Al Hakam - 11 October 2019

Members of Waqf-e-Nau France meet with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa

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Fall not into temptation Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addresses women at Jalsa Salana France

“May justice and compassion prevail”

Only Allah and His messengers will prevail

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to French dignitaries and guests at Jalsa Salana France

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa concludes the 27th Jalsa Salana France

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THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 11 October 2019 | Issue LXXXII Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

Harmony through educational excellence Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa speaks at UNESCO

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

Enter Paradise in peace Abu Yusuf Abdullah bin Salaam, Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “O people! Say Assalamo Alaikum, feed others, be mindful of your obligations towards relatives, worship (Allah) while others are asleep. Do this, and you will enter Paradise in peace.”

(Tirmidhi)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

The comprehensive nature of the Holy Quran

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was graced with an address by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. At approximately 18:15 local time, a special session by UNESCO commenced in Miollis, Paris with the arrival of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa.

UNESCO, with 193 member-countries, is a body of the United Nations that “seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.” UNESCO’s constitution, signed on 16 November 1945, envisions to establish peace “upon dialogue and mutual understanding”, and “upon the intellectual

and moral solidarity of humanity.” UNESCO globally carries out a large number of charitable, humanitarian and intellectual projects.

With Huzoor’saa arrival, the session started with a series of speeches from UNESCO officials and other dignitaries, Continued on page 12

The Holy Quran is a compendium of wisdom and insight. It is not an indiscriminate collection of ideas.

It expounds every matter itself and contains provision for requirements of every kind. It is a sign in every respect.

If someone denies this, I am prepared to demonstrate its miraculous nature in every respect. In the present age, many vigorous onslaughts are being waged against the Unity of Allah and His existence. The Christians have also exerted their best efforts and written extensively, but everything they have stated and written is with relation to the God of Islam and not about the dead god who was crucified and is but helpless. I can confidently claim that anyone who endeavours to write in defence of the Being and existence of Allah Almighty will ultimately have no choice but to accept the God presented

by Islam. For every page of the Book of Nature testifies to His Being and man naturally bears the impress of the very same God in his person. Hence, when such people take a step, they invariably advance towards the field of Islam. This too is a magnificent miracle.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 80)

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Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

This Week in History Editorial

The digital game disorder

11 - 17 October

11 October 1947: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra wrote a powerful and detailed article, sharing details of the fierce and continuous attacks on Qadian. During the events of the partition, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra would provide timely and essential guidance on all matters. His articles would be taken very seriously by the authorities. For example, on 7 October, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra wrote an article describing the situation in Qadian and it was published in Al Fazl. Later, when this article was published in the form of a leaflet and distributed, the government ordered it to be confiscated and banned.

On 10 October, Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra advised Ahmadi men to train themselves in basic military skills, so they could serve their country in times of distress.

On 12 October, Huzoorra exhorted Jamaat members to remain punctual in their five daily prayers in congregation and the remembrance of Allah.

11 October 1948: Attempts to locate ground water in Rabwah failed. The Jamaat continued to bore holes in various locations of Rabwah, but to no avail. After continuous efforts, water was found in one location but it was foul and dirty.

12 October 1935: Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Razaq, a barrister and local amir of Lyallpur (now Faisalabad), and Hazrat Shiekh Ghulam Ahmad Waiz passed away.

12 October 1956: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra delivered a profound sermon shedding light on the topic of apostasy.

13 October 1931: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra attended a meeting of the Kashmir Committee in Lahore. He also attended their meeting held on 24 October and presented his views.

13 October 1934: Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Nigeria held its first ever Jalsa Salana in Lagos, which continued for two days.

13 October 1937: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra left for a tour of Sindh and Bombay, which lasted until 3 November.

of Good Hope (also known as Cape Colony, South Africa) visited Qadian in March 1946. After enjoying the blessed company of Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra, Yousuf Sahib expressed his strong wish to serve humanity and do tabligh. On this date, he departed for South Africa to fulfil this aim.

