Al Hakam - 18 January 2019

Friday Sermon

How Europe Came to Forget its Arabic Heritage

21 December 2018

Part I

Delivered from Baitul Futuh Mosque

From the Markaz

100 Years Ago...

New Converts from Canada Meet Huzooraa

Tabligh in the UK

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Page 9

Al Fazl, 21 January 1919

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THE WEEKLY

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www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 18 January 2019 | Issue XLIV Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

Democratic Gr dlock M

odern day politics seems to be taking unprecedented courses. Nations that hold democracy to be their flagship seem to be struggling to uphold this claim.

The flaw with Western democracy is that almost half the nation could disagree with a choice that the other almost-half strongly agrees with.

52% of the British population thought it was best to leave the European Union while the remaining 48% thought it was best to remain.

The contentious climate that it has given rise to within the British nation has set an example that best depicts this flaw.

With just a couple of months left before the official “divorce”, the British nation is still struggling to come to, what is now globally known as, a Brexit deal; no result reached so far and the nation is widely split in opinion.

Representing the general masses, the members of the British parliament seem to be in a total deadlock situation concerning the departure from the EU, but with no reasonable way forward. The day to day affairs continue, but the

Hadith-e-Rasul – Sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa Position of Authority Hazrat Abu Dharr, Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Abdur Rahman, do not ask for a position of authority, for if you are granted this position as a result of your asking for it, you will be left alone (without God’s help to discharge the responsibilities), and it you are granted it without making any request for it, you will be helped (by God in the discharge of your duties).”

(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Imarah)

government is virtually paralysed. The historic that Mrs May's proposed deal had to face in the parliament earlier this week only added fuel to the fire and the situation remains as completed as it was before the parliamentary polls, if not more.

Some say that this divorce of Britain from the EU is pushed by its next marriage, planned with the USA. But even the US government has, as we write these lines, been paralysed for a few weeks now.

We all know how President Trump would have reacted to a similar situation had it occurred in the time of some other president. But since it happened to be his own regime when the US government is shutdown, he seems quite content with the “fast food” that he has had to order for a White House reception.

President Trump appears to oppose those who are against his border wall idea, and thus he left from a meeting with congressional leaders, which in turn solidified a standoff that has closed down a significant part of the government for a much longer period than before.

Continued on page 4

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words A Superficial Oath of Allegiance is Useless A superficial oath of allegiance to a spiritual guide brings no benefit and it is difficult to derive any gain from such an oath of allegiance. A person shall truly reap benefit only when they abandon their ego and attach themselves to this person with abiding love and sincerity. Since the hypocrites did not possess a true relationship with the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his progeny, ultimately, they remained bereft of faith; they were left devoid ٰ of َّ pureَ ٰ ّ love and sincerity. And so, the mere proclamation ‫لا اِل َہ اِلا الل ُہ‬ (There is none worthy of worship except Allah) was of no avail to them. Thus, it is very important to forge these bonds. If a

follower does not strengthen these ties and fails to make an effort in this cause, any expression of grief or regret would be unwarranted. One should nurture a relationship of love and sincerity with one’s spiritual guide and insofar as possible, adjust the hue of one’s disposition to that of one’s master, both in terms of action and belief. The inner self of man promises him a long life, but this is deception. There is no telling how long a person will live. One should hasten to adopt piety and worship, and introspect on one’s condition from morning to evening.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp 4-5)

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Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM

From the Markaz

Yearly Harvest

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very year, around the world, the Jamaat continues to produce fresh batches of missionaries, who dedicate their lives for the cause of Islam to further spread the true message.

The Jamaat has many Jamias around the world such as Jamia Ahmadiyya Qadian, Rabwah, Ghana, Germany, Canada and the UK, just to name a few.

After completing the Shahid exams, a new batch spends a period in which they are sent to different areas like Africa, Pakistan and Spain. During this period, they are also temporarily posted in various offices of the Jamaat to broaden their understanding of the Nizam (system) of the Jamaat.

During the activities of the year, the highlight for many fortunate young missionaries are the mulaqats the missionaries have with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in which they are given the opportunity to learn and ask Huzooraa various questions.

Before the batch departs for Africa or Pakistan, they leave with guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa as to what tasks they should focus on during their time there and are once again reminded of their actual purpose.

Last week, both the Canadian and the UK batches of missionaries had seperate mulaqats with Huzooraa.

Al Hakam spoke with Sabahat Ali Sahib who, along with his Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada class fellows, had a class mulaqat on Saturday, 12 January. Regarding the mulaqat, he said: “This was our first class mulaqat. It was totally different in that the level of expectation was clearly much higher, and this air of expectation from Huzooraa fanned the flames of devotion in each one of us.

“One person asked Huzooraa about how many letters one should ideally write to him. Huzooraa replied, ‘As many as your love impels you to write. It shouldn’t just be to fulfil a certain quota of letters.’”

“We asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa about his expectations for us in Rabwah, to which he responded that we should always remember that we are going there as missionaries, and should conduct ourselves as such. He told us that there are many elders in Rabwah who are experienced and knowledgeable, and that we should take advantage of that. First and foremost, he said that we should offer all five prayers in Masjid Mubarak, and that whatever programme the organisation has given shape for us should be adhered to perfectly.

“Huzooraa asked a student about what time he got up for Tahajud, and advised that for a missionary, half an hour before Fajr is expected as a bare minimum, stating that it should be around an hour before preferably.”

On 14 January, the UK batch had their second class mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, the first being before they departed for Africa. After the recent mulaqat, our Al Hakam reporters spoke with Sabahuddin Ahmedi Sahib, who expressed his feelings saying: “We have had the honour to meet Huzooraa twice as a class; once before going

to Africa and today being the second time before we travel to Pakistan. I feel honoured, privileged and humbled to be able to spend time with our Imam who advises us on different aspects before travelling. As a father advises his child is how my Khalifa advised us. From what to eat and drink, to how to worship and greet others. Despite our beloved Imam’s busy schedule, he took out over half an hour for us, asked us about our previous experiences in Africa and gave us the opportunity to ask questions. To be in the presence of an individual who we believe to be the closest man to God Almighty is truly a blessing.”

After the mulaqat, our reporters also spoke with Attaul Fattir Tahir Sahib from the UK batch, who said: “Spending any amount of time with Huzooraa is priceless. By the grace of Allah, we have been blessed with two mulaqats with Huzooraa since passing Jamia. It’s Huzoor’s sheer love and affection that he grants us this time in his blessed company.

“The first mulaqat was prior to our trip to Africa in which Huzooraa advised us on what to do, gave us insight into the African culture and specifically told us to show love to Africans and learn from them. Huzooraa reminded us that our conduct should be of a very high standard and that we should not be unmindful of our daily prayers, recitation of the Holy Quran and extra studies whilst in Africa.

“In this recent mulaqat, Huzooraa enquired about our experience in Africa and gave us valuable advice for our next visit to Pakistan. The mulaqat was very lighthearted and Huzooraa showed us great love.”

Ataul Fattir told our reporters that he had the opportunity to ask Huzoor about the recent Halal meat debate and ban in one area of Belgium and what response should be given to those who say that the manner in which animals are slaughtered in Islam is cruel.

“Huzoor presented a beautiful answer,” said Ataul Fattir, “highlighting the fact that Halal meat is actually more beneficial and less cruel to animals as compared to other methods of slaughter. Huzoor said that countries like New Zealand are actually promoting Halal meat and that the world would soon realise that the method Islam presents is actually the best.”

He added an interesting aspect of the mulaqat, highlighting Huzoor’s love for the Jamaat around the world, “Huzooraa graciously gave us each two pens as well at the close of the mulaqat. Huzooraa said to give a pen to any friend we made in Rabwah.”

“Each mulaqat has enlightened, blessed and spiritually uplifted our whole class.

The advice Huzooraa gives us prior to going into the field has been extremely valuable.

It’s another proof of the truthfulness of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya.”

These mulaqats are preparing the young missionaries for their journies ahead.

Though they may have completed their studies in Jamia, however the real training comes from every guidance received from Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa.

This Week in History 18-24 January 18 January 1903: The Promised Messiahas began his journey back from Jhelum and reached Lahore on this day.

He was in Jhelum for the Karam Din case court proceedings.

18 January 1970: Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIIrh laid the foundation stone of Khilafat Library, Rabwah. Hazrat Chaudhry Sir Muhammad Zafarulla Khanra was also present.

Huzoor’srh speech on this occasion was about the philosophy of learning, branches of knowledge and establishing libraries. Khilafat Library’s inauguration was held on 3 October 1971 and Huzoorrh himself presided over this historic event. The building of the library was funded by Fazle Umar Foundation and the authority was given to Sadr Anjuman. As Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra (Fazle Umar) was a scholar of the Quran and other branches of knowledge, he wanted to establish a library for the coming generation. On this basis Fazle Umar foundation built this library. Nowadays, Khilafat Library is a household name amongst book lovers, publishers and literary circles of the country.

19 January 1903: The Promised Messiahas arrived back in Qadian from Jhelum after attending court proceedings. On this day, the judge announced the final verdict which was in favour of the Promised Messiahas as foretold by God Almighty.

21 January 1886: The Promised Messiahas went for a chillah [forty days of seclusion for worship] to Hoshiarpur on a small ox-drawn two-wheeled vehicle. One narration recorded that the oxen were of white colour and Huzooras also made an overnight stay in Rasul Pur. 22 January 1897: The Promised Messiah’sas book Anjam-e-Atham (End of Atham) was published on this day. In the conclusion of Jang-e-Muqaddas (Holy War), on 5 June 1893, the Promised Messiahas published a prophecy about Abdullah Atham, who represented the Christian community in the debate called Jang-e-Muqaddas, that Abdullah Atham would be thrown into hell within 15 months – one month corresponding to each day of the debate – and that he would be (severely) disgraced “provided he did not turn to the truth”.

A period of 15 months ended on 5 September 1894 by which day Abdullah Atham was still alive. There was a great uproar that the prophecy of the Promised Messiahas turned out to be false as he was still alive. A procession was taken out on 6 September 1894 in Amritsar in which Atham was paraded as a sign that the Christians had become

victorious over Islam. The Promised Messiahas wrote that the prophecy made by him was fulfilled in letter and spirit, because during the period of 15 months, Abdullah Atham had repented, turned towards the truth and had remained quiet without saying a single word against Islam and the Holy Prophetsa, nor did he write any article or book against Islam during this period.

