, which we want to abide by.”
Inculcating humility to achieve success
He concluded by emphasising humility and reliance on Allah’s grace: “[Inform such people,] we are not saying anything from ourselves, nor do we have any personal motive. And if we have a motive, it is only that which is the Jamaat’s plan, which is the Khalifa of the Time’s plan, his guidance, what the Promised Messiahas wants from us, what the Holy Prophetsa has taught us, what Allah the Almighty has sent us through the Holy Quran—that we become those who act upon it.”
Reiterating the need for humility among office-bearers, Huzooraa said, “If you instil this spirit among the ansar, then everything will be fine. Where you act like officers, everything will be ruined. The Sadr Sahib should also show humility, the qaideen should also show humility, the zu‘ama should also show humility. This is the solution.”
He referred to a divine revelation to the Promised Messiahas, stating, “This is the matter about which Allah the Almighty revealed to the Promised Messiahas—and I always say repeatedly everywhere—that:
“‘He is pleased with your humble ways.’ (Tadhkirah, Qadian, 2019, p. 961) You should also adopt those humble ways, and you will achieve success; otherwise, no matter how much you exert yourselves, [nothing will come of it].”
Huzooraa reminded them of their limitations without divine support: “You neither have that much power, nor that much knowledge, nor that much authority that you can achieve anything with your own strength. Whatever is to happen will happen with the grace of Allah.”
He urged them to pray for their members: “Therefore, to attain the grace of Allah, you should pray daily for these people. At least do one prostration daily, praying that Allah the Almighty grants us such ansar who are cooperative and are truly Ansarullah—who raise the slogan ‘Nahnu Ansarullah’.”
Concluding his advice, he remarked, “So, in answering your question, I have also spoken to the Tarbiyat Department, the
Maal Department, and everyone else.”
Practical steps to encouraging
ansar
Continuing the discourse, Sadr Majlis Ansarullah asked Huzooraa how to draw the attention of the ansar towards worship and prayers.
In response, Huzooraa emphasised the importance of leading by example. He advised, “Set your own examples, pray, offer nawafil, perform two prostrations especially to pray for them. Tell them the importance of salat.” He suggested practical steps, saying, “Extract verses from the Holy Quran about this, and each week circulate one verse by sending a message—everyone has WhatsApp these days—so send it through that. There are ahadith about the importance of prayer; extract them and send one each week. Send out excerpts from the Promised Messiahas, and statements of the Khulafa; find some quotes and send them.”
Huzooraa highlighted the cumulative effect of consistent reminders: “If you continue sending one like this each week, something new keeps coming, then in the 52 weeks of the year, 52 messages will go out— from the Quran, ahadith, the Promised Messiahas, and the Khulafa. When they go out, they will have an effect on someone or other.”
He quoted the Holy Quran to emphasise their role:
“‘Admonish, therefore, for thou art but an admonisher; Thou hast no authority to [compel] them.’ (Surah al-Ghashiyah, 88:22-23). You are an admonisher, so keep on admonishing. You are not appointed as a guardian over them.” He encouraged them to approach others with love and compassion, stating, “Explain with love and affection. Set your own examples, pray for them, and it will be fine.”
Attaining ‘irfan-e-ilahi
Following this, Naib Sadr Sahib enquired about how divine insight, and the recognition of God i.e., ‘irfan-e-ilahi can be attained and how one can know if they have achieved it.
Huzooraa shared an instructive incident narrated by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra He recounted, “A man came to him who considered himself a great spiritual leader (pir) and believed that he had reached the highest standard of ‘irfan-e-ilahi. He had even stopped offering prayers and other acts of worship because he thought, ‘I have become close to Allah; what need do I have to do anything further?’”
Hazrat Musleh Maudra advised the man, “‘No, continue in the worship of Allah and supplication to attain ‘irfan-e-ilahi, because His knowledge, His powers, and [the scope of] His recognition are limitless. When He is limitless, how can you say that by reaching this point you have attained everything?’”
He illustrated this with an example: “If a person is travelling on a boat and ahead appears dry land, an island, or a place where he is supposed to disembark, and he does not alight on that island, you would not call him foolish because he has reached the place he was meant to reach [but did
not disembark].” However, Hazrat Musleh Maudra cautioned, “If what you perceive as land is an optical illusion, and you disembark from the boat there, and as soon as your foot touches down, water comes, and you drown, then wisdom dictates that you should keep moving until you clearly see that expansive dry land has appeared.”
Huzooraa emphasised, “Allah the Almighty’s power and [the scope of His] recognition are limitless, so stopping at a point and saying that you have attained Him does not suffice.” He advised continuous striving: “To attain ‘irfan-e-ilahi, you must keep striving continuously, keep praying, and develop a relationship with Allah the Almighty. When a relationship with Allah is established, He grants peace to the heart. A person attains contentment.”
He explained that ‘irfan-e-ilahi can be attained through various means: “Through the verses of the Holy Quran, you attain ‘irfan-e-ilahi. It is not necessary that you receive revelation to attain ‘irfan-e-ilahi You may be reading a book of the Promised Messiahas, and you come across a point where you think, ‘Yes, I have received the answer to this.’” He continued, “Allah the Almighty creates various means. Not everyone receives revelations declaring that they have become a friend of Allah... Allah has different means, according to each person.”
Concluding this topic, Huzooraa warned against complacency: “To say, ‘I have attained ‘irfan-e-ilahi, and now I have become a great saint and have reached the pinnacle’—whoever ‘attained’ in this way should understand that he is finished; like that pir, he drowned in the water.”
Approach to tabligh among Europeans
Subsequently, a nasir mentioned that when preaching to European people, they often show little interest, listening once or twice but then disengaging. He asked what should be done in this regard.
Huzooraa reminded them of their fundamental duty to convey the message of Islam, stating, “Our duty is to convey the message. In the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty has instructed the Holy Prophetsa to preach. (Surah al-Ma’idah, Ch.5, V.68) Providing guidance is the work of Allah the Almighty. Therefore, we should continue our efforts [...].”