13 October 1946: With the aim to spread the message of Islam across Europe following WWII, three Ahmadi Muslim missionaries arrived in Switzerland; Chaudry Abdul Latif Sahib, Sheikh Nasir Ahmad Sahib and Maulvi Ghulam Ahmad Bashir Sahib.

14 October 1947: Hazrat Mirza Aziz Ahmadra was called back to Lahore from Qadian upon the instructions of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. Jalaluddin Shams Sahib took his place and began his responsibility as amir-e-muqami, Qadian.

14 October 1947: After fatal attacks on the inhabitants of Qadian, the attackers started occupying Jamaat’s property. Buildings of Jamia Ahmadiyya and Talim-ul-Islam College were taken. On this date, the intruders took control of the building where the printing press machinery was installed and also the library building of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira. 14 October 1955: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra gave two important instructions for the missions operating outside of Pakistan. Firstly, they should try to inculcate the habit of giving Chanda in new converts.

Secondly, to encourage students from outside countries to travel to the Markaz in Pakistan and gain education there.

15 October 1917: Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Khalil Ahmad Sahib from Monghir was sent from the Markaz to organise the local chapters of the Jamaat in Punjab.

15 October 1924: Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra visited the School of Oriental Studies, University of London (SOAS).

15 October 1936: Hazrat Lieutenant Sardar Muhammad Ayub Khan OBE passed away. He joined the Jamaat in 1902.

13 October 1937: The Jamaat’s mission in Sierra Leone was reestablished by the arrival of Hazrat Maulvi Nazir Ahmad Ali.

15 October 1946: Jalaluddin Shams Sahib returned to Qadian after serving a decade in England as a missionary.

He returned with the company of Syed Munir Al Husni Sahib, Amir of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Damascus, Syria.

13 October 1946: An Ahmadi doctor, Yousuf Salman Sahib from the Cape

16 October 1909: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira delivered an Eid-ul-Fitr Continued on page 10

alking around in a shopping centre or W sitting in a restaurant, it has become such a common sight to see a child being

entertained by an iPad or a mobile phone as their parents indulge in shopping or eat their food in peace; so common that it is almost negligible.

Even toddlers now know how not to hold the smartphone in their palms, lest the screen with the cartoon or game shuts down. Fascinating, isn’t it? Or is it actually worrying?

Our new generations are growing up with a habit of deriving amusement and pleasure out of gadgets. Parents tend to appreciate this habit as it leaves them with more leisure time, but then comes a point when this habit of their children and young adults turns into an addiction; a psychological disorder, now officially termed as “gaming disorder” by the World Health Organisation.

“Gaming disorder is defined in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases as a pattern of gaming behavior [digital and video] characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences,” says the World Health Organisation.

It will be interesting for our readers to know that the “International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is the basis for identification of health trends and statistics globally and the international standard for reporting diseases and health conditions. It is used by medical practitioners around the world to diagnose conditions and by researchers to categorise conditions.”

This means that mental issues generated by an addiction to video games have been classified as a mental disorder globally.

The National Health Service (NHS)

of England and Wales announced the establishment of special clinics to deal with gaming disorder. This indicates the alarming scale of the problem.

How has the situation turned so alarming? Fiona Smith of Royal College of Nursing explains: “As technology becomes more accessible and more advanced, it’s unsurprising that more and more young people are potentially being negatively affected by excessive screen time to the point where it effects their daily lives. The damage of addiction of any kind goes beyond the child or young person, causing distress to parents, families and friends.”

“Whilst the NHS has a duty of care and is adapting to these modern challenges, it, and taxpayers, can’t foot the bill alone. Online gaming firms and global social media firms who make millions of pounds of profit must take more responsibility by keeping their platforms safe, and introduce safeguards to reduce the burden on the health service.”