Since 6 September, the Promised Messiahas issued seven announcements, one after the other, inviting Atham to take an oath that during the period of 15 months, he did not turn to God. In the posters, he offered a prize of 1,000 rupees which went on increasing with every poster – to 2,000, 3,000 and then 4,000 rupees. Every time, Atham was invited to take an oath. It was after the seventh poster (issued on 30 December 1895) that the refusal of Atham had reached a point where he would not be given any further respite.

Abdullah Atham died on 27 July 1896. This book, Anjam-e-Atham, contains the related details of the events. The book also bears the list of Hazrat Ahmad’sas 313 Companions.

24 Jan 1898: The Promised Messiah’sas Urdu book Kitab-ul-Bariyyah (The Acquittal) was published on this day

by Zia-ul-Islam Press, Qadian. History shows us that the Christian missionary of Amritsar, Dr Henry Martyn Clark brought a charge of conspiracy to murder under Section 107 of IPC against the Promised Messiahas on 1 August 1897 in the court of Mr AB Martineau, District Magistrate of Amritsar.

Dr Clark stated that Hazrat Ahmadas had sent a young man, Abdul Hamid, to murder him. Abdul Hamid’s statement was also recorded. The magistrate immediately issued a warrant of arrest for Hazrat Ahmadas under Section 114. The news of the arrest spread like wildfire and people eagerly looked forward to seeing the Promised Messiahas alight the train at Amritsar railway station handcuffed.

They gathered every day at the station waiting for him, but God would not let him be humiliated at the hands of his enemies. The warrant of arrest never reached its destination and was never served to the Promised Messiahas. On the other hand, the district magistrate of Amritsar later realised his own mistake that he had no jurisdiction outside of Amritsar. Therefore, the case was transferred to the district magistrate of Gurdaspur. This book carries the details of this court case and also briefly mentions details of the Promised Messiah’s ancestry.

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Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM 100 Years Ago...

From the Markaz

Tabligh in the UK

New Converts from Canada Meet Huzooraa

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n 13 January, a group of seven new converts who travelled from Canada were blessed with a mulaqat, organised by Khuddamul-Ahmadiayya Canada, with Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa. The main purpose of mulaqats initially took root at the time of the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas. He emphasised the importance of those who accepted him as the Messiah and Mahdi to meet him and foster a relationship with him.

Huzooraa started by asking each person for their introduction and further enquired from them what they had studied and where they all worked.

The guests arrived in the UK on Thursday, 10 January. Huzooraa asked where they were staying and enquired about the food and hospitality. Huzooraa then asked each person the date and year they converted.

Among the new converts, one guest asked that they had prepared and wished to ask a few questions, upon which Huzooraa graciously accepted.

A brother asked Huzooraa to relate a personal faith inspiring incident.

Huzooraa affectionately said, “You are the new convert, you should tell me a faith-inspiring story.” Huzooraa further asked the gentleman to narrate his story of how he converted to Ahmadiyyat.

One of the guests asked Huzooraa, as a born Ahmadi, at what point he had certainty that Islam Ahmadiyyat was in fact the true Islam.

Answering his question, Huzooraa stated: “There were so many occasions.”

Huzoor went on to say: “When I was just 16, I believed that there is a God, and if there is a God, He has appointed Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadianias as the Messiah and Mahdi of the age. So, if he has been appointed by Allah, then his followers should have firm belief in Allah and in the acceptance of prayers. So I prayed, and my prayers were accepted. Then, I realised that God is with Hazrat Masihe-Maudas.”

Huzooraa further said, “There were so many stories I had read of the old Ahmadis and companions of Hazrat Masih-e-Maudas that also made my faith firm.”

Then, a guest asked, “In Islam, a son has the obligation of – financially and by other means – looking after his parents when they are older. However, if parents only have daughters, what will the duty be for the daughters regarding her parents?”

Answering this question, Huzooraa said, “If Allah did not give them sons, then the daughters can help their parents in other ways. It is not necessary that they help in a financial way.”

Huzooraa further stated, “How many sons are helping their parents today?

In modern day society, in the Western world, old people are sent to old people homes. It is not only the sons that should try to seek paradise under the feet of their mothers, it is the daughters as well who should try to seek paradise under the feet of their mothers.”

A brother asked Huzooraa, “How can we know the difference between good innovations and bad innovations?”

Huzoor answered, “Anything which is against the teachings of Islam is a bad innovation. Anything which is depriving the people of the society from their rights is a bad innovation.”

For the new converts department, an idea was presented before Huzooraa regarding Muakhaat (brotherhood), where each convert is partnered with another person to strengthen the bond between them and the Jamaat. Regarding this, Huzooraa replied affirmatively and said, “Even in Qadian, this was done by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra.” Huzooraa further stated, “Sometimes, even Nau Mubai‘een [new converts] can help all Ahmadis increase their spiritual level.”

A new convert asked Huzooraa what motivated him to devote his life for the cause of the Jamaat. Huzooraa replied, “When I was quite young, I thought I should dedicate my life for the cause of the Jamaat.” Huzoor went on to say: “I wrote to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh that I want to dedicate my life.

He [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh] sent my letter to the Tahrik-e-Jadid office, and after being processed, the Tahrik-e-Jadid office called me and interviewed me. After some time, they wrote back to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh [saying] ‘We don’t need a person of this qualification at present.’ Then, on the letter, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh wrote, ‘Tahrik-e-Jadid might not need this person, but I need him.’ Then, he [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIra] accepted my waqf and sent me to Ghana.”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then turned to the person who, in the beginning of the mulaqat, asked Huzooraa for a faith inspiring story, and said, “You were asking for a faith inspiring story, so this is also one”.

In the end, Huzooraa graciously gifted each person with the inscription َ ُ ّٰ a ring ْ َ​َ َُ َ ‫ﺎف ﻋ ْﺒده‬ ٍ �ِ‫ أﻟ� َﺲ اللہ ﺑ‬and concluded the mulaqat with a group photo.

Al Fazl, 21 January 1919

Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra

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s readers will have gathered from my previous report, I submitted a request for my passport to travel to Africa, however that was rejected. [Mufti Sahibra wrote in an earlier report that he was struggling to acquire the relevant documents to travel to Africa, after being instructed to travel to Africa by the markaz.]

Upon the advice of Qazi Abdullah Sahib, I went to the passport office and submitted a request again, however, it was of no avail. The secretary of the India office wrote in his letter dated 4 November [1918], “In this regard, the chief of naval staff is very strict; he does not permit travelling by sea unless it is imperative.

There is a shortage of ships as most ships are currently being used for the war. However, as the war is nearing its end, it seems that the conditions may, Insha-Allah, improve within the next few months and travelling

to Africa shouldn’t be a problem.”

Two letters from the secretary of the India office were sent to Daftar Taraqqi-eIslam for presenting to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, may Allah be with him and help him with divine support.

Due to the postponement of this journey, I travelled to Torquay. This town is situated in the south-west of England, approximately 200 miles from London. I set off at 10am from London and got to Torquay at around 2:30pm. It was a direct train. This area is lush green and the air here is pure. It is said that compared to London, the cold is not so bitter here. Thus far, I have noticed nothing different other than the fact that the sun stays out of the clouds far longer than it does in London.

I have acquired two furnished rooms from an Englishman’s home. Other tenants also reside here. The gentleman, along with his sister and daughter, cook the food, feed us and clean the rooms. They are very hospitable. The meat I consume comes from a Jewish butcher in Plymouth via post. Due to the cold, the meat stays in good condition for many days. I eat my food in my room.

The fireplace is always lit in my room. (28 December 1918)

Tabligh in the town hall On 8 November, there was a gathering of dignitaries in the Torquay town hall. One of the board members delivered a lecture on how towns are formed and how they can be managed. On such a subject, at first I saw no

Torquay Town Hall, 1922

Continued on page 5

|Postcard from 1922 | Wiki Commons

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Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM

31 Jalsa Salana Uganda st

Batte Ahmad Kaire Uganda Correspondent

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n Wednesday, 9 January 2019, the inauguration ceremony of duties for Jalsa Salana Uganda was held.

After the Zuhr and Asr prayers, the Amir and Missionary In-charge Uganda, Al-Haj Muhammad Ali Kaire held a meeting with all the departmental heads.

In his address, Amir Sahib emphasised the importance of devotion and serving in Jalsa Salana. In connection with Waqar-eAmal (voluntary physical labour), he said that congregational work and congregational prayers are symbols of unity among us, and the unity among us complements the unity of God. The inauguration concluded with the inspection of different departments by Amir Sahib.

On Friday 11 January 2019, the 31st Jalsa Salana Uganda commenced with the

Jumua prayer led by Amir and Missionary In-charge Uganda and Rwanda, Maulana Al-Haj Muhammad Ali Kaire.

In his sermon, Amir Sahib said that it was a blessings of Allah that in an age of great satanic influences, He raised the Messiah and Mahdi as the Imam of the age to counter these influences and He has bestowed upon us the favour of Khilafat that leads us on the right path.

He also said that the Jamaat started in Uganda in 1934 and the numbers would have been easily at least ten million by now, but unfortunately the tarbiyat of the younger generation was not properly performed and when they grew up, they distanced themselves from the Jamaat.

Amir Sahib said that it is only through obedience and in keeping a peaceful environment that we can attain victory.

After the Jumua prayer, Amir Sahib met the press. Mr Henry Nsubuga asked the Amir to clarify the point of the youth being the foundation upon which the spiritual transformation of people is laid. In answering this question, he said that old people have already moulded in the shape that they will remain

for the rest of their lives. However, the youth are akin to a fertile land on which the seeds of taqwa can be sown.

The first session began with the hoisting of Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat by Amir Sahib, which was followed by recitation from the Holy Quran by Sheikh Hafiz Azhar Nkuutu.

This was followed by an Arabic poem recital

by Sheikh Nasir Nsonko.

In his opening speech, Amir Sahib welcomed the guests and thanked all the organisers who worked tooth and nail to make the Jalsa Salana a success.

He then read out Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V’saa message to the members participating in Jalsa Salana Uganda 2019.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said: “Dear members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Uganda. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon you. I am pleased that you are holding your 31st Jalsa Salana on 11, 12 and 13 January 2019. May God Almighty make this Jalsa Salana a great blessing for you, and through it, may He enable you raise your spiritual conditions.

“A great favour upon us that we have accepted the Promised Messiahas and Mahdi who is the Imam of age. It is therefore incumbent upon us, who have pledged allegiance to him, to strive always to improve our spiritual conditions.

“The Promised Messiahas admonished us to raise our standard of righteousness and shun all kinds of evils and also strengthen our personal relationship with our Creator.