He quoted the Promised Messiahas:
“To call out in every direction is our mission today; those of righteous nature will ultimately join us.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part 5 [English], UK, 2018, p. 184)
Huzooraa explained that only those with a pure nature come forward and that not everyone will accept the message. He recounted Satan’s challenge in the Holy Quran to Allah the Almighty: “Satan challenged that the majority of people would follow him and would not follow Adam or righteous things. Allah the Almighty did not say that they would not do so. Allah said, ‘Fine. If they do, then I will fill Hell with you
100 Years Ago...
Accounts of 1924: Impact of the Khalifa’s lecture and address to new converts
Impact of the lecture
The impact of the lecture [at Universal Church, Portsmouth, mentioned in the 4 October 2024 issue of Al Hakam] became manifest when, after delivering the lecture, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] retired to a room, which quickly filled with Englishmen, while a large crowd of women also gathered outside. Since they had been informed that neither Huzoor[ra] nor his companions shake hands with women, they expressed their respect by bowing slightly and then stepping back. Their faces radiated delight and contentment. After the lecture, everyone returned to the hotel, where all the friends, along with Mr Abbott and the new converts, dined together.
Speeches by Mr Abbott and Chaudhry Zafrullah Khan
After the dinner, Mr Abbott immediately rose and delivered a brief yet impassioned speech. It appears to be a common practice in England that after such gatherings, short speeches are exchanged after the meal. In a few words, Mr Abbott expressed his joy at the rare and precious opportunity of having Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] among them, and for being graced with his lecture, A Message from Heaven. He expressed his sincere hopes for the success of the noble mission Huzoor[ra] had undertaken.
Chaudhry Zafrullah Khan[ra], whom God had graciously made the Khalifa’s spokesperson—a prestige and distinction often bestowed upon him to fulfil significant duties of interpretation, thus blessing him with the honour [of being recognised] as the Lisan-e-Khilafat [Voice of the Khalifat]— then rose to speak. Without hesitation or delay, he delivered the following speech:
“On behalf of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] and his companions, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr Abbott and the new converts present on this occasion. Indeed, you are all very fortunate to have been granted this opportunity. It is a rare occasion, one that might not arise even if you or Huzoor[ra] himself desired it, given that the Khalifa’s commitments with the centre (markaz) are so immense that they do not permit him to undertake such distant journeys frequently.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s[ra] time is devoted to the educational, spiritual, and organisational needs of the Community,
which is an extensive responsibility requiring constant oversight and guidance.
“You can understand that a person tasked with the spiritual guidance of nearly one million followers spread across different parts of the world has little time to spare. Therefore, this visit is a unique opportunity, and those of you fortunate enough to be in the Khalifa’s presence are truly blessed. Your descendants will forever take pride in this good fortune. This is a privilege that is not granted to everyone, and thus, you are indeed very fortunate.
“Your expression of gratitude for this blessing is not merely verbal but genuine and historic. It is now your duty to convey what you have learned from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s[ra] to others. For the one who receives and does not share closes the door to receiving more. Hence, share what you have learned, so that you may continue to be blessed. Do not be like the miser who hoards and does not spend, even depriving himself of the benefits.
“Be like the fountain that gushes forth, quenching others and spreading fortune. If you block it, no more water will come forth, but if it continues to flow, more water will rush in. This is the divine law regarding heavenly knowledge and wisdom: share it, and you will be blessed with more. Therefore, the blessings you have gained from being in the company of His Holiness, and the message you have heard from his lips, must be passed on to others. Distribute these blessings among others so that you may receive even greater blessings in return.”
Following Chaudhry Sahib’s[ra] speech, Mr Abbott once again stood up and said, “Your Holiness, I would like to express my gratitude once more for the blessings we have received today through you.”
Discussion with new converts
After dinner and the exchange of speeches, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s[ra] entered the drawing room, accompanied by new convert men and women, along with his companions. There, Huzoor[ra] engaged in discussions with the men regarding various matters related to the propagation of the Jamaat and the spread of the message of Islam. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s[ra] then addressed the newly converted women as follows:
“The greatest challenge to the spread of Islam here in Europe is women. Often, when men hear the arguments in favour of Islam’s truth, they begin to accept them. However,
women stand in their way, citing false and erroneous beliefs that Islam deprives women of their rights. In reality, no religion in the world has granted women the rights that Islam has. Therefore, if you, who have accepted Islam, take a greater interest in spreading its message, this task can be accomplished more easily. Newly converted women should engage in the spread of Islam and inform other women that Islam does not diminish their rights, but rather upholds them. Women should tell men, ‘We have studied Islam, understood its truth, and believe that it is the only religion that leads to salvation.’ This approach would be more effective.
“You can only carry out this task if you learn [more] about Islam. I have had several books printed, and the work of compiling more books has begun. In the future, more books will be published in this series, including a translation of the Holy Quran. For now, I will send you the books that have been printed; read them thoroughly and understand them. I hope that when our sisters read these books, not only will their belief in the truth of Islam be further strengthened, but they will also be able to present its teachings to others and refute the arguments of its opponents. I hope that our sisters will preach Islam with vigour after reading these books.
Transform yourself
“Another important point to consider is that if a person does not bring about a pure transformation within themselves after changing their religion, then accepting that religion is merely lip service. This transformation requires an understanding of the truth of the religion one has accepted. Therefore, our sisters and brothers must understand the essence of religion so that they may attain the true light that leads a
person towards God Almighty and brings them closer to Him. This true light cannot be attained without action. Hence, strive to act, so that you may acquire that light which will free you from all forms of darkness.
“You must, therefore, bring about a pure transformation within yourselves, which can only be achieved through action. After all, you are aware that the rules and etiquette of society must be observed, and you consider it so essential that you cannot step out of the house, either inside or outside, without adhering to them. If a doctor advises against consuming a particular food, you immediately stop eating it.
“Likewise, if you believe that religion is from God, you will not benefit from it unless you follow its teachings. And not only will you not benefit, but you will also become an obstacle for others. They will say, ‘If this person has not undergone any transformation or does not practice the
Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira (1875-1957)
<< Continued from page 9
and your followers.’” (Surah al-Hijr, Ch. 15, V. 29-44)
Huzooraa emphasised that such people will always exist, but that should not deter their efforts: “Our duty is to continue preaching. If someone takes interest in our preaching, then alhamdulillah. And if you have a very close friend, explain to him [...] You can tell him this. If he accepts, alhamdulillah; if not, move on to someone else.”
