Al Hakam - 20 March 2020

The resolute servant of an ardent devotee

The purpose of the advent of the Promised Messiah

An exclusive look at the passion and love Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa has for the Promised Messiahas

An address delivered by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra on 29 January 1926

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A prophet in the making A look at the early life of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas Part I

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Spiritual remedy above physical cures Understanding the wisdom behind calamities occuring in the world and to take heed from such occurences spiritually Page 16

THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 20 March 2020 | Issue CV Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

The Promised Messiah: A light of hope in these precarious times

2020, it seems, got off on the wrong foot; our world continues to ride the wave of turbulence and turmoil. Whether it be international politics or epidemics, the fabric of society is drawing us further apart

from social cohesion, peace and humanity.

There is, however, light at the end of the tunnel.

This light of salvation was always here for us, spreading the earth for well over a

century. It was lit by a prophet of God, the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace be upon him.

On 23 March 1889, during the rule of the British Empire, the rise of materialism and

the death of religion, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas presented himself as the solace to not only the problems of his time, but also the disaster we are undergoing today.

Continued on page 3

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This Week in History 20 - 26 March A selection of brief incidents from the first and second era of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya

20 March 1914: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, may Allah be pleased with him, delivered his first ever Friday Sermon after being elected as Khalifatul Masih.

20 March 1924: The Jamaat convened its third three-day annual Shura in Qadian.

20 March 1954: Hazrat Mirza Muhammad Ehsan Baig, may Allah be pleased with him, passed away. This companion of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, performed Bai‘at in 1902.

20 March 1958: A new volume of Tafsir-e-Kabir was published, which covered the commentary of Surah Maryam to Surah Taha.

20 March 1964: The annual Shura took place under the presidency of Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Mazhar Sahib.

21 March 1914: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra issued a powerful and resolute announcement under the title, “Who can stop Divine missions?”

21 March 1921: Opponents of Jamaat-eAhmadiyya gathered in Qadian and delivered hateful and provocative speeches. In response, on this date, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered an awe-inspiring and passionate speech. For the first time in Qadian, special security measures were also taken to safeguard Ahmadi neighbourhoods, mosques and Bahishti Maqbara, owing to the lawlessness and bigotry spread by opponents.

21 March 1937: The state of Odisa in India convened its first ever Jalsa.

21 March 1955: Before embarking on his tour of Europe, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra issued his third message for Jamaat members, updating them about his health and other issues of the journey.

21 March 1957: The three-day annual Shura started. This 38th Shura was held at Talim-ulIslam College. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra graced this gathering with his presence in all the sessions, after an interval of 4 years.

21 March 1957: During the annual Shura, members finalised and passed, with a majority vote, the famous and historic resolution about the election of Khalifatul Masih. This resolution was derived from the points elaborated by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra in his speech on Jalsa Salana 1957. Moreover, rules and regulations were approved with regard to electing the khalifa.

21 March 1958: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra inaugurated the Fazl-e-Umar Hospital in Rabwah.

22 March 1929: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was a great devotee of the writings of the Promised Messiahas. On this date, Huzoorra expressed the

need to enhance Jamaat efforts in this regard.

Huzoorra also shared some useful schemes like the establishment of book agencies to minimise printing cost of the books. Additionally, Huzoorra emphasised the vast circulation of Jamaat newspapers.

22 March 1946: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra proposed some new names (derived from names of elders of the Jamaat) for the agricultural properties owned by the Jamaat in Muhammad Abad state, Sindh: like Nur Nagar, Karim Nagar, Latif Nagar, Roshan Nagar, Burhan Nagar and Ishaq Nagar.

22 March 1947: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was in Nasir Abad, Sindh, where his stay is reported to have lasted until 28 March.

22 March 1953: Owing to an unexpected load of work and commitments to the countrywide agitation and disturbance against Jamaat members, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra could not continue his series of Dars-ul-Quran. On this date, Huzoorra resumed the Dars-ul-Quran lectures.

22 March 1955: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra issued his fourth message to Jamaat members and shared some more details of his proposed journey towards Europe for medical treatment.

23 March 1929: Anjuman Ahmadiyya Delhi convened its three-day annual Jalsa.

23 March 1935: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra travelled to Gurdaspur to take part in court proceedings of a case with Ataullah Shah Bukhari. Huzoorra also went to Gurdaspur on 25 and 27 March.

23 March 1942: Hazrat Hafiz Nabi Bakhsh, may Allah be pleased with him, passed away. This companion of the Promised Messiahas belonged to Faizullah Chak and entered the Jamaat in 1890.

23 March 1944: Jalsa Musleh-e-Maudra was held in Ludhiana. The heavy rain showers could not reduce the number of attendees who came to see Huzoorra. In fact, 1,000 Ahmadis travelled all the way from Qadian alone to attend this blessed gathering.

23 March 1951: Upon the completion of major construction work, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered his Friday sermon in Masjid Mubarak

Rabwah, and to mark the inauguration, he led the congregation in a long prostration of gratitude.

23 March 1955: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra set off for Europe, a tour that lasted until 25 September.

On this date, Huzoorra departed from Rabwah to Lahore. Huzoorra appointed Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad, may Allah be pleased with him, as amire-muqami.

23 March 1956: Pakistan was declared an Islamic Republic. Jamaat members also took part in jubilations arranged in this connection throughout the country.

23 March 1956: Onko Ismael bin Abdur Rahman Sikandar Sahib performed Bai‘at and accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat. This noble person had served his people as a high-ranking officer in the department of religious affairs of Johor State situated in modern day Malaysia. At the time of Bai‘at, he was serving as chairman of the Public Service Commission.

23 March 1957: The annual Shura unanimously passed a resolution in its final session to congratulate Pakistani officials and people upon the first anniversary of its adaptation of constitution and thus becoming an Islamic Republic.

23 March 1962: The 43rd annual Shura was held and attended by 452 representatives. The house showed consensus on the establishment of a home for orphans and people with meagre means. This home was later named as Iqama-tulNusrat.

23 March 1963: The chief minister of Indian Punjab visited Qadian on this date.

24 March 1900: Upon the instruction of Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin, may Allah be pleased with him, a special record-keeping department was introduced to monitor the donations for Jamaat projects.

24 March 1936: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra led the congregation in prayer to mark the inauguration of a new mosque in Retichalla, a neighbourhood in Qadian.

24 March 1944: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra lodged a campaign for the youth of the Jamaat to devote their lives for the Jamaat as it needed devotees in almost all departments to operate effectively.

Furthermore, Huzoorra shared that the Jamaat needed 200 scholars and experts to devote their lives in the near future.

24 March 1949: To inspect the preparations being made for Jalsa Salana Rabwah, Hazrat Continued on page 13

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

Those among them who have not yet joined them Hazrat Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: “We were sitting with the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, when Surah alJumuah was revealed to him. When he recited the verse, ‘And among others from among them who have not yet joined them’, a man asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who are these people (who will hold the rank of the companions of the Prophet and

have not yet joined them).’ But the Prophetsa did not answer him. The man repeated his question three times. The narrator says that Hazrat Salman Farsira was sitting amongst us. The Holy Prophetsa put his hand on his shoulder and said, ‘Even if faith was to ascend to the Pleiades, men from among his people will bring it back to earth.’” (Sahih alBukhari)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

Continued from page 1

His purpose was to guide mankind back to its Creator and to establish communion with Him. To turn this into a reality, Hazrat Ahmadas emphasised for humanity to adhere to the Islamic teachings of upholding “rights of God and the rights of His creation.”

The 19th century culture of atheism and disbelief had led people away from worshiping and recognising God Almighty.

As this disbelief grew, so did the injustices.

Hazrat Ahmadas proved to the world, not only intellectually, but through clear divine signs, that God Almighty exists and serving His creation meant adopting morals of humility, humanity, compassion and forgiveness.

His community of believers began worshipping God through the stillness of the night and serving humanity during the day. Where arrogance, injustice and misconduct were rife, a “new creation” was forged by Allah the Almighty that adopted humility, absolute justice and compassion for mankind. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas was not only the Messiah for the misguided Muslims, rather he was there for all of humanity, those present and those who were to come.

Today, the torchbearer of this light continues this effort, drawing mankind back to God and saving it from the pit of disaster.

This torchbearer, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, may Allah be his Helper, echoes to the world what the Promised Messiahas was told to preach. He travels from East to West imploring the nations of the world to recognise their Creator and adopt true justice and service towards mankind.

By the grace of Allah Almighty, Al Hakam was relaunched two years ago (23

March 2018) by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. Its aim has been to amplify the message of the Promised Messiahas throughout the world, paying special focus to the West.

By printing the words of our current Khalifa, publishing academic articles and research, showcasing the great legacy of Islam, presenting the true teachings of religion and showing to the world how Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya continues to spread the dawn of a new era, Al Hakam feels honoured to contribute to the purpose of the Promised Messiahas.

When Al Hakam was launched during the time of the Promised Messiahas, it aided him to the extent that he labelled it as “an arm” for the spread of his mission.

“Al Hakam was a champion in that grand victory and it was a sign of God” said its first Editor, Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira. (Al Hakam, 21-28 February 1920) To bring the current world that is engulfed and burning in the flames of atheism and materialism back to the threshold of God Almighty is a feat that is far from over. However, every day, the spirit and awe of the Promised Messiahas is being established throughout the world.

As Ahmadi Muslims, 23 March should serve not only as a celebration to recall the great Champion of Islam but as a day for introspect and reflection.

Are we, dwellers of this earth, part of the “new heaven and earth” the Promised Messiahas said he had come to bring? Or have we deviated from what he expected from us and fallen into the pit of disbelief?

May Allah help us in understanding our responsibilities and fulfilling them to the highest possible standards. Amin.

To beg is human and to bestow is divine To beg is human and to bestow is divine. A person who does not understand and accept this fact is false ... The beneficence of graciousness (rahmaniyyat) and mercy (rahimiyyat) are not two independent phenomena. Therefore, an individual who abandons one and seeks the other cannot benefit from either. The demands of graciousness are to develop within us the strength to benefit from the grace of God’s mercy. One who does not do this is ungrateful for divine favour. The َ َ َ words ‫ ِإ ّیاك � ْع ُب ُد‬mean that we worship Allah alone, whilst always giving due consideration to the apparent ways and means that He has made available to us. If language, which is the product of our nerves and muscles, had not existed, we would not be able to speak. We were granted a language, which for the purpose of prayer, has the ability to articulate the very sentiments of our heart. If we never make use of our tongues to pray, this is our own misfortune.

There are many illnesses, which if contracted by the tongue, can deprive it of its ability to function all at once, to the extent that a person becomes a mute. What a beautiful

manifestation of divine mercy it is that we have been bestowed a tongue. Similarly, if the form of our ears became corrupted, we would not be able to hear a thing. So too is the case of the heart. If the state of fear and humility, and the faculties of contemplation and reflection with which man has been vested become corrupted, all these faculties, more or less, become useless. Just observe those who are mad and see how their faculties become futile. Is it not then incumbent upon us to value these God-given favours that we have been granted? If we abandon the faculties that Allah Almighty has blessed us with on account of His immense grace, so that they should rot, then we are invariably ungrateful for the favours of God. Hence, remember that if you leave your faculties and strength to hang idle and offer prayer, then such supplications will be of no benefit. For when we have failed to make use of the gift that has already been bestowed to us, how can we be expected to make good and beneficial use of another?

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 126-127)

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The resolute servant of an ardent devotee An exclusive look at the passion and love Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa has for the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace be upon him

Asif M Basit

The Promised Messiah’sas portrait was placed in the Fazl Mosque office of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa at such an angle that whilst looking at Huzoor’saa blessed countenance, the picture was also in view.

On so many instances, during brief pauses in discussions with Huzooraa, I would shift my glance up towards the picture and then towards Huzooraa. At every such occasion, I would think how this person, who is the Khalifa and successor of the Messiah of the Latter Days and the Awaited Mahdi, thought of his connection with him.

Of course, this question is not easy to pose. Therefore, it is incorrect to suggest that I – or anyone for that matter – understand this feeling. We can only imagine what it must feel like.

On the blessed occasion of the Promised Messiahas Day, let us take a look at a few of such occasions that reflect this love. These are but a few instances and mere opinions; who can actually summarise such a vast subject?

In mid-2007, I received an instruction from Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa that a monthly news bulletin should be aired on MTA International on the persecution of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.

Preparations for the programme were underway and within only a few weeks, a monthly show commenced by the name of Persecution News.

It had been a year since this programme started, when a Pakistani channel aired a hate-filled programme against the Jamaat, wherein the Ahmadis were declared wajibul-qatl [liable to be killed]. As a result, two sincere Ahmadi Muslims were martyred.

In accordance with Huzoor’saa instruction, the conversation on our show took a turn towards “Are Ahmadis wajibul-qatl?”, “Does Islam allow such murder?”, “Are the beliefs of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya contradictory to Islamic teachings?”, and “What are the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat?”

Huzooraa instructed that an email

address and telephone number be provided to viewers so that they could ask any question they had on the topic and answers be given accordingly. Huzooraa also said that Ahmadi scholars should be invited on the show.

Huzooraa would usually himself give guidance on most of the questions we received. The love and passion with which Huzooraa would answer allegations against the person of the Promised Messiahas would show the immense reverence

and attachment Huzooraa had with the Promised Messiahas.

“Why do you not ask them that …”

“First, tell them to answer why …” and other similar sentences are preserved in my notebooks and memory.

This unyielding passion showed me, for the first time, the pure, deep and firmly rooted love Huzooraa had in his heart for Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas.

Eventually, this programme went on to exclusively detail the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Islam and became known as Rah-e-Huda.

None of us had the courage to broadcast an Urdu show live. Those familiar with the Urdu language and especially the Punjabi language (and nature) know that there are certain “eloquences” and expressions that are unsuitable for a decent environment.

Due to this fear and our lack of courage, we refrained from ever suggesting doing the programme live. But when Huzooraa instructed us to broadcast this show live, at every step of the way, he guided us in such a manner that we never faced any caller who used foul language for the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.

Huzooraa guided us in great detail – how to take calls, how to talk to questioners and how to answer their questions – and that too in a manner that never allowed anyone to hurl abuse at the Promised Messiahas.

It is impossible for me to narrate here all the guidance that Huzooraa gave as it spans over a decade, but the summary of each instruction was: “The politeness of your tone will influence the questioner and how politely they ask their question. If you address them politely, then no matter how spiteful someone may be, they will feel ashamed to hurl abuse at the Promised Messiahas.”

This instruction was completely in accord with the Quranic teachings and I feel pride in saying that through Huzooraa, I got to witness first-hand the miracles of this Quranic teaching. Alhamdolillah!

After every programme, I would have a mulaqat and Huzooraa would enquire about the questions in detail. At times, Huzooraa

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would have seen parts of the show and would comment and guide us in light of the answers that were given.

In my experience, Huzooraa would go into greater detail about the questions that related to the blessed person of the Promised Messiahas. While answering such questions, I would witness a mixture of love and indignation, which has not been observed anywhere else. And how can it be? After all, he is the Khalifa and successor of the Promised Messiahas and no one can have more love and jealousy for him.

After some time, a new set was designed for the show. On the wall, a portrait of the Promised Messiahas was displayed. When I went to see Huzooraa for a mulaqat, he remarked: “The studio lights reflect off the glass of the framed portrait in such a way that the picture appears distorted. Either remove the glass from the frame or place it at an angle that it does not reflect the light. In fact, nowadays, such glass can be purchased that does not reflect light. If you were going to place the Promised Messiah’sas portrait, then you should have found the best frame for it!”

In keeping with the subject of love and passion for the Promised Messiahas, it is also worth mentioning that I have observed the most perfect expression of love and indignation for the Promised Messiahas in Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. During the course of a discussion on the show, once, in a natural expression of love, a panellist displayed a level of passion that forced him to raise his voice, which escalated to a tone of anger. In the following mulaqat, Huzooraa said, “Tell all panellists that there is no need to get furious. As long as I am not raising my voice, no one needs to raise their voice. Answers should be given softly and with love.”

You and I can attest to the fact that no matter the cruelties meted out to members of the Jamaat, the love and passion for his Jamaat has never permitted Huzooraa to express himself as does a normal human being. Huzoor’s expression of passion and love is that of a perfect believer.

What is also attestable is that the love and indignation in Huzoor’saa soft tone is even more powerful than mighty slogans. And how could it not be?

The Promised Messiahas outlined the signs of a truthful imam in his book, Zururat-ul-Imam [The Need for the Imam], among which is that he would never be quick-tempered.

Whilst commissioning programmes for MTA, Huzooraa always reminds us that the purpose is to remind mankind of the true teachings of Islam, which God Almighty sent to the world once more through the Promised Messiahas.

There are countless examples where guidance was sought and Huzooraa picked out a book of the Promised Messiahas, found the relevant portion and gave guidance accordingly. On almost every such occasion, after reading a passage, Huzooraa would say with utmost certainty, “The answer to everything can be found within the writings of the Promised Messiahas.”

If I ever mentioned that an accusation was made against the writings of the

channel. From among the organisers, someone said that there were not many Arabic programmes that could be played on such a permanent basis. To this, Huzooraa responded, “Programmes will be made in due course. Even if the recitation of the Holy Quran is played day and night, the purpose will be served.”

This subject is a never-ending one. I conclude this article with details of a recent mulaqat I had with Huzooraa.

On 7 March, I entered Huzoor’s office.

A certain someone was being referred to during the course of our discussion, who, in his misfortune, had separated himself from the Jamaat. Huzooraa said: “After I read out a message in Arabic on MTA and quoted the message of the Promised Messiahas to the Arab world, I received a letter from him saying that he had never actually pondered over the intricacies of the message before. He said, ‘Today, I have reflected upon it and have found new meanings within it.’ Aside from this, he attested to the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas verbally and through letters countless times. Now, he talks in contrast to what they used to believe.

Either he was lying then or is lying now.

He is, of course, lying now. The claim of the Promised Messiahas was true, is true today and shall continue to remain true! No one’s testimony is required for its truthfulness [to become evident].”

I had not got over the spell cast on me from the conviction, fervour and certainty with which Huzooraa had said these words that Huzooraa continued: “Recently, a video of a maulvi was being spread on social media, in which he fell unconscious whilst talking about the Promised Messiahas. People assumed that perhaps he had died.

“Firstly, he did not die, but only passed out. Secondly, the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas is not dependant on the death of a maulvi. ‫ئ‬ �‫رک‬ ‫ی‬ ‫دنمش رمے ےت وخیش ہن‬ ‫انجسں وی رماجان‬ “[Do not delight in the death of a foe, for friends too shall also die eventually] There are countless examples of opponents of the Promised Messiahas who died. But the expression of his truthfulness does not require the death of a person. Jamaate-Ahmadiyya, was, is and always will be true.”

I wish to conclude this article with Huzoor’saa blessed words. There is so much energy, strength and conviction in these words that to utter anything afterwards will be impertinent: “Some people say that if so and so dies, then they will enter Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.

Others say that as they do not have children, once a child is born to them, they will accept Ahmadiyyat. I always say to such people that the truth of the Promised Messiahas does not rely on the death or birth of a person. There are countless signs of support from God with the Promised Messiahas. To establish the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas, Allah the Almighty manifested so many signs that if a pure-hearted person reflects, then no doubt can be cast on his truthfulness!”

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiahas, with his son Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Sharif Ahmadra, the paternal grandfather of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa Promised Messiahas, Huzooraa would find the quoted portion, study the paragraphs before, after and of the passage in question, and from within those lines, would find the answer. Then, very calmly, compassionately and confidently, he would say, “The fact is that when an allegation is made against the writings of the Promised Messiahas, its context should be studied. Thus, the solution comes to light.”

It has so happened that if Huzooraa ever needed to find a specific part from a book of the Promised Messiahas, but due to the shortage of time in the mulaqat, he was not able to, that same evening, I would receive a message pertaining to the passage Huzooraa was searching for earlier and guidance on it.

One sentence said by Huzooraa sticks in my memory. I wish to quote it here and preserve it. Huzooraa once said: “Whatever the Promised Messiahas wrote or said was all under the direct command of Allah the Almighty. So, how can there be anything objectionable in it?”

Once, I had entered Huzoor’saa office for a mulaqat and had not yet said anything, when Huzooraa said: “The Promised Messiah’sas na‘tiyah poetry [in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa] is played on MTA, but

couplets should also be played separately and repeatedly, as one or two couplets each.

The whole world should come to learn of the love the Promised Messiahas had for the Holy Prophetsa.”

Immediately after the mulaqat, fillers were made in accordance with Huzoor’s directives. Huzooraa was notified of this through a letter and the na‘tiyah couplets began playing on MTA at intervals.