(Fiona Smith is Professional Lead for Children and Young People at the Royal College of Nursing, London) Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, warned about the risks associated to games like Fortnite quite some time ago and has repeatedly done so on a number of occasions. As successor of the Messiah of the age, he strives not only for the wellbeing of his own community, but equally for that of humanity at large.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa is on a mission to save the world from the destruction that it is heading towards. From national security of various countries to international politics, societal harmony to personal peace; his advice ranges across all global issues. To find out more, read World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace.

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Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

A call of Islam from the birthplace of atheism

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa blesses Jalsa Salana France O

n the main boulevard of Saint Germain in Paris is seated the lifesize statue of Denis Diderot. It was in the salons of Paris that he would hold meetings with the French intelligentsia. It was through these discussions that atheism – as we know it today – was born. He is considered an instrumental figure of what is known as the French Enlightenment.

How enlightening the historical phase known as the French Enlightenment was, we need not go into details here.

What we know is that the latest episode of true enlightenment has just taken place on the land of France. On Friday, 4 October, at 2pm local time, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community opened the annual convention – Jalsa Salana – of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

in France. Huzooraa had arrived at the scenic countryside of Trie Chateau earlier during the week; it is from here that he has called the world to Islam through his very enlightening Friday Sermon.

With his Friday Sermon commenced the 27th Jalsa Salana of France. Minutes before the Sermon, Huzooraa hoisted the Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat to mark the inauguration of Jalsa Salana.

In his Friday Sermon, globally watched live via MTA International, Huzooraa reminded members of the Jamaat what Jalsa Salana calls for and how important it is to benefit from the three days of Jalsa Salana.

The primary message of his Friday Sermon was a reminder of what is expected of a good Muslim. Salat, Huzooraa said, is of primary importance in one’s faith.

Offering prayers in congregation, said Huzooraa, is equally important as the offering of Salat itself, hence it is important to offer Salat in mosques as much as possible.

Huzooraa said that the first question to be asked on the Day of Judgement will be about Salat. If, in replying to this question, one falls short, their voluntary prayers will help compensate for it. Huzooraa emphasised that it is only through Taqwa that Salat can be offered in its purest form.

Allah has made it clear that Salat is obligatory for every believer, and He has also expressed His immense love and mercy for those who offer voluntary prayers.

Taqwa, or the fear of God, also instigates other elements that enable one

to become a better person. It is Taqwa that encourages one to forgive others and to be loving towards their fellow beings.

Huzooraa said that Allah has promised His mercy and love for those who love and have mercy on their fellows. The slogan of “Love for all, hatred for none” will only come true if we start practising it in its true essence from the smallest unit of the society; it is from our homes that this great charity will begin and span over the society at large.

At the end of his Friday Sermon, Huzooraa prayed that Allah enable us to fulfil our pledge of allegiance to the Promised Messiahas which, in essence, is to live our lives according to the beautiful teachings of Islam.

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

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Fall not into temptation Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addresses women at Jalsa Salana France Trie-Chateau, France, Saturday, 5 October: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, graced the ladies’ Jalsa Gah on the second day of Jalsa Salana France at 12:37 local time.

The Lajna session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Anam Kahlon Sahiba, who recited verses 21-22 of Surah al-Hadid (chapter 57). Hajrah Hadi Sahiba presented the Urdu translation.

The verses highlighted that man tends to take this world as “nothing but (temporary) enjoyment” and competition with one another in attaining riches. In comparison to this, one should vie with one another in seeking forgiveness and attaining a heaven that has been prepared for believers.

Next, an Urdu poem written by the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, was read out by Amatul Basir Mansoor Sahiba. The couplets drew attention towards the Hereafter and the fact that all will be presented in front of our Lord. Believers should always remember that Allah can alleviate all problems and one should plead only before Allah.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then presented awards of academic excellence to 39 Lajna members, including international students.