Huzooraa advised against wasting time on those who are unresponsive: “Some people are like slippery vessels; you keep wasting time on them, thinking, ‘I must make him accept.’ You cannot make them accept.” He reiterated, “Your duty and our duty is to preach, [as the Holy Prophetsa was also told]:
“‘Convey what has been revealed to you.’ (Surah al-Ma’idah, Ch. 5, V. 68) Preaching is your duty; giving guidance is the work of Allah the Almighty.”
Importance of Huzoor’saa current Friday sermons
Another nasir requested Huzooraa to offer advice to the ansar regarding the importance of his sermons.
Huzooraa candidly asked, “Do you gain any lessons from them? Have you ever derived anything? [...] Have you ever felt that you are benefiting from them? That is the importance. What more can I tell you?”
He highlighted the educational value of his sermons: “Through the sermons... you learn about the history of Islam. You become
<< Continued from previous page
teachings, why should we adopt this faith? If it were true, why would this person not follow it?’ Thus, when a person understands the truth of a religion, they must act upon it, for without action, the truth cannot be established. This is what I want to convey to my brothers and sisters: Do not remain negligent in this regard.
Shortcomings and rectification
“I admit that we too are responsible for not providing sufficient literature. However, we have now prepared books; read them, act upon them, and disseminate them. We have fulfilled our responsibility to a certain extent; now it is your duty to first acquire knowledge and then act upon it and spread it to others.
Propagating Islam is everyone’s duty
“It is the duty of every member of the Jamaat to become a missionary. The whole world is against us, and it is our responsibility to make them aware of the truth. However, this task cannot be successfully accomplished solely through salaried missionaries. Our resources are not extensive enough to spend
aware of current events, learn about past occurrences, understand the sacrifices made by the Companions, and learn about the life and advice of the Holy Prophetsa.” He noted that admonitions and expectations are often included, helping listeners understand their responsibilities.
Huzooraa emphasised the sacrifices of earlier generations: “Everyone knows how much our elders sacrificed, how they safeguarded, nurtured, and spread Islam through their sacrifices. Now, in this era, after Allah the Almighty has granted us so many facilities, our responsibility is immense.”
He urged them to reflect on strengthening their faith and that of future generations, stating, “We should safeguard and nurture it, strengthen our own faith, fortify the faith of our future generations, and, taking lessons from this, continue to propagate Islam and its message.”
Huzooraa added:
“Firstly, in the initial 16 or 17 years, I have given countless sermons on moral tarbiyat. If you look at those sermons, you will learn about matters related to tarbiyat Then I began giving sermons on history so that you know that tarbiyat is not just about words; history shows us that the Companions acted upon these teachings. These were not matters where Allah the Almighty merely gave commands and that was it; rather, these people brought about changes within themselves. That is why the Promised Messiahas said that the Holy Prophetsa came and trained those who were ignorant and uncivilised, who were completely unlettered. The Holy Prophetsa trained these people, made them human beings, then from human beings made them educated human beings, and then from educated human beings made them God-fearing individuals who inclined
such amounts of money, nor can we provide enough personnel. If we were to rely solely on salaried missionaries, we would have to wait for thousands of years. But this is a misconception. The truth has come, and it is our duty to inform the world of it. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every member to propagate it. It is a blessing from God that our members are found all over the world. The missionaries’ role is only to provide edification; propagation is the duty of the members. I do not just believe but am certain that if we all make efforts in this country, success will come soon, God willing.
Hardships are necessary
“I understand that hardships will come in this path, but when a person has faith in God and is sincerely dedicated to the truth, they even find delight in these hardships. I have seen the catacombs in Rome, which were dug deep underground, extending as far as 200 feet. In the early days, the Romans persecuted the Christians, who fled to live there due to the oppression. Sometimes they stayed for months, yet these hardships never weakened their resolve, nor did they stop their preaching. In the end, God granted them success. If you seriously engage in the propagation of Islam, opposition will surely come, but remember that the greater the
towards Allah the Almighty. So, if they could become such through all these stages, and I have told you about these matters of tarbiyat, then [...] why can we not become God-fearing individuals?”
He reminded them that the lessons are there for those willing to take them: “So, these are the lessons found in the sermons, if you wish to take them. If you do not wish to take them, then you will say, ‘Fine, we heard the sermon; it was very enjoyable,’
and that will be the end of it.”
Conclusion
At the conclusion of the meeting, all attendees had the honour of a group photograph with Huzooraa. After this, Huzooraa bade them farewell, and the meeting came to an end.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ecuador
participates in the first international book fair
Abdul Basit Khawaja Missionary Ecuador
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ecuador participated in the international book fair in the city of Guayaquil, on 18-22 September 2024, and was attended by more than 28,000 people.
Over 3,000 people visited our stall and more than 5,000 flyers were distributed. The Holy Quran with Spanish translation and the Promised Messiah’sas book Jesus In India really attracted the interest of the ecuadorians.
Refresher course held in Niger
Muhammad Jamal Niger Correspondent
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Niger organised a national refresher course for muballigheen and mu‘allimeen on 7-8 October 2024.
The programme commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by opening remarks from Asad Majeeb Sahib, Amir Jamaat Niger, who emphasised the importance of this programme and
opposition, the greater the progress, and it will draw people’s attention. This is the only way Islam can spread.
“We cannot all be here; it is the duty of our English brothers and sisters to undertake this divine task, undeterred by opposition. Only then will they witness God’s support and assistance. We have faced great opposition there [in the East], and continue to do so, yet our numbers have grown because of it. Although we do not expect the same level of opposition here, as the government is civilised, once people begin to accept Islam, opposition will arise.
“In India, the opposition went as far as exhuming the body of an Ahmadi woman from her grave and throwing it before dogs in Bihar. Such opposition has only strengthened the faith of our Jamaat and attracted the attention of noble and fairminded individuals. In Afghanistan, three men were executed by the government and ten others were martyred by local people. Their villages were burned, yet these incidents did not stop the Community from growing. Now, there are nearly 50,000 members there. I hope my brothers and sisters will make efforts to spread Islam, at least as much as people are striving in India.