As I entered Huzoor’saa office for my next mulaqat, I informed him about this verbally also. Huzooraa replied, “Yes, I saw that they were being played. But they are not playing as frequently as I wanted.”

The Promised Messiahas was immersed in the love of the Holy Prophetsa. His Khulafa are also immersed in this love, for which there is no limit that it can be said to be enough.

There is a famous narration of Hazrat Mirza Sultan Ahmad regarding his father, the Promised Messiahas, that he had a copy of the Holy Quran with him at all times and that he must have read that copy, back to front, at least 10,000 times.

This thought occurred to me with great vigour when Munir Odeh Sahib told me that just before the birth of MTA 3 AlArabiyya, Huzooraa expressed his desire for the Arab world to have an exclusive

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The purpose of the advent as of the Promised Messiah An address delivered by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra on 29 January 1926. Translated from the original Urdu to English by the Fazl-e-Umar Foundation.

After reciting the tashahud, ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II and Musleh-e-Maud, may Allah be pleased with him, said: In the world of religion, every recipient of divine revelation raised by God comes with a purpose and mission.

Most [fundamental] truths were disclosed to human beings in the earliest days of their existence, but despite this, it is part of human nature to neglect certain essential principles unless they are repeatedly emphasised. Consequently, God Almighty asserted certain truths relevant to the needs and circumstances of a particular time through His prophets and chosen ones.

Presently, I will not elaborate on the movements brought by these earlier messengers, for they are clear and evident.

Instead, today, I wish to discuss the specific mission with which the Promised Messiahas came into this world.

By this I do not mean the teachings he brought with him like the earlier prophets did, but rather the way of thought he desired to spread in the world. Indeed, all prophets sought to establish a new mode of thinking that met the requirements of their people.

Similarly, I will not discourse on the vices these prophets wanted to remove or the virtues they wished to establish and which the Promised Messiahas also emphasised during his lifetime. For example, every prophet stressed belief in the Unity of God. However, this tenet gradually became more comprehensive and lucid in accordance with the intellectual development of humankind.

Like earlier prophets, the Promised Messiahas also taught belief in the oneness of God but elucidated it in such a manner that was unparalleled by any other prophet of any other faith [except for the Holy Prophetsa himself]. This is a subject which I recently discussed in one of my sermons.

Likewise, the love of God Almighty is a virtue emphasised by all the prophets, including the Promised Messiahas.

In the current age, one prevalent failing is the tendency to give preference to the affairs of the world, over one’s religion. The Promised Messiahas affirmed the importance of removing this shortcoming. Thus, rather than [focussing on] the efforts he undertook to establish belief and good conduct, I will speak about the intellectual transformation he initiated, and the things its encompassed.

That is to say, the spirit that underlies both

�‫ن ی‬ �‫ی‬ ‫ا�ز‬ ‫ٓامزہب از رایتس ہنتف‬ ‫دروغ تحلصم‬

faith and action.

Looking at the teachings of the Promised Messiahas with this purpose in mind, it is clear that he advanced two [overarching] concepts in an unparalleled way.

The first is the message of hope. In truth, all prophets guided their people towards a certain way of thinking based on the needs of their time and circumstances. Accordingly, the Promised Messiahas also instilled hope in the people of the world.

By hope, I do not mean a sense of easiness that makes a person free of worry, or [hollow] optimism bereft of action, or [empty] supplications marked by helplessness. Rather, I am referring to that hope which arises from knowing that God has indeed endowed human beings with all the subtle strengths, hidden capacities, and inherent faculties necessary to fulfil their primary purpose [in life] – that is, to attain the nearness of God. It was to this end that human beings were created with such phenomenal powers, strengths, and capabilities.

This is the type of hope I refer to; to know that despite the limitations of our physical existence, we have infinite capacities and all conceivable abilities to achieve this singular purpose. This idea had never before been presented with such force and cogency as was done by the Promised Messiahas.

In earlier times, prophets would inspire both hope and restraint through various means. They would strive to revive the spiritually dead; they would endeavour to eradicate superstitions and bring people back to the truth; they would warn those who were idle and heedless; and they would stop people possessed of arrogance from trampling upon the emotions of others.

Even so, no prophet [apart from the Holy Prophet] ever offered the [same magnitude] of hope as the Promised Messiahas did.

The second teaching presented by the Promised Messiahas in a new and original manner – and which became a core theme of all his writings and discourses – the idea of self-reformation. He argued that nothing in the world is, in itself, the object of anything; actions are merely a shell under which lies the kernel, like a dress layered over a body; and that this kernel or body is the spirit underlying all conduct. Actions that produce mischief, vice, disarray or conflict are futile, no matter how virtuous and honourable they may appear to be.

Any deed that does not generate spiritual enhancement is, in its essence, meaningless.

Hence, the Promised Messiahas emphasised that the drive for self-improvement must be at the heart of all our actions. However, this does not mean the type of self-reform once described by a poet in the couplet:

That is, if wisdom dictates it, it is better to speak a lie than a truth that leads to disharmony. These are little more than empty words that advocate for momentary gain over long-term consequences. People who adhere to such reasoning have not thought it through properly. Intentions that underlie actions are not perceptible.

Whenever people, including children, hear a lie, they draw from this that a person they once trusted has deceived them.

The intention behind the lie is irrelevant.

Such actions have the potential to spread dishonesty and cause national moral decay.

Lying can sometimes quell a disagreement that would otherwise arise from speaking the truth, but ultimately falsehood will destroy peace in the world.

Such people give no thought to the wider consequences of their actions, nor do they understand that truthfulness does not necessarily mean the full disclosure of information; that there is a middle ground between telling the truth and lying – that is to say silence. Why would a person not choose silence when it is an option for them, especially if a truth runs the risk of creating discord and lying is inherently immoral?

However, the Promised Messiahas did not imply that a person should always step back from such matters that fuel conflict when he spoke of self-reformation. Some issues bring long-term gains, even at the expense of short-term loss. The Promised Messiahas noted that a person should see things through a longer-term perspective that considers all the possible consequences of an action – whether physical or spiritual, religious or secular, or whether they concern the creation [of God] or [God] the Creator.

He said that a person ought to act prudently based on an assessment of all the factors.

These are the two primary teachings presented by the Promised Messiahas and following them has the potential to solve the issues faced by the world today. The light of these teachings can penetrate the bleakest recesses of the world and extinguish [spiritual] darkness.

Members of our community must remember that this is an age of hope and self-reform in which despondence will be

7

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM driven away because despair comes from Satan. There is a prophecy concerning the Promised Messiahas which says that he would destroy the head of Satan. And in Arabic, Satan is called Iblis and defined as one who despairs.

Hence, this prophecy signifies that the Promised Messiahas would eradicate despair.

But by no means does it imply that he would eliminate this emotion that has been created

by God and is meant to endure until the Day of Judgment. In truth, Iblis has been created as an opposing force to the angels to drive human beings away from virtue.

Thus, if Iblis were eliminated altogether, it would imply that the angels were no longer needed. However, this cannot be the case as angels will continue to exist until Day of Judgement, after which it is unclear what will become of their existence.

Consequently, the existence of Iblis is essential for human beings to attain the nearness of God. They cannot be deserving of reward without passing through trial and difficulty. The absence of Iblis would, therefore, amount to an absence of paradise and all the bounties of God Almighty.

Note that goats and cattle cannot attain paradise because Iblis does not act as a counterforce for them. Meanwhile, human beings are granted paradise owing to their struggle against Iblis. Thus, only after being subjected to trials and tribulations do people become deserving of reward. In short, Iblis cannot be destroyed given the afflictive role he plays in the [development] of human beings.

Did the Promised Messiahas completely eradicate evil from the world? No, and it would have been impossible for him to have done so. For if he had, evil would not persist in the world. So the prophecy about defeating Iblis did not mean that the Promised Messiahas would wipe the force that incites people to evil from the face of the earth. Instead, it meant that he would trample despair and bring about real hope in its place. Aside from this, there can be no other interpretations of this prophecy.

Therefore, one mission of the Promised Messiahas was to bring a message of hope, eradicate despair and hopelessness and generate winds of positivity in the world.

Every individual who embraces this hope is assisting the Promised Messiahas in defeating Iblis.

Conversely, anyone who gives in to despair and pessimism works towards sustaining that which the Promised Messiahas was sent to destroy. In the same way, those who take short-term actions hamper the mission of the Promised Messiahas, for a person who is prudent in their conduct will only adopt a course of action that produces good results, after having assessed its spiritual and material merits. Only such people support the mission of the Promised Messiahas.

Thus, I call on all my friends and brothers to pay heed to the message brought by the Promised Messiahas: to trample the head of Iblis by developing hope and optimism within themselves. But it must be remembered that hope always co-exists with fear. Even though hope is born when there is a strong prospect of attaining something, there is always a persistent fear of hurdles coming in the way. Thus, the word hope is

Ahmadiyyat will never perish

“Rest assured that this [mission] has been sowed by the hands of God. God shall never lay it to waste. He will not be pleased until He causes it to reach perfection and He will irrigate it and build a boundary wall around it and grant it extraordinary progress. Did you not try your hardest [to destroy this mission]? If it were a human act, this tree would have been cut down and no sign or trace of it would have been left behind.� (Anjam-e-Atham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11, p.64)

closely connected with fear.

The Promised Messiahas elevated our community to a place of optimism which was far removed from despair. Had the nation to whom the Promised Messiahas was sent not been gripped by despondency at the time of his advent, a [divine] prophecy pertaining to the vanquishing of Iblis could not have been made.

In the age in which the Promised Messiahas was sent, Muslims, themselves, were predicting that Christianity would devour Islam within a century. In this way, they were succumbing to Christianity and moulding the teachings of Islam in ways that were more compliant with Christian beliefs.

Yet, how different are things today?

Whether or not people believed in the Promised Messiahas, the currents of hope brought by him in the world inevitably reached them. Even those who rejected the Promised Messiahas were drenched by his rain. For example, in Europe and other Western nations, there are many people who now write in favour of belief in the afterlife.

[These were people] who had previously subscribed to false ideas and denied the afterlife from a sense of hopelessness. In this way, not only did the Promised Messiahas bring the light of hope for Muslims, but also

for Europeans [and other Western nations as well].

The Promised Messiahas has written that even though a prophet does not travel to every place, God Almighty still inspires the hearts of people everywhere through His angels; therefore, everyone experiences the ripples created by the advent of His prophet.

In this way, an extraordinary change is affected in the world through His prophet, because of the divine help he receives through the agency of the angels. Thus, even though the Promised Messiahas never visited Western nations and until now, nor have our missionaries, the emerging advancements [in all disciplines] are a by-product of the same waves created by the Promised Messiahas.

Indeed, a prophecy of the Holy Quran also speaks of nations that will aspire to excel one another in the time of the Promised Messiahas.

This desire is also a mark of hope and one can see this taking place in all nations.

[For example] Hindus, who, for centuries, were passive about their faith and did not permit others to join their religion, now admit to [the importance of] growth in gaining prevalence in the world and have more readily begun to accept converts.

Similarly, the Jews, who did not

previously allow [gentiles] to enter their faith, are now doing so with the purpose of bolstering their numbers.

These nations are like the shrubs that grow next to mushrooms. The rain of hope emanating from the Promised Messiahas has no doubt reached other [nations] and uplifted their spirits.

Therefore, it would be a cause of great regret if our own community squandered the spirit with which it was endowed, while others benefitted from it. If simple shrubs can grow as a result of the rain of the Promised Messiahas, then why not ripe fruits?

I therefore call on the community to have true hope and forsake pessimism, for anyone who gives in to despondency cannot be faithful to the Promised Messiahas. A person can only remain connected with him, if their heart becomes a fountain of infinite hope.

I pray that God the Exalted fills in the members of our community with optimism and eradicates all despair, which is the true source of ruin and destruction. Amin.

(Al Fazl, 5 February 1926; Translated by the Fazl-e-Umar Foundation)

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

8

Rage against the Raj: Revisiting Jihad in British India

Ahmadiyya ARC

That it moves on is seen to be both the worst and the best quality of time; the best when we want it to pass and the worst when we wish it stopped. But this one-way, linear movement of time has never come to a halt and what we have as the end-product is thousands of years of history, and counting.

Problems arise when these ever-growing volumes of history start to change colour, with the tint of opinion getting darker than the shade of fact. The same has happened with the question of Jihad against foreign rulers in the British-Indian subcontinent.

As definitions of Jihad were altered under opportunist agendas, a great service of a great reformer was painted as his crime against Islam. The story is long and windy so we will sum it up here to fit a few columns, yet bring to life the history of this important aspect of Muslim history in South Asia.

The mutiny of 1857 witnessed a confusion among the Muslim ulema and leaders as to whether waging Jihad against the British was Islamically justified or not.

While this episode was to set the scene for anti-British sentiment among Indian Muslims, it also fixated the confusion surrounding the Muslim reaction in terms of Jihad.

The question of whether India was a Dar-ul-Harb or Dar-ul-Salam (land of war or land of peace, respectively) was to linger all along up until the partition of India and, in all honesty, still very much does in modified shape and form.

With uprisings of the Yusufzai tribes of the North-Western Province badly crushed by the British, the Ambala Expedition of 1863 worked as a deterrent for many Muslim circles with anti-British Jihad tendencies, but some continued to thrive on it.

The situation of a foreign and disbelieving ruler was fairly novel and called for a novel approach. It was this response that Muslim ulema failed to unite on and the Dar-ulHarb/Dar-ul-Salam debate lay open.

Followers of Shah Waliullah Dehlvi’srh

philosophy of Jihad seemed to find a leg to stand on, but the British part of the equation remained unbalanced for the uniqueness of the situation; Sikhs had been seen as disbelievers by the Waliullah brand of Islam, but were at least not foreigners.

The majority of moderate Muslim scholars questioned the validity of Jihad against the British and signed fatwas declaring India a Dar-ul-Salam. That the British allowed Muslims to practice their religion served as the pivot of fatwas against taking up arms.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Karamat Ali Jaunpuri, Nawab Abdul Latif Khan, Maulvi Chiragh Ali and Syed Amir Ali were among the prominent Muslim figures to hold this view. (Ayesha Jalal, Partisans of Allah: Jihad in South Asia, 2008; Ghulam Muhammad Jaffar, The Repudiation of Jihad by the Indian Scholars in the Nineteenth Century, Hamdard Islamicus, Autumn 1992) Maulvi Nazir Hussain of Delhi, despite his strong disposition of Shah Waliullah’srh Jihadist philosophy, sided with the above.

“Mirza Ghulam Ahmad…”, writes Ayesha Jalal, “rejected armed jihad as anachronistic.”

Jalal, in her work, Partisans of Allah goes into further detail of how Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas “made concerted attempts to rethink jihad in the light of British colonial rule.”

All such fatwas must be commended as they definitely were providing advice based on Islamic teachings, but here, we wish to bring to light the effort of one person who went the extra mile to promote this peacebuilding initiative.

The man we are going to mention in the following lines had, unlike others named above, no huge funds and was not living in a great metropolitan city. He was from a very small town called Qadian, but was restless from seeing Islamic teachings misconstrued and misrepresented by some so-called Muslims, only to quench their thirst of religious bigotry.

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace

be upon him, claiming to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, wanted the world to see how grand a meaning the doctrine of Jihad entailed; that it was much broader and deeper in its meaning than mere warfare.

In the wake of this situation, Hazrat Ahmadas, hitting the nail on the head, wrote a treatise titled Jehad and the British Government in May 1900. He invested his already meagre and insufficient funds into having it published from Caxton Printing Works in Lahore and circulating it to as many parts of the country as possible, especially in the area that lay between the borders of the Punjab and Afghanistan, later to be officially named the NorthWestern Province by the British Government.

He approached the government officials, sent them his treatise and offered to have more printed at his own expense in order to propagate the true concept of Islamic Jihad.

One such official that he wrote to was Sir Francis Cunningham, the commissioner and superintendent of Peshawar. The first letter read (the scan of this letter can be seen on page 13): “Qadian “30th July 1900 “Sir, “Herewith I beg to enclose a pamphlet in English and an Urdoo handbill. The former is the translation of my work recently written in Urdoo on the illegality of Jehad, and the latter a fatwa in Urdoo and Arabic prohibiting Jehad, both works being based on the text of the Holy Quran and authentic traditions. My object in them has been to show that the bloody deeds perpetrated under the guise of Jehad are totally opposed to the teachings of the Holy Quran.

“Both these writings have been largely circulated in the Punjab and India. I beg also to submit that copies of the Urdoo pamphlet on Jehad and of the handbill can be placed at your disposal for further circulation in the Frontier districts.

“The English translation is submitted for your information as to the contents of the work. “[Signed] Mirza Ghulam Ahmad “Chief of Qadian, Punjab.”

Sir Francis Cunningham wrote back (the scan of the letter can be seen on page 13) saying: “To, “Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Kadiyan [sic] “8th August 1900 “I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 30th July and to thank you for sending a copy of your pamphlet on Jehad. So far as I can judge, it appears to be a just and enlightened explanation of the doctrine of Islamic Jihad and is equally creditable of your learning and judgement.

“I have no doubt such a statement from a teacher of your reputation will be welcomed by all good Mahomedans as a vindication of their faith, and as proof that Islam does not countenance crimes which ignorant and wicked men may commit under the cloak of Religion.

“I should be glad to see your Risala and fatwa widely distributed in frontier districts.

“[Signed] Francis D Cunningham “8/8/00” To this, Hazrat Ahmadas replied: “Qadian “20th August 1900 “Hon’ble Sir, “I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 8th instant and thank you for your kind appreciation of the humble service I have done to my religion, country and Govt.

“It is my own ardent desire that this pamphlet on Jehad (in Urdoo) should be widely circulated among the frontier people and the work was written chiefly with that object in view. Copies of the pamphlet were distributed immediately after its publication in several places on the frontier and fifty more copies have been sent for distribution in Peshawar, after the receipt of your letter.

But to secure a better and wider circulation in the Mufussil and amongst the Mullas and village headmen, local information and assistance is necessary which I cannot secure owing to the distance of my residence from that part of the country …

“Being based on the Quran, I am sure the work will prove an effective remedy for the error in to which most Mullas and the ignorant public under their influence, have fallen; and the reformation of their corrupt ideas, the necessary consequences of which shall be the fanatic murders under the guise of Jehad, shall be a sufficient reward to me for the work I shall thus have done.

“I humbly beg to submit that in taking all these pains I do not lay any body under obligation; nor do I ask for any return or reward from anyone. It is my heart’s inmost desire to bring about a reformation and to uproot the evil ideas equally opposed to moral and social laws, that now prevail among the Muslims.

“Although the strong arguments with which the Quran and traditions have supplied me are sufficient guarantee of my success in extirpating the savage ideas of Jehad, yet I am not unaware of the difficulties in my way and know full well that the reformation I aim at can not be brought about in a day. For not only are the frontier people opposed to me in these views but even the Moulvis of this country

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Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

Correspondence between Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas and Sir Francis Cunningham, the commissioner and superintendent of Peshawar | Ahmadiyya ARC

entertain, in this respect, ideas which it is my mission to wipe off from the face of the earth. Along with the conviction of my ultimate success, therefore, I am certain that I can only gradually win over the Muslims to my views. It is for this reason that I request you to assist me in the circulation.

I do not ask from the Govt. any pecuniary assistance nor do I trouble its officials to gaining any personal benefit. My desire for the eradication of the false doctrines of Jehad arises out of my love for truth and I cannot rest until I have rid Islam of the false charge that is put against it.

“It is possible that the tenor of my writings may offend some Christian gentlemen who look at matters only superficially. But it should be remembered that if I depart from the path of truth and like flatterers forbear to mention the errors of the Christians along with those of Muslims laying stress upon the prohibition of Jehad only, my writings shall not be worth a straw and they shall fall off in the eyes of the Muslim public and prove fruitless for the ignorant masses. For when with all this support of Islam, I have been pronounced a Kafir and dajjal, how can I expect to gain any benefit by adopting any other method. My books would then have been thrown off by all orthodox and not the slightest heed would have been paid to them.

“My policy is not that of a hypocrite, for I love the truth that has been revealed to me. My object is that the doctrine of Jehad which has brought such a disgrace upon Islam and lent support to so many innocent murders should be extirpated from amongst the Muslims. Very few moulvis have responded to my call but about thirty thousand Muslims in different parts of the country have bade farewell to this inveterate evil custom and have now a firm belief in my doctrines. “[Signed] Mirza Ghulam Ahmad “Chief of Qadian, Gurdaspur” This letter brings us to a point where a century-old allegation against the Promised Messiahas automatically fizzles away: The allegation that the Promised Messiahas was deployed by the British Government to disunite Muslims as regards the doctrine of Jihad.