Thereafter, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressed the congregation. After Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated that as he had mentioned in his recent Friday Sermon, the world is moving away from God. A lot of people reject the existence of God in this society; this trend has also affected some Ahmadis, both young and old.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that in such a climate, it is essential to bring oneself and one’s children closer to Allah. Elders should present such examples in front of children that enable them to draw closer to Allah and His love.

This responsibility is for men and women both. Allah and His Prophetsa have placed the responsibility of the upbringing of children upon mothers, and this is no easy task. Mothers present their children in the scheme of Waqf-e-Nau but cannot just leave them to their fate after that; tarbiyat at home is essential.

Some mothers pay more attention towards their sons, but this is not right. Here in the Western society, tarbiyat is a very sensitive issue. Tarbiyat should be carried out with great care and consideration.

If men are not carrying out their responsibilities properly, then women should also guide them towards the right path.

The Holy Prophetsa said that his Companionsra are guides for Muslims.

These include both male and female Companionsra. Huzooraa said that there were female Companionsra who would show great

examples. They would worship all night and then fast during the day. As a result, men would complain to the Holy Prophetsa, saying that their wives worshipped all day and night. The Holy Prophetsa had to guide those female Companionsra and tell them to adopt a middle path. Thus, if there was a complaint, it was that they would worship all day and night. This was also the same for men. Some female Companionsra would complain that their husbands worshipped day and night.

Allah has told us to follow such people. It was the example of the female Companionsra that they would beautify themselves for their husbands only and not for the world. They established such examples from which Allah and His Prophetsa were pleased.

Huzooraa said that today, we observe that there are mothers who beautify themselves, leave their children and go out with friends.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa also noted that men also sometimes tell their wives to attend mix parties and not to observe purdah.

Huzooraa instructed that we should ask ourselves if accepting the Promised Messiahas has brought about any change in us. If our worship has not developed to the extent that Allah requires of us, then we are not fulfilling the purpose of our creation.

Men have been commanded to attend

mosques, while women have been given the concession to pray at home and gain the same blessings as men. However, if a woman does not take benefit from such an opportunity, then they are at a great loss.

When women begin to worship Allah more attentively, they will be able to carry out good deeds as well and the sense of following Allah and His Prophetsa will begin to manifest within them.

The wife has the responsibility of safeguarding the house and the children of the husband. If the husband is not at home, the wife has the responsibility of the children. When children come home from school, the mother should be there for them.

If Ahmadi women fulfil this responsibility, then we will have a generation of pious children. However, Huzooraa said, along with being good examples, mothers must also pray for their children. Those mothers who show good examples and also pray for their children, most often than not, their children grow up to become pious and religious and more mindful of their parents’ rights.

Fathers must also help their wives in the upbringing of children. Without the attention of fathers, children cannot be brought up in the desired Islamic way. If mothers are unduly scolding their children, fathers should play their roles wisely. They

should not counter their wives’ behaviour in the presence of their children but discuss it at a later point.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that modern research suggests that children express their feelings better with their mothers up to the age of 15-16. However, they do not have such a relation with fathers.

Huzooraa said that in our culture, at the age of 15-16, fathers and sons tend to develop a distance which is not helpful in tarbiyyat.

Fathers and children should always have a friendly relationship.

Western research states that children keep a relationship with their fathers even after the ages of 15-16 because their fathers do not stop them from immoral acts. However, Ahmadi fathers should keep this relation and friendship so that they can attach their children with religion and distance them from immoral behaviour.

In the Western society, in the name of freedom, certain things are taught to children that they cannot even comprehend at their age. In the name of knowledge, such education ends up pushing children into the darkness of immorality. In such an atmosphere, it is vital that Ahmadi mothers first learn and gain knowledge themselves.

Then, if their child questions them about indecent things like sexual relationships, then without shying away, mothers should

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Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

answer and tell them that this is not the age for them to discuss such matters.

An Ahmadi woman, through her example and prayers, should adopt such high levels of tarbiyat that it can be said that these women are giving the Jamaat a very valuable asset in the form of their children.