“We should not only read the words of the Bai‘at and listen to the sayings of the Imam of the age, but also endeavour to put these teachings in practices.”

Outreach Programmes in Argentina Marwan Sarwar Gill Missionary, Argentina

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uring the month of December, we had the opportunity to organise two humanitarian events under the motto of “Love for All, Hatred for None”.

One day we distributed toys in a children’s hospital located in Buenos Aires to more than 100 children. Aside from the 3 members of the Jamaat, around 13 friends of the community participated and supported us and thus made this event successful.

Only a few days ago, along with the Sai Baba community, we went to a underprivileged neighbourhood near Buenos Aires to distribute food, clothes and toys. The Ahmadiyya Jamaat was represented in this event by 3 members and 3 friends of the community.

More than 100 people received different types of donations.

The online news channel ABC Mundial also published an article about these activities of the community.

Continued from page 1 So here we have two governments paralysed, leaving the two proud democracies in crisis.

On 27 June 2012, a historic event took place at Capitol Hill, Washington DC. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressed leading congressmen, senators, ambassadors, White House and state department staff, NGO leaders, religious leaders, professors, policy advisors, bureaucrats, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of think-tanks and the Pentagon, and journalists from the media.

This meeting, the first of its kind, gave the opportunity to some of the most influential leaders in the United States, including Hon Nancy Pelosi, now Democratic Leader in the House of Representatives, to hear firsthand Islam’s message on world peace.

Huzooraa, expressing why manmade governments are falling apart and people are getting frustrated and in turn losing hope in their leaders, stated: “It is important to always remember that human knowledge and intellect is not perfect, but is in fact limited. Thus, when making decisions or forming thoughts, often certain factors enter human minds, which can cloud judgement and lead to a person trying to fulfil his own rights. Ultimately, this can lead to an unjust outcome and decision being made.

“God’s Law, however, is perfect and so no vested interests or unfair provisions exist.

This is because God only desires for the good and betterment of His creation and therefore, His Law is based entirely on justice.

“The day the people of the world come to recognise and understand this crucial point will be the day that the foundation for true and everlasting peace will be laid.

Otherwise, we continue to find that although efforts are endlessly made to establish world peace, yet they are unable to provide any worthwhile results.”

Ahmadi Radio Talk Show in Jamaica Umair Ahmed Khan Jamaica Correspondent

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he Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Jamaica has successfully, by the grace of Allah, launched its first radio talk show called Voice of Islam recently. The programme goes live every Sunday from 4pm to 5pm on one of Jamaica’s most popular radio stations for religious listeners called Bess 100 FM. The purpose of this programme is to clear the misconceptions that the people of Jamaica have about Islam and to share the true message of Islam.

The very first show was hosted by Umair Khan Sahib, Missionary In-charge Jamaica Jamaat along with missionary Ibrahim Forson Sahib and Haneef Taylor Sahib, National Secretary Tabligh for Jamaica Jamaat.

The programme started

with the recitation of the Holy Quran. The first programme for the Voice of Islam Jamaica focused on removing misconceptions about terrorism and teachings of peace in Islam. The topics of the oneness of God and belief in Prophet Jesusas were also discussed. The programme came to a conclusion with a very interesting question and answer session between listeners and the Jamaat panel.

The programme is interactive and allows listeners to call in, send text messages and ask questions, while also sharing feedback and ideas for new topics related to Islam.

We hope and pray that Allah makes this radio programme a means of successfully conveying the message of Islam Ahmadiyya to the people of Jamaica.

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Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM Continued from page 3

opportunity for me to speak, but my heart did not accept that whilst being present there, the gathering should be bereft of the remembrance of Allah.

After the lecture, I stood up, and my remarks have been published in newspapers.

I said: “What the speaker said about the formation and management of towns is very beneficial. I belong to a village and that village is progressing day by day in accordance with prophecies of a prophet of God. The name of that village is Qadian. It is strange how the first three letters of the second syllable in the word Torquay are similar to the first three letters of Qadian [when spelt ‘Quadian’, which it sometimes was]. It was said to Hazrat Ahmadas, Prophet of Allah, in the revelations vouchsafed to him that Qadian would grow exceptionally.

With regard to such a place, what advice would the respected speaker give?”

In this manner, I had the opportunity to perform tabligh. What answer was the speaker to give? He replied, “The case of villages is different. We reside in a town.”

The report of this speech was given in the newspapers the Torquay Times and the

Torquay Directory on 15 November [1918].

Both newspaper cuttings have been sent to Master Abdur Rahim Nayyar Sahib so that they may be given to the appropriate English magazine or journal.

Speech in Spiritualist church On the evening of 5 November, an event was held in this church and I too participated.

The organiser of the event said that if I wished to speak, then 5-10 minutes could be allocated for me. I responded affirmatively.

Thus, in a brief speech, I spoke on the need of revelation and proofs in support of the door to divine communication still being open. It had a positive impact on the audience. After the speech, I had the chance to speak to some ladies about Islam Ahmadiyyat in detail. Two of those ladies visited the house where I stayed and I had the chance to preach to them. Very happily, they took the Bai‘at form with them to ponder over it. May Allah bless their decision and may He bring them towards Islam. Amin.

The local newspaper, the Torquay Directory, published a report on this brief speech on 12 November [1918] with the heading [translated from Urdu] Address of an Eastern Scholar.

Newspaper cuttings I usually purchase those newspapers that include mention of the Jamaat or about us and send the cuttings of articles to friends.

Regrettably, within the given budget, this is not possible anymore and I have had to discontinue this. However, should anyone desire for me to continue sharing such newspaper articles, they should send some money and I shall carry on sending such newspapers with their help. The funds can be sent via postal order.

India’s part in the war The secretary of state for India said, in a speech at Cambridge University, “During the war, 1,161,800 people recruited the army in India, and yesterday, 1,215,600 recruits set off for the war via ship. Nobody can say that India has not played a part in gaining victory for this war. Now, India shall be considered part of the British Government.”

This is all correct, but the larger part of India’s contribution is that a prophet of Allah belonging to India not only foretold this war, but he prayed for the British

Naimatullah Basharat Denmark Correspondent

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monarchy’s victory.

Thirty-six new Ahmadis I have received a letter from the secretary at Gold Coast [now known as Ghana], Africa – where I have been posted as a missionary but have not been able to go due to not receiving my passport. In the letter, he has sent a list of 36 new Ahmadis. May Allah grant them perseverance, taqwa and strength. Amin. The list is being sent along with this report to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, may Allah assist and help him. (It has been conveyed – Editor.)

Fulfilment of another prophecy I wrote an article on Turkey’s recent attempt of conciliation and it was published in the Torbay News newspaper, the title of which was [translated from Urdu] Another Prophecy Fulfilled. In this article, I showed that one of the major errors made by Turkey in terms of the war was that they termed it a religious Jihad, hence their defeat.

The Imam of the time and Prophet of God, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdias has already explained in many of his writings that now, Jihad is not permissible, and prophesied: ‫خ‬ ‫�ال‬ ‫اب وھچڑ دو اہجد اک اے دووتس ی‬ ‫ی‬ ‫د� ےک ےئل رحام ےہ اب گنج اور اتقل‬ “Dismiss the thought of Jihad, dear friends; War and bloodshed are forbidden in the name of religion” �‫م یس‬ ‫گ ح وج ی‬ ‫د� اک اامم ےہ‬ ‫اب ٓا یا‬ ‫ی‬ ‫د� یک امتم وگنجں اک اب ااتتخم ےہ‬ “The Messiah has come, who is the Imam of faith; It is now the end of all religious warfare” ‫�ی مکح نس ےک یھب وج ڑلایئ وک اجےئ اگ‬ ‫ت‬ ‫وہ اکرفوں ےس تخس زہ�یم� اُاھٹےئ اگ‬ “Having heard this, those who set off for bloodshed, shall face humiliation at the hands of disbelievers” ‫�� ش‬ � ‫گ‬ ‫اک زجعمہ ےک وطر ےس �ی پ ی �ویئ ےہ‬

‫اکیف ےہ وسےنچ وک ارگ الہ وکیئ ےہ‬ “This prophecy is as a miracle; It is enough for one to reflect, provided one is worthy” The newspaper cutting of this article has also been sent to Master Abdur Rahim Nayyar Sahib.

The same cutting was sent to the prime

Local Politicians Visit Denmark Mosque

n Thursday, 13 December 2018, a group of central and local politicians visited Baitul Hamd Mosque, Nakskov, Denmark.

Mr Daniel Toft Jacobsen, a member of parliament was chief guest while Mr Kasper Roug, Vice Mayor of Lolland Council, Remzi Grepi, President Integration Committee and Muj Barish, member of Lolland Counsil were assisting him.

The delegation was accompanied by journalists and photographer from local newspapers who covered the whole gathering.

The purpose of visiting our mosque was to increase inter-religious harmony, clarification of certain myths and beliefs regarding Muslims, and especially the role of Jamaate-Ahmaydiyya in the current era.

Upon arrival, a warm welcome was given by the local missionary of the Jamaat, Naimatullah Basharat. Later on, the delegation was given a brief overview of Jamaat-

e-Ahmadiyya and its history in Denmark. Thereafter, the guests were taken into the prayer hall where Jamaat books, placards and pamphlets were displayed in the Danish language.

A brief and comprehensive lecture was given to the delegation with questions and answers following the speech. The delegation mainly asked questions about the role of Muslims in society, Islamic beliefs and practices such as fasting in Ramadan. The local politicians appreciated the Jamaat’s positive role to hold dialogue with other religious and social leaders.

After the formal proceedings, the guests had the chance to dine with the hosts. At the dining table, many questions were asked by the delegation and they were answered in detail accordingly.

Gifts of the Holy Quran and Jamaat Books were presented to guests on their departure.

The local newspaper Folketidende published a brief report with photos about this visit.

minister of Great Britain, along with a letter of congratulations upon our victory. He acknowledged receipt of this letter on 12 November 1918 in a letter written to me.

A copy of this letter has also been sent to Qadian.

Memorial for martyrs of war A memorial service was held in a popular place of central London for the fallen soldiers of the war, where a platform full of flowers was put up. Those people who lost dear ones and friends bring bouquets in memory of their loved ones with notes attached to the bouquets with names of the love ones and some words in their praise.

After a while, to make space for more flowers, all old flowers and papers are removed. It has been announced that all papers will be stored safely and after some time, they will be preserved permanently.

As a large number of Ahmadis took part in this war, and a number of them lost their lives, I thought it appropriate to place a bouquet in memory of the martyrs there.