The above letter by the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Ahmadas set the Peshawar administration into motion and we have correspondence of officials writing back and forth to agree on what could be done with the offer.

Cunningham writes to one of the officials to report back and starts his letter with the following words: “I should like your opinion on this.

Personally though I am not a murid of the

Mirza of Kadiyan [sic], he seems to me an enlightened man who deserves respect and honour.”

These lines were addressed to SVO – initials that the Ahmadiyya Archive and Research Centre is in the process of assigning to a name.

This official wrote back saying: “I do not know of any other leading man or mulazim of the offices at Peshawar who has sympathy with the Mirza. There are of course many who hesitate to curse him, who on the contrary call him a good man, having good knowledge of Arabic with powers of rhetoric and religious controversy.

“The Mirza is no doubt an intelligent man and though I am not his murid, I think he is a good man and deserves respect.”

With these good words, the letter goes on to suggest that: “As regards to his treatise on Jehad, I do not think it will meet any appreciation in the Frontier District … He calls himself a Messiah, which a Pathan cannot be made to believe for a moment. I do not think any effort in the way of purchasing copies of this treatise and distributing them in villages will prove successful.

“Moreover, in my humble opinion, Govt. or officials of Govt. should take no initiative in the matter. A spontaneous movement made by Mohammedan or bodies of Mohammedans themselves will be more beneficial than any action taken by Govt. in this respect. The part taken by the Mirza or the Anjuman Islamia Lahore should

have been taken by the Anjuman Himayat e Islam Peshawar or by the Frontier Islamia Club there …”

Through this rare, never before seen correspondence, the Promised Messiahas is seen defending Islam and trying to rid its name of the savagery associated to it and from the brutal practices in the guise of Jihad.

He is seen clearly telling the government that he has also criticised their coreligionist Christian missionaries, where he thought they deserved it.

The government officials are seen enquiring about the Promised Messiahas and his offer – as one does about a stranger and not for one’s own agent. They eventually reach the conclusion that “Anjuman Himayat e Islam Peshawar or the Frontier Islamia Club” can better serve the purpose of pacifying the uprisings of the so-called Jihad.

Shall we wait to hear from the Anjumane-Himayat-e-Islam Peshawar on what they have to say about this? Or will the Frontier Islamia Club get back to us with their take?

Do they not appear to be a more favourite choice for the British government? Do they even exist?

If they do, we invite anyone from these “Muslim” organisations to get back to us at Al Hakam or, for that matter, to any of the millions of Ahmadis living in any of the 213 countries of the world.

Albeit in vain, we do very much look forward to hearing back from you!

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

10

A prophet in the making A look at the early life of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas Part I Ataul Fatir Tahir

Most twenty-year-olds embark on their journey to circumnavigate the world of “opportunity”; seeking careers, social status, work promotions, and financial independency.

The impulsive and rather rash years of being a teenager fade and the adulthood of finding one’s footing in the world sinks in – especially with those in their late twenties.

Where the norm profusely struggles in the rat-race of worldly pursuits, prophets of God take another route.

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, a prophet of God, peace be upon him, was no different; born in British India circa 1835, his childhood, teenage years and adulthood never set eyes on wealth or social status; his passion greatly differed to the norm.

The Promised Messiah’sas familial roots were from well-respected and affluent Persian heritage (Hayat-e-Tayyaba, p. 2) and his father, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Murtaza was well-acquainted with the world around him, often sending the young Hazrat Ahmadas to represent him in court cases; a task that was not preferred by Hazrat Ahmadas and only pursued out of respect for his father.

The views of father and son regarding work and profession differed, as his father, naturally, desired for his son to have a respected career and be set in life financially, a passion that the young Ahmadas did not share.

As the mutiny of 1857 had just ended and

working for the British Government would set one up for life, Hazrat Ahmad’sas father had the resources and networking to acquire a governmental job for his son.

Despite knowing this, Hazrat Ahmadas grew up as a youth who gave his love to studying Islam and religion; he would spend hours on end in his father’s library studying, to the extent that his father had to stop him.

(Seerat Masih-e-Maudas, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II, p. 11) Talking of his passion to read during his adolescence, Ahmadas wrote, “In those days I was so engrossed in books as if I was absent from the world. My father continuously advised not to read so much as, out of great sympathy, he worried for my health.” (Kitabul-Bariyya, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 13, p.181) His reading lists were not limited to Islamic literature and as British India was a cauldron of faiths, he read widely into contemporary religions. His study of the Holy Quran was also relentless and he would carry a copy, on which he took notes, reading the same copy about “ten-thousand times”. (Hayat-e-Tayyaba, p.13).

It was not merely education that this youngster was inclined to. Like the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas was a youth ever inclined to worship and prayer – his father famously calling him a “maseetar”, someone who spends their time in a mosque, praying and reciting the Quran. (Hayat-e-Tayiba, p.13) Throughout his teenage and adolescent years, Ahmadas developed a deep and intimate connection with God Almighty.

This connection had sprung from his love of the Holy Prophetsa. Generally speaking, as a teenager, he spent his time in self-study and prayer.

“My time has come” – A spiritually charged youth During his years as a student, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad experienced remarkable visions and dreams.

It is noteworthy that even his father, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Murtaza saw the Holy Prophetsa arriving at his house in great majesty (Kitab-ul-Bariyya, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 13, p. 190). “This was an indication towards the second coming of the Holy Prophetsa” that was to occur through his own son. (Hayat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 1, p. 104) As mentioned, Allah began to communicate with the Promised Messiahas very early on. One dream, in which he met the Holy Prophetsa, indicated his revolutionary future. Talking of the incident, the Promised Messiahas narrated: “My humble self saw Hazrat Khatam-ulAnbiya [Seal of all the Prophets], may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in a dream in 1864 or 1865 in my early youth [this was an estimate and was most probably earlier, said Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra] when I was still pursuing my studies. In my dream, I had in my hand a religious book, which I felt was my own writing. Upon seeing the book, the Holy Prophetsa enquired from me in Arabic, ‘How have you named this book?’ I submitted, ‘I have named it Qutbi.’ The interpretation of this name has now come to my mind on the publication

The Promised Messiah'sas residence in Sialkot

of this well-publicised book [Barahin-eAhmadiyya] that it is a book, which, in its reasoning and arguments, is firm and unshakeable like the polar star. Presenting the firmness of the contents of this book, I have issued a challenge and announced the award of a prize of 10,000 rupees [for anyone who might be able to refute it]. In short, the Holy Prophetsa took that book from me.

The moment the blessed hands of the Holy Prophetsa touched it, it became an attractive and lovely fruit resembling a guava, but as large as a watermelon.

“When the Holy Prophetsa started cutting it into pieces to distribute it, it yielded so much honey that his blessed hand and forearm began to drip with it. Then, a dead body that was lying outside the door came to life as a miracle of the Holy Prophetsa.”

The Promised Messiahas further described the dream and concluded: “To summarise, the Holy Prophetsa handed me a piece of the fruit so that I might give it to the newly revived person, and he bestowed upon me all the remaining pieces.

I gave that one piece to the revived person, which he ate immediately. When he finished eating it, I noticed that the blessed chair of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had risen much higher and the countenance of the Holy Prophetsa began to shine forth like rays of the sun, which was an indication of the revival and progress of Islam. While watching this display of light, I woke up. Allah be praised for all of this.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part III, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 1, pp. 274-276) Another magnificent dream of the Promised Messiah’sas youth was described in the following words by him: “In early youth, when one’s natural inclination is towards play and sport, I saw in my dream that I entered a house in which there were several people, who were my servants and attendants. I said to them, ‘Set up my house and clean up my bed for my time has come.’ Then I woke up in fear of my life, as the impression on my mind was that I was about to die.” (Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, p. 548) Commenting on this dream, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, a great scholar of Islam and the Promised Messiah’sas son, said, “From the words, ‘My time has come,’ the Promised Messiahas understood that he was about to die. However, as subsequent events showed, it meant that the time of his being commissioned as a reformer was imminent.

This interpretation is also supported by another of his revelations [in Persian] ‘Tread joyfully that your time has arrived.’

Allah knows best.” (Tadhkirah, English, p.7) This was only a taste of what was to come for the young Ahmadas; God was about to shower this man with such communion that the world had not witnessed since the Holy

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Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

his own father [the Promised Messiah’sas grandfather] wrote. The couplet was an acceptance of defeat by the Promised Messiah’sas father about their diverse outlooks on life and indicated that chasing the world only results in grief: ‫ہک بج ب ی‬ ‫دت�ر رکات وہں وت رھپ دقت�ی ر یتسنہ ےہ‬ “Whenever I set to plan, it is then that decree begins to laugh.” (Kitab-ul-Bariyyah, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 13, p.190) Before his demise, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Murtaza, the Promised Messiah’sas father, looked back on his life in regret due to his worldly pursuits. As a result, he willed that after his demise, a mosque should be built and within its proximity, his body buried, so that “my ears constantly hear Allah’s name”.

(Kitab-ul-Bariyyah, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 13, p.191)

Prophetsa.

A down-to-earth young adult Hazrat Ahmadas grew up neither worried about worldly wants, nor concerned for superficial respect. He was a man of the people and desired no special treatment, rank or office.

A servant of his, Mirza Ismail Baig Sahib, who would accompany Hazrat Ahmadas to court cases his father would send him to, testified to the Promised Messiah’sas humility.

He explained that whenever they would embark on a journey towards the court, Hazrat Ahmadas “would begin to walk on foot and have me on the horse”. Ismail Baig Sahib said that he would endlessly tell the Promised Messiahas to sit on the horse and said that he felt embarrassed riding on a horse while he walked. However, the Promised Messiahas, in reply, would tell him, “I am not embarrassed by walking, so why are you embarrassed to ride?” Halfway through, the Promised Messiahas would swap positions and ride the horse and when returning, would ask Ismail Baig to ride the horse first. (Hayat-e-Tayyaba, p.16) Another youth who began spending time with Hazrat Ahmadas was Mirza Din Muhammad Sahib. This gentleman explained that Hazrat Ahmadas caught his eye as he observed the Promised Messiahas to religiously follow the Shariah and as someone who was persistent in “fasting and Salat”. (Hayat-e-Tayyaba, p.16) Din Muhammad Sahib would begin to accompany the Promised Messiahas on his trips to courts and observed him closely.

He said that when they would go to Batala, the Promised Messiahas would purchase two rotis (Indian flat bread) and daal (lentils). He would eat one fourth of the roti by soaking it in water and would present the remaining rotis with the daal etc. to a poor man who was the caretaker.

Referring to his diet, Din Muhammad Sahib observed, “He [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas] would eat very little and had no particular zest for food.” (Ibid) The humility, deep self-learning, agonising secluded search for God and love for Islam in British India was God’s upbringing for this spiritual son of His. Up until his late twenties, the Promised Messiahas was in a cocoon at Qadian; his spirituality, piety and zeal for Islam unknown to the wider public, but this was about to change as his “time had come”.

Father and son; a hunt Despite the temperament of Hazrat Ahmadas to steer clear of worldly pursuits, his father (who later accepted his son’s objectives in life as superior) would persistently try to convince his son to find a respectable career and be financially stable – something that was a constant battle. Regarding this tug-ofwar like situation, the Promised Messiahas recalled: “In short, he wished me to completely occupy myself with worldly affairs, which I could not do. Nevertheless, out of goodwill and in order to earn spiritual merit, but not for the sake of any worldly gain, I devoted myself to serving my father and for his sake, I occupied myself with worldly affairs and also supplicated for him. He believed fully that I was dutiful towards my parents …”

(Kitab-ul-Bariyyah, Ruhani Khazain, Vol.

13, pp. 183-184) Once, an English judge, who knew the Proimsed Messiah’sas father well, visited his home. Taking benefit of the opportunity, his father sent a man by the name of Jhanda Singh to fetch Hazrat Ahmadas and say to him that this English gentleman would be able to acquire a respectable job for him.

Describing the situation, Jhanda Singh explained: “When I entered upon Mirza [Ghulam Ahmad] Sahib, I saw that he was surrounded by piles of books and was reading. I conveyed his father’s message to him. Mirza [Ghulam Ahmad] Sahib came out and said, ‘I have become a servant to whom I was destined to.’ In reply, his father asked whether he really had given his life elsewhere? Mirza [Ghulam Ahmad] Sahib said ‘Yes, I have’. To this, his father replied, ‘Alright, if you have become a servant [elsewhere] then that is fine.’” (Hayat-e-Tayyaba, p.18) The Promised Messiahas had reached his late twenties and scientists have confirmed that the last development of the brain is the frontal lobe that fully develops by 25 (Journal of Adolescent Health, September 2009). And so, any attempt to suggest that Hazrat Ahmadas was being reactionary to his father is false, rather he knew what he

wanted in life and it certainly wasn’t a well sought-after career, that was within arms’ reach.

It had been almost 1,400 years since the Holy Prophetsa, the greatest servant of God Almighty, had appeared in the world. Now, the dawn of a new era of Islam was emerging and in British India, this young soul was chosen to be the new servant of Islam. His father, deep down, was content seeing his son devoted solely to Islam, but wanted no stone left unturned in ensuring his son had all possible opportunities to acquire a worldly career.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra interestingly painted the picture of the predicament between Hazrat Ahmadas and his father by saying that “they were out to hunt each other; the father desired to take hold of his son’s views and make him chase worldly prestige and the son wanted to free his father of the dangerous snare of the world and attach him to the love of Allah the Almighty.” (Seerat Masih-e-Maud, p. 14) The Promised Messiah’sas father would even, at times, admit that “this son of mine is doing what is, in reality, most useful.”

(Ibid) His father, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Murtaza, would often quote a couplet that

“It is prison”: Working in Sialkot The Holy Prophetsa lived and worked as a trader before God commissioned him with Islam. Though he spent great time in solitude and prayer, it was during his working life that the wider public became well acquainted with the Prophet’ssa qualities of truthfulness, honesty and fairness. After all, Hazrat Khadijara, a successful and respected businesswoman, sent a proposal of marriage to the 25-year-old Muhammadsa after hearing of his great ethics and morals following a trade tour that Muhammadsa led for her to Syria. (The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophetssa Vol. 1, pp. 147-148) The Holy Quran displays similar narratives with other prophets. Prophet Mosesas was described by a lady to her father in the following words: “O my father, hire him; for the best man that thou canst hire is the one who is strong and trustworthy.”

(Surah al-Qasas, Ch.28: V.27) The spiritual insight, talent and ability of Prophet Josephas impressed the King of Egypt, who addressed Prophet Josephas by saying, “Thou art this day [a man] of established position [and] trust with us” (Surah Yusuf, Ch.12: V.55). In fact, the king appointed Prophet Josephas as the national treasurer as he was “a good keeper [and] possessed of knowledge.” (Surah Yusuf, Ch.12: V.56) God positions prophets within the general populace so that they can better observe the qualities of the prophet; this was the case with Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas as well.

In turn, while living and working amongst people of the world, prophets are exposed to the ills of society and the distance people toil to gain worldly pleasure.

Around 1864, the Promised Messiah’sas father urged his son to go to Sialkot, Punjab to work at a court for the government.

There is still some research to be done about the exact date the Promised Messiahas went to Sialkot to work. The consensus in Jamaat literature is 1864, however the Promised Messiahas, in Lecture Sialkot, states that he spent “approximately seven years” in Sialkot (Lecture Sialkot, p.243).

Further, some narrations in Seerat-ul-Mahdi support this and indicate that he spent more than four years in Sialkot and went in 1863.

(Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 2, p. 178) Nonetheless, out of sheer respect for his father and to uphold Quranic injunctions of obedience toward parents, the Promised Messiahas agreed to work in Sialkot, where

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

12 he resided. At the time, he was in his late twenties and his beard had not fully formed yet. (Seerat-ul-Mahdi, p. 594) The Promised Messiahas worked in various capacities in Sialkot, mostly working in the Ahlmad department that was responsible for logging cases and file keeping etc. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p.82-83) One narration indicates that the Promised Messiahas was also the “deputy sheriff ” at the court (not in the policing department, but a role in the court. Research is needed in regard to this post). (Seerat-ulMahdi, Vol. 2, p. 178) Sialkot was where, for the first time, the young and passionate Ahmadas developed some recognition amongst the locals because of his piety, knowledge, humanity and defence of Islam against Christian missionaries.

Dealing with multiple landlords, living at different locations, meeting a range of people and working at the courts, Hazrat Ahmadsa soaked up the nature of mankind and ills of society. At the same time, these people had begun to take notice of this foreign young man who had come to their city to work, but was miles apart from others.

Discussing his experience in engaging with wider society, the Promised Messiahas later noted, “From that experience, I realised that most people who are engrossed in worldly careers live an immoral life.

There are very few who are vigilant over their prayers and worship and who are able to protect themselves from the prohibited pleasures that confront them.”

He noted how most people only toiled for this “short life” merely to “gain worldly success”. The absence of high morals like “humility”, “humanity”, “forgiveness” and “truthfulness” was absent and ills of “arrogance”, “carelessness of faith” and “misconduct” was rife, the Promised Messiahas said. (Hayat-e-Tayyaba, p.19) Why would Allah place a prophet of God in such an atmosphere, you may ask.

The answer has been given by the Promised Messiahas: “Allah the Almighty’s wisdom was that He wanted me to experience every type of person and for this reason, I had to stay in every kind of company”. (Ibid) Though Allah wanted the young Ahmadas to experience how people really were, the Promised Messiahas despised the environment he was trapped in.

Once, his dear mother sent him some specially tailored clothes. The person who came to deliver the clothes was called Hajjam Hayat, to whom the Promised Messiahas gifted some of those new garments. Hajjam asked the Promised Messiahas whether he was liking the work. The reply he received was, “It is prison”. (Ibid) Nevertheless, the young Ahmadas spent a special time of his life in Sialkot, outside of his daily work at the courts. Describing his stay in the city, he writes: “… those were sweet times for me because I enjoyed solitude among the multitude and I was a unity in diversity.

I lived in the city like a dweller in the wilderness. I love Sialkot as I love Qadian because some of my early years were spent there and I walked around a great deal in the streets of the city.” (Lecture Sialkot [English translation] pp.61-62) An exemplary employee

Despite being averse to spending his days dealing with disputes at the court, Hazrat Ahmadas was a man of principle and worked hard, completing all his tasks with integrity and responsibility. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 82) The locals of Sialkot were not acquainted with Hazrat Ahmad’sas intellectual prowess, but this was about to change, especially for the Christian missionaries.

Once, when Hazrat Ahmadas had just arrived in Sialkot, the deputy commissioner of Sialkot needed to interview an Arab, who they speculated to be a spy. There was no one who could speak and read Arabic fluently, so they called Hazrat Ahmadas and asked him to translate for them. (Seerat-ulMahdi, Vol. 1, p.140) After carrying out the task in Arabic, naturally, the intellectual circles began recognising this young man in their town.

One aspect that must be remembered is that the level of education within the general populace was very low in British India. The Promised Messiah’sas proficiency in Arabic at the time was not of such a high standard as it would reach later on, rather he was more educated than the average level. His deep understanding of Arabic was most adorned when Allah revealed 40,000 words of Arabic to him later in life.

As English was the governmental language, the Promised Messiahas took some very brief and basic lessons in English while in Sialkot, but he did not pursue English any further. He most probably learnt only the alphabet and how to read some short words.

(Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, p. 144) In a narration, it is said that the Promised Messiahas could, with difficulty, make out the words “red” and “blue” from a certain place. (Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, p.144) Allah did not desire for the Promised Messiahas to learn English, rather Allah wanted his community to partake in the blessings of tabligh and spread his message in English. Later, the Promised Messiahas said that had Allah taught him English, he would have gone door-to-door preaching in England, but this was destined for members of his community.

Syed Mir Hassan Sahib, another person who closely observed the Promised Messiahas while in Sialkot, spoke of how the Promised Messiahas rejected a great job opportunity on the grounds of morality. He writes: “In those days, Punjab University was newly established and they required a teacher for Arabic. The role would pay 100 rupees a month. I suggested to him [the Promised Messiahas] to apply for the job as ‘your proficiency in Arabic is very good.

You will most definitely get the role’. In reply, he [the Promised Messiahas] said, ‘I do not like teaching as most people learn [from a teacher] and then go on to be involved in delinquency and wrongdoing. They use knowledge as a means and tool for illegal activity. I am afraid of the warning within the Quranic verse: َّ ُ ُ َۡ َ َ َ ُ َ ‫ا ۡحش ُروا ال ِذیۡ َن ظل ُموۡا َواز ٰو َج ُہ ۡم َو َما کانوۡا ی ۡع ُب ُد ۡو َن‬ [“(And it will be said to the angels) ‘Assemble those who acted wrongfully, along with their companions, and what they used to worship.’” (Surah al-Saaffaat, Ch.37: V.23)](Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, pp. 142-143) This incident alone magnifies the deep and profound moral compass Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas navigated with

Dangers to Islam

“It is true that the removal of the misconception relating to the life of the Messiah was also one of the great objectives of establishing this community, but God Almighty has not raised me for this task alone. In fact, many errors had arisen, such that if Allah the Almighty had not established a community and appointed someone to rectify them, the world would have perished and Islam would have been annihilated completely!” (The Advent of the Promised Messiah, p. 3)

from a young age. His response may seem punitive to some, but it only indicates how he traversed, with great care, on the narrow path of righteousness and pleasing Allah.