Arrangements for edification
“I have decided that a missionary will
encouraged attendees to actively engage with the topics being presented. One of the highlights was the interactive session, where participants asked insightful questions, leading to in-depth discussions. The event was a great success, with 31 attendees benefiting from the presentations. Simultaneously, a separate refresher course was also organised for Lajna Imaillah. The refresher course concluded with silent prayer.
come [here in Portsmouth] for at least one week each month, and gradually, as the Community grows, we will establish a permanent presence so that they can oversee the education and training of the Jamaat. Until then, you must continue the work [of tabligh]. May God assist you.”
After listening to this speech, a newly converted woman remarked, “This is exactly what we desire.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] then continued to speak on various aspects related to opposition, explaining that opposition will increase as acceptance of the message grows, but one should not be discouraged by it. Consistency and steadfastness bring great blessings. He also recounted the events in Kabul, mentioning how the late martyr Nematullahrh steadfastly sacrificed his life for the propagation of Islam Ahmadiyyat and spread its message. Huzoor[ra] also spoke about the hardships imposed by the government, despite promises of noninterference and freedom.
Since the night had progressed considerably, and the hotel staff had grown anxious as the tram service had stopped, Huzoor[ra] dismissed the gathering and bid farewell to the friends.
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu, published in the 16 October 1924 issue of Al Fazl)
Friday Sermon
Mubarak Mosque, Islamabad, Tilford, UK
27
September 2024
Muhammadsa: The Great Exemplar
After reciting the tashahhud, ta‘awwuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:
As I mentioned in the previous sermon, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has also discussed the circumstances that arose during the Battle of the Confederates [Jang-e-Ahzab]. I will present these details. He states:
“Since one side of Medina was protected by the ditch, and another side had hills with their natural protection, stone houses and groves of trees, it was impossible for the army to launch a sudden attack. As such, they (the disbelievers) took counsel together and decided that it was necessary to try to get the Banu Quraizah, the third Jewish tribe, still living in Medina, to join them and thereby open a path into Medina.
“Following their counsel, Abu Sufyan, commander of the army of the disbelievers, appointed Huyayy bin Akhtab, chief of the banished tribe of Banu Nadir and principal instigator of Arab tribes against Medina, to get the Banu Quraizah to join them by any means possible. As such, Huyayy bin Akhtab went to the Jewish fortress to see the leaders of the Banu Quraizah. At first, they refused to see him. However, when he explained to them that at present, the whole of Arabia had assembled to destroy the Muslims and that this town could not confront the whole of Arabia under any circumstances and that the army that stood to oppose the Muslims was not an army, but a raging ocean; through these words, he ultimately convinced the Banu Quraizah to commit treason and breach their covenant.
“It was decided that the army of the disbelievers would try to cross the ditch from the front and as soon as it was successful in doing so, the Banu Quraizah would attack the other side of Medina, where women and children had been placed without protection, trusting the Banu Quraizah. If the Muslims were to be attacked from that side, it would completely destroy their resistance and men, women and children would be killed instantly. It is a fact that if the disbelievers had succeeded with this scheme even in the slightest, the Muslims would be left without any place of protection. The Banu Quraizah were in a pact with the Muslims and even if they would not take part in the open battlefield, the Muslims believed that no one
would be able to launch an attack on Medina from their side. Due to this very reason, their side was left completely unprotected.
The Banu Quraizah and the disbelievers had assessed these circumstances and decided that once the Banu Quraizah joined the disbelievers, they would not assist them openly, lest the Muslims would make arrangements to protect that part of Medina on the side of the Banu Quraizah. (They were very cunning. In other words, so that the Muslims would not think of attacking from that side as well.) This was a very dangerous plot. For the Banu Quraizah to join the enemy at a time when the Muslims were completely unaware of this and when the army of the disbelievers was attacking the Muslim army made it impossible to protect the other side of Medina at the fortresses of the Banu Quraizah.” (Dibacha Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 20, pp. 272-273)
In fact, it was not only protection that would be rendered impossible; it was not a question of that; rather, the threat of being attacked increased exponentially. In any case, it was natural for the Muslims to be worried in such circumstances, and efforts were of course made to prevent this.
The Holy Prophetsa decided to appoint 500 people to protect Medina. Historians have detailed this in the following manner. When news of the Banu Quraizah violating their treaty reached the Muslims, their apprehension only increased and they began to worry for their wives and children. The state of the Muslims became exactly in line with what Allah Almighty stated:
“When they came upon you from above you, and from below you, and when [your] eyes became distracted, and [your] hearts reached to the throats, and you thought [diverse] thoughts about Allah.” (33:11)
The Holy Prophetsa and the Muslims were facing the enemy, so they could not move from there. They would take turns guarding
various parts of the ditch. Biographers have mentioned eight posts across the ditch where they would guard, and Hazrat Zubair bin al-Awwamra was appointed to oversee all of this.