Therefore, along with the bouquet, a big piece of paper was placed with the following words [translated from Urdu, originally in English]: ّ ٰ ُ َ ٌ َ ُ ّ ٰ َّ ٰ َ “‫لا اِل َہ اِلا الل ُہ محَ ّمد ّر ُس ْول الل ِہ‬ [There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.]

“In memory of our dear Ahmadi brothers, who sacrificed their lives in the days of war for the beneficent British government, because it was the instruction of their spiritual leader, Hazrat Nabiyullah [prophet of Allah] Ahmad Qadianias, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, to always remain loyal and obedient to their government and to serve and help the British Government. Hazrat Nabiyullah foretold this war well before its time and prayed for the British monarchy that it may hail victorious. These soldiers served in France, Egypt, Dardanelles, Syria, Iraq, Arabia etc. May God’s mercy descend upon those who fell and those who lost their lives as a result of their injuries. O Benevolent God, grant them paradise. Amin.

“Mufti Muhammad Sadiq and Qazi Abdullah – Ahmadi preachers. 4 Star Street, Paddington, London. November 1918. َ ‫” ِانَّا ل ِّٰل ِہ َو ِانَّا ِال َ ْی ِہ‬ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ‫ر‬ ِ Continued on page 6

6

Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM Continued from page 5

[Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return].”

This is the [English from the Urdu] translation of the note that was written and placed there. Thousands of people travel to central London to see this memorial and read these notes.

Influenza According to the revelation of God that a disease would spread in Europe, influenza is killing thousands of people. In some households, there have been three or four deaths as a result of this. It is getting more and more difficult to seek medical attention from doctors. Aside from Europe, we have received news of it spreading its ghastliness in America, Africa and many other places.

A friend from Nigeria wrote that the disease has claimed two thousand lives. May Allah save everyone out of His grace, benevolence and mercy and may He cause everyone to come to the right path, accept the prophet of the time and be saved from His wrath.

Amin.

Swine fever A doctor has published his views that the disease started as a result of consuming pork, and due to it being contagious, it has spread. Its actual name is swine fever, which results from eating pork. During the war, swine meat was not sold as fresh as it was before the war, and after it had gone bad, it would be included in foods and influenza bacteria would spread in that meat. That is how, he suggests, the disease started.

Amen Aqeel Haider Mexico Correspondent

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The studio lecture In a previous report [published in Al Fazl on 24 December 1918] I wrote that Khawaja Kamaluddin Sahib was scheduled to deliver a lecture in Scarsdale [or Scarborough] Studios on 25 October [1918], but due to being ill, he was not able to attend. Accepting the request of the organisers of the event, I delivered a lecture in his place. The topic of his lecture was Treading Humbly in the Sight of God. I changed the topic to An Example of Treading Humbly in the Sight of God – Hazrat Ahmad Nabiyullah’s Life and Teachings.

The chairlady of the event sent me a letter following my lecture, a part of which is as follows: “I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for the lecture that you delivered in the studio despite the short notice. Your lecture was incredibly interesting for me.

We, the residents of London, have very little acquaintance with this major prophet, Ahmad. Whatever you said with respect to him and the Ahmadiyya movement, of which you are an Imam in London, was very inspiring and insightful. I feel as though we owe you a great debt for having opened a door for us to an Eastern religion and explaining the teachings of Islam. On behalf of myself and all my associates, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I hope that you will deliver another lecture on the same subject in the next session.

Yours sincerely, Mrs Alice Hall Simpson. 3 November 1918.”

Tabligh to prince of Japan Friends will have read in the newspapers that Prince Higashifushimi Yorihito of Japan

arrived in England as a guest of our king, George V. He was shown great courtesy and regard in this country. On this occasion, I wrote him a letter on a green tabligh form in which I, on behalf of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, congratulated him on his successful visit and victory in the war. Along with the words “Ahmadiyya Jamaat”, I explained that the founder of the Jamaat, Hazrat Nabiyullah Ahmadas, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi was a resident of Qadian.

In response to my letter, the secretary to the prince, Mr Mikodira wrote on 20 November 1918, “His Royal Highness has instructed me to inform you that he is entirely grateful to you and the entire Ahmadiyya Jamaat and highly appreciates your kind words.”

The letter along with the response has been sent to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih…

Return from Torquay With the thought that Torquay would not be as cold as other places, I set off for Torquay.

As of yet, I have not found the cold any different to that of London. For this reason, I have returned to London. My intention is to try and spend summer in London. If the cold becomes unbearable, then I shall shift to Ventnor or some other place for a few months, or if my passport is approved for travelling to Africa, then I will have to travel there for a few months. In all cases, my postal address will remain the same, and the mail sent here will, Insha-Allah, reach me wherever I am.

There were scenes of jubilation in the entire town. Soldiers would march the streets, beating their drums and singing songs. The flags of Great Britain, the USA and other ally nations decorated houses and doors. Small children jumped around and danced in the streets with little flags in their hands whilst singing songs. Church bells were ringing from all corners in joy and celebration for the war having come to an end. I have heard that the same was the case in London.

Article in a London newspaper Two or three days after the war ended, I returned to London. I wrote an article for a London-based newspaper Marylebone Record, which the editor published under the heading An Eastern Prophet. The article said [translated from Urdu]: “Eventually, Great Britain and its allies proved victorious after the biggest and longest war in the history of the world.

Around seven years prior to this war, a prophet of God, Hazrat Ahmad of Qadian, India foretold these events as well as the collapse of the Tsar. Further, he prayed for the victory of the British monarchy. That prophecy has been fulfilled today. As an Ahmadi and as an Indian, I congratulate Great Britain and its allies. India performed its role in a befitting manner also…

“Mufti Muhammad Sadiq. 4 Star Street, London.”

The newspaper cutting of this article has also been sent to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih.

Celebrations I was in Torquay the day the war ended.

2nd Jalsa Salana Mexico 2018

amaat-e-Ahmadiyya Mexico held its 2nd Jalsa Salana on 28-29 December in Merida, Mexico. The total attendance at the Jalsa Salana this year was 195 among which the majority were Mexican members and guests.

The remaining members consisted of guests from USA, Belize, Guatemala, Ghana and Pakistan.

Guests of the Jalsa travelled from all over Mexico to attend, some driving 15 to 20 hours to reach the city of Merida to attend the Jalsa.

There was representation from 4 different states of Mexico; members attended from Chiapas, Mexico City, Querétaro and Merida.

Guests started arriving on Wednesday, 26 December and everyone was provided accommodation near the mosque or at the mosque. The Langar Khana was located at the mosque throughout the day for anyone who

arrived, no matter what time of day or night.

Some of the members who drove from far off places and arrived at two or three o’clock in the morning were all served food from the Langar at their arrival, after which they were taken to their accommodations. Transport was available for all guests flying in or arriving by bus; they were all provided pick and drop services.

Jalsa Salana commenced on Friday, 28 December with the Friday Sermon and prayers.

After this, lunch was served.

The first session of the Jalsa started in the evening. The topics of the speeches and presentations during Jalsa Salana were selected bearing in mind that the majority of the members in Mexico are newly converted Ahmadi Muslims. After the completion of the first session, Salat was offered and dinner was served.

On Saturday, Lajna Imaillah held their session separately for the first time and men

held their session separately. For many Mexican guests, this was their first time seeing women having their own Jalsa session and delivering all the speeches and presentations. This really impacted their view about leadership among women. Salat was offered and lunch was served before starting the third session of Jalsa Salana.

During the third session of Jalsa Salana, in which guests and dignitaries were also invited to attend and share their views, a few of the guests were as follows: 1. Norma Barnet Cantón, Director of Religious Affairs for the state of Yucatan. She was also representing the governor of Yucatan state 2. Luis Antonio Andrade Castillo, Director of Promotion and Diffusion of Culture in the department of culture and arts 3. Hector Castellano, Secretary of Religious Affairs for the city of Merida. He also represented the mayor of the city of Merida 4. Dr David Vegue, a Catholic priest 5.

Padre Oscar Viñas Oliveras, Vice President of Inter-Religious Council for the state of Yucatan 6.

Sofía del Carmen Brito Soberanís, Coordinator of Blood Donation Camps in the state of Yucatan A request was sent

by Mexico Jamaat for a message from Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa for the attendees of Jalsa Salana Mexico. The request was graciously approved and a letter from Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa was received.

This letter was translated

into Spanish and was read out during the first session of Jalsa Salana and printed copies were given to each and every attendee.

The Jalsa Salana concluded with taranas [choral poems] prepared by children and Lajna, followed by dua (silent prayer). Therafter, Salat was offered and dinner was served.

Mexico Jamaat is based on members who have converted during the last three or four years, and many of them dedicated their time in organising the Jalsa and serving throughout the Jalsa in various departments. Volunteers ranged from children to the elderly, all eagerly wanting to serve the guests of the Promised Messiahas.

For many, it was the first time ever doing Jalsa duty, however, each and every volunteer fulfilled their duties as if they had been doing it for years.

This dedication to serve, which was seen in the new converts, was a clear result of the prayers of the Promised Messiahas regarding every Jalsa Salana and its blessings.

In accordance with the permission granted

by Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, Jalsa Salana Mexico was streamed live on various social media websites.

By the grace of Allah, many media outlets covered Jalsa Salana; print media and electronic media was present during the last session and various articles were published in various media outlets.

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Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM

How Europe Came to Forget its Arabic Heritage Part I

A map of Europe in 1570 CE | Abdul Haq Compier Holland

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raditional education about Western civilisation tells the story of how around 1500 CE, Greek texts recovered the lost memory of Europe’s Greek and Roman past and unleashed an era of progress in science and civilisation called the Renaissance.

In fact, the progress in civilisation had begun in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and was the result of the transfer of Arabic civilisation to Europe. The sixteenth century Renaissance was rather the construction of an exclusive Christian European identity within the world of literature and science.

Latin humanists created a movement imitating the Arab tradition in its key values, but distinguishing itself by classical Latin as its lingua franca and the classical authors as its founding fathers.

After a period in which classical culture was vigorously celebrated and Arab influences were attempted to be removed from the scientific canon, the image of a Greek source of European culture had settled itself firmly in the European mind. Scholars hardly dared cite an Arab in support of their revolutionary developments.

Popular belief reaffirmed the theme of the revived classics by repetition after repetition until the Arabic heritage in Europe came to be forgotten. Biased educative material should be corrected to offer a true image of history to our youth.

A cultural myth Traditional education about Western civilisation tells the story of how Europe, floundering in the ignorance and illiteracy of the Middle Ages, suddenly came across a number of texts in classical Greek which at once recovered the lost memory of Europe’s glorious Greek and Roman past.