The Promised Messiahas was also subjugated to discrimination, even at his office, by a superintendent of the Sialkot offices, Pundit Sehj Ram. This wretched man took aim at Hazrat Ahmadas, not only because he was his subordinate, but also because Hazrat Ahmadas was a Muslim. Sehj Ram spew malice against Islam and its Holy Foundersa and spoke ill of the two in front of Hazrat Ahmadas. (Haqiqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khazain Vol. 22, p. 309) Not caring for his job, the Promised Messiahas would stand up to Sehj Ram’s attacks on Islam and defend Islam and the Holy Prophetsa with utmost zeal and passion, while debating with him.

An old friend of his, Lala Bhim Sin, would advise the young Ahmadas not to reply lest his career was jeopardised, but this had no effect and the Promised Messiahas would always defend Islam and stand up to Sehj Ram’s attacks on his religion. These attacks and discrimination did not last for a few months, but throughout the years the Promised Messiahas stayed there. (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 1, p. 83) The Promised Messiahas saw a vision that foretold the death of Sehj Ram. In the vision, he saw Sehj Ram “in black clothes, stopping in front of me like those who show humility and with his mouth open, as someone who asks for mercy to another. I said to him, now is not the time for mercy…” “The second or third day” the news was received that Sehj Ram suddenly died – a sudden and

unexpected death for the public. (Haqiqatul-Wahi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 22, p. 309) After work hours – Study, prayers and humanity Sialkot was a growing population and developing under the British Empire, who had made it a hub for Christian missionary activities. The Scotch Mission was established in Sialkot. As with all towns and cities, entertainment is readily available and opportunity to socialise, relax and enjoy oneself after work is not a difficult feat.

However, Ahmadas would maintain his self-study and worship, but also began to meet and sit with pious and holy men of Sialkot. His intellectual ability and knowledge came to surface in the debates and discourses he would enjoy with Christian missionaries, who would, with miserable failure, attempt to defame Islam and prove the superiority of Christianity in front of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas.

The homeowners who housed the Promised Messiahas in Sialkot later reported what his daily activities after work were.

One family said it was famously known that when Hazrat Ahmadas would “return from court, after entering the front door, he would not turn around and close the door, lest his gaze fell on a woman in the street. Instead, he would first close the door, with his back to it, with his hands and then turn and lock the chain.” (Hayat-e-Tayyaba, p. 20) The same family noted that “apart from reciting the Holy Quran and performing long prostrations in Namaz, he had nothing else to do. He would write out Quranic verses and hang them on the walls, pondering over

13

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM their meanings.” (Ibid) At times, clients would try and visit him at home regarding their court cases, so he [the Promised Messiahas] would call a member of the family, Mian Fazl Din Sahib, and say, “Tell these people not to come here.

They should neither waste their time, nor mine. I cannot do anything as I am not the judge. Whatever work I am assigned, I carry it out at court.” (Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, p.

252 ) Syed Mir Hassan Sahib describes his after-work hours by saying that “after returning from court, he would be engrossed in reciting the Holy Quran, reading it while standing, sitting and walking. [As he recited the Quran] he would weep profusely. There is no parallel to the level of anguish he would experience while reciting [the Holy Quran].” (Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, pp. 251252) Yet another observer said that he would weep so much in his prostrations at home that “the floor would dampen”. (Seerat-ulMahdi, Vol. 1, p. 595) Helping the locals of Sialkot Serving humanity was another passion of the young Ahmadas as service to humanity is half of faith, something he later preached also. Mir Hassan Sahib noted that Hazrat Ahmadas would visit the needy and “serve them”. Another narration by an observer elaborates, “Serving humanity was a huge passion of his. A small amount of the monthly earnings he took home from work was set aside for essentials and the rest was spent to buy widows and poor people some clothes or aid by giving them money.”

(Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, p. 595) Most young adults are very proud of their hard-earned money, especially from their first job and, with great joy, they spend on personal pleasures and wants after the cheques begin to come in. But the lack of importance and desire to pursue the world can be observed in the above narration; the young Ahmadas would distribute his earnings to the poor and spend scarcely on himself.

A familial trait of the Promised Messiah’sas family was tib (natural medicine) and he too was well acquainted with the practice. In Sialkot, he dispensed medicine to those in need, free of charge, while also praying for them. (Hayat-e-Tayyaba, p. 20) His prayers were the key to his successful treatment. One gentleman, Mian Buta Kashmiri, whose house the Promised Messiahas also lived at in Sialkot, said, “I see him as a walliullah [a saint who God holds dear]. Once, my father fell ill and all the doctors had given up, saying that he would die and that any further treatment would be a waste. We called Mirza Sahib.

He prayed for my father and gave him some medicine. Allah the Almighty, through his prayers healed my father. Countless prayers he said for us were accepted.” (Tarikh-eAhmadiyyat, Vol. 1, pp. 85-86) Social circles and friends The Promised Messiahas began to meet and sit with pious people and would actively take part in intellectual discussion and debates with Christian missionaries, but he would not waste time in useless sittings.

Lala Bhim Sin, a decent, intellectual man, who was also a lawyer, had known the Promised Messiahas from when they studied together in Batala. But in Sialkot, their

friendship grew and remained until death did them apart. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra had noted that whenever the Promised Messiahas, after his claim to prophethood etc. needed money, he would often write to Bhim Sin for a loan, even though the Promised Messiahas had many companions and followers who he could have taken loans from. (Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, p.139) Though Lala Bhim Sin did not accept Islam Ahmadiyyat, he would continue to grow in his friendship with the Promised Messiahas and offer his assistance. (Ibid) Syed Mir Hassan Sahib elaborated that the Promised Messiahas began living in a room that was by the central mosque of Sialkot. Close to his residence was a shop owned by an elderly and respectable man by the name of Fazl Din. In the evenings, small gatherings of decent men would convene at Fazl Din’s shop and Hazrat Ahmadas would also, at times, join these discussions.

Sometimes, a Christian missionary school’s headmaster called Nasrullah would also attend and the Promised Messiahas would usually engage in religious debates with him. “Those present would greatly enjoy the Promised Messiah’sas speeches.”

(Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, p. 253) A pious and righteous holy man by the name of Maulvi Mahbub Alam Sahib lived in Sialkot and the Promised Messiahas would visit him. He would also greatly encourage Lala Bhim Sin to visit. While sitting with Mahbub Alam Sahib, “whenever the topic of Bai‘at [pledging allegiance] and following someone would come up, the Promised Messiahas would say that men should work hard and strive themselves [to attain spirituality] as Allah the Almighty َّ َ َ says: َّ ۡ َ ّٰ َ َ َ ۡ ‫َوال ِذیۡ َن ٰج َہ ُد ۡوا فِ ۡینا لَن ۡہ ِدیَن ُہ ۡم ُس ُبلنا َو ِا ّن الل َہ ل َ َمﻊ ال ُم ۡح ِسنِی َن‬ [And (as for) those who strive in Our path – We will surely guide them in Our ways. And verily Allah is with those who do good].

Alam Sahib would become saddened by this and would say that without Bai‘at, there is no path.” (Seerat-ul-Mahdi, Vol. 1, p.253) Hazrat Ahmadas would either engage in intellectual discussions or sit with pious men.

In one such discussion, Mir Hassan Sahib spoke of a new commentary of some verses of the Holy Quran written by the then modern Islamic thinker, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Hazrat Ahmadas told Mir Hassan Sahib to bring a copy of the commentary the following day. When Hazrat Ahmadas read the commentary, he did not like it one bit.

(Hayat-e-Tayyaba, pp. 24-25) The Promised Messiahas saw Sir Syed Ahmad with admiration, but strongly disagreed with his liberal views of adapting Islam in light of so-called enlightenment.

These views the Promised Messiahas evolved very early on and later, through his books, discredited the views of Sir Syed Ahmad, one such book being Blessings of Prayer.

The Promised Messiahas was still unknown in the wider scheme of things but Sialkot served as a “field” experience to what Allah had planned for him.

In our next article, we will discuss the debates and discourses Hazrat Ahmadas had with prominent Christian clergymen and how he defended Islam. We will look at how Allah protected the young Ahmadas in Sialkot and some prophecies he made while in the city. Insha-Allah.

(To be continued...)

Continued from page 2

Musleh-e-Maudra travelled all the way from Lahore to Rabwah.

24 March 1951: Pakistan had adopted the report finalised by the Basic Rights Committee on 6 October 1950. By virtue of the National assembly, designated to prepare the Constitution of Pakistan, this committee pondered over the basic rights that would be enshrined in the new constitution of the country. Hazrat Musleh-eMaud, may Allah be pleased with him, approved an 11-member committee of Jamaat scholars to further review the findings and points of the government report.

This committee of Jamaat scholars published its detailed review in this date’s issue of Al Fazl.

24 March 1961: The Jamaat held its 42nd annual Shura which was presided over by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra.

25 March 1910: During the Friday Sermon of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, some men were assigned to repeat the words of Huzoorra so that everyone present could hear and understand the message of Huzoorra. Perhaps this was the first ever effort in Jamaat history that later evolved into installing loudspeakers during Jamaat events.

25 March 1916: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra penned a book about the details of real salvation.

25 March 1931: Kanpur, India had a track record of atrocities committed against minorities.

On this date, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra voiced his concerns against the latest injustices in the area.

Huzoorra also sent aid in the form of cash for the affected locals.

25 March 1933: The foundation stone of an Ahmadiyya Mosque in Ambala, India was laid.

25 March 1952: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra addressed a press conference in Hyderabad, Pakistan.

25 March 1952: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra addressed a gathering of 1,000 people in Theosophical Hall, Hyderabad about the importance of unity among the Muslims.

25 March 1958: The Denmark mission was given under the supervision of the Germany mission to smoothly run its operations.

Later, after two years, the Denmark mission resumed its independent status.

26 March 1923: A group of 22 volunteers from Qadian arrived

in Agra, India to challenge the ongoing wave of Shuddhi against the local Muslims.

26 March 1934: A delegation from Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya met Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon GCSI and the governor General and Viceroy of India, and diverted his attention towards the rights of Muslims living within the Indian subcontinent.

26 March 1939: A sub-committee was formed to discuss the events to mark the upcoming Khilafat Jubilee. Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ismail, may Allah be pleased with him, was assigned to head this historic task.

26 March 1948: Punjab University organised an Urdu Conference where a special message by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was read out in its opening session. In his message, Huzoorra presented the idea of declaring Urdu as the national language of Pakistan.

26 March 1948: The annual Shura was held in which Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra took an oath from members of the Shura, that they would face every hardship and try their utmost to ensure the safety and return of Qadian. Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmaddiyya later published the wording of that oath and displayed it on large posters for the general public.

26 March 1949: Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam arranged a poet’s symposium where a variety of poets from the country were invited. Governor General Khawaja Nazimuddin was also present to enjoy the sitting. He took special interest in the poetic views of Saqib Zeervi Sahib who happened to be an Ahmadi, and insisted to repeat one poem by Zeervi Sahib thrice. Zeervi Sahib’s poem, “Mera jawab” was what made the evening memorable.

26 March 1956: Spanish authorities banned tabligh in Spain and conveyed this new restriction to the Jamaat missionary there, Maulana Karam Ilahi Zafar Sahib, through the Pakistani Embassy.

On 20 April, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra protested this unnecessary restraint and echoed this to the Government of Pakistan and other Muslim states. Thus, the world press also took notice of this new development.

26 March 1956: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra went to Nakhla, a place near Khushab in Punjab, and stayed there until 29 March.

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

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The Promised Messiah’s usage of verse

The Promised Messiah’sas personal ink-pot, which he used to write many monumental works

Ata-ul-Haye Nasir London

The heart of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, was filled with the love of Allah the Almighty and the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. This overwhelming love is evident from every word of every book written by the Promised Messiahas. It is not only his prose that wears this crown, but his transcendental poetry too has the golddust of this love on its wings.

It is often thought that the Promised Messiahas wrote poetry as poets usually do, but to understand the stature of his poetics, one must know where in his works it has occurred.

In the eb and flow of his mighty writings, on occasions when he felt that prose was not the best way to convey his message, his pen began to express his inspirations in poetic verse.

An allegation is often raised against the Promised Messiahas that as he wrote poetry, he cannot be a prophet of Allah, because poets are supposedly not in any way worthy of prophethood.

While the paragraphs above should suffice to answer the question, we take this opportunity to go into further detail.

Those who make such allegations seem to not know or remember that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, also said poetic couplets. Not only did he say poetic couplets, but he would sometimes ask his Companionsra to recite poetry for him. Moreover, poetry of some Prophetsas are also on record.

Allah the Almighty has explained in the Holy Quran that there are two types of poets, as he states in the Holy ُّ َ Quran: َ‫ٓاء یَ َّتب ُع ُہ ُم ال ۡ َغ ٗاون‬ ُ َ‫الش َعر‬ ‫و‬ ِ َّ َ َ َ ُ َ ‫ال َ ۡم ترَ ان ُہ ۡم فِ ۡی ک ِ ّل َوا ٍد ّی ِہ ۡی ُموۡ َن‬ ُ َۡ ُ ُ َ َّ َ ‫َو ان ُہ ۡم یقوۡلوۡ َن َما لَا یف َعلوۡ َن‬ ۡ َ ۡ َ ّٰ َ َ ّٰ ‫ِالَّا الَّ ِذیۡ َن ٰا َم ُنوۡا َو َعم ُلوا‬ ‫الص َ ِل ٰح ِت َو ذک ُروا الل َہ ک ِثی ًرا ّو ان َت َص ُر ۡوا ِم ۢۡن بَ ۡع ِد‬ ُ ّ َ ِ َ َۡ َ​َ ۡ َ َ ۤ َ​َ ‫َما ظ ِل ُموۡ َاو َس َی ۡعل ُم ال ِذیۡ َن ظل ُموۡا ا ّی ُمنقل ٍب ّینق ِل ُبوۡ َن‬ “And as for the poets – it is the erring ones who follow them. Dost thou not see how they wander distracted in every valley, and that they say what they practise not? – Save those who believe and do good works, and remember Allah much, and retaliate only after they are wronged.

And the wrongdoers will soon know to what place of return they shall return.’

(Surah al-Shu‘ara, Ch.26: V.225-228) These verses show that such poetry is permissible that is written with the purpose of proclaiming the Oneness of Allah the Almighty, describing the distinctive features of the religion of Islam, inviting people to goodness and preaching Islam. What is discouraged is poetry of worldly nature with no good objectives.

It is mentioned in a hadith that the Holy Prophetsa said: “Some poetic couplets are filled with the subjects of wisdom.” (Sunan Abi Daud) The Arabs had a great tendency towards poetry in the time of the Holy Prophetsa and even before his advent. And in the form of poetic couplets, they had the custom of expressing their thoughts.

In such a situation, Allah the Almighty revealed His Word (the Holy Quran) with such eloquence and rhetoric, that, upon hearing it, the opponents became helpless and said that it was the word of a poet and not from any God. In response, Allah the Almighty revealed this verse: َ َ َ ُ ُ َ َ ‫ّو َما ُہوَ ِبقوۡ ِل شا ِع ٍر ق ِل ۡیلًا ّما ت ۡؤ ِمنوۡ َن‬ “And it is not the word of a poet; little is it that you believe!” (Surah al-Haaqqah, Ch.69: V.42) The Promised Messiahas states: “In the time of our Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, the eloquence and rhetoric was at its peak, so the Holy Quran was also revealed to him in the same manner, as a great miracle.

This manner was adopted because poets were considered magicians and their speaking quality had such an influence that whatever they wanted someone to do, they would have achieved it by reciting a few couplets ... they had the tongue which was able to bring bravery and courage in them. In every case, they used poetry and they were the recipients of: ُ َ ‫فِ ۡی ک ِ ّل َوا ٍد ّی ِہ ۡی ُموۡ َن‬ Therefore, according to the need of that age, Allah the Almighty sent His Word and expressed his miracle through this Word.” (Al Hakam, Vol. 6, No. 15, 24 April 1902, p. 7) A person came to the Promised Messiahas and expressed that poets had been condemned in the last few verses of

Surah al-Shu‘ara. The Promised Messiahas replied: “Have a look at it again. There, Allah the Almighty condemns the immoral and abusive poets, and the believer poets have been exempted by Allah Himself.

The whole of Psalms is poetic. The poems of Jeremiahas, Solomonas and Mosesas are found in the Torah. This proves that poetry is not a sin as long as it is not a poem of immorality and abusive words. I have received revelations from Allah the Almighty, some of them are in verse and some in the form of couplets.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 3, p. 163) As mentioned at the start, the Holy Prophetsa also said poetic verses. Here are some examples: Hazrat Jundubra states that during a battle, the Holy Prophetsa injured his finger and he read the following couplet addressing his finger: ‫اصبع دمیت‬ ‫ھل انت الا‬ ّٰ ‫و فی سبیل اللہ ما لقیت‬ Meaning, “You are just a finger that has been injured and suffered in the way of Allah. (Sahih Muslim, Book of Jihad) Then, the Holy Prophetsa recited the following couplet in the Battle of Hunain: َّ َ َ َ َ ‫الن ِب ُّی لا ک َ ِذب‬ ‫انا‬ ّ ُ ْ َ ُ َ​َ ‫المطلِب‬ ‫انا ابن عب ِد‬ Meaning, “I am a prophet. I am not a liar. I am the son of Abdul Mutalib.”

A person’s objection was presented to the Promised Messiahas that “Mirza Sahib writes poetry”. Upon this, the Promised Messiahas replied: “The Holy Prophetsa has also recited poetry himself. There is not much difference between reciting and writing. Some Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa were poets too. Moreover, qasaaid (encomiums) by Hazrat Aishara, Hazrat Imam Hassanra and Hazrat Imam Hussainra are well known. Hazrat Hassan bin Thabitra wrote a qaseedah upon the death of the Holy Prophetsa.

“Syed Abdul Qadirrh has also written qasaaid. You cannot provide any proof about any Companionra that they did not say a little or a lot of poetry, but the Holy Prophetsa did not forbid anyone. Many verses of the Holy Quran are in poetic metre.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 3, p. 163, [2010]) The Promised Messiahas stated on another occasion: “The Holy Prophetsa also, upon hearing about a melodious person, asked him to recite few poetic couplets and said: ّٰ َ ‫َر ِح َمک الل ُہ‬ “‘May Allah have mercy on you.’

“Each person, to whom he would say these words, would become a martyr. So, this person was also martyred as soon he went to the battlefield. After the demise of the Holy Prophetsa, a Companionra recited a few poetic couplets. Hazrat Umarra stopped him from reciting it in the mosque. The Companionra got angry and said, “Who are you to stop me?” I have recited poetic couplets here in this same mosque, in front of the Holy Prophetsa and he did not forbid me. Hazrat Umarra did not argue with this.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 3, p.

162, [2010]) In addition to the Holy Prophet’ssa

15

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM poetry, there are traditions related to the poetry by his Companionsra and Khulafae-Rashideenra as well.

The poetry of Hazrat Hassan bin Thabitra has a special place in the history of Islam. When mentioning his poetry, it is necessary to write about his poetic couplets, which he recited on the death of the Holy Prophetsa. The Promised Messiahas also loved these couplets of Hazrat Hassanra. As it is mentioned: “Once, the Promised Messiahas was walking alone in the mosque in the neighbourhood of his house, known as Masjid Mubarak, and was humming something. Tears flowed from his eyes.

A sincere friend came from outside and heard that he was reciting the couplet of Hazrat Hassan bin Thabitra which he had written on the demise of the Holy Prophetsa: َّ َّ َ َ َ َ َ َّ َ ْ ُ َ ‫الس َو‬ ‫النا ِﻇ ُر‬ ‫اد ل َِنا ِﻇ ِرى فع ِمی �لی‬ ‫ﻛنت‬ ُ ْ ُ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ ُ َ ْ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ‫َم ْن‬ ُ‫ت اُ َحاذِر‬ ‫ﺷآء بعدك فلیمت فعلیک ﻛن‬

“O my Prophetsa! You were the pupil of my eye. So, my eyes are now blind after your death; Now, whosoever dies after you may die. For I only feared your death.”