Such children will be admired by the world for not indulging in immoral acts and for having an interest only in gaining

the blessings of Allah. People around them should be able to say that these children only care about being part of Allah’s promise to the Promised Messiahas that his community will excel in knowledge and understanding.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that Ahmadi mothers should be such wives that embody the words of the Holy Prophetsa and become “of the best provision.”

Our Allah fulfils His promises. Those

who draw towards Him and listen to His commandments, Allah grants worldly needs to such believers. Allah will provide for them in such a manner that they would not have imagined.

Having settled in the Western world, people develop an unreasonable desire for wealth. Sometimes, women begin to demand more from their husbands but then there are such men who themselves strive for more and more wealth. The pressure is not only from wives but sometimes from mothers and sisters also.

There are men who try to gain wealth in a wrong manner. Huzooraa said that not all Ahmadi men are exemplary. Wives of such men who evade taxes and commit benefit frauds should question their husbands.

They should tell their husbands that they do not want unlawfully earned money for themselves or their children. This can reform Ahmadi men and bless their humble earnings. Those who strive to increase righteousness, Allah develops contentment within them.

Mothers should also keep in mind that for the tarbiyat of girls, they should show their own examples. Modesty is the sign of women. They should tell girls, from the age of 5-6 years old, that society does not protect their modesty and that they have to do this themselves.

Some girls think that their mothers observe an overdue level of purdah due to being uneducated and backward. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that without any inferiority complex, Ahmadi women should shun all clothing that is against modesty.

Our girls should stay away from such professions that require them to dress immodestly. If women today free themselves from purdah, the danger is that future generations would drift further away from it.

The Promised Messiahas said that societies like Europe are abandoning purdah and this is becoming the root of immorality and drawing them away from religion.

In Western society, instead of having an inferiority complex, women should tell others not to interfere with their purdah as it is a matter of their own faith.

We should always remember the teachings of the Promised Messiahas to adopt righteousness.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa prayed for every Ahmadi woman and girl to put their religion first.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then led the congregation in silent prayer. This was followed by choral poems by various Lajna groups.

Half a century for Jalsa Salana Tanzania

Dr Swaleh Kitabu Pazi Tanzania Correspondent

anzania was the country that was T privileged to be referred to as “hamara mulk” by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud . ra

Tanzania, a name coined by an Ahmadi Muslim, Muhammad Iqbal Dar Sahib, is celebrating half a century of Jalsa Salana in the country. This year’s Jalsa Salana was held on 27 to 29 September 2019 and saw delegates from all across Africa.

It has not been an easy journey; after all,

no spiritual journey can be a bed of petals.

We have had our moments of pain and agony. Our first ever Jalsa Salana in 1969 took place in our small mosque, Masjid Salaam in Dar us Salaam. We had less than 50 participants from different parts of the country who faced problems of transport, accommodation and even cooking facilities.

Despite such obstacles, our hope and shield has always been the Almighty Allah, who has made the impossible possible. The advice of Khalifatul Masih has also always played a valuable and essential role for the success of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Tanzania.

For the best part of half a century, we have been on the move; our Jalsa Salana would constantly move from one region to another. We faced all sorts of problems, from transport to unpredictable weather conditions. In this situation of uncertainty, Jalsa Salana Tanzania 2005 was graced by the presence of His Holiness, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.

During his historical tour of the country,

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa underlined the importance of having a permanent and reliable site for Jalsa Salana. This heavenly desire of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa was fulfilled in 2007 when we acquired our centre at Kitonga region where subsequent Jalsa Salanas have been held.

Kitonga resembles a fountain of knowledge, as it is here where we listen to informative speeches during Jalsa Salana Tanzania.

Non-Ahmadi guests always attend the Jalsa and appreciate what we are doing for society, including the building of schools, water wells, solar power supply and humanitarian aid through Humanity First Tanzania. We

also present to them Jamaat literature and books.