Seeing as the Banu Quraizah had ended their pact and joined the besieging tribes, and news was being received that they would attack Medina at any given moment, hearing all this the Holy Prophetsa sent Hazrat Salamah bin Aslamra with 200 men and Hazrat Zaid bin Harithahra with 300 men to protect Medina, stating that they should keep guard at night in various locations and proclaim “Allahu Akbar” every now and then. (Subul al-Huda Wa al-Rishad, Vol. 4, pp. 384-385, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah Beirut), (Al-Sahih Min Sirat al-Nabi alA’zam, Vol. 10, Al-Markiz Al-Islami Li alDurasat, Beirut, 2006, p. 288)
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra has related this in the following manner:
“At this time, as far as apparent means were concerned, the horizon of Medina was immensely dark and gloomy. On all four fronts of the city, thousands of bloodthirsty enemies had set up camp. All of them lay in ambush to find an opportunity so that they could pounce at the Muslims and annihilate them. Within the city, at arm’s reach of the Muslims, were the treacherous Banu Quraizah, who were no less than a fierce army in themselves, boasting hundreds of armed young men. They were in a position to attack the Muslims from the rear whenever they so pleased or whenever an opportunity presented itself. The Muslim women and children, who resided in the city, were easy prey for them at all times. As a result of this state of affairs, and the reality of this cannot remain hidden upon any wise individual, immense fear and terror surged through the weaker Muslims, and the hypocrites openly criticised:
“‘It seems as if the promise of God and His Messenger with respect to the victory and triumph of the Muslims was nothing but lies.’ (33:13)
“Various hypocrites presented themselves before the Holy Prophetsa and began to say, ‘O Messenger of Allah, our homes are completely unprotected in the city, please grant us permission so that we may stay in our homes to defend them.’ In response to this, the following divine revelation was sent down:
“‘It is incorrect that these people are worried about their homes being exposed, rather, the fact of the matter is that they seek a way to flee from the field of battle.’ (33:14)
“It was at this very juncture, however, that sincere Muslims exhibited the true colours of their faith. As such, the Holy Quran states:
“‘And when the believers saw the army of the disbelievers, they said, “This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us; and indeed, Allah and His Messenger are truthful.” Hence, this onslaught only added to their faith and submission.’ (33:23)
“However, all equally felt the vulnerable situation and threatening circumstances at hand. In this regard, Allah the Exalted states:
“‘Remember the time when the army of the disbelievers came upon you from above you, and from below you in hordes, and when your eyes became overwhelmed with anxiety, and your hearts came to your throats, and you began to entertain diverse thoughts about Allah (all in your own way). That time, was indeed a time of sore trial for the believers, and they were shaken with a violent shaking.’ (33:11-12)
“At such a perilous time, how could this small group of Muslims contest, who consisted of various weaker dispositions and hypocrites as well? They did not even have enough men to adequately arrange to
stand guard at less secure posts. As a result, this harsh duty of day and night utterly exhausted the Muslims. On the other hand, due to the treachery of the Banu Quraizah, it was necessary to strengthen security in the streets and alleys of the city as well, so that the women and children could be protected. The disbelieving warriors exhausted every possible avenue in an attempt to agonise the Muslims. At times, they would gather at a weaker point and launch an attack and the Muslims would be forced to regroup there in defence. At this, the disbelievers would immediately redirect their strength and press another point and the poor Muslims would make haste in that direction. On other occasions, they would wage an attack at two or three points simultaneously and the Muslim force would be dispersed into smaller fragments. At times, the course of events would take on an extremely delicate state and the disbelieving army almost penetrated the weaker points to enter the city. These full-fledged attacks were generally warded off by the Muslims with arrows. However, at times, a strategy employed by the disbelieving warriors was that one contingent would shower the Muslims with arrows to hold them back, while another contingent would storm a weaker point of the ditch and wage a general attack, in an attempt to cross over. This method of warfare would continue from dawn till dusk, and sometimes it would even carry on during parts of the night.” (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyeen, pp. 585-586)
It is also mentioned in history that on one occasion, the Holy Prophetsa enquired from his companions, the Ansar in particular, about making peace with the Ghatafan tribe. Mentioning the details of this, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra writes:
“These days were ones of grave pain, apprehension and danger. As the siege grew longer and longer, the Muslims naturally began to lose their strength to fight and although they were full of faith and sincerity, their bodies, which of course functioned according to the material law of nature, began to fall weak. When the Holy Prophetsa witnessed this state of affairs, he called upon the two chieftains of the Ansar, Sa’d bin Mu’adhra and Sa’d bin ‘Ubadahra and recalling to them all of the circumstances at hand sought their counsel. The Holy Prophetsa even proposed, ‘If you are in agreement, it is also possible that we may give the Ghatafan tribe a portion of our wealth, so that this war may be averted.’ Sa’d bin Mu’adhra and Sa’d bin ‘Ubadahra resonated the same words, and submitted, ‘O Messenger of Allah! If you have received divine revelation in this respect, then we bow before you in obedience. In this case, most definitely, let us act upon this proposition gladly.’ The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Nay, nay, I have not received any revelation in this matter. I only present this suggestion out of my consideration for the hardship you are being made to bear.’ The two Sa’ds responded, ‘Then our suggestion is that if we have never given anything to an enemy while we were idolaters, why then should we do so as Muslims? By God! We shall give them nothing but the strikes of our swords.’ The Holy Prophetsa was worried on account of the Ansar, who were the native residents of Medina. Furthermore, in seeking this counsel, the only intent of the Holy Prophetsa was to perhaps gather insight into the mental state of the Ansar, as to whether
they were worried about these hardships or not, and if they were, then to console them. Thus, when this proposal was put forth, the Holy Prophetsa happily accepted (i.e. the counsel of both Sa’ds) and war continued.” (Sirat Khatam-un-Nabiyyeen, pp. 589-590)
As it has been stated before, although the ditch was serving as a strong defensive wall, this does not at all mean that the Muslims were completely safe and protected. Firstly, people like the hypocrites, specifically the Banu Quraizah, who were inclined towards war, were already within Medina, and after breaking the treaty, they manifested themselves as dangerous enemies.
On the other side, despite the ditch there were some places where there was danger of the enemy attacking, and there was a possibility that the enemy would cross the ditch and enter from that area. Keeping this stressful situation in mind, a continuous watch was given in some places, and the Holy Prophetsa himself was part of this watch.
The Holy Prophetsa would supervise himself as well, and give his companions reassurance and comfort; and all this would continue both during the day and the night. These nights in Medina were extremely cold, and on top of that, there were the difficulties of hunger. Hazrat Aishara relates that the Messengersa of Allah would keep watch until the very opening of the trench. When the cold would pain him, he would return [to his camp], and when his body warmed up he would return to the opening of the trench, and he would say, “I fear that people could come from this side.”
She [Hazrat Aishara] narrates that one day, the Holy Prophetsa was resting as he did [in these nights] and was so tired that he said, “If only a righteous man would guard this place tonight.” Thus, at the time that he said this, the Holy Prophetsa heard the sound of weapons. The Holy Prophetsa asked, “Who is it?” Sa’d bin Abi Waqqasra replied, “O Messengersa of Allah, it is I, Sa’d. I have come to stand guard for your safety.” However, rather than his own protection, he said, “Go to such-and-such place; a part of the trench is weaker there. Guard that spot.”