The narrator states that when I saw the Promised Messiahas weeping like this and walking alone in the mosque, I got worried and asked what the matter was and what shock Huzooras had received.

The Promised Messiahas said, “I was reciting this couplet of Hassan bin Thabitra at that time and I wished that I had been the one who [originally] recited this couplet.” (Seerat-e-Tayyabah, by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 27-28) Such is true poetry, which has an impact on every intellect and is not limited to a certain time. True poetry has a lasting effect through all times and casts a spell on every pious heart. Poetry is never forbidden in Islam, provided it is written for a good purpose and not for worldly gains.

When we look at the poetry of the Promised Messiahas, we find that the purpose of his poetry was to proclaim the Oneness of Allah the Almighty, express love for the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, draw on the beauty of the Holy Quran and the announcement of his claims. In his poetic works, the Promised Messiahas expressed love for Allah the Almighty and His Messengersa, which is unmatched and unparalleled.

The Promised Messiahas has explained why he had included poetry in his writings.

He says: “The need to add poetry in my writings arose because there are people of certain natures, that if they are told any truth in a thousand paragraphs in prose, they do not understand, but if the same concept is conveyed in a poetic couplet, then the poetic couplets have a lot of impact on them and they are stunned by listening to the couplet and immediately accept the truth. An example of this is like that doctor, who, when they see that medicine is no longer useful to the patient orally, suggests an injection for the patient. And by this means, the ailment of the patient is relieved and healed. So this is the case with our poetry and sukhan. And it has been

experienced that, for some people, poetic form of text is more effective than the one in prose. That is why the Holy Quran has been revealed in verses that also rhyme. If that were not the case, we would have no need to write poetic couplets.

“Many were presented with diverse arguments, but they did not work.

However, when they read poetic couplets, they greatly influenced the same deniers and immediately, they accepted the truth.”

(Al Hakam, 28 August-7 September 1938, p. 2) At another place, the Promised Messiahas states: “The main purpose is to instil truth within hearts. I have no interest in poetry otherwise.” (Qadian ke Arya aur hum, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, p. 457) In one of his poems, the Promised Messiahas states:� ‫� �و اش�ی ےس ا� � ی‬ �� ‫ی‬ ‫اس ڈ� ےس وکیئ ےھجمس � �� �� ےہ‬ “I have no interest in poetry. But I use this way, and my purpose is, so that people may understand.” (Qadian ke Arya aur hum, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, p. 459) The importance of the Promised Messiah’sas poetry Allah the Almighty revealed the following to the Promised Messiahas: � ‫ِ پ‬ ‫�ی ت‬ ٌ َ ‫�۔ ک‬ ‫در �م وت ی‬ �‫�اء رادراںَ د‬ ‫�زے ا� ہک‬ ‫لام‬ َ ْ ّ ُ َ ْ ُ ّ ْ ْ َ ّ ْ ‫اف ِﺼﺤت ِمن لدن ر ٍب ﻛ ِرﻳ ٍﻢ‬ “Your discourse has been made eloquent by the Benevolent Lord. There is something in that which you say, to which the poets have no access. (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, p. 123) Allah the Almighty gave the titles of Sultan-ul-Qalam to the Promised Messiahas and to his pen, Zulfiqar-e-Ali. His pen showed so many signs by the help of the Almighty Allah that will be remembered till the day of Judgment.

The collection of his Urdu poetry is named Durr-e-Sameen, while his Persian poetry is also published under the name of Durr-e-Sameen Farsi. The poetry that he wrote prior to his claim is named Durre-Maknoon, also known as Kalaam-eAhmad. His Arabic poems are published under the title Al-Qasaaid-ul-Ahmadiyya.

These include qasaaid [Arabic poems] related to the love of Allah the Almighty, love of the Holy Prophetsa and sacrifices and pious lives of the Companionsra.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh states: “The Promised Messiahas, in his prose and poems, in his speeches and discourses and in his books, in fact in every way, has always emphasised the point that the spirit of Islam lies in taqwa [righteousness]. The Promised Messiahas states in his couplet: ‫�ی‬ ٰ ‫� ےہ اح� ا�م‬ ‫�ی‬ ٰ ‫�ا � � � اور اجم‬ ‘Listen! The essence of Islam is taqwa!

Love of God is the wine and taqwa is the goblet.’” (Friday Sermon, 16 December 1966) Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh further states: “Read the books of the Promised Messiahas frequently, especially Durr-eSameen.” (Al Fazl, 11 October 1970)

This man loves the Messengersa of Allah “I saw people searching for a reviver [in a dream].

A man appeared before my humble self and, pointing towards me, said: َ َ ُ ُ ٌ ّٰ ُ ‫ھذا َر ُجل � ِح ّب َر ُس ْول اللہ‬ Meaning, this

is the man who loves the

Messenger sa of Allah. The meaning of this statement was that the principal qualification for this mission is love for the Holy Prophetsa and that this quality was most definitely found in me.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part IV, p. 379)

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh stated: “May Allah the Almighty shower countless blessings upon the Promised Messiahas who closed all the paths of arrogance and opened the path of humility. Each of his couplets, each of his misras [lines of poetry], each and every word is full of truth. And the reality is that the poetry of the Promised Messiahas is in itself proof of his truthfulness. If a person of a pious nature listens to this poetry, it is not possible for him not to testify to the truthfulness of its author.

“Amazingly pure and pious emotions.

The soul becomes intrigued while hearing this poetry, which is immersed in love (of Allah the Almighty and the Holy Prophetsa).

“While the poetry was being recited, I was thinking of those Ahmadi youths who say, ‘How should we do da‘wat ilallah [calling unto Allah]? ‘We cannot remember the arguments.’ We do not have the capability to debate.’ ‘We do not know Arabic.’ ‘We do not know how to debate.’

I thought to myself, what more do they need to remember than remembering the poetry of the Promised Messiahas, reciting it like darweshes from one town to another and preaching it and informing the world that he has come whose coming is linked with your salvation.

“Such effective poetry, such pure poetry, such wise poetry; poetry which consists of

the praise of Allah the Almighty; poetry, about which one must say: � ‫پ‬ ‫ک ی‬ ‫ٓادیم زاد وت ی ا‬ ‫�زرف� یھب � م‬ ‫ت‬ ‫دمح ی‬ ‫م ی�زی وہ اگےت � ی� وج اگ یا� � ےن‬ ‘Not only Human beings, but all of the angels sing in your praise what I have sung.’

“The fact of the matter is that when the Promised Messiahas would have uttered this couplet, surely, the angels in heaven must have also recited this couplet along with him. They must have been reciting all the praises of Allah the Almighty along with him, what he expressed in love of Allah the Almighty.” (Mash‘al-e-Rah, Vol. 3, pp. 43-44) In a nutshell, the Promised Messiahas used poetry along with prose in his “Jihad by the pen” for the propagation of Islam.

The teachings which he gave in the form of poetry also gave a new life to many dead souls.

In this regard, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states in his couplet: ‫ت ت‬ ‫� ی‬ ‫ی�زی ی‬ ‫م ی‬ ‫کا اجدو �ا ےہ رمزا‬ ‫� ےس ی‬ �‫��ان یھب ا�ن وہ� اجےت � ی‬ “How magical is your teaching, O Mirza; the spell of which makes beasts turn into humans.”

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

16

Spiritual remedy above physical cures The importance of understanding the wisdom behind calamities occuring in the world and to take heed from such occurences spiritually and morally

The world has enormously progressed and mankind has achieved new heights of development in every sphere of life.

Name any field of progress where humans have not left their mark. Especially in the last two centuries, the extraordinary advancement in science and technology has revolutionised peoples’ lives and their standard of living has greatly improved.

This material expansion also had a significant impact on the mindsets and attitudes of the people. The peace and joys of modern-day comfort, instead of bringing the dwellers of the earth much closer to their Creator, furthered them

away from Him. Instead of being grateful and courteous to God for what He has granted them, they transgressed and placed their faiths in worldly leaders and scientific remedies.

Then the year 2020 dawned upon us and a virus (COVID-19), having a diameter of merely 60-140 nanometres, caused havoc across the globe. In spite of all the survival instincts of man and advancement in the field of medicine, the world has come to a halt and brought to its knees.

The scientists are trying to develop a vaccine and the governments are recommending certain precautionary measures for the safety of their citizens against the virus. However, the pandemic

of coronavirus is not stopping for now and it is affecting every class of people in the world. Those who felt invincible and thought that nothing could harm them, are now fearful.

The trends are shifting. Even the ways in which people greeted each other are changing. One of the most influential and powerful of men, President of the United States of America, Donald Trump declared Sunday a “National Day of Prayer” and stated on Twitter, “No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith ...”

Beyond any doubt, people are afraid of physical death from the novel coronavirus and in the meantime, experts are busy finding a physical cure for the virus which has paralysed even the superpowers.

However, pressing priority should also be given to reflect and recognise the rising numbers of spiritual deaths, which happened over the course of human advancements. Only then will they come to know the root cause of an epidemic or any other catastrophe that befalls a people as a warning and a reminder from Allah the Almighty.

Over a century ago, the Messiah and the Mahdi of the age, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian drew the attention of the world towards the spiritual remedies for the ills and ailments being experienced by mankind due to the transgression and disregard of their Creator.

Highlighting the reason behind the wrath of God Almighty and the signs indicating his appearance, the Promised Messiahas states: “Those days are near, indeed they are at the door, when the world shall witness the spectacle of a doomsday. Not only the earthquakes, but other terrible calamities will also appear, some from heaven and some from earth. This will occur because mankind has abandoned the worship of their God, and have fallen upon

materialism with all their heart, all their resolve, and all their thoughts.

“Had I not come, these calamities might have been delayed a little, but with my coming, the hidden designs of God’s wrath that had remained hidden for a long time, have been manifested as God said: َ َ ّٰ ْ ّ َّ ُ ‫َو َما كنا ُم َع ِذ ِبي َن َحتى ن ْب َعث َر ُسوْلًا‬ [We never punish until We have sent a Messenger]. Those who repent shall find security and those who fear before the calamity overtakes them will be shown mercy.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, p. 327 [English Translation of Haqiqatul Wahi]) The Promised Messiahas came to rescue the world from the pits of darkness and evil. He showed countless divine signs vouchsafed to him from God Almighty to prove his truthfulness, but most of the people neither paid heed, nor reformed themselves. Thus, in light of revelations received from God Almighty, he predicted plagues, epidemics, wars, earthquakes and floods, such that are being experienced by the world to this day.

The present pandemic of coronavirus might be another way of turning mankind’s attention towards God Almighty because explaining the word “ta‘un” [plague], the Promised Messiahas states: “As a matter of fact, the word ta‘un is the name of death. Those harmful diseases which result in death are called ta‘un in the lexicon. It is a very broad word according to the lexicon. It is quite possible that this time, it occurs in another form or it outbreaks in a similar manner with much more severity. The revelation of Allah the Almighty also states the words: ‫افطر و اصوم‬ “[I shall break the fast and I shall fast (again)], meaning that as it is permissible to eat and drink during the breaking of a fast, there will be a time when the plague will continue to devour people, and there

17

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM deprives themselves from the kernel.

The nobility of a saint does not benefit a disciple if they do not act by themselves.

If a doctor gives a prescription to someone and they place it in a box, then it would never prove beneficial for them; they would have only taken benefit by using the prescription from which they deprived themselves. Study [the book] Kishti-e-Nuh [Noah’s Ark] over and over again and adapt yourselves according to its [directions]. َ َّ ‫َق ْد أَ ْف َل َح َمن َزك‬ ‫اها‬

will be another period of time which will be peaceful, this being the state of fasting … ‫انی مع الرسول اقوم۔ افطر و اصوم۔ لن ابرح الارض الی‬ ‫الوقت المعلوم۔‬ “[I shall stand with My messenger and shall break the fast and also observe it. I shall not depart from this land till a determined time.] People are quick to formulate an opinion for their peace and comfort. [They say] that it was like a disease, so it left. How [could it be considered] a sign or an admonishment?

Hence, they console themselves through similar ideas. In reality, the word ta‘un is a very broad term. Plague [means] death by all those diseases which circulate after a period of time. For instance, smallpox, pleurisy, fever, tumors, vomit and coma [etc.] are included in all of these diseases.”

(Malfuzat, Vol. 10, p. 287) On the other hand, the Promised Messiahas called the attention of people towards the real cure when the great epidemic of plague hit the subcontinent in accordance with prophecies of God. He stated: “As far as I can understand, the cure to this impending universal death is only possible through the refinement of faith and enlightenment of belief. The earth cannot cure it as this plague is not a worldly thing. It is from the heavens and

none can stop it. It is: َّ ‫ْ ٌ ّم َن‬ ‫الس َما ِء‬ ِ ‫ِرجز‬ [Punishment from the heavens.]

“It has appeared as a sign of torment in the times of the earlier prophets as well.

Hence, the only remedy for it is to raise one’s faith to the highest level. Reunite with Allah the Almighty before it strikes. Seek forgiveness, repent and engage in prayers.

There is no medicine for this [disease of the plague]. A medicine could cure it if it was a disease, however in reality it is a divine torment and heavenly wrath. What remedy is there except for righteousness?

“Be aware that if an entire household possesses a single righteous person, Allah the Almighty shall safeguard their complete family. In fact, if their righteousness has reached the highest level, then they can act as an intercessor for their neighborhood as well. Though a righteous person enters paradise whenever they pass away, but at a time when this death is a manifestation of divine wrath and has appeared as a sign upon this earth, my heart does not testify that a righteous person would pass away by this disgraceful death. A righteous one would surely be saved.

“I have repeatedly expressed to my Jamaat that they must not rely merely on [verbal claim] of Bai‘at. Salvation cannot be attained until they realise its reality.

The one who is satisfied upon the shell

“[Surely, he prospers who augments it]. Ordinarily, thousands of thieves, adulterers, drunkards and crooks claim to belong to the Ummah of the Holy Prophetsa, but are they [truly his Ummah] in reality? Certainly not. Only that person belongs to his Ummah who follows his teachings in their entirety.

“The [present] plague epidemic has not come as a disease. It has only appeared to reform people. You should not correct yourselves from [fear of] its chastisement, but instead, reform yourselves for the sake of Allah the Almighty so that you stay free of Shirk [attributing partners to Allah].

“Certain people raise the objection that the plague only takes the lives of the poor. It is another kind of helplessness.

Instead of learning a lesson, they object.

Several others say that it is a mere disease, therefore it has nothing to do with worship, fasting, good and bad deeds and that one should get it treated from doctors. Hence, recklessness has gone beyond imagination.

“However, the plague is a mirror of God through which He shall manifest Himself. Beware that Allah the Almighty has not given the plague the name of mercy so that the one who dies from it be considered a martyr. This age is full of threats. It has occurred as a sign. It will dissipate after distinguishing between a believer and a non-believer. Its name is ‫[ رجز‬punishment] and it has been called a torment in my revelation. It has been mentioned in the Holy Quran 1,300 years ago from today that: ّ َ ُ ْ َ ْ َ ّ ً َّ َ ْ ُ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ‫ض تك ِل ُم ُه ْم۔۔۔‬ ِ ‫أخرجنا لهم دابة ِمن الأر‬ “[We shall bring forth for them a germ out of the earth, which shall wound them (Surah al-Naml, Ch.27: V.83)]. Meaning, that in the age of transgression and wrongdoing, people’s faith in God would become like child’s play. At that time, We [Allah] shall bring forth a germ, which will bite them.

“Thus, this [plague] is a sign of the wrath of Allah the Almighty. It is necessary upon every individual to strive for their salvation in order to save themselves from it.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 2, pp. 541-542) The Messiahas of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, laid the foundation of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam on 23 March 1889 and established that divine Jamaat which was instilled with the true spirit of Islam.

Currently, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, is spreading the same message of the Promised Messiahas to the world and advising mankind to reform themselves.

Recently, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa addressed all the Ahmadis in particular

and the rest of the world in general, and said: “Allah the Almighty knows better how much this [coronavirus] pandemic will spread and to what extent it will go; what His decree is. But if this disease is being manifested due to the wrath of Allah the Almighty, as we have seen since the time of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, that pestilences, diseases, earthquakes, storms, etc. have spread a lot, then to be saved from the negative effects of Allah the Almighty’s decree, it is all the more critically essential to turn towards Allah the Almighty and every Ahmadi, in these days, should pay special attention towards prayers and enhancing their spiritual condition.

“We should also pray for the world at large that Allah may guide them.

“May Allah the Almighty enable the world to recognise Him, instead of becoming completely engrossed in worldly pursuits and forgetting God Almighty, Who created them.” (Friday Sermon, 6 March 2020) Hence, worldly progress and scientific developments are insufficient to save humanity from both the physical and spiritual evils prevailing the earth and it has been proven once again through the spread of a microscopic virus, which is devouring mankind and causing chaos on an unprecedented scale.

Certainly, the cautionary advice and spiritual remedy presented by the Promised Messiahas more than a hundred years ago is proving beneficial for Ahmadis and is influential for every individual inhabiting planet Earth. The Promised Messiahas stated: “Do you reckon that you will be safe from these earthquakes, or that you can save yourselves by your own machinations?

Absolutely not. All human works will come to an end that day. Do not imagine that America etc. were hit hard by severe earthquakes while your country remains safe from them. Rather, I see that perhaps you will encounter greater adversity than them.

“O Europe! You are not safe! And O Asia! Neither are you secure! And O the dwellers of Islands! No artificial ‘god’ will come to your aid.

“I see cities falling and habitations in ruin. That One and Unique God remained silent for a long time. Abominations were committed before His eyes and still, He remained silent. But now He shall reveal His countenance in an awe-striking manner. Let him who has ears hear that the Hour is not far. I strived to bring everyone under the protection of God, but the ordained decrees had to be fulfilled.

“I say it truly that this country’s turn is also drawing near. The age of Noah[as] shall appear before your eyes, and you will witness with your own eyes the incident of the land of Lot[as]. But God is slow to wrath. Repent so that you are shown mercy. He who abandons God is a worm, not a man; and he who does not fear Him is dead, not alive.” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, pp. 327-328 [English Translation of Haqiqatul Wahi])

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

18

A buried treasure trove: The writings of the Promised Messiah

‫وہ زخانئ وج زہاروں اسل ےس دموفن ےھت‬ ‫ی یت‬ ‫د�ا وہں ارگ وکیئ ےلم ی‬ ‫امدوار‬ ‫اب م‬ “The treasures that had been buried for thousands of years, I give to you, should I find any worthy recipient.”

How true it is when people say never to think of your enemy as futile.

The abovementioned couplet of the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace be upon him, is a target of derision by opponents of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Islam.

On one of the official websites of “Khatam-e-Nubuwwat”, under this couplet, it is written: “If any Qadiani or Mirzai reads this post, then I wish to seek answers to some questions regarding this couplet and the published blasphemy.

“1. Does this suggest worldly treasures that had been buried for years and Mirza Qadiani[as] … unearthed those treasures

for the world? If so, then please tell us, what were those novel things that Mirza Qadiani[as] … presented, as perhaps I am not entirely aware?

“2. If this means treasures of religious knowledge, then did the person who was crowned with Khatam-e-Nubuwwat – Hazrat Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him – not offer these to the world and Mirza Qadiani[as] did, God forbid?

“3. Or does this mean that, God forbid, the Holy Prophetsa was not able to find these treasures?

“4. Or does this mean that Allah the Almighty kept these treasures hidden from the Holy Prophetsa and gave them to Mirza Qadiani[as] …?

“All those treasures should be selected from the books of Mirza Qadiani[as] … that were, before today, hidden from the world, for they are the buried treasures that no one knew about before today ….”

Thus, it becomes clear that enemies are not fully aware of the essence of this

couplet.

The reality of this couplet, however, can become clear from the following: �‫ابمرک وہ وج اب یا�ان ال یا‬ �‫احصہب ےس الم بج ھجم وک اپ یا‬ “Blessed is he who now accepts; He who accepts me has met the Companionsra.”

That is, the enemy stumbled when he considered Ahmadas to be apart from Muhammadsa. How true is what Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said: ‫اہلل ےک پ ی�اروں وک مت ک�یسے ربا ےھجمس‬ ‫ی‬ ‫ک ےھجمس‬ ‫اخک ا� ھجمس رپ ےہ ےھجمس یھب وت ی ا‬ ‫اشرگد ےن وج اپ ی�ا ااتسد یک دوتل ےہ‬ ‫ادمحؐوک دمحمؐےس مت ک�یسے دجا ےھجمس‬ “How did you consider God’s dear ones bad? Pitiful is such a state of mind, for what have you understood?

Whatever the student acquired was of the teacher’s wealth; How did you consider Muhammadsa and Ahmadas to be separate?”