Science and literature started flourishing, and with the help of the brilliant Greek philosophers the dormant Europeans were able to shed the ignorance of Medieval times and open the doors of science and civilisation. This process has been called the “rebirth” of classical civilisation in Europe, the Renaissance.

The story however is a myth, quite lacking historical substance.

The twelfth century Renaissance In fact, the progress in civilisation had begun in the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and did not have a Greek or Roman origin. In 1060, the Normans conquered Sicily while some time later in 1085, the Reconquista took the city of Toledo. Both Sicily and Toledo became centers through which the Arab culture of science and learning started spreading through Europe, creating a spark of learning among European Christians. In the words of EJ Holymard: “During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries there was a scientific renaissance in Europe, and scholars from Christian countries journeyed to Muslim universities in Spain, Egypt, Syria and even Morocco in

Wiki Commons

order to acquire knowledge from their foes in religion but friends in learning. Arabic science soon began to filter through, and by the middle of the thirteenth century the trickle had become a river.” (Richard Russel, The Works of Geber: a new edition with introduction by E.J. Holmyard, p. XV. 1928) England’s “first scientist”, Adelard of Bath, explains what he learned from his Arab masters in these words: “From the Arab masters I have learned one thing, led by reason, while you are caught by the image of authority, and led by another halter. For what is an authority to be called, but a halter? As the brute beasts, indeed, are led anywhere by the halter, and have no idea by what they are led or why, but only follow the rope that holds them, so the authority of writers leads not a few of you into danger, tied and bound by brutish credulity.”

(Norman Daniel, The Arabs and Mediaeval Europe, pp.

265-266. 1974) Other scientists of the twelfth century Renaissance indebted to the Arabs were Roger Bacon, Witelo, Albertus Magnus, Adam Marsh, Arnold de Villeneuve, Peter of Abano and Daniel of Morley.

In the transfer of Muslim-Arabic civilisation to Europe, three important primary developments can be distinguished.

The first are the giant translation projects in Italy and Spain in the twelfth century, in which hundreds of Arabic books were translated into Latin.

The second development is the adoption, primarily at the court of Sicily and in Al-Andalus, of the values of Arabic “adab”, which in Europe came to be known as humanism. This humanism was not an atheist philosophy, as it is often understood today, but comprised a set of disciplines such as ability in speech and writing, knowledge of grammar, poetry, erudition, scholarship and research into religious texts.

These humanist disciplines became the fundamental driving force of the emerging European civilization. (George Makdisi, The Rise of Humanism in Classical Islam and the Christian West, 1991) Well known early humanists are Petrarch (1304-1374), Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375) and Coluccio Salutati (13311406). That Islam was an influence even in the humanist perspective of man is illustrated by the humanist Pico della Mirandola’s famous Oration on the Dignity of Man (1486), which has been called the “Manifesto of the Renaissance” and commences by quoting the famous Arabic humanist Abdallah ibn Qutaibah (d. 889): “Most esteemed Fathers, I have read in the ancient writings of the Arabians that Abdala the Saracen on being asked what, on this stage, so to say, of the world, seemed to him most evocative of wonder, replied that there was nothing to be seen Continued on page 8

Frontispiece of Fasciculo di medicina, Venice, 1493

Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM

8 Continued from page 7

more marvelous than man.” (Pico della Mirandola, Oration on the Dignity of Man. See also Makdisi, The Rise of Humanism, p.

307) The third development is the foundation of European universities after the example of the Islamic Jamias (George Makdisi, The Rise of Colleges: Institutions of Learning in Islam and the West, 1981).

The first European universities were the University of Bologna (1088), Paris (c.

1150), Oxford (1167), Cambridge (1209), Padua (1222) and Naples (1224).

A university lecturer at Padua (Italy) is surrounded by titles of twelve important scholars, six of which are Arabs and one is an Arab Jew. On the top shelf, the classical authors Aristotle, Hippocrates and Galen are followed by the Arab authors Avicenna, Haly Abbas, Rhazes and Averroës. Next to the teacher is Pliny’s Historia Naturalis.

On the shelf below the cabinet are the Conciliator of the Medieval English scholar Peter Abano, the works of Isaac the Jew and a work by the Arab surgeon Avenzoar.

(Singer & Rabin, A Prelude to Modern Science, Cambridge University Press p.

XXIV. 1946) The emancipation from Arabic predominance To illustrate the presence of Arabic authors in the European scientific world of the twelfth to sixteenth centuries, only in the field of medicine there were nineteen authors who were known in Europe by the Latin transcription of their Arabic name: Mesue Sr., Mesue Jr., Humainus, Jesu Haly, Alkindus, Serapion, Janus Damascensus, Isaac Judaeus, Haly Abbas, Algazirah, Annafis, Albucasis, Avenzoar, Averroës, Maimonides, Aben-Guefit, Ebn Albethar and the most influential, Avicenna en Rhazes. (Donald Campbell, Arabian Medicine and its Influence on the Middle Ages, pp. 60-102. 1974) An important textbook by Ferrari from 1471 quotes Avicenna 3,000 times, Rhazes 1,000 times and the Greek authors Galen and Hippocrates 1,000 and 140 times respectively (Ibid., p.201). Many a Greek work was known only through the Latin rendering of their Arabic translation.

The dominance of Arab authors had caused feelings of unease among Christians very early on. A significant fragment has been preserved in a letter of a Christian named Alvaro who lived in Al-Andalus in the ninth century. He complained that the talented Christian Mozarab youths of Spain lost their identity by participating in Arab learning: “My fellow Christians delight in the poems and romances of the Arabs; they study the works of Mohammedan theologians and philosophers, not in order to refute them, but to acquire a correct and elegant Arabic style. Where today can a layman be found who reads the Latin commentaries on Holy Scriptures? Who is there that studies the Gospels, the Prophets, and the Apostles? Alas! The young Christians who are most conspicuous for their talents have no knowledge of any literature or language save the Arabic; they read and study with avidity Arabic books; they amass whole libraries of them at a vast cost and they sing everywhere the praises of Arabian lore. On

the other hand, at the mention of Christian books they disdainfully protest that such works are unworthy of their notice. The pity of it! Christians have forgotten their own tongue, and scarce one in a thousand can be found able to compose in fair Latin a letter to a friend. But when it comes to writing Arabic, how many there are who can express themselves in that language with the greatest elegance, and even compose verses which surpass in formal correctness those of the Arabs themselves!” (Makdisi, The Rise of Humanism, p. 330) George Makdisi considers this fragment illustrative of the backgrounds of the further development of humanism in Christian Europe. Feeling increasingly uncomfortable with the Arab-Islamic identity of literature and science, Christians sought to create their own culture of learning, similar to, but competing with, the Arab tradition.

Two important choices were made by the Christian humanists in their search for their own identity. As George Makdisi puts it, Christian humanists wanted to “answer the challenge of classical Arabic with an equally classical language” (George Makdisi, Humanism and Scholasticism in Classical Islam and the Christian West, Journal of the American Oriental Society, pp. 175-182. 1989).

This language came to be Latin. Latin was the language of the Catholic Bible and was in this sense comparable to the Arabic of the Quran. Classical Latin, however, had been long ago replaced by vernacular Latin and was not anymore in use in everyday life.

In order to make classical Latin meet the demands of a holy lingua franca like Arabic, it had to be literally revived from the dead.

Christian humanists went out of their way to learn to write in the pure Latin of the Roman author Cicero, which ironically hardly anyone could read.

The second formative decision was a choice to regard only the classical Greek and Roman authors as foundations of their literature and science. As stated by William Montgomery Watt: “... Europeans were attracted to Aristotle, not simply by the inherent qualities of his philosophy, but also by the fact that he belonged in a sense to their own European tradition. That is to say, the assignment to Aristotle of a central position in philosophy and science is partly understood as one aspect of the European assertion of distinction from Islam. The purely negative activity of turning from Islam, especially when so much was being learnt from Arab science and philosophy, would have been difficult, if not impossible, without a positive complement. This positive complement was the appeal to Europe’s classical (Greek and Roman) past.” (William Montgomery Watt, The Influence of Islam on Medieval Europe, p.79. 1972) With classical Latin as a new European lingua franca and the classical authors appointed the founding fathers of a new European tradition, the foundations of the Renaissance were laid – literally the “rebirth” of classical culture in Europe.

This Renaissance was all but a spontaneous one; it was an artificial image imposed by Christians upon themselves, to be able to establish a competing culture of learning distinct from the Arab example.

Health

Tobacco and Smoking

Dr Noureen Ahmad General Practitioner, Belgium

Smoking is one the greatest causes of many diseases accompanied with many health problems. In the United Kingdom 15.1% of people aged 18 years and above smoke. Unfortunately, a group of regular smokers are school children aged between 11-15 years old.

There are two forms of smoking: active and passive. Active smokers are the ones who smoke the cigarette while passive smokers are those who are exposed to the smoke created by others.

Smoking can create many health problems and can lead to many long-term diseases. Smokers face double the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as chronic heart disease and stroke. Smoking also creates many lung problems such as chronic obstructive diseases like emphysema of the lungs and thus being prone to regular chest infections.

In children, exposure to smoking can lead to asthma. Roughly 80-90% of patients with lung cancer developed the cancer due to smoking. If smokers stop smoking, further damage to the lungs can be stopped. This will lead to prevention of lung complications such as shortness of breath and chest infections. However, the damage already done to the lungs due to smoking cannot be reversed.

Other cancers have also been reported in smokers such as cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, mouth, bladder and intestines.

Studies suggest that there are approximately more then 70 cancercausing agents in tobacco smoke. In pregnant women, smoking can lead to poor growth of the unborn child or a preterm delivery.

Some studies suggest that smoking can lead to osteoporosis, indigestion and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, diabetes mellitus and thrombosis.

Smokers also have an increased chance of early skin ageing and problems of the reproductive systems such as infertility and impotence.

As mentioned above, smoking can lead to many diseases, so it is necessary to stay as far away from smoking as possible.

Smoke cessation will lead to immediate health improvements. However, it is categorised as a chronic addictive disease and quitting can be challenging.

Relapse is common when quitting smoking and if this occurs, one should not feel like they have failed. It is important to understand what factors led such a person to smoking again and prevent those the next time. It is also advisable to seek advice from a healthcare professional to gain proper guidance and support through the smoking cessation process.

Smoking cessation depends on practical tips, nicotine replacement products and medication. First, there are practical tips, which can ease one into quitting.