The love and loyalty that the devoted companions possessed for the Holy Prophetsa was remarkably unique; how they were presenting themselves for his protection, and on the other hand we see that the Holy Prophetsa was prioritising them over himself. He possessed such courage that he had no concern for his own life, but he worried for the people of Medina. And for this reason, he would often personally be present at various places. And whenever he would apparently go to his tent to rest, most of that time, he would be seen prostrating before God and praying.
Thus, Hazrat Umme Salamahra narrates, “I was with the Messengersa of Allah during the battle of the trench, and we were extremely cold. I saw one night that the Holy Prophetsa stood up and prayed in his tent for as long as Allah the Almighty willed (meaning a very long prayer, the extent to which it was possible). Then, he went outside the tent and kept watch for some time. Then I heard the Holy Prophetsa say, ‘These horsemen of the idolaters are trying to cross the trench.’ He then called out to Abbad bin Bishrra, who then responded, ‘I am present.’ The Holy Prophetsa asked, ‘Is anyone else with you?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I have some companions with me, and we are
keeping watch around your tent.’ The Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Take your companions with you and patrol the trench; these horsemen of the idolaters are circling the trench. They wish to attack you while you are unaware.’
“The Holy Prophetsa then prayed:
“‘O Allah, distance their evil from us, and help us against them, and defeat them. No one can defeat them except You.’
“Abbadra went with his companions, and Abu Sufyan bin Harb and his group were circling a narrow part of the trench. When the Muslims became aware of them, they started throwing stones and shooting arrows, due to which they went back to where they came from (meaning the enemy turned back from that place).”
Hazrat Abbadra relates “I returned to the company of the Holy Prophetsa. I saw that the Holy Prophetsa was offering prayer. So, I shared the information with the Holy Prophetsa [afterwards].” Hazrat Umme Salamahra narrates, “May Allah the Almighty have mercy on Abbad bin Bishr; he stayed near the Holy Prophet’ssa tent more than any of the other blessed companions.” He always kept watch over the Holy Prophetsa (Subul al-Huda Wa al-Rishad, Vol. 4, Darul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah Beirut, pp. 374-375)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states:
“The Holy Prophet’ssa courage and attention towards the wellbeing of the Muslims was such that he would wake up in the cold night and go to [one part of the trench] and stand guard over it. Hazrat A’ishahra states that the Holy Prophetsa would become so exhausted from standing guard over it in the cold that he would return for a short while to lie under his blanket and as soon as his body would warm again, he would return to that part of the trench. Owing to him continuously staying awake in this manner, one day he became extremely exhausted and expressed in the night: ‘If only there was a sincere Muslim present at this time, and so I could sleep.’ At that very moment, Sa’d bin Abi Waqqasra called out and the Holy Prophetsa asked him what had brought him there. He replied, ‘I have come to stand guard for you.’ Upon this the Holy Prophetsa stated, ‘I am not in need of a guard, instead you should go to the part of the trench where the wall has given in and stand guard over it, so that the Muslims remain safe.’ And so, Sa’d left to stand guard over it and the Holy Prophetsa was able to sleep.”
At one place, it is written – and this is the curious thing about this, the way it’s been further explained – that when in the beginning, the Holy Prophetsa arrived in Medina and the threat level was quite high, it was Sa’d on that occasion as well who came to make rounds like this.
In the same days, the Holy Prophetsa heard some people’s weapons clanking and asked who it was. So Abbad bin Bashir –Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has recorded his name as Abbad bin Bashir, and it is for this reason that the name has been recorded as such in volume 20 of Anwar-ul-Ulum, however this is a typographical error.
In any case, the reference for this passage in Anwar-ul-Ulum has been taken from Sirat al-Halabiyyah, and in that biography, his name is written as Abbad bin Bishr. I am clarifying this because then afterwards some people write to me saying that it has
been written in such and such manner in a different source whilst it was cited in a different manner and they ask what the correct version is.
So anyhow, his real name is Abbad bin Bishr. It may be that it was just written mistakenly in this way or that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra unintentionally said it in this manner. In any case, Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra writes that Abbad bin Bashir said (which in fact ought to be Abbad bin Bishr said), “It is I.” So the Holy Prophetsa asked, “Is there anyone else with you as well?” He replied, “There is also a group of your companions who have come to keep watch at the perimeter of your tent.” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “Right now, the idolaters are trying to find a way across the trench. Go there and battle them – don’t worry about my tent.” (Dibacha Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 20, p. 279; Sirat AlHalabiyyah, Vol. 3, Dar-ul-Ma’arif, Beirut, p. 25)
An incident about the bravery of Hazrat Safiyyahra is also mentioned during this battle. The details of the account state that the Holy Prophet’ssa blessed wives and paternal aunt Hazrat Safiyyah bint Abd alMuttalibra were with the other ladies in a fort known as a Faari’.
Meaning that the wives of the Holy Prophetsa, his aunt and other female family members were with the rest of the women, and their appointed lookout guard was Hazrat Hassan bin Thabitra
When the Banu Quraizah announced their betrayal, the Jews of that area also, in some way or another, busied themselves in trying to inflict harm upon the Muslims. Hazrat Safiyyahra, the paternal aunt of the Holy Prophetsa, states that “On one occasion, a group of ten Jews came up to our fort and began walking around it, as though looking for any opportunity for when or how they might infiltrate the fort. One of the Jews walked up very close to one of the walls of the fort. I was watching him. I told Hassan to go and take care of him, to which Hassan replied, ‘O daughter of Abd al-Muttalib, by God, you know that I am not capable of this. If I were, I would have certainly marched forward with the Holy Prophetsa.’” Hazrat Safiyyahra says, “When Hassan said this, I grabbed a stick, left the fort and slammed it so hard on the head of the Jew walking around our fort that his head split open, and he fell down on the spot. I returned back to the fort and said to Hassan, ‘At least go down and retrieve his belongings from him’ –meaning as spoils of war. Hassan replied, ‘O daughter of Abd al-Muttalib, I have no need for his belongings.’ So I said to him, ‘Then cut off his head and throw it at the other Jews to scare them and dissuade them from coming this way.’ Hazrat Hassanra replied that he didn’t have it in him to do so. Hazrat Safiyyahra then went ahead and cut the man’s head off herself to throw it at the remaining Jews. She went herself, cut off the man’s head and threw it over the fort wall. Seeing this, the Jewish men became scared and said, ‘We knew that Muhammad[sa] couldn’t possibly leave the women without some protection –there are definitely people with these women to protect them.’ And so, the men ran away.” When the Holy Prophetsa was informed of this, he awarded Hazrat Safiyyahra a portion of the spoils of war as he did for the male soldiers. (Subul al-Huda Wa al-Rishad, Vol. 4, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah Beirut, pp.