This is a time of the fulfilment of: ُّ ّ َ َ ‫الرُ ّس ُل اقِ َت ْت‬ ‫و ِاذا‬ “And when the Messengers are made to

appear at the appointed time.”

This is a time to fulfil not just the truthfulness of one or two prophets, but the truth of each and every prophet that ever came. That the Promised Messiahas says that these treasures “had been buried for thousands of years” is no exaggeration whatsoever.

The case of Adamas has been presented in numerous religious scriptures. But who has truly understood the essence behind this incident?

This incident has been preserved even in the Holy Quran for 1,400 years, and yet, the Muslim Ummah deemed it no more than a fable!

It was the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian who reminded the world of the spiritual treasures and informed the world of the truth behind Adam’sas story.

Instead of using the story of Noahas and the flood as a mere story to tell, Hazrat Ahmadas presented its real wisdom.

It was Hazrat Ahmadas who explained the true story of Jacobas and his children.

Hazrat Ahmadas also explained the story of Mosesas and thus, opened the spiritual treasure trove and showed to the world how God Almighty destroys pharaohs of every age and grants success to those with attributes like that of Mosesas.

These are but a few examples.

One non-Ahmadi scholar, Niaz Fatehpuri proclaimed that it was the Ahmadiyya Jamaat that understood the true essence of Islam; that Islam, which had been present for almost one and half centuries.

People had not been entirely familiar with its essence and true message before, but it was Hazrat Ahmadas who came and explained to the world the true wisdom behind Islamic teachings.

Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat have constantly appealed to Ahmadi scholars to present their research in light of the teachings of the Holy Quran and to pursue the new avenues of theology, science and history which the Promised Messiahas offered.

Another spiritual treasure that can be found in the literature of the Promised Messiahas is that as angels descended on the author, similarly, the reader too feels the presence of angels.

The Promised Messiahas spent his life in the shade of angels and his writings were supported with the aid of angels. If someone with a pure heart studies the books of the Promised Messiahas, then they will surely partake of the blessings associated with the company of angels, something which the Promised Messiahas enjoyed.

The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa foretold that the coming Messiah would return spiritual treasures to the world, to the extent that he would not find anyone to accept it. (Sunan Ibn-e-Majah) This is something that is deeply associated with spiritual treasures, otherwise the world rushes to acquire worldly wealth and treasures.

To become hopeful of acquiring spiritual treasures, one must be a “worthy recipient” or hopeful as the Promised Messiahas has said in his couplet. One must

19

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM exercise the highest order of patience and through one’s conduct prove their worth.

If someone is bereft of spirituality and unaware of the spiritual realm, then such a person would be untouched by the spiritual ocean of knowledge borne in the literature of the Promised Messiahas.

It is through the books of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas – compiled into what is known today as the Ruhani Khazain (spiritual treasures) – that for over a hundred years, the Khulafa and those who have associated themselves to him have been gaining victory after victory. East or west, every opponent has been spiritually challenged through these books.

To become a worthy recipient of Hazrat Ahmad’sas Ruhani Khazain, one must cleanse their heart and soul. Where a person’s heart and soul are purified through the writings of the Promised Messiahas, they are also made aware of new meanings of the Holy Quran.

The study of the books of the Promised Messiahas is extremely necessary to purify oneself. Once this criterion has been achieved, then one can hope to experience the heights of spiritual progress.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, said in the foreword of the new edition of Ruhani Khazain: “It is clear from the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that this is the age in which the means of the propagation and dissemination of Islam to the corners of the earth had been decreed by the Powerful and Omnipotent God. “For this reason, scientific discoveries took place with such rapidity and in such large numbers that man would be astonished and, effectively, say: َ ُ ‫ال الْان ْ َس‬ ‫ان َما ل َ َہا‬ ِ َ ‫َو ق‬ “[And man says, ‘What is the matter with her (the earth)?]

“It is this age, about which it was foretold: ْ ُ ُّ َ َ ‫الص ُح ُف ن ِش َرت‬ ‫و ِاذا‬ “[And when books are spread abroad] and thereby informed us that such inventions would take place that would flourish the spread of books and journals.”

Huzooraa continued: “It is our good fortune that we have been able to accept the Imam Mahdi and Messiah of Muhammadsa and thus, inherited these spiritual treasures [Ruhani Khazain]. Accordingly, we should study these blessed writings so that our hearts, minds and souls become enlightened by means of this, something which is capable of eliminating the darkness of Dajjal [the antichrist].

“May Allah enable us to beautify our lives and the lives of our progeny through these blessed writings and may we light the candles of peace and tranquillity within our hearts, homes and surroundings.

May the love of God and His Prophetsa penetrate our hearts in such a manner that we are able to carry on igniting the flame of love and compassion for mankind throughout the world. May Allah help us in this task. Amin.”

100 Years Ago...

Testimonials about the truth of Ahmad’s prophecies The Review of Religions (English), March 1920

The most remarkable thing about Ahmad’s[as] prophecies is their most clear fulfilment. They are so clearly fulfilled that there remains no doubt as to their truth.

They refer to striking events, are given in striking words, and meet with striking fulfilment. For instance, while describing the world-war in one of his prophecies he said: ‫زار یھب وہاگ وت وہاگ اس ڑھگی اباحل زار‬ i.e., in that dreadful hour, even the Tsar of Russia would be reduced to a pitiable plight. Now, mark how tragic, how painful and how pitiable was the fate which the mighty Tsar of all the Russia met with in fulfilment of this prophecy. His tragic end moved the whole world to pity and a poet thus addressed the ex-Tsar Nicholas: “But yesterday they hailed thee puissant Tsar; The lands o’er which thou heldest Imperial sway The sun spans not in one o’erarching day, Swift journeying from East to West afar.

Now hast thou dropped like to a falling star Whereat men gaze awhile, then turn away; Who’ll stand agape at one man turned to clay, Whilst roar un-surfeited the guns of war?

Unhappy king, thou didst but lose thy crown A little ’ore thy time. Death levels all,— One rank marshals serf and king and clown.

But stern was Fate that bade thee thus descend From lofty throne, and like a criminal Be led away to meet thy tragic end!”

L. C. R. (Pioneer, Allahabad) It was in a poem that Ahmad[as] announced his prophecy and the words of the poet quoted above are a fitting testimony to the truth of the prophecy.

Read this testimony and see how true the prophecy turned out to be. But as if the personal experiences of the Tsar were not enough to fill the measure of his misery, his family was made to suffer even a more ignominious death. A Paris telegram dated 4 February 1619 said: “The Petit Parisien publishes new details of the murder of the Russian Imperial

family, according to which the Grand Duchesses were violated under the eyes of their own parents before being killed.”

A London telegram, dated 30 December 1918 said, “Speaking in the Chamber M Pichon stated that Prince Lyoff told him

that the ex-Tsar’s family were tortured all night long before being finally killed. Each member of the family who were assembled in one room, was placed in a chair and prodded with bayonets and then murdered.

The room next day was a pool of blood.”

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

20 We now take another prophecy of Ahmad[as].

In the course of a paper read before a Religious Conference held at Lahore on 3 and 4 December 1907, Ahmad[as] announced the following prophecy: “In the same book, the Barahin-iAhmadiyya, which has already been referred to as having been published twenty-five years ago, will be found a promise given [to] me by Almighty God that if people did not accept His way, He would send the plague upon them, and death would work havoc on all sides, earthquakes would come and terrible disasters would overtake the world.

In accordance with this prophecy, the plague has spread in this country and 95 earthquakes have also come, and Almighty God has further informed me beforehand that a new kind of epidemic to which the people of this country are strangers will also make its appearance, and men will wonder as to what Almighty God wills to bring about.”

Further on, in the same paper, Ahmad[as] repeated the prophecy saying: “To me have been given the miracles which cannot be wrought by any human power and are solely the work of God. The disastrous earthquakes which have upset vast tracts of land, and the plague which is cutting off human life like a scythe in a ripe field of corn are only two of the signs which have been given to me. Long before their appearance, I published in my work the Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya that disasters were about to overtake the country, and now we are in their midst. But this is not all. Far heavier disasters are yet in store for the world. New kinds of pestilences will make their appearance and they will strike terror into the hearts of the people.”

How terribly the prophecy about the new kind of epidemic, which was to be different from the plague that was already prevailing and which was to strike terror into the hearts of the people, has been fulfilled is well known to men all over the world. The following is but a faint description of the horrors of the epidemic which swept all over the world in striking fulfillment of Ahmad’s[as] prophecy: The medical correspondent of the Times, in the issue of that paper on 18 December said: “Though estimates of deaths over the whole world from any single epidemic are difficult to form, there seem to be reasonable grounds for believing that 6,000,000 persons have perished of influenza and pneumonia during the past 12 weeks. Business has been interfered with by the epidemic in every country in the world, and enormous losses both in earning power and in trade have been suffered.

“The cost of the ‘influenza war’ cannot be reckoned, but that it is colossal does not admit of doubt. This plague, then, generally regarded with equanimity, it would seem, five times more deadly than war. It has been estimated that the war caused the death of 20,000,000 persons in 4 and half years. In the same period, at its epidemic rate, influenza would have killed 108,000,000.

“The visits of the raiding Gothas to London were but as a summer shower

The door to salvation “This humble one has only been sent to convey this message to God’s creation [i.e. humanity at large] that among all the present religions of the world, that religion is rightfully true and in accordance with the will of God which has been brought by the Holy Quran, and the door ٌ َ ُ ّ ٰ َّ ٰ َ to enter the house of salvation is ‫لا اِ� َ� اِلا الل ُہ �حَ ّمد‬ ّٰ ُ َ ‫[ ّر ُس ْول الل ِہ‬There is none worthy of worship except Allah; Muhammad is His messenger].”

(Hujjatul-Islam, Ruhani Khazain,Vol. 6, pp. 52-53)

compared with the deluge of germs which we have just received. The air raids cost London hundreds of lives; the influenza has cost it upwards of 10,000.

“Never since the Black Death has such a plague swept over the face of the world; never, perhaps, has a plague been more stoically accepted.

“In India alone, over 3,000,000 deaths occurred. Bombay had 15,000 of these; Delhi, with a population of only 200,000, had 800 deaths a day. The Punjab lost 250,000 persons, South Africa suffered no less severely.

“In Cape Town 2,000 children were left destitute as a result of the disease, while the plague swept through the native areas like fire.

“The Commonwealth of Australia sent a ship to Samoa with help because the disease was affecting 80 percent of the natives.

“The white population were only able to feed the living and bury the dead. In New Zealand public services were stopped and business gravely disorganised.

“The ravages in Africa have been appalling, nor has Canada escaped. In Ontario and the Western Provinces no fewer than 108 doctors died of the epidemic, while total death rate in Ontario alone was 5,000 up to November.

“A large number of American Indians have perished. Europe as a whole has suffered in the same way. In Spain the epidemic was described as ‘truly awful.’

In Barcelona the death rate was credibly stated to be 1,200 daily. France has had her share, likewise Germany and Austria.”

Similarly, Ahmad[as] prophesied that great earthquakes will occur in different parts of the world, some of which will be of unprecedented severity. It is hardly necessary for me to point out how clearly and how terribly this prophecy has been fulfilled. The present generation has already witnessed numerous terrible earthquakes which have occurred in different parts of the world and many of them were so terrible that the world had not witnessed

the like of them in ages gone by.

The following is a recent occurrence.

A Mexico telegram dated 9 January 1920 says: “Fresh earthquakes have occurred in the North West of Vera Cruz. Eight villages have been overwhelmed, and an immense lake now stretches over the devastated area.

“In the state of Pueblo, which has been devastated, the dead are officially estimated at 3,000. Scores of injured perished from starvation after the earthquake.”

Compare with these testimonies, the comments made on the American astronomer’s prophecy published in the November number of the Review of Religions.

In order to revive the said prophecy in the memory of our readers, we may quote here a few words from the said prediction.

Professor Alberb Porta, the noted sunspot forecaster and discoverer of “Porta’s Weather Laws” announced: “The whole world will be swept by the most terrific weather cataclysm experienced since human history began … There will be hurricanes, lightning, colossal rains … There will also be gigantic lava eruptions, great earthquakes, to say nothing of floods and fearful cold …

“Be warned in advance. Tremendous things are going to happen from December 17th to December 20th, 1919, and afterwards.”

Everybody knows how peacefully the days passed away, without witnessing even the faintest sign of what Professor Porta had predicted.

If the prediction had turned out to be true, it would have detracted nothing from the value of Ahmad’s[as] prophecies, but the failure of Professor Porta’s prophecy certainly serves to bring Ahmad’s[as] prophecies into relief and makes them shine the more brightly.

Mark what the London correspondent of the Civil & Military Gazette, Lahore, remarks about the Professor’s prophecy.

He says: “Somebody in America has been

prophesying in more or less definite terms the immediate end of the world as a going concern, simply on the strength of a certain conjunction of the planets, or rather their convergence for once in a certain quadrant of the heavens. “‘Old Moore’ and ‘Zadkiel’ – those oldestablished seers maintained as a paying institution by enterprising publishers – have been well aware that this convergence was impending. Their prognostications are so cautious and so regular a feature of the publishing season that they cease to excite apprehension, and remain in vogue merely as a kind of mild stimulus for illiterate minds and a source of amusement for the cynic. It only required an unknown professor from Michigan to wave his wand, or rather to exercise the awe that always attaches to the remote, and all the headlines began to dance accordingly.

“This was nothing more than an inevitable wave of cheap sensationalism following upon the spiritualism of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the interesting speculations of Dr Einstein and hardly less could be expected in an age when people have been so feasted with the horrors of war that they can hardly settle down to the puling way of peace.

“Possibly the deluded people who hearkened to such tales of evil were to be satisfied with a sunspot or a hurricane due to the continued attraction of so many planets in conjunction; but the more probable thing is that this kind of quackery will stay in fashion for a time, and repeated prophecies will adjust themselves to the facts by bland postponements after the event, as in the notorious manner of the prophet Baxter of a generation ago.

“The best comment for the moment is that of the Westminster Gazette in its stop press news, where it announced on Wednesday that this finality of things was ‘not yet confirmed.’”

21

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

The Messiah’s clash with Christendom Providing a brief insight into the Promised Messiah’sas interactions with the Christian mission in India

Jalees Ahmad Al Hakam

“And I swear by the Lord in Whose hands is my life that the son of Mary shall surely appear among you as a just arbiter and shall break the cross, annihilate the swine …”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Anbiya).

Among the many prophecies about the advent of the awaited messiah was that he would come at such a time when Christianity would be prevalent in the world.

Today, the “cross” symbolises the Christian faith, their belief and notions that they have adopted, such as crucifixion, the sonship of God (the central theme of Christianity), the philosophy of sin and atonement, the holy ghost, salvation, resurrection and the doctrine of trinity.

The “breaking of the cross” cannot be taken in its literal sense. No true Muslim can believe that the task of the awaited messiah would be to merely slaughter swine and break the cross as this can have no benefit

for the Muslim Ummah or the propagation of Islam and nothing can be gained by performing this task.

What this prophecy actually entails and means is that the Promised Messiah would unveil the fallacy of the notion and belief that the Christians had adopted and would show to the world, through intellectual debate and heavenly signs, how the false notions of Christianity that have taken root are nothing but mere fables.

The breaking of the cross and the annihilation of the swine, as explained

by Hazrat Allama ibn Hajarrh, means that the religion of Christianity would become ineffective. (Fath-ul-Bari, Sharah Sahih alBukhari) Explaining the reality of this prophecy, the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas stated: “In reality, the breaking of the cross means that at the time, God of Heaven and Earth would reveal the hidden Truth and, all of a sudden, the entire structure of the

cross would collapse … The world has been groping in the dark for far too long. Many have conspired against their well-wishers, wounded the hearts of true friends, and hurt their dear ones. But now darkness shall be no more. Night is gone and the day has dawned. Blessed is he who remains not deprived anymore!” (Jesus in India, p.100) Thus, over time, the truth about the Messiahas of Nazareth had been forgotten and lost, therefore, through God’s promise vouchsafed in the Holy Quran in Surah alTaubah, verse 33: ّ َ َ ُ َ ْ ُ ّ َ ْ ‫ُهوَ الَّذي أَ ْر َس َل َر ُسول َ ُه بال ْ ُه َد ٰى َود‬ ْ‫الدين ك ُ ِّل ِه َولَو‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ ‫ين ال ُح َ ِق ل ِيظ ِهره على‬ ِْ ْ َ ِ ‫ك ِر َه ال ُمش ِركون‬ it was destined for the coming of the Messiah to dispel false notions, enlighten the world and remove the veil of darkness that they had foolishly knitted before their very eyes.

Christianity, with all its might, had started preaching in India under the umbrella of the British Government.

Churches were being erected and Bibles

were being printed left, right and centre.

In summary, Christianity had exhausted all efforts in creating the subcontinent of India into a central hub for Christianity. To prove their superiority, Christian missionaries, along with Bible societies, had begun writing tracts and books against Islam.

With all this commotion, force and aggression against Islam, one man, against all odds, at a time when Islam was hardly practiced, with the aid of an ink-pot and a burning candle, fought day and night against this fierce wave of onslaughts against Islam.

We aim here to take a brief look into the life of the Promised Messiahas, his interactions with Christian missionaries and how his coming and advent spared the “creed of the cross” no room for growth.

In the small Indian hamlet of Qadian stood a man, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, who single-handedly embarked on this mission of eradicating the widespread false notions against Islam made by the Christian missionaries.

In his book, Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, through rational arguments, he wrote about the excellences of Islam whilst disarming his opponents. The Promised Messiahas went so far as to prove the excellences of Islam that he challenged all faiths with: “I hereby offer a reward of 10,000 rupees to all those who can prove that their scriptures are equal to the Holy Quran in respect of all the arguments and incontrovertible proofs, which I have adduced from the Holy Book; or, in case their scriptures fail to provide such arguments, make an admission of this failure in their books and try, at least, to refute all of my arguments one by one.”

(Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Vol. 1, p. 46) Much earlier to the publication of this magnum opus, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, during the five years he spent in Sialkot, came into contact with many Christian scholars and missionaries and would frequently debate with them on theological matters. For example, one incident has been recorded in Life of Ahmad

by Hazrat Abdur Rahim Dardra: “Elisha … a native Christian missionary, who lived to the south of Hajipura, once had a discussion with Ahmadas. He asserted that salvation was impossible outside the fold of Christianity. Ahmadas asked him to define the word ‘salvation’ and explain what he meant by it. The missionary failed to do so and concluded by saying that he had not studied logic.” (Life of Ahmad, pp. 48-49) It is important to mention here that the writing style practiced by other religions was to write in an abusive, foul and inflammatory manner. However, the Promised Messiahas adopted a polite and decent approach and made logic and rationality the bases of his arguments, rendering all allegations and polemics utterly baseless, whilst introducing a new form of intellectual discussion.

Thus began the “revival of Islam” as promised by God to the Holy Prophet of Islam, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

At a time where Islam was described to be at its “all time low”, one man wielded the pen and paralysed the activities of the opponents of Islam.

By 1885, Christianity had made its plans to spreads all over India. Robert Clarke, the founder of the Church Mission Society (CMS) station in Amritsar, mentions in his book, The Mission:

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

22

Only one religion shall prevail “The wise among them [who believe in the physical descent of Jesusas] shall forsake this belief and three centuries from now shall not have passed when those who await the second coming of Jesus son of Mary, whether they be Muslims or Christians, shall abandon this concept altogether. Then shall prevail only one

“What, then, is our true policy at the present time? The Punjab is the border Province between the Mohammedanism of Central Asia and the Hinduism of India.

The Punjab seems thus to be a natural base of missionary work in Central Asia.”

What we can gather from this is that effort was being put into proselytisation and spreading the Christian faith throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Moving forward to 1890, the Promised Messiahas had penned Fath-e-Islam (Victory of Islam), in which he expounded on the theme of the crucifixion of Jesusas and mentioned that Jesusas of Nazareth indeed died a natural death. He further claimed that God had commissioned him to eradicate and demolish the false beliefs of Christianity.

Though these intellectual books with rational arguments were being penned by the Promised Messiahas and presented before the Christians of India, the Christians did not deviate from their ways and persisted to indulge further in their mischief. However, seeing Hazrat Ahmadas as an unstoppable force and knowing that they could not compete with his logical arguments, the missionaries adopted a method in which they began attacking the personage of the Prophetsa of Islam.

It appears that this new form of argumentation was influenced from Muslim “scholars” such as Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, who said that belief in the efficacy of prayer, miracles and angels is all futile.

Hazrat Ahmadas, in 1893, wrote Barakatul-Dua (Blessings of Prayer) and laid all the misconceptions to rest. Whilst expounding on the beauties of Islam and of being a true Muslim, the Promised Messiahas said that it is only through Islam that one can attain spiritual eminence. This was also the first time the Promised Messiahas wrote to Queen Victoria, inviting her to Islam.