A smoker should be determined of stopping and should choose a fixed date to start. Informing family and friends about the smoking cessation plan, the smoker can count on support and encouragement.

Sometimes a change in behaviour is needed, like avoiding situations or activities that can lead to cravings of smoking. It is advised to minimise time spent with smokers or at places where smoking is allowed. These tips can be helpful but should be combined with nicotine replacement products or special medication to improve efficiency of smoking cessation.

Cigarettes contain nicotine, a substance that is highly addictive.

Nicotine alters the level of two chemicals (noradrenaline and dopamine) in the brain, which result in feelings of pleasure and reduces stress. The brain gets used to the nicotine and if smokers want to have the same effect, they must keep smoking.

However, when smokers suddenly stop smoking, the nicotine-effect on the brain disappears.

This leads to withdrawal symptoms such as cravings for cigarettes, increased appetite, anxiety, frustration, anger, sleep problems, irritability and concentration problems. To reduce these symptoms, uses of nicotine replacement products are necessary. These are available in many stores and in many forms such as skin patches, tablets, inhalers and nasal sprays.

It is advised to use one of these products in the first weeks of smoking cessation due to the high chance of withdrawal symptoms and relapse of smoking.

Lastly there are special medications produced to help, like varenicline and bupropion, and these medications are usually on prescription.

Tobacco is commonly associated with cigarettes, but there are also other forms of tobacco available. Smokeless tobacco such as kimam, mishri, naswar, gul, ghutka and zarda are particularly used in the South Asian communities. This smokeless form of tobacco gives a high risk of dental diseases, but also a high risk for mouth and throat cancers. Heating of tobacco happens in hookahs also known as waterpipes. Hookah-users have an increased risk of lung cancer and lung problems, but also a high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Recently, e-cigarettes have been introduced to aid in smoking cessation.

These devices create a vapour by heating the nicotine. The vapour does contain fewer toxins than cigarettes, but it is not free from toxins.

Studies suggest that these e-cigarettes contain cancer-causing agents and should be prevented in smoking cessation.

(Always discuss with your doctor what supplements you want to take or are taking so that your health and wellbeing can be properly looked after.)

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Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM

Friday Sermon 21 December 2018 Delivered from Baitul Futuh Mosque

Sahibzada Mirza Anas Ahmad After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:

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oday, I had intended to first relate accounts of some of the Companionsra [of the Holy Prophetsa] before speaking on respected Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib, who passed away a few days ago. However, I have received so many letters from people relating various aspects about him that I decided to only mention him today.

Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib was the eldest son of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh. He passed away in Rabwah a few days ago at the age of 81. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji‘oon [Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return]. He was the eldest paternal grandson of Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra. He was the maternal grandson of Hazrat Nawab Mubaraka Begum Sahibara and Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan Sahibra.

Hence, he was also my cousin through my maternal uncle.

He attained his early education from Qadian, and later completed it in Rabwah.

He then obtained a master’s degree from the University of Punjab. Then he served in the college there for some time. He then studied at Oxford University here in England from where he obtained a master’s degree.

By the Grace of God, he formally dedicated his life [to the service of Islam Ahmadiyyat] in 1955 and entered into the practical field in 1962. He worked in various departments with great diligence.

He had the habit of working with great passion, determination and effort.

He was very well versed in the subject of hadith, philosophy and English literature, and was especially fond of hadith. Therefore, due to his personal interest, he attained his initial study in hadith from the late respected Maulvi Khurshid Ahmad Sahib.

He also had a very good library at his home, which contained many rare books. He was a very keen reader. Whenever a student approached him for guidance regarding any field of knowledge, he would give him very valuable advice. He had sets of books comprising of the important canon of hadith and he had collected them from various bookshops.

When he dedicated his life in 1955 and presented himself for this purpose, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra spoke about him and said, “I have initiated the scheme of dedication in the Community and upon doing so, I have received three applications. One of them is from my paternal grandson, Mirza Anas Ahmad. He is the son of Mirza Nasir Ahmad

Sahib. May Allah enable him to fulfil his intention. Anas Ahmad has written to me, saying, ‘I had intended to dedicate my life after having studied law. However, now you may appoint me wherever you wish as I am ready for anything.’” (Khutbaat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 36, P. 194, Khutbah Jumua 14 October 1955) By the grace of God Almighty, he

schools under the Nasir Foundation and Mirza Anas Sahib served as its chairman.

He was also a member of the committee of jurisprudence and was a member of the board of the Noor Foundation. The Noor Foundation was established in order to publish the books of Ahadith [sayings and traditions of the Holy Prophetsa] under the Jamaat and also to prepare its translations

was able to serve in various offices of the Community for 56 years. His initial posting was in Talim-ul-Islam College as a lecturer. Then, he was appointed as the Naib Nazir Islah-o-Irshad in 1975, before being appointed as the Additional Nazir Islah-o-Irshad. He also served as the private secretary to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh and to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, during his first trip to Europe. He had the opportunity to serve as the administrator of Jamia Ahmadiyya. He later served as Nazir Talim for a few years.

He served as the Naib Nazir Diwan as well, and he was currently serving as the Wakil-ul-Ishaat in Tahrik-e-Jadid. Prior to this, he served as Wakil-ut-Tasnif, and then in March 1999 he was appointed as Wakilul-Ishaat. Even though he had reached the age of retirement in 1997, he was enabled to serve until his very last breath. He also had the opportunity to serve in the central bodies of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and Ansarullah. He also translated Barahine-Ahmadiyya and Mahmud ki Amin into English, which have already been published.

He was currently revising the English translation of Surma Chashm-e-Arya, Izala Auham and Durr-e-Sameen.

When our schools were nationalised [in Paksitan], the Jamaat began to open its own

and commentary. He was currently translating Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal into Urdu.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra has related an incident in regard to the migration from Qadian after the partition of India. This is an historical account and it is in relation to a personal sacrifice offered by Hazrat Muslehe-Maud. However, since Mirza Anas Sahib is also mentioned in this account, I will narrate it.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states that when they came from Qadian, he said to the members of his family that they would receive the same amount of food from the langar [kitchen] as other people. Due to the difficult circumstances of the time, a ration had been set. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that in those days, due to the financial difficulties, he had given instructions of only serving one chapatti per person. He had given the same instructions to the members of his family that they would also only receive one chapatti per person. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states: “One day, my grandson, Anas Ahmad, came crying to me and said that one chapatti [a type of round, flat bread popular in South Asia] does not relieve his hunger.

I said that I am still only going to give one chapatti, however if this is insufficient then

you can give me half a chapatti and give the other half to Anas Ahmad.” Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra further said, “In this manner, I will be content with half a chapatti and he will have one and a half to eat.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra also said, “When the condition of eating one chapatti for the guests is removed, I will also increase the amount per person for the members of my family. However, as long as this ration remains for the guests, you should give him half of my chapatti.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra stated that by the grace of God Almighty, the conditions improved later on and not only did the state of the crops of the fields in Sindh improve, but God Almighty also opened other avenues of income and this restriction [of one chapatti per person] was subsequently removed. (Khutbaat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 37, P. 53, Khutbah Jumua 3 February 1956) The son-in-law of Mirza Anas Sahib, Mirza Waheed Ahmad Sahib, writes, “Once, I was travelling to Bukhara and Samarqand.

Upon this, Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib said, ‘As you are travelling there, you should also visit the grave of Imam Bukharirh and pray for him on my behalf and convey my greetings. (This was due to his love for the Holy Prophetsa) as the person, who collected and provided us a treasure of the sayings and incidents of the Holy Prophetsa hundreds of years ago, deserves that we pray for him and convey our greetings to him.”

Dr Noori Sahib writes, “In all of my experiences with him, as I had the opportunity to see him on many occasions.

I observed that whatever task that was entrusted to him, he would complete it with great enthusiasm. He would complete his tasks with great devotion, diligence and passion.” He further says, “Despite being weak and ill, I have seen him translate books of the Promised Messiahas on his laptop. He would type for hours on the computer and his fellow colleagues would stand beside him with references from the Holy Quran and the books of the Promised Messiahas. He frequently used to say that my only desire is to complete the task, which the Khalifa of the time has entrusted me through the help of God Almighty.”

Noori Sahib then writes, “His memory was also excellent. He was a true lover of the sayings of the Holy Prophetsa. He used to narrate the incidents of the Promised Messiahas and the Khulafa with such zeal and passion, and in an extremely pleasant

10 manner that he would captivate the heart of the listener. Whilst narrating the incidents, his eyes would well up and his tone would become emotional. He was also very patient.”

Noori Sahib further writes, “He always demonstrated patience and courage in all kinds of difficult circumstances. He courageously used to bear every difficulty.

Due to his illness, he was neither able to hold a cup of tea, nor turn on his bed. However, despite this, he always continued his work and fulfilled his responsibilities with great devotion. He never let an opportunity arise for any complaint.. He was always content with the will of God Almighty.”

Noori Sahib further says, “He would greet every guest joyfully and with a smile.

This was an excellent quality of his. He came to visit me one day prior to being admitted into the Tahir Heart Institute. An extreme sense of pain was visible on his face due to his illness. However, despite this, he smilingly said, ‘I believe that my end is near and that I am going to meet my Lord’; he said this with a smile on his face.”

Then, in relation to his gratitude, Noori Sahib writes that his quality of thankfulness and gratitude was endless. He says, “On two occasions, he benevolently said to me that I will never be able to repay you for the sincere kindness you have shown me and taken care of me.” Noori Sahib says, “Whilst he was expressing these feelings, he gave me the diary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh, in which Huzoorrh had written his dreams etc. Similarly, he also gave me a coat that belonged to Hazrat Khalifaul Masih IIIrh. He was also very kind towards the medical team.”

I have personally seen the library in his room and Noori Sahib has also written that “the shelves on all four walls are filled to the ceiling with books.” It contained books related to science, economy and various topics, which he said he had personally read.

Nudrat Sahiba, the daughter of the late Mir Daud Ahmad Sahib says, “Hearing about his demise brought back many of his memories to my heart and mind and it refreshed memories of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh.” She says, “On the occasion of the wedding of my daughter, in order to check the arrangements, I entered the marquee before the [given] time and saw that brother Anas was already sitting there and was crying. I was puzzled as to why he had come here so early. Upon seeing me, he said that I am greatly missing your father today, the late Mir Daud Ahmad Sahib.

Hence, I came here in order to pray for you.”