371-372)
Mentioning this incident in The Life and Character of the Seal of the Prophets, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra writes:
“The Holy Prophetsa had generally gathered the women and children of the city in a special area, which could be likened to a fortress. However, a sufficient number of Muslims could not be made available to adequately protect them. Especially at such times when the enemy onslaught in the battlefield was at full force, the Muslim women and children would practically be left unguarded, and only such men would be left to protect them who for some reason or other, were unfit for the field of battle.
“Therefore, capitalising on a situation like the one just mentioned, the Jews proposed to attack one such area of the city where the women and children had gathered. These people sent a spy ahead of them to assess the situation in this quarter of the city. It so happened that the only person present near the women at the time was Hassan bin Thabit, the poet, who was unable to go to the battlefield due to his being very weak at heart. When the women noticed this Jewish enemy surveying their encampment in such a suspicious manner, Safiyyah bint ‘Abd al-Muttalib, the paternal-aunt of the Holy Prophetsa, said to Hassanra, ‘This individual is an enemy Jew, who is prowling about to acquire intelligence and is bent upon mischief. Kill him, so that he does not return to his people and cause harm to us.’ However, Hassanra could not find the courage to do so. Therefore, Hazrat Safiyyah moved forward herself and fought the Jew, after which she killed him and he fell to the ground. Then, according to her own proposal, the Jewish spy was beheaded and thrown to that side of the stronghold where the Jews had gathered, so that they would not dare to attack the Muslim women, and were made to believe that they were guarded by many men. Hence, this strategy proved to be successful. As a result, the Jewish people were awe-struck and turned back.” (Sirat Khatam-un-Nabiyyeen, pp. 590-591)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has also narrated this incident. He states:
“The Banu Quraizah were constantly waiting for an opportunity to infiltrate Medina and kill the women and children without raising suspicion among the Muslims. One day, the Banu Quraizah sent a spy to check if the women and children were unguarded or if there were soldiers designated for their protection. The spy arrived near the specific enclosure where the most vulnerable families, who were at the greatest risk from the enemy, had been gathered. He began circling the area, observing whether there were any Muslim soldiers hidden nearby.
“While surveying the area, the Holy Prophet’ssa aunt, Hazrat Safiyyahra, noticed him. It so happened that at that time, only one Muslim man was present, and he was unwell. Hazrat Safiyyahra approached him and said, ‘A man has been roaming around the women’s quarters for a while, and he refuses to leave. He keeps looking around; surely, he is a spy. You should confront him before he gathers information and the enemy attacks us.’ The ailing companion declined to confront the spy. Hazrat Safiyyahra then took
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a large staff herself, confronted the man, and, with the help of the other women, succeeded in killing him. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the man was indeed a Jewish spy from the Banu Quraizah. This further alarmed the Muslims, making them realise that even this side of Medina was no longer safe.
“Nevertheless, the threat from the front lines was so severe that they could not arrange to protect this area. Despite this, however, the Holy Prophetsa considered the protection of the women a priority. […] He stationed 500 of his 1,200 soldiers in the city for their protection, leaving only 700 to defend the trench and face the enemy army of 18 to 20 thousand.” (Dibacha Tafsir-ulQuran, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 20, pp. 274275)
The incident of Hazrat Alira killing Amr bin Abd Wudd Amiri during this time is also mentioned. The details of this incident are as follows: When the disbelievers besieged Medina, their leaders agreed to launch a collective attack. They began searching for a narrow section of the trench that would allow their cavalry to breach the defences and reach the Holy Prophetsa and his companions. Eventually, they found such a spot which the Muslims were unaware of. At that point, Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl, Naufal bin Abdillah, Dirar bin al-Khattab, Hubairah bin Abi Wahb, and Amr bin Abd Wudd crossed the trench.
Amr bin Abd Wudd was so renowned for his bravery that he was considered equivalent to a thousand men in battle. He had been wounded during the Battle of Badr and could not participate in the Battle of Uhud due to his injuries. He had vowed that he would not oil his hair until he had killed Muhammadsa, God forbid. Arrogantly, he called out to the Muslims after crossing the trench, challenging them by announcing aloud, “O you who desire Paradise! Come and face me. Either I will send you to Paradise, or you will send me to Hell.”
When no one stood to face him, Hazrat Alira desired to rise up, but the Holy Prophetsa told him to sit down, reminding him that it was Amr bin Abd Wudd on the other side. However, when Amr called out a second or third time, Hazrat Alira rose again. This time, the Holy Prophetsa himself allowed him to go, wrapped his own turban on Hazrat Ali’sra head, granted him his sword, and sent him off with prayers.
As Hazrat Alira approached Amr, he addressed him, saying, “I have heard that you made a vow that if a man from the Quraish asks you for two things, you will agree to one of them.” Amr replied, “Yes.”