In 1893, Christian scholars had set up their missions in different towns of India, such as Jandiala, a town situated in Amritsar, and were making huge progress, preaching their message to the people of Jandiala.

To refute the allegations against Islam, the Muslims of Jandiala would raise objections during the open-air speeches of Christian scholars. Due to this, the Christian mission in Jandiala felt as if it was meeting

opposition and resistance.

Thus, Henry Martyn Clark, who was a British medical missionary stationed in Amritsar, wrote to the Muslims of Jandiala, in which he expressed his desire to hold a debate, which he named as the “Holy War” with Muslim scholars. He also stated in the letter that this Holy War would be held with the object of reaching a final verdict as to which religion was true and which was false.

He further stated that if the Muslims were to shy away from this debate or if they faced a crushing defeat, then they would no longer be able to confront any Christian scholar in the future. This letter was addressed to Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, a Muslim in Jandiala.

Since the fate of Islam was on the line, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh wrote to the Promised Messiahas, who at the time, was in Qadian, for guidance upon this matter.

Upon receiving his letter, the Promised Messiahas wrote directly to Dr Clark, accepting the debate.

The Promised Messiahas states: “Since I have been commissioned for such religious contest and, on account of divine revelation, know for certain that I shall be victorious in every field, therefore, Dr Clark has been forthwith informed through a letter that it is my earnest desire to take part in this contest so that the distinction between truth and falsehood may be clearly manifested.” (A Conclusive Argument in the Favour of Islam, p. 7) In this book, Hujjat-ul-Islam (translated as A Conclusive Argument in the Favour of Islam) penned in 1893, the Promised Messiahas asks Henry Martin Clark what this debate would lead to, as past experience had shown that after the countless debates that had already taken place, both parties were still unable to reach a conclusion.

Thus, the Promised Messiahas proposed a solution to this matter in his letter addressed to Henry Martin Clark: “The debate ought not to be limited to the earthly realm alone, but rather the heavens ought to participate in it as well.

The focus of this contest should be around which religion possesses spiritual life, heavenly acceptance and enlightenment.

It would be incumbent upon me and my opponent to demonstrate the effects of our respective books in our own beings. If

religion over the whole world and there shall be only one religious leader. I came only to sow the seed, which has been planted by my hand. It shall now grow and flourish and there is none who can hinder its growth.”

(Tadhkiratu-Shahadatain, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, p. 67)

later on, they desire to reconcile these two doctrines on the basis of reason, this too is well and good; nevertheless, the heavenly and spiritual contest must take precedence.”

(A Conclusive Argument in the Favour of Islam, p. 59) Thus arrived 22 May 1893, the day of the commencement of the Holy War, remembered as one of the greatest victorious debates of Islam to take place in the southern slopes of India.

Talking about the debate, Henry Martyn Clark, on one occasion, said: “When our turn came, I must candidly confess our champion (Abdullah Atham) did not make the best of our case against Mohammedanism. Despite much advice … Mr. Atham pursued a course of his own … It was scarcely the type of war required”.

(Church Missionary Intelligencer, February 1894, p. 99) Until the debate of the Holy War, Christianity was deemed, in the eyes of the population of India, as the dominant religion. However, after this debate, Christendom, shook to its core, knowing very well they could not face the likes of the Promised Messiahas in logical, theological and intellectual debates, resorted back to their old ways and methods of attacking Islam and the noble personage of the Holy Prophetsa with vile and abusive language.

Simply brushing over the events that transpired in India with the Christian mission and Hazrat Ahmadas, the shore where Christianity was destined to alight was visible, signifying the nearing end of their journey.

In 1897, Sirajuddin, who was once a Muslim, through his close accounts and relations with Christians, came under their influence and adopted their belief. He wrote a letter to the Promised Messiahas in which he mentioned four questions for which he demanded answers to.

In reply, the Promised Messiahas wrote Answers to the Four Questions by Sirajuddin, a Christian, in which he answered all the questions raised with such eloquence that it left no room for Christianity to breathe in India. The Promised Messiahas took this occasion and addressed the Christians, inviting them to compete with him if they believed that their religion was the true religion.

It was at this point where the spread of Christianity came to a halt and signs indicating their loss became evident. Thus, they were forced to exit the scene and drive off the highway of spreading their faith.

In 1899, the Promised Messiahas wrote Jesus in India, in which he traced the detailed life of Jesusas after crucifixion through extensive research and analysis of the Holy Quran, Gospels and ahadith. He also drew evidence from Buddhist sources, as well as medical and historical material.

By now, it had already been established that the Christian faith had lost its footing.

Thus, not only did the Promised Messiahas fight against the tide of the ever-spreading Christian creed of crucifixion, but also unveiled the events that transpired after the crucifixion.

Now, both Christian missionaries and Muslim scholars, who both believed that Jesusas was still alive, had no room to further spread their notions. By this time, not only had the cross been “broken”, but scholars and world leaders of religion had also come to terms with and accepted the reality.

The Promised Messiahas has expounded on this in his book, Tadhkiratu-Shahadatain, in which he stated: “The Christian faith is losing ground daily in the field of reasoning and commonsense and great scholars are renouncing their old beliefs. Even the emperor of Germany has talked of relinquishing his faith. This proves that it is God Almighty’s will that the Christian faith be obliterated from the face of the earth through rational arguments.”

(Tadhkiratu-Shahadatain, p. 32) Thus, the Jihad of the pen, as shown and very eloquently demonstrated by the Promised Messiahas was second to none.

From the small hamlet of Qadian, which would have remained unknown to the world if not for Hazrat Ahmadas, one man eradicated the false beliefs adopted by the Christian world.

We do not find any person who had come close to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas in reviving the Islamic faith. At a time when Islam was described to have lost all its glory, one man revived it in all its majesty and glory.

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Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon Musleh-e-Maud: The prophecy and the man

21 February 2020 After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:

20 February is specially commemorated in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community with regard to the Prophecy of Muslehe-Maud [the Promised Reformer]. The Jamaats also hold jalsas [gatherings] in commemoration of Musleh-e-Maud Day. Although I have previously explained this particular matter on several occasions, but I will clarify it again for those who have newly joined and for children, that we do not celebrate the birth of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, the Promised Reformer on Musleh-eMaud Day, rather it is commemorated in regards to the fulfilment of a prophecy.

This prophecy was made by the Promised Messiahas as per divine revelation to prove the superiority and truthfulness of Islam.

It was made three years prior to the birth of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and contained a glad-tiding regarding the Promised Son, who was to be a great servant of Islam.

This prophecy was also to serve as a sign for the opponents.

Yesterday was 20 February and hence, 134 years have passed since this prophecy was announced. This has been serving as a brilliant sign for more than a hundred years. In any case, as I mentioned, Jamaats also hold Jalsas in this regard. Various aspects of the prophecy and the various attributes of the Promised Reformer that are mentioned in the prophecy are elaborated in these jalsas to some extent.

However, it is not possible to elaborate upon all the various aspects, its true significance and how magnificently this prophecy was fulfilled within one to two hours.

Therefore, if an entire jalsa cannot encompass all these aspects, then it is certainly even more difficult to elaborate all the various aspects in one just one sermon. Hence, I decided that I should

present some quotes regarding those aspects, the details of which have been elaborated by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra himself.

To read and listen to what Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has written in his own words gives its particular delight and unique feeling to the listener. In any case,

even through these brief quotes one can gauge how immense this prophecy is and with what brilliance it was fulfilled in the person of the Promised Son of the Promised Messiahas.

However, I will first present the words of the prophecy as mentioned by the Promised Messiahas. Whilst informing his opponents of his prophecies, the Promised Messiahas states in regard to the prophecy of the Promised Son: “The first prophecy which God, the Merciful and Noble, the Magnificent and High, Who has power to do all that He wills (glory be to Him and exalted be His name) addressed me in a revelation and said ‘I confer upon you a Sign of My mercy according to what you begged of me. So I have heard your entreaties and have honoured your prayers with My acceptance through My mercy and made your journey (i.e. the journey to Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana) a source of blessings for you. Therefore, a Sign of power, mercy, nearness is bestowed on you, a Sign of grace and beneficence is awarded to you and you are granted the key of success and victory. Peace on you, O victorious one. Thus did God speak so that those who desire life may be rescued from the grip of death and those who are buried in the graves may come out of them and so that the superiority of Islam and the dignity of God’s Word may become manifest unto the people and so that truth may arrive with all its blessings and falsehood may flee with all its ills, and so that people may understand that I am the Lord of Power – I do whatever I will – and so that they may believe that I am with you, and so that those who do not believe in God and deny and reject His religion and His Book and His Holy Messenger Muhammadsa, the Chosen One may be

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

24 confronted with a clear Sign and the way of the guilty ones may become manifest.

“Rejoice, therefore, that a handsome and pure boy will be bestowed on you; you will receive an unblemished youth who will be of your seed and will be of your progeny. A handsome and pure boy is coming as your guest. His name is Emmanuel and also Bashir. He has been invested with a spirit of holiness, and he is free from all impurity. He is the light of Allah. Blessed is he who comes from heaven. He will be accompanied by grace which shall arrive with him. He will be characterised with grandeur, greatness and wealth. He will come into the world and will heal many of their disorders through his Messianic qualities and through the blessings of the spirit of holiness. He is the Word of Allah for Allah’s mercy and honour have equipped him with the Word of Majesty. He will be extremely intelligent and perceptive and will be meek of heart and will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge. He will convert three into four (of this the meaning is not clear).

“It is Monday, a blessed Monday. ‫رفزدن ددنبل رگایم اردنمج‬ [Son, delight of the heart, high ranking, noble]. ْ ْ ْٰ َ ٰ َ​َ​َ َ ْ َ​َ ْ ْ ‫َمظ َھ ُر الا ّو ِل َو الا ِخ ِر ۔ َمظ َھ ُر الحَ ّ ِق َو ال َعلآ ِء کا ّن اللّ َہ ن َ َزل ِم َن‬ َّ ‫الس َمآ ِء‬ [A manifestation of the First and the Last, a manifestation of the True and the High; as if Allah has descended from heaven.]

“His advent will be greatly blessed and will be a source of manifestation of Divine Majesty. Behold a light comes, anointed

by God with the perfume of His pleasure.

We shall pour Our Spirit into him and he will be sheltered under the shadow of God. He will grow rapidly in stature and will be the means of procuring the release of those held in bondage. His fame will spread to the ends of the earth and peoples will be blessed through him. He will then be raised to َ his spiritual station ً ْ َ َْ َ َ ‫[ وک‬This is a matter in heaven. ‫ان ام ًرا ّمق ِض ّیا‬ decreed.]”

(Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, p. 647) These are the words of the prophecy, which mention its different aspects and of the attributes of the Promised Son. The Promised Messiahas performed a chillah [i.e. forty days of intense prayers in seclusion], and subsequently, he received a revelation from Allah the Almighty, the wording of which I have just presented.

While describing the location of where this chillah took place, and the revelation that [the Promised Messiahas] received after the supplications he had offered, on the basis of which he made the Prophecy of the Promised Reformer, Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra states: “Exactly 58 years ago from today the prophecy was made; (when this address was delivered, 58 years had passed since the prophecy) and it is now entering its 59th year. On the 20 February 1886, in this very city of Hoshiarpur (Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra at the time was delivering this sermon from Hoshiarpur), in a house in front of me (pointing at it with his finger from where he was standing), there is

a house which at that time was known as an outbuilding, which is a temporary place to stay and not an actual dwelling.

In fact, it was an additional building of a chief, similar to annexes built occasionally so that guests may stay there who arrive unexpectedly, or which is used as a store or where, if need be, animals could also be kept.”

In other words, it was an additional room. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra further states: “An unknown individual from Qadian, who even the people of Qadian were not fully acquainted with, came here upon witnessing the enmity people harboured towards Islam and the Foundersa of Islam.

He came in order to worship his Lord in seclusion and seek a sign of His help and succour. He spent 40 days in seclusion from others and supplicated before his Lord. After 40 days of supplications, God gave him a sign that ‘I will not only fulfil the promises I made to you of spreading your name to the corners of the earth, but in order to fulfil this in an even more splendid manner, I will bless you with a son, who will possess certain qualities.

He will spread Islam to the corners of the earth, explain to the people the verities of the Holy Quran, he will be a sign of mercy and grace and he will be endowed with the religious and secular knowledge that is essential for the propagation of Islam.’

Moreover, Allah the Almighty will grant him a long life, so much so that his fame will spread to the corners of the earth.”

(Da‘wa Musle-e-Maud Ke Mutallaq Pur Shaukat Elan, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 17, pp. 146-147) Today, in whichever country of the world the Ahmadiyya Jamaat is established, this in itself serves as a means of propagating this prophecy and the grandeur of this great son. When this announcement was published, the opponents started raising objections that what kind of a prophecy is this? Anyone can announce that a son will be born to them. This allegation has also been answered by the Promised Messiahas and referring to it, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states: “When this announcement was published, the opponents started raising a series of objections in relation to this.

Subsequently, the Promised Messiahas published another announcement on 22 March 1886. The opponents raised the objection that how can such a prophecy be deemed reliable which states that a son will be born to him? Do other people not have sons? In fact, there might be the exceptional case where a person is not granted a son or who is only granted daughters. Otherwise, it is common for one to have a son and never is their birth declared to be a particular sign. Hence, even if a son was born to him, why would it prove that a particular sign of God Almighty had been manifested in the world through this means? Replying to this objection of the people, the Promised Messiahas wrote in the announcement of 22 March that ‘this is not merely a prophecy, but a magnificent heavenly sign, which

God the Benevolent and most Sublime has manifested in order to establish the truth and grandeur of our benevolent, kind and merciful Prophet, Muhammad the Chosen Onesa.’

“In the same announcement, the Promised Messiahas wrote: ‘By the grace and blessings of God and owing to the blessings of the Seal of the Prophetsa, God Almighty accepted this humble one’s supplication and promised to send such a blessed spirit whose external and internal blessings will be spread in the entire world.’”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra further states, “If the Promised Messiahas had simply proclaimed to have a son, even then it would have been considered a prophecy in its own right because there are people in the world, even though they may be very few, who do not have any children at all. Secondly, the Promised Messiahas was over 50 years of age when he made this announcement. There are thousands of people in the world who cannot have children after the age of 50. Also, there are some who only have girls. Then there are some who may have a son, but the child passes away shortly after its birth.

All these conditions also applied to the Promised Messiahas as well. Thus, firstly, no individual has the power to predict the birth of a son. Even if this objection is accepted, the Promised Messiahas stated, ‘Even if one were to accept the fact that predicting the birth of a son cannot be deemed as a prophecy, however the question arises that when did I share the news of only a son being born? I did not simply claim that a boy will be born to me. Rather, I stated that God Almighty had accepted my supplications, and He has promised me to send a blessed spirit whose internal and external blessings will spread throughout the entire world.’” (AlMaud, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 17, pp. 529530) As mentioned earlier that the whole world is a witness that this Promised Sonra attained fame across the earth and every one of the foreign missions outside of India and Qadian are evidence of his truthfulness. Numerous missions were established during the time of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, and this is continuing till today. Some people raised the objection that the birth of the Promised Son was to take place much later on, after one or two or three hundred years. Elaborating on the fact that why the Promised Messiahas prayed for this sign and why the fulfilment of this prophecy during his lifetime was significant, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states: “Some people claim that the birth of the Promised Son will take place in the future progeny of the Promised Messiahas, perhaps three or four hundred years later – (but even here it states that from his progeny i.e. that the Promised Son shall appear from his progeny) and His advent cannot take place in this day and age. Such people should fear God and focus on the words of the prophecy and ponder over it.

The Promised Messiahas has written that at

that time, allegations were being levelled against Islam that it did not possess any power to show any signs. Hence, Pandit Lekh Ram was claiming that if Islam was a true faith, then a sign should be shown.

Indarman Muradabadi was raising the same objection that if Islam was a true faith then demonstrate a sign. Thus, the Promised Messiahas prostrated before Allah the Almighty and supplicated: ‘O my Lord! Demonstrate a sign that convinces these people of Islam who seek a sign.

Show such a sign which would convince people like Indarman Muradabadi about Islam.’ But despite this, those who object to the prophecy [and say that it was to be fulfilled 3-4 hundred years later], claim that when the Promised Messiahas offered this prayer, God Almighty responded with the glad tiding that He would grant him a son whose birth would take place three hundred years later as a sign of the truthfulness of Islam. Is there anyone in the world who can consider this to be of any logic? This is, indeed, very irrational. This is equivalent to the example of a thirsty person who knocks on someone’s door for help and says, ‘Brother, I am extremely thirsty. Please grant me some water for the sake of God’ and the person in the house responds, ‘Sir, worry not. I have sent a letter to someone in America and he will send the essence of a sweet drink of high quality by the end of the year, and I will prepare that drink and grant it to you next year.’ Even the most insane person would not attribute such a statement to God and His Messengersa.

“Pandit Lekh Ram, Munshi Indarman Muradabadi and the Hindus of Qadian were saying that to claim that the God of Islam has the power to show the world a sign is false and baseless. If there was any truth to this claim, a sign should be shown to them. Hence, the Promised Messiahas submitted before God Almighty supplicating, ‘O God, I pray to You that You manifest to me a sign of Your mercy. Grant me a sign of Your might and nearness.’

Hence, this sign must surely have been manifested in the very near future whilst those people who demanded it were still alive. Thus, this is what came to pass.

When I was born in 1889, in accordance with the divine prophecy, those who had asked for a sign of the Promised Messiahas were still alive. Hence, as I grew older, more and more signs of God Almighty continued to be manifested.” (Mein Hi Musleh-e-Maud Ki Peshgoy Ka Misdaq Houn, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 17, pp. 222223) Therefore, it was necessary for this sign to be manifested in the lifetime of the Promised Messiahas and in the lifetime of those who raised allegations against Islam and who asked for the sign, and indeed this sign was ultimately fulfilled.

It is also very important for us to understand the purposes of this prophecy and why it was necessary for them to be fulfilled during the lifetime of the Promised Messiahas. I have just briefly mentioned this and it is also important to know why it was necessary for this sign to be fulfilled in the physical progeny

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Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM and bloodline of the Promised Messiahas and through the son whose biological father was the Promised Messiahas. Whilst describing the purposes of this prophecy, Hazrat Musleh Maudra states, “The Promised Messiahas wrote in one of his announcements of 20 February 1886: ‘God Almighty has disclosed to me that this sign, which was shown to the world, has a number of objectives. Firstly, this sign has been manifested so that those who desire life shall be saved from [the claws] of death and those who are buried in their graves shall emerge once more, i.e. life shall be given to those who have become spiritually dead.’”

He further explains, “If it is assumed that this prophecy is to be fulfilled after 400 years, it shall therefore mean that ‘I have made this prophecy so that those who desire life today should remain in their state of death and only be granted life after 400 years.’ However, this notion is clearly incorrect. The Promised Messiahas further stated, ‘This chilla [praying in seclusion for 40 days] has been performed in order for a living sign of God Almighty to be shown to those who reject Islam and so that those who reject the miracle of the Holy Prophetsa be given a new and marvellous proof of the fact that God Almighty manifests signs in support of Islam and the Holy Prophetsa even now.

The revealed words which shed light upon the purpose of this prophecy are as follows: “God has spoken so that those who seek life may be saved from the claws of death and that those who are buried in graves may come out of them.”

If we were to accept the notion of these people to be true, i.e. that the Muslehe-Maud is to come after 300-400 years, then this sentence would mean that this prophecy was only made so that those who desire life today should remain dead, and after 400 years, some from among their progeny shall be given life. How can anyone then accept such an interpretation to be true?

“The second purpose of this prophecy is that the excellence of the religion of Islam and the dignity of the Word of God be made apparent to the world. It is clearly evident that the meaning of this sentence is that in this time, people are not fully aware of the excellence of Islam, nor is the dignity of the Word of God clear to them.

However, according to some individuals [who claim that this prophecy was to be fulfilled much later] it would mean that God Almighty made this prophecy so that the excellence of the religion of Islam and the dignity of the Word of God would be manifested 300 to 400 years later, when these people will have died, and their children will have died, and their progeny will also have died. The excellence of the religion of Islam and the dignity of the Word of God will only be manifested unto the people when there will no longer be Pandit Lekhram, or Munshi Indarman Muradabadi, nor their children or even their progenies after them. Thus, tell me then, can anyone accept such an

interpretation to be correct? Do these people not possess any understanding?

“The Promised Messiahas states, ‘The third purpose of this prophecy is so that truth may come with all its blessings and falsehood may disperse with all its ills.’