His nephew, Amir Ahmad, writes, “In times of happiness and sorrow, he was always a loving father. There are ups and downs in every family. However, he forgave in a manner as if nothing had ever happened. As a matter of fact, if he felt that someone was hurt as a result of his guidance or counsel, he would apologise and seek forgiveness from that person the next day, despite the fact that it was a virtuous piece of guidance or counsel.”

Munir-ud-Din Shams Sahib, Additional Wakil-ul-Tasnif says, “I met him on many occasions and always found him to be kind and caring. He would never let me feel our age difference or his superiority in terms of knowledge despite the fact that he was much

Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM older than me.” He states further: “I found him to be very helpful and accommodating ever since I began dealing with him in regard to Tasnif related work. Whenever he was assigned a task, he would carry it out with immense hard work and diligence.

In fact, he would say, ‘continue to give me more work. The more work I get during my illness, the better.’ He had a relation of immense sincerity and utmost loyalty with Khilafat. Whenever we had a conversation about work, he would ask me to convey his greetings to Huzoor and would always ask if there was anything related to his work that had displeased Huzoor. He would always remain worried about upsetting Hazrat Khalifatul Masih.”

Shams Sahib further writes, “Whenever he was assigned any work from my office, he would try his best to complete it as soon as possible with immense joy, despite being ill. He had the opportunity to offer some notable services in regard to translating some books of the Promised Messiahas in English. He was able to render excellent translations of parts of Barahine-Ahmadiyya. Whenever our team would be finalising any translation, we would always take his opinions into consideration.

Whenever he was conveyed an instruction,” any instruction given from me through Wakalat-e-Tasnif, “in which his suggestion or opinion was sought, he would give a very detailed and comprehensive opinion.”

Indeed, he was a scholar and possessed tremendous knowledge which the Jamaat is bereft of now, but may God Almighty continue to produce more scholars.

One of his attributes which has been mentioned by many people, including many missionaries and Shams Sahib has also written this as well, “He had immense respect for missionaries. This was a major quality of his. He would also guide them intellectually as well.”

Hafiz Muzaffar Ahmad Sahib, Additional Nazir Islah-o-Irshad Muqami, Rabwah, stated: “Mian Sahib possessed many attributes. Piety, love of God, love for the Holy Quran, love for the Holy Prophetsa, simplicity, politeness and compassion were his salient attributes. Along with fulfilling the rights due to Allah, he remained cognizant about fulfilling the rights due to humanity. He took great care of the poor and needy. He would never turn away a needy person even if he had to take a loan to help them.” Hafiz Sahib writes, “He was a scholarly personality who had great zeal for acquiring knowledge. He worked very hard in this regard.” Hafiz Sahib states, “He told me once that he completed the first round of reading all the books of the Promised Messiahas during his holidays after his matriculation exam.”

He had mentioned this to me as well, in fact he wrote this to me once in a letter stating that he completed the first reading of all the books of the Promised Messiahas when he was fifteen [or] sixteen years old.

Hafiz Sahib further writes, “He was a true lover of the Holy Prophetsa and thus he had particular fondness towards the subject of Hadith. In fact, he had so much love for the subject that through his own personal love and study, he developed such competence in the Arabic language that apart from the Ahadith, he could also read its commentary in Arabic.

After his matriculation examinations,

he studied Sahih Bukhari from Hakeem Khurshid Sahib. Afterwards, when he was a lecturer in college, I would see his car parked at Hakeem Sahib’s house in the morning before he left for his work. He would study Hadith from Hakeem Sahib before going to work.” He further says, “After this he studied Sihaah-e-Sitta [six authentic books of hadith] and various other books of hadith because of his personal interest and remained a student until his last breath. He gathered a grand collection of the books of hadith in his library which include many useful and rare books. In this regard, he had a very rare and unique library. He was so fond of obtaining the knowledge of hadith that he collected books on various subjects of hadith such as ‘Ilm Al-Rijal and ‘Ilm Al-Usul. He would study these books very closely and would discuss these concepts during intellectual discussions.”

When I established a board of members to translate the Sihaah-e-Sitta, called Noor Foundation, its purpose was to translate the books of hadith, as I wanted them to be translated in Urdu and for a commentary of these Ahadith to be written. With regard to this, Hafiz Muzzaffar Sahib writes, “Mian Sahib was also appointed as a member of this and despite his work engagements, he took on the task of translating Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal in Urdu which was the most difficult and time consuming work.

And despite all other engagements and his illness, he continuously carried out this work and even translated one portion of this which consisted of hundreds of hadith.”

This service rendered by him shall always be remembered. Hafiz Sahib continues to write, “His immense love for hadith was evident during the Holy month of Ramadan when he would deliver Dars-e-Hadith [lecture on Hadith] which usually consisted of various topics about the character of the Holy Prophetsa. He would prepare these lectures with great effort and diligence.

He would select the very rare and unique material and would then present it. His voice had great passion and exuberance.

We would particularly listen to his lectures during the month of Ramadan. He had a beautiful style of delivering his lectures. His delivery was full of passion and love to the extent that it felt as if for a few moments, one had travelled back into the early period of Islam.

He had the honour of delivering speeches at the Jalsas in Rabwah for many years. Shamim Parvez Sahib, the Naib Wakil Waqf-e-Nau writes: “One incident of his [Mirza Anas Sahib] ardent love for Khilafat is engraved in my mind.” He says, “During the elections of the fourth Khalifa, I was the Qaid of Jhang district and I was given the task of being on guard near the Mehrab of Masjid Mubarak. The moment it was announced from the mosque that Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahib had been elected as the fourth Khalifa, I saw Mirza Anas Sahib falling in prostration of gratitude on the scorching brick ground, despite the severe heat of the month June.”

Dr Iftikhar Sahib of London writes, “He was a life devotee personified. He never stopped coming to the office and busied himself in publication and translation work till his final breath.” He further says, “He would translate with great attention and at times would spend days on end to find the correct idioms. Furthermore, his level of

obedience was of the highest degree.”

Khalid Sahib of the Russian Desk in London writes, “Whenever Mian Sahib’s thought comes to mind, I feel that his character was the embodiment of the saying sa of the Holy Prophet َّ َ ْ َ ْ : َ ْ ْ ُ ُ ْ ُ ْ ‫اطلبوا العِلم ِمن المه ِد ِالى اللح ِد‬ [Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave] “Mian Sahib had a never-ending desire to gain all kinds of knowledge. He would never let an opportunity pass to learn something or discover something new and his favourite subject was the study of the traditions of the Holy Prophetsa. Likewise, he had great interest in philology and enjoyed learning different languages.” He then says, “He was very welcoming and hospitable.

In 2005 when Rustum Hamad Wali Sahib, who is the president of the Jamaat in Russia and also serving as a Muallim in Moscow, went to Rabwah for the preparation of the Russian translation of the Holy Quran, I had the opportunity to work with him. Rustum Sahib was provided accommodation in the Tahrik-e-Jadid guesthouse in those days.

One day, during a meal time, Rustum Sahib requested something to his liking, but it was not present or had perhaps run out. When Mian Anas Sahib learnt of this, he called me immediately saying, ‘Rustum Sahib is our dear guest and our primary responsibility is to take care of all his needs’. He then took out some money from his pocket telling me to purchase everything he requested and if there was anything in future he needed, then he should tell him personally.’ He then says, “I told him that it had all been arranged and everything had been brought, but even then, Mian Sahib would still ask about him.’

Muhammad Salik Sahib, the missionary of Burma says, “There is one incident of a student from Sri Lanka which really moved me. The student, Muneer Ahmad, had come from Sri Lanka to study in Jamia and is now serving as a missionary in Sri Lanka. During his time in Jamia, he fell severely ill due to the extreme heat. Being very concerned for him, Mian Sahib would come night and day to the hostel to enquire about his health as if one of his close relatives had fallen ill.” In those days, Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib was Jamia administrator.

Shamshad Sahib, a missionary in America writes, “He would always try and instil a passion for tabligh in missionaries whenever he met them. He had a great zeal for learning and would often remind missionaries to study regularly. At his office he would always have a pile of books on the desk. He would frequently read Sahih Bukhari and would have very intellectual discussions with the missionaries that visited.”

Shahid Mahmood Sahib, a missionary in Ghana writes, “I had the opportunity to work with Mian Sahib for over 12 years in the Wakalat-e-Ishaat office as the editor for the English section of the monthly Tahrike-Jadid magazine. I have been honoured to learn so much from Mian Sahib. He was filled with love for the Promised Messiahas and was brimming with love and obedience to Khilafat. His eyes would often well with tears when the name of the Promised Messiahas was mentioned. Whenever he translated books, especially Barahin-eAhmadiyya, Surma Chashm-e-Arya and Mahmud ki Amin, he would sit me beside

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Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM him in the office and on many occasions he would call me to his home to assist in the translation work. He was never concerned about taking days off or working after office hours. Often, he would work in the office till late in the evening. Despite this he would continue to take care of my hospitality and show me great affection. He assigned me the duty of leading the Zuhr prayer in the office where all the workers would come and offer their prayers. Whenever I saw him offering his Sunnah prayers, this was a sight to see as he would offer his prayers with such pleasure and delight. He treated his office workers very kindly. One day I came to the office, despite being very sick.

He insisted that I be sent home to rest for 6 days, yet he himself would come to the office whenever he was ill and continue his work at home as well.”

Ayyaz Mahmood Khan Sahib, a missionary serving in Wakalat-e-Tasnif says, “I have learnt so much from him in terms of how to work. Seeing as he translated books of the Promised Messiahas with such passion, I would get help from him on any difficult part in translation I faced, and he resolved them and shared his experiences.

One thing he would emphasise was that it is not sufficient when translating to merely use the literal translations in the dictionary.

It is also necessary to check that the word chosen does not lower the status of the Promised Messiahas. If a literal translation is not suitable, then another word should be used to convey the true meaning. He had so much passion for his translation work that he would not stop even in sickness. During his days of sickness, he told me on several occasions, ‘My work rate goes down due to my illness. When I sit up, I am unable to work as much as I would like to, and I become weary. Nevertheless, I still sit for 6-7 hours and continue my work.” In fact, I have seen him working for 12 to 13 hours continuously, even 15 hours at times.

Ayyaz Sahib also writes, “When we went to Rabwah, Mian Sahib held some of the classes with us. At the time he would tell us and even when I met him after, he would say, ‘You should read some literature and make a habit of reading all kinds of books. One should not only read books on religious matters, you should also read about philosophy, literature and novels. In that way, you will broaden your knowledge and your language.’ Furthermore, he would say to me, ‘It is even more necessary for you as you are working in translations.’”