Hazrat Alira said, “The first thing I will say to you is that you should become a Muslim and, by accepting the Holy Prophetsa, become the recipient of God’s blessings.” Amr said, “This won’t be possible.” Hazrat Alira said, “If you do not accept this, then prepare yourself to fight me.” Amr started laughing and said, “I never thought anyone would speak to me this way.” He then asked Hazrat Alira his name and heritage. When Hazrat Alira told him, Amr said, “Your father was a friend of mine. Go and send an elder in your place. Nephew (he said referring to Hazrat Alira), you are but a child and I do not wish to shed your blood. Send one of your elders
instead.” Hazrat Alira said, “You might not wish to shed my blood, but I will not hesitate to shed yours.” Now, blinded by rage, Amr jumped down from his horse and hamstrung it, causing it to fall (he killed his horse and came down to fight). Mad like the flame of a fire, he advanced towards Hazrat Alira and swung his sword upon him with such great force that it pierced through his shield and struck his forehead, causing a slight wound. But in the same moment, Hazrat Alira raised a slogan glorifying Allah and attacked with such force that his enemy was left on the defensive. Hazrat Ali’sra sword struck Amr’s shoulder and came all the way down, leaving him writhing as he fell to his death.
Some narrations record that there were not two but three things from which Hazrat Alira told Amr he had to choose. The first was that he should return (one of the options which Hazrat Alira gave him was to go back). Amr said that he would not comply. The next option was that Amr should become a Muslim and the third was that he should fight. When Amr was killed, his comrades became frightened and fled upon their horses. Hazrat Zubairra followed them and killed Naufal bin Abdillah. Among them was also Hubairah bin Abi Wahb, who was the husband of Umme Hani, Hazrat Ali’sra sister. Hazrat Zubairra swung his sword upon him with such force that it cut through his horse’s collarbone. According to another narration, after Amr was killed, Hubairah and Dirar bin Khattab attacked Hazrat Alira, but then they both fled as Hazrat Alira fought back. In fact, Hubairah even left his armour behind as he fled despite him being regarded as one of the Quraish’s best cavaliers.
According to one narration, when Dirar bin Khattab, the brother of Hazrat Umarra ran away, Hazrat Umarra chased after him. (in Sirat al-Halabiyyah it is written that Dirar bin Khattan was the brother of Hazrat Umarra; however, this is an error on the part of the author. This was not his brother). Dirar suddenly stopped and took aim with his spear at Hazrat Umarra but then stopped himself from attacking him. He addressed Hazrat Umarra and said: “Umar! Remember this favour of mine that I did not attack you.” It is written how Hazrat Umarra recalled this favour, it was not a favour of Dirar upon him, rather it was a favour of Allah the Almighty upon him and perhaps the prayers of Hazrat Umarra that on the occasion of the Victory of Mecca, Dirar accepted Islam. Following this, he wholeheartedly took part in the wars fought by the Muslims. He fought bravely in each battle and was martyred in the Battle of Yamamah. According to some narrations, he was not martyred; rather he lived a long life and died in a state of being a Muslim.
After the killing of Amr bin Abd Wudd, the disbelievers sent a message to the Holy Prophetsa stating that they would pay 10,000 dirhams to retrieve his body. The Holy Prophetsa stated, “Take him, we do not put a price on the corpse.”
According to some narrations, Naufal bin Abdillah was killed in a separate incident. The details are that one day, he mounted his horse and paced ahead in order to jump over the trench. However, the horse was unable to cross the trench and fell inside along with its rider. Through this, Allah the Almighty brought about his end as he broke his neck
upon falling into the trench. (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyeen, pp. 588-589; Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 2, Part 4, Dar-ul-Kutub AlIlmiyyah Beirut, p. 115; Subul al-Huda Wa al-Rishad, Vol. 4, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah Beirut, pp. 377-378; Sirat al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 3, Dar-ul-Ma’arifah, Beirut, p. 20; Tabqat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 2, Dar-ul-Kutub AlIlmiyyah, Beirut, p. 283; Ghazwah-e-Ahzab, Shameel, Nafees Academy, Karachi, p. 225; Al-Isabah Fi Tamyeez al-Sahabah, Vol. 3, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, 1995, p. 392; Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Abi Hassan Al-Nadwi, Vol. 1, Maktabat-ulShamilah, p. 353)
The idolaters sent a delegation in order to retrieve his body and offered to pay money to the Holy Prophetsa. However, he stated, “We do not need any money in exchange for him and nor do we stop you from burying him.” (Subul al-Huda Wa al-Rishad, Vol. 4, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah Beirut, p. 380)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has also mentioned the killing of Naufal as follows:
“The enemy, whilst launching an attack upon the trenches, would at times succeed in crossing over the trench. As such, one day, some of the prominent generals from among the disbelievers were able to cross over the trench. However, the Muslims fought so relentlessly that they had no choice but to retreat. In this particular incident, one of the prominent chiefs of the disbelievers, whose name was Naufal, died whilst trying to cross over the trench. He was such a prominent chief that the disbelievers thought that if his body were mutilated, then this would be a source of great embarrassment for them that they would not be able to show face in the whole of Arabia. Thus, they sent a message to the Holy Prophetsa that if he were to return his body, they would be willing to pay 10,000 dirhams. They thought that since they had cut off the nose and ears of the chiefs and leaders among the Muslims, in fact even to the paternal uncle of the Holy Prophetsa, therefore the Muslims would also perhaps do the same to their leaders and thereby bring humiliation to their people. However, the commandments of Islam are completely against this and it does not permit to mutilate the bodies. Hence, when the message of the disbelievers reached the Holy Prophetsa, he stated, ‘What are we going to do with this body? It is of no use to us and we do not want anything in return for it. You are free to take his body; we have nothing to do with it.’” (Dibacha Tafsir-ulQuran, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 20, p. 277-278)
In any case, there are further details in this regard which will be continued in the future, insha-Allah.
From today, the ijtemas of Lajna and Ansar will commence. Just as I reminded the khuddam, the lajna and ansar should also focus on prayers, especially during these days and sending salutations upon the Holy Prophetsa. May Allah the Almighty enable everyone to do so and enable you all to fulfil the purpose of these gatherings rather than just spending your time on leisurely activities and engaging in conversations. May Allah the Almighty bless this in every respect.
(Official Urdu transcript published in the Daily Al Fazl International, 18 October 2024, pp. 2-6. Translated by The Review of Religions.)
Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Executive
Ataul Fatir Tahir, Aqeel Ahmed Kang
Research: Awwab Saad Hayat, Iftekhar Ahmed
Jalees Ahmad, Ata-ul-Haye Nasir