The meaning of this is clear that in this time truth is in a weak state and falsehood is prevailing. God Almighty desires for such a sign to be shown that the enemies of Islam be silenced through irrefutable logical and rational arguments so that they be left with no choice but to accept that Islam is the truth and that all other religions that stand in opposition to it are all false.

“The fourth purpose of this prophecy is that people may know that God is Mighty and does what He wills. Now it is worthy to note that how could people understand God to be Mighty if it is assumed that this sign will be manifested 300-400 years later, through which they will be compelled to accept that the God of Islam is Mighty?

How can Pandit Lekhram give this prophecy any importance? Furthermore, how could the conclusive argument be made to those who were criticising Islam in that time, deeming the signs of the Holy Prophetsa to be false and claiming that Islam as a religion is dead, if only after 400 years they were to understand that God Almighty is All-Powerful? How could the fulfilment of this prophecy after 400 years convince them that God is Mighty? They would say that they cannot accept the verbal claims that this shall come to pass after 400 years. In fact, anyone can make such a claim, but the true significance of this is when a sign is actually shown at the time and it is proven that the God of Islam is indeed Mighty and Powerful.”

This is why the sign was meant to be fulfilled in that time.

“The fifth purpose of the prophecy is that ‘people may be convinced that God is with me’, (i.e. that God Almighty is with the Promised Messiahas). If this prophecy was to be fulfilled after 400 years, how then could the people in that era be convinced that God Almighty was with the Promised Messiahas?

The sixth purpose of this prophecy is that ‘those who do not believe in God and reject His religion and His Book and His Holy Messenger Muhammadsa may witness a manifest sign for themselves’.

Again, this would mean that those who reject Islam in this era (in other words during the time the Promised Messiahas was making the prophecy) that they shall receive a clear sign in support of the truthfulness of Islam, but they shall only witness this after 400 years, when the people in this era, rather their children and their grandchildren too shall have passed away.’ (So this too defies logic).

The seventh purpose that the Promised Messiahas has stated is that ‘this prophecy has been made so that the way of the evil ones may become manifest and that it be made known that they are liars.’ How therefore can anyone after 400 years discern if they were lying?” (Al-Maud, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 17, pp. 542-544) Thus, this prophecy referred to the

“Do not hold a chair for me” “Do not hold a chair for me because I was sent to this world in order to serve [humanity]. Likewise, do not wish [for yourself] to hold high positions, rather meet every meek, poor person. Even if you must sit on the ground to remove a thorn from the foot of a poor person, consider it an honour for yourself.”

(Malfuzat, Vol. 2)

Promised Son being from among the Promised Messiah’sas children, just as the prophecy states: “He would be of your seed and will be of your progeny.” This does not mean that he would be from among the later progeny of the Promised Messiahas, rather it referred to a son of the Promised Messiahas, and this was magnificently fulfilled. The 52-year span of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra Khilafat was like a bright star illuminating the world, and even those outside the Jamaat acknowledge Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra knowledge and insight. Details of this can be found in the literature of the Jamaat and if I begin to speak on this now, it would require a lot of time.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra has stated in his own words that he was the Musleh-eMaud [Promised Reformer]. Some people raised an allegation that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra did not announce that he was the Musleh-e-Maud – however he in fact

made the announcement in 1944 and during this announcement, he said: “I say this after taking an oath in the name of Allah the Almighty that I am the Musleh-e-Maud referred to in the prophecy and God Almighty has made me the embodiment of the prophecy foretold by the Promised Messiahas. Whosoever thinks that I have fabricated this claim or have lied or uttered a falsehood in anyway, they ought to enter a mubahalla [prayer duel] with me, or he ought to swear by God – in a manner whereby speaking a lie would incur divine punishment – that he had been informed by God Almighty that I had lied. In such a case, God Almighty would send down a heavenly decree Himself as to who is lying and who is speaking the truth.”

No one from among the opponents of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra came forward [to accept the challenge], and neither those members of the Jamaat who later

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

26 separated themselves.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra further says, “If they assert that the dream had come true as Misri Sahib had stated (there were certain people who turned away in apostasy), then they ought to write an essay outlining its truthfulness. I will in turn also write an essay and I am convinced that if they accept this challenge, they will suffer such a humiliating defeat that they will remember it for decades to come.

Thus, through His Grace and Mercy, God Almighty has informed me by way of Divine revelation that the prophecy for which people were eagerly anticipating has been fulfilled through this humble one. God Almighty has now sent down conclusive evidence for the enemies of Islam to plainly see that Islam is the true religion of God, Muhammadsa is the true messenger of God and that the Promised Messiahas is also the true appointed one of God Almighty. Those who assert that Islam is a false religion are themselves lying.

Those who claim that the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa was a liar are the ones who utter falsehood. Through the fulfilment of this grand and magnificent prophecy, God Almighty has demonstrated a living proof of the truthfulness of Islam and the Holy Prophetsa.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra continues: “Who had the might and strength to prophecy in 1886 – exactly 58 years ago – that they would be blessed with a boy within a period of nine years and that boy would grow rapidly in stature; his fame will spread to the ends of the earth; he would propagate the message of Islam and the Holy Prophetsa far and wide; he would be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge, the honour and dignity of God would be manifested through him and that he would be a living sign of the Power and Mercy of God Almighty as well as proof of His nearness. No human could have foretold this from his own accord; rather it was God Almighty Who foretold this news and it was God Himself Who ensured its fulfilment through that person…”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra is referring to himself and says, “God ensured the fulfilment of this prophecy through an individual regarding whom the doctors were concerned whether he would even survive or that he would not live a long life.” i.e. with regard to Hazrat Musleh-eMaud’sra health in his early years, doctors were concerned whether he would even survive. Nevertheless, with regard to himself, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra says, “In my childhood years, my health was so frail that at one stage Dr Mirza Yaqub Baig Sahib mentioned to the Promised Messiahas that I had developed tuberculosis, and thus I ought to be sent to a mountainous area.

Subsequently, the Promised Messiahas sent me to Shimla. However, when I went there, I felt homesick and returned after a brief stay. There was not a single day in which I did not suffer from one ailment or another, yet despite this, God Almighty granted me health and He kept me alive in order to manifest the fulfilment of this prophecy through me and provide the

people with proof of the truthfulness of Islam and Ahmadiyyat. Furthermore, this humble one was such that I did not attain any secular knowledge, yet God Almighty sent down His angels in order to bestow that knowledge to me and He instilled such knowledge of the Holy Quran within me that no human could have ever perceived. The knowledge that God Almighty granted to me and the spiritual fountain that flowed within me was not as a result of my own thoughts or ideas, rather it is so comprehensive and sound that I issue a challenge to the entire world that if there is anyone on the face of the earth, who claims that God Almighty taught him the knowledge of the Holy Quran, then I am ever ready to challenge such an individual.”

This was the challenge issued by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. He further states, “However I am aware that God Almighty has not bestowed knowledge of the Holy Quran to anyone on this earth other than myself. God Almighty granted me knowledge of the Holy Quran, and in order to teach the Holy Quran in this era, He has appointed me as the teacher of the entire world. God Almighty has appointed me so that I may propagate the message of the Holy Prophetsa and the Holy Qur’an to the ends of the earth and ensure that Islam prevails once and for all over every false religion of the world. The entire world can gather all their strength and might, whether they are Christian kings or if Christian governments join them, even if Europe and America join forces or if the most powerful and wealthiest nations unite together in an attempt to stop me achieving my goal, I swear by God Almighty that all their efforts will be in vain and they will be defeated. God Almighty will accept my prayers and efforts and destroy all of their schemes and deceptive ploys. In order to prove the truthfulness of this prophecy, God Almighty will establish the honour of the Holy Prophetsa and Islam through me or my followers, and will not forsake Islam until its full grandeur and glory is restored throughout the world and until the time the Holy Prophetsa is accepted as a true and living prophet.”

This was not an ordinary announcement and as mentioned earlier, each day of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s 52 year khilafat is proof of the glory of this prophecy. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra then says, “O my friends! I require no honour for myself, nor do I expect to live for many more years, except what God Almighty reveals to me (i.e. he does not say that he wishes to continue living for a particular amount of time), indeed if I am in need of something then that is the grace of God Almighty. I have full conviction that in order to restore the honour and glory of Islam once again and my former or future endeavours shall play a part – God Willing – in defeating Christianity and my steps will be counted amongst those who crush the heads of Satan, as it were, and bring an end to Christianity.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra says, “God willing, I shall manifest the truth for

the entire world to see. This sound you hear is the voice of God Almighty, Lord of the heavens and the earth. This is the Will of God, and this truth can never be averted, never be averted, never be averted. God Willing, Islam will inevitably prevail over the world and Christianity will be conquered. No support can save Christianity from my onslaughts and God Almighty will defeat them through my hands. Either in my lifetime it will be crushed in a manner that it will not have the power to recover or then through the seed that I plant, those trees will flourish that will reduce Christianity to nothing more than a dried up shrub and the flag of Islam and Ahmadiyyat will wave aloft in all four corners of the world.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra then says, “At this point in time, where I give you glad tidings that God Almighty has fulfilled the prophecy of the Promised Messiahas regarding the Musleh-e-Maud, at the same time I would urge you all to be mindful of your responsibilities.” The same responsibilities fall upon us as well. “The primary responsibility lies on all of you who have attested to my announcement regarding Musleh-e-Maud, that you ought to reform yourselves and be ready to offer every ounce of blood for the victory of Islam and Ahmadiyyat. Indeed, you are free to rejoice at the fact that God Almighty has fulfilled this prophecy, in fact, I would say that you must certainly express your joy, because the Promised Messiahas has written himself that you all are fortunate.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states, “You may jump for joy owing to the fulfilment of this prophecy as this will now be followed by [spiritual] light.” Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra further says, “I am not stopping you from rejoicing nor do I stop you from jumping for joy. Indeed, you are free to rejoice and celebrate, yet in this state of euphoria I urge not to forget your responsibilities. I was shown in a vision that I was racing ahead, and the world beneath my feet was shrinking at each step, in the same manner, God Almighty prophesied regarding me that I would grow rapidly in stature. Thus, it has been decreed for me to move swiftly ahead in all matters of progress. At the same time, it is incumbent upon you all to move ahead swiftly and to abandon all forms of negligence and tardiness. Blessed will be the one who moves forward alongside me and continues to advance in the field of progress. May God have mercy on the one who does not stride forwards owing to their negligence and tardiness and instead, just like the hypocrites, they move away.” Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra says, “If you wish to make progress and want to understand your responsibilities in the correct manner, then advance forward alongside me at every step and at every occasion, so that we may embed the flag of the Holy Prophetsa in the heartland from where disbelief has taken root and eradicate falsehood from the face of the earth. God willing, this shall transpire accordingly. The heavens and the earth may move from their positions, however the Words of God Almighty will always be fulfilled.” (Al-Maud, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol.

17, pp. 645-649) May Allah the Almighty enable us to practically strive and spread the message of Islam to the corners of the earth and not simply just commemorate the Jalsa Musleh-e-Maud. We should not simply be content by taking part in the Jalsas, rather we should help further this mission.

Moreover, we should strive in furthering those tasks for which God Almighty sent the Promised Messiahas, who announced countless prophecies, among which is the prophecy of Musleh Maud [the Promised Reformer].

I will briefly like to mention something in relation to the achievements of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. It is mentioned in the prophecy that he “will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge.” I will briefly present a glimpse in relation to this. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra books, lectures, speeches are all being published as a multi-volume set known as Anwar-ulUlum.

Many volumes have already been published and those who can read Urdu should read them. Also, some of the books are being translated into English as well.

Currently, 26 volumes of Anwar-ul-Ulum have been published, which include a total of 670 books, lectures and speeches.

Similarly, 39 volumes of Khutabat-eMahmud have been published, which include all the sermons up to 1959 and there are a total of 2367 sermons. There are 1,071 pages of Tafsir-e-Saghir and there are 10 volumes of Tafsir-e-Kabir which contain the commentary of 59 chapters of the Holy Quran. The total number of pages of the ten volumes of Tafsir-eKabir amounts to 5907 pages. The Darsul-Quran [lectures] of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra which have not been published yet have now been composed by the Research Cell and submitted to the Fazl-e-Umar Foundation, which consist of 3,094 pages.

I have now instructed the Research Cell to collate the additional commentary of the Holy Quran from the writings and discourses of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, which they have now started working on. Up till now, they have been able to compile 9,000 pages of commentary and the project is still on-going. This was just a very brief overview of some of the works of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh also gave an overview of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra works during his Khilafat in one of his sermons. I will also present the extract of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh in relation this. Huzoorrh states: “In relation to Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra, God Almighty had declared that he will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge. In regard to this, I had collected many details, however I can only give an overview of the information I prepared, which is as follows: “One of the commentaries of the Holy Quran by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra is the Tafsir-e-Kabir. This commentary is of such a remarkable standard that if one were to even reflect on one aspect of that commentary, they will have no choice but to accept that if a righteous person was to

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Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM simply present only that particular part of the Holy Quran with those explanatory notes, then in the eyes of the world, this achievement alone of his would be sufficient enough for him to be considered as one of the most pious and righteous individuals. However, it is not limited to this alone, in fact Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra wrote many other books on the Holy Quran. In my estimation, Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra has written 8-10 thousand pages on the commentary of the Holy Quran alone, which includes the 11 volumes of Tafsir-e-Kabir.

“On the subject of Kalam, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has written 10 books and treatises; 31 books and treatises written on the subject of spirituality and Islamic morals and doctrines; 13 books and treatise written on the life and character of the Holy Prophetsa; four books and treatises on the subject of history; three books and treatise on Fiqah [Islamic jurisprudence]; 25 books and treatise in relation to politics prior to the independence of Pakistan and India and nine books and treatise after the independence. 15 books and treatise in relation to the political issues of Kashmir.

99 books and treatise on particular aspects relating to Ahmadiyyat and its various initiatives. The sum total of these books and treatise is 225.”

At the time, Hazrat Khalifatul Maish IIIrh may not have been provided with all the information, but now this detailed information has been made available which I have just mentioned. In any case, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh states: “As mentioned that the words of the divine revelation states that he will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge.

When one glances at this aspect of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, they will find that he possessed both secular and spiritual knowledge. Moreover, whichever book or treatise Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra wrote, everyone stated that no one would be able to produce anything better in comparison.

When Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra took lead in political matters or gave advice to the leadership in political issues, even the staunchest opponents were left with no choice but to acknowledge his peerless competence. In short, there is a great depth of detail in relation to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra being filled with secular and spiritual knowledge and I (i.e. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh) cannot even go into even one small aspect of it. In fact, I have just presented a very brief summary before you and will end at this.” (Mahana Ansarullah, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud Number, May-June-July 2009, pp. 64-65) May Allah the Almighty send thousands of blessings upon Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and may He continue to elevate his station. Just like this son of the Promised Messiahas, may we also instil the passion within our hearts for the spread of Islam and may we be ever ready to serve Islam. May we be counted amongst those who truly serve their faith and not among those regarding whom Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra stated that “Let it not be the case that the community is defamed in your time.” (Kalam-e-Mahmud, p.97)

May it not be the case that the future generations become those who dishonour the community, in fact may they continue to excel in serving their faith. After the Friday prayer, I shall lead two funeral prayers in absentia.

The first is of respected Mariam Elizabeth Sahiba. She was the second wife of respected Malik Umar Ali Khokhar Sahib, Raees Multan and who also served as the former Amir of Multan. She passed away at the age of 86 owing to an accident: َ ‫ِانَّا ل ِ ّٰل ِہ َو ِانَّا ِال َ ْی ِه‬ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ‫ر‬ ِ “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return” The deceased and her daughter were in lift which had a malfunction.

The mother was not able to survive as a result of the incident and her daughter also sustained injuries and is currently in hospital. She was born in 1934 and was a German native and lived in Hamburg.

She accepted Ahmadiyyat and did Bai‘at in 1952 and was married to Malik Umar Ali Khokhar Sahib. She later moved to Pakistan and after the demise of her husband, she returned to Germany and then again moved to Pakistan. She was a part of the blessed Nizam of Al-Wasiyyat and was very regular in offering her Salat and in the observance of fasting.

She was extremely punctual in her prayers and would pay particular attention to the timings of sunset and sunrise. She would regularly recite the Holy Quran and observe the fasts.

Her children have related that she would tell them that she married their father in 1952. The missionary serving at the time in Germany, respected Abdul Latif Sahib, did her Bai‘at and also lead her nikah. After her marriage, she moved to Pakistan. Her children relate that [after moving to Pakistan] she lived together with Malik Umar Ali Sahib’s first wife, Syeda Begum Sahiba, who was the daughter of Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaq Sahibra and would always show great respect to her. After moving to Pakistan, she began to learn how to offer Salat and the recite the Holy Quran and a teacher was arranged for this.

The very first book she read of the Promised Messiahas was The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam. Since she was living in Pakistan, she was able to speak a little bit of Urdu and Saraiki and also understand it.

The deceased had two children; a son and a daughter. When the time came for her children’s marriage, she left the decision with Malik Sahib’s first wife, Syeda Begum Sahiba, who was older than her and stated that she should choose whatever marriage proposal she felt was best. Her son is Tariq Ali and daughter is Tahira.

May Allah the Almighty grant her His forgiveness and mercy and elevate her station.

The next funeral is of Jahid Faris, who passed away at the ageَ of ٰ 12: َ ْ َ ّ َ ّ َّ ‫اج ُعوْن‬ ِ ‫ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِه ر‬ “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”

He was the son of Tariq Noori and

Why the Promised as Messiah came

Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkotira, speaking of the Promised Messiah’sas purpose and advent, said: “I remember well – and I have written this in my notebook – that a person posed a question to His Holiness, our Truthful Imam, Hazrat Mirza Sahibas, in Jalandhar about the purpose of his advent in the world.

The Promised Messiahas said, ‘I have come to strengthen people in their faith.’ ” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 1)

Friday 20 March 2020 | AL HAKAM

28 Attiatul Aziz Khadijah. The maternal grandfather of Jahid was Farooq Ahmad Khan, who is the eldest paternal grandchild of Hazrat Nawab Amatul Hafeez Begum Sahibara. He, and along with many other friends of the deceased, have written that he possessed many qualities. He was extremely well mannered and had great love for Khilafat. He would always regularly write to me, whether it was for his exams or any other matter. He was very proud to be an Ahmadi and to announce one is Ahmadi in schools in Pakistan is indeed a significant matter.

He would regularly listen to the sermons. He was a Waqf-e-Nau and would attend the [Waqf-e-Nau] classes and had also memorised the Waqf-e-Nau syllabus for his age. He was currently learning the qaseedah of the Promised

Messiahas. He would regularly take part in contributing towards Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid. He would regularly go to the Namaz centre to offer his prayers.

He particularly paid attention towards the congregational prayers and would regularly recite the Holy Quran after Fajr.

Many of his friends have also written that he had a very melodious voice.

He was a seventh year student and due to a fire caused by the generator in the house, he sustained burns from the fire.

The doctors had said that his condition was improving and the wounds were improving, however he contracted an infection, or perhaps due to some other factors, his organs began to be affected owing to the infection and he passed away in hospital.

He was a young child and indeed

children of this age are innocent and enter paradise; may Allah the Almighty grant him a station in the nearness of his loved ones.

He was brought up by his mother on her own and his father separated from them and had kept no contact with them whatsoever throughout his life. He was brought up by his mother and his maternal grandparents. May Allah the Almighty also grant them patience and steadfastness to bear this great tragedy.

The child’s maternal grandmother was Tahira Begum Sahiba, who was the daughter of Mariam Begum Sahiba, who, as I just mentioned, sustained injuries due to an accident in the lift and is currently in hospital. May Allah the Almighty grant her healthy and prosperous life and enable her to witness the happiness and

prosperity of her progeny.

Tariq Ali Khokhar is the cousin of Jahid’s mother and his son writes, “One of his notable qualities was that during his illness, while in hospital, he would sometimes lose consciousness or become very drowsy and therefore, would always ask me whether he had offered his Salat.

If I told him that he had not offered his Salat, he would immediately begin to offer his Salat whilst laying down.”

As I have mentioned, may Allah the Almighty elevate his station and also grant patience, steadfastness and strength to his mother and maternal grandparents.

(Original Urdu published in Al Fazl International, 13 March 2020, pp. 5-9.

Translated by The Review of Religions)

Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya was the first book published by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, the Promised Messiah and Mahdias. The book contains many arguments in support of the Holy Quran and the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. It was written as a demonstration of the superiority of Islam over all other faiths with logical arguments.

To read Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, please visit alislam.org

Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | Sub-Editorial: Ataul Fatir Tahir | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | © Al Hakam 2020