He further says, “I once asked him what he thought the English translation of a difficult word was. Mian Sahib pondered for a while and then said two or three possible translations. I then told him that Hazrat Chaudhary Zafrulla Khan Sahib in one place had translated this word in the following manner in English. He then expressed his joy saying this is absolutely correct, this is the right translation. He went on to pay great respect and regard to Hazrat Chaudhary Sahib saying that he had very good vocabulary so I should use that word.”

Ayyaz Sahib then says, “I noticed that Mian Sahib deemed his knowledge and understanding to be nothing in comparison to that of the Khalifa of the time. If he had previously held an opinion, and I told him that the Khalifa” (referring to me) “has stated something else, he would immediately respond by saying, ‘That is absolutely right

and I was at error. Whatever Huzoor has said is correct.’ In this way, he would often give me the lesson that once the Khalifa has said something, everything else is futile and only that opinion is correct, which has been expressed by the Khalifa of the time and it is incumbent upon us to act upon it.”

Sheikh Naseer Sahib, who works as part of the Russian desk here, says: “I spent 16 years with Mian Sahib in Wakalat-e-Ishaat and learnt a lot from him. He was always kind and compassionate towards me and never made me feel like I was a subordinate.

If I ever pondered over the fact that my parents were not alive, he would always say that I should consider him in their place.”

He further writes: “He would always be courteous to all of his staff. Owing to a mistake of mine, if he rebuked me even slightly, he would always remember it and the following day he would ask, ‘Have you forgiven me for it?’ I would say to him, ‘Mian sahib, I did not even feel that you rebuked me.’ If he became angry, he would fall silent and we would know that Mian Sahib is angry over something. However, after a short while, his phone would ring about another matter and he would never keep that in his heart. Whenever he was assigned a task from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, he would immediately hold a meeting with the relevant staff members and devise a strategy to proceed. He would take the most difficult task upon himself and despite any illness, he would try his utmost to complete the task from home. If he felt difficulty in going to the office, he would call the workers to his home and used that as an office. He did not have any concept of taking rest or holidays. Even whilst laying on his bed he would often be occupied in translation work. Many times he would sit with me on the cycle and come to work.”

Zahid Mahmood Majeed Sahib, who works in the Ishaat department writes: “I had the opportunity to serve alongside respected Mian Sahib. He was a passionate devotee of Khilafat. Whenever he wanted to write a fax to Huzoor,” he is addressing me here, “he would be overcome by great emotion. If he was entrusted with work from Huzoor, he would be anxious to complete it.

If his health did not permit him to work, he would become worried.” Mahmood Majeed Sahib then says: “I underwent an operation in Fazle Umar Hospital for kidney stones.”

He then says: “My father informed me that until the operation ended, Mian Sahib paced up and down outside the theatre room whilst occupied in prayer.”

Muhammad Din Bhatti Sahib, who works in the Ishaat department writes: “I had the opportunity to work with him from 1995 until his demise. Mian Sahib would always be respectful towards his workers.

Whenever he would call anyone over for work, he would ask them to sit down on the chair before explaining the task. If ever he was angry towards one of his workers, a short while later he would become affectionate towards that individual, to the extent that he would even seek forgiveness from them.”

He further says: “On one occasion, Mian Sahib asked me to perform a particular task, however, I replied in the negative. Although it was a mistake on my part, yet still Mian Sahib overlooked the incident and only said that I should not have replied in such a manner.” He then says: “Due to pain in my knees, for a period of time I was unable to

arrive at the office on time, and therefore in the attendance register I would be marked as late. (A few late arrivals equate to one day’s absence.) Mian Sahib himself sent a recommendation to Wakil-e-Ala Sahib that due to my chronic pain, I should not be marked as late.” He then writes: “Mian sahib would especially take care of poor students, those that are unemployed and widows. He would buy books and school uniforms for the poor students. He would write a letter of recommendation for anyone that was unemployed.”

Ihsanullah Sahib, a missionary serving in Ghana writes: “I had the opportunity to work under him for nine years in Wakalate-Ishaat. He was filled with the love and respect of Khilafat. He would inject this love into the hearts of those who worked with him in the most excellent manner. On one occasion, he called me into the office and sat me down. He said, ‘I am writing a fax to Huzoor, which needs to be sent immediately.’ He then began to write the fax. When he had written the words ‘Hazrat Khalifatul Masihil Khamis, Ayyadahullahu,’ he stopped and became fixated on these words for a few minutes. After this he began to narrate incidents relating to Khilafat in a passionate and emotional manner.”

He further states: “He would show an astonishing level of kindness towards his subordinates and would never allow anyone to remain standing when they came to see him. Despite his extreme illness and state of weakness, he always remained cheerful.

If ever he told anyone off one day, he would spend the next two days cheering him up, so much so that the person would feel embarrassed. Moreover, this telling off would be no more than just raising his voice and there would be no harsh word said or any hurtful comment. If ever he saw anyone being too strict in office, he would express his displeasure at it.”

Muhammad Talha Sahib is a teacher in the Jamia department which specialises in the subject of Hadith. He says: “Me and Syed Fahad Sahib, who is also a missionary, had the opportunity to study Hadith from Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib for approximately one year during our specialisation. Despite his other commitments and illness, he would make the utmost effort to ensure that not a single day passed in which we did not have a Hadith class. One day, he was extremely ill and therefore could not come to office, however he called us to his home to continue the lessons.”

Asif Owais, who is also a missionary serving in Wakalat-e-Ishaat, writes: “I was appointed to the office of Wakalat-e-Ishaat a few months ago. These few months were some of the most memorable moments of my life. On every occasion, Mian Sahib took care of me with great love and kindness.

Despite an age gap of more than 55 years between us, it seemed as if this difference was just a mere number. His conversation was always impressive, and to lighten the mood of the gathering, he would often share some jokes.”

He further states: “I am assigned [to continue] his translation work of Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal. Despite his age and extremely poor health, he possessed such astonishing level of strength to continue his work. He would never entertain any doubt or the possibility that any work could not be completed.”

A student of Jamia Ahmadiyya Rabwah, Muhammad Kashif, says: “I visited Mirza Anas Sahib on numerous occasions in the last few months in relation to my thesis, which was regarding the private secretaries of Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat. By the grace of God Almighty, he very lovingly gave me some of his precious time. Despite his illness, he gave me detailed interviews. One day, in a very emotional tone, he said, ‘A summary of my life’s experiences are that one’s own efforts and struggles are of no value; whatever one has is purely due to the grace of God Almighty and through Khilafat.’”

Asif Ahmad Zafar from Rabwah says: “A short while before his demise, he was admitted in the Tahir Heart Hospital and I went to visit him. He was wearing an oxygen mask and when I introduced myself, he took off the oxygen mask himself and began talking to me. I then said in relation to his health, ‘Mian Sahib, Insha-Allah God Almighty will bestow His grace.’ He replied, ‘It is also out of His grace if He calls one to Himself.’ Upon hearing this, I was left astounded that despite his condition he had such trust in God Almighty and was not worried about death.” There is absolutely no exaggeration in what various people have written about his relationship with Khilafat, in fact his relationship was even stronger than that and he demonstrated this relationship through every action and example.

When Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh appointed me as the Amir-e-Muqami and Nazir-e-Ala, he showed complete obedience to the Amir and had great regard for this even though I was at least thirteen or fourteen years younger than him, but this was purely due to his obedience towards Khilafat. After my appointment to Khilafat, he continued to show complete obedience and devotion.

May God Almighty grant him His mercy and forgiveness, and may God Almighty also fulfil His desire, which he mentioned in relation to acquiring the grace of God Almighty. May He grant him a place among the company of his loved ones and also enable his progeny to establish a bond of loyalty with Khilafat.

When Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib passed away, he saw a dream which I also mentioned in the Friday Sermon. He related, “The night before yesterday, I saw in a dream close to the time when Mian Sahib passed away, that Mian Khurshid and Mian Ahmad have gone to God Almighty and they are meeting the Holy Prophetsa and the Promised Messiahas. At the time, I express my desire to God Almighty that He also grants me the opportunity to meet them as well. And so, I prayed, ‘O Allah! Call me towards Yourself.’ God Almighty replied, ‘Come forward.’”

Thus, he was granted the closeness of God Almighty, and God Almighty had already informed him of bestowing His forgiveness and mercy upon him. May God Almighty continue to elevate his station and may his progeny also be righteous and pious.

(Translated by the Review of Religions)

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Friday 18 January 2019 | AL HAKAM

87th Jalsa Salana Ghana

Abass bin Wilson Ghana Correspondent

F

rom 3 to 6 Janaury 2019, more than 38,000 Ahmadi Muslims from all parts of Ghana and other countries converged at Bagh-e-Ahmad (Garden of Ahmad), Gomoa Pomadze near Winneba in the Central Region, to participate in the 87th Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Ghana.

The Jalsa was attended by the Amirs of Uganda, Kenya and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as over 70 delegates from 18 countries.

Apart from the Vice President of the Republic, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who was the special guest, President of Central Regional House of Chiefs and

Omanhene of Gomoa Ajumako Traditional Council, Obrempong Yanful Krampah XI, also attended the convention as the guest of honour.

In his closing address, Mohammed bin Salih, Amir and Missionary In-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana expressed immense gratitude to Allah for His infinite grace and favours that culminated in the success of the Jalsa.

In a message sent to the Jalsa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa reminded Ahmadi Muslims to adhere to the principles of piety and righteousness as a means of attaining a higher status in the sight of Allah.

Hope and Joy for Paraguayans in Need

Abdun Nur Baten Paraguay Correspondent

I

n 2018, Humanity First began taking its firsts steps in Paraguay, a country with a population of about 6.8 million, and known as “The Heart of South America”.

Among other projects, Humanity First Paraguay has held food and clothes distributions, blanket donations in the winter months and blood drives.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Paraguay, along with Humanity First, worked to relieve suffering caused by floods in the city of Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay.

Throughout the month of December, ev-

ery weekend, we went to a neighbourhood by the river where Paraguayans had sought refuge from the flood and were living in a makeshift refugee camp. We took snacks for children, including bread, bananas and yogurt. We also did some activities with them, such as reading stories, playing soccer and having races.

On 23 December, food baskets were donated to 65 families so that no family would spend the holiday season in hunger.

Each basket contained rice, pasta, tomato sauce, lentils, canned peas and corn, salt, crackers and biscuits. It was a beautiful experience to be able to share a little bit of food, joy and hope with humble Paraguayan families.

An aerial view of Jalsa Salana Ghana Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | © Al Hakam 2019