Half a century of Jalsa Salana in Tanzania, with Allah’s grace, has provided us with experience and how to practically organise events. With this experience we hope to Insha-Allah continue to hold Jalsa Salana every single year.

The Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Kassim Majaliwa Kassim, during Jalsa Salana in 2019

Jalsa Salana in early 1970s in Tanzania

Jalsa Salana held in a rented school hall during Ahmadiyya centenary 1989 in Dodoma, Tanzania

Jalsa Salana held for the first time in Jamaat ground Kitonga in 2007

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

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“May justice and compassion prevail” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to French dignitaries and guests at Jalsa Salana France Trie-Chateau, France, Saturday, 5 October: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, addressed French dignitaries and guests at Jalsa Salana France at approximately 6:30pm local time.

The session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Sebastian Ataul Hayye Sahib who recited verse 14 of Surah al-Hujurat (chapter 49). He also presented the French translation of the verse.

A brief introduction to the Jamaat was presented to the non-Ahmadi guests present. Thereafter, the mayor of TrieChateau, David Didier addressed the Jalsa in which he said that he was honoured to receive Hazrat Khlaifatul Masih Vaa in the little town of Trie-Chateau.

The next speaker was Dr Agnes De Foe, a sociologist, who spoke before the Jalsa. Her brief speech encapsulated her interacting with Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and spoke highly of the message of peace that Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa is promoting.

Dr Katrin Langewiesche, an anthropologist, spoke of her interacting with the Jamaat in Burkina Faso when the Jamaat was carrying out some charitable works. She also took the opportunity to present her book to Huzooraa, that includes a chapter on Islam Ahmadiyyat.

Thereafter, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressed the congregation. After Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa thanked the guests for joining the “purely religious function”.

Huzooraa then condemned the atrocities and violent attacks that have also taken place in France by so-called Muslim extremists. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa highlighted that Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance. “A true Muslim is a person who himself is a peaceful person”, Huzooraa explained.

The Islamic greeting itself portrays how Islam is a religion of peace. Even non-

Muslims use this greeting. Thus, it cannot be that Islam teaches to meet others with peace and security and on the other hand, promotes hate and extremism.

“All forms of extremism and violence are completely against Islamic teachings”, Huzooraa expressed.

In order to truly understand the teachings of Islam, one must study the life of its Holy Founder, peace be upon him.

Huzooraa laid out how inhumane injustices were carried out against Muslims.

However, the Holy Prophetsa taught patience. The Holy Prophetsa called upon his followers to remain peaceful even if it costed their lives.

The Holy Prophetsa and his Companions endured this relentless pain and then migrated out of their city to escape this agony. However, the enemies of Islam continued to pursue them and cause pain to Muslims. Finally, Allah gave permission to fight in defence to safeguard religion.

“Hence, when the Holy Prophetsa and his followers were forced to partake in wars and battles, it was for the sake of defending the rights of all people” including people of other faiths, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained.

If Islam wanted to spread its teachings with force, then why would

the Holy Quran explicitly state that it was the duty of Muslims to safeguard all people and their rights? Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa exampled that early Muslims gave their life to uphold and establish the principles of “individual liberty, freedom of religion and freedom of belief ”, which are the “cornerstones of Islam.” Chapter 2 verse 257 of the Holy Quran encapsulates this freedom, Huzooraa explained.

The Holy Prophetsa and the four Rightly Guided Caliphs never usurped rights of others, rather they promoted freedom and peace. The Holy Prophetsa, after migrating to Medina, formed a treaty with the Jews of Medina.

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Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM “The Muslims and the Jews pledged to cooperate and to be faithful citizens of the state” Huzooraa said. They were able to practice their religion and customs without the fear of sanctions or persecution. The Holy Prophetsa never deviated from this covenant.

Islam has never permitted its followers to spread their faith “through the use of force”. The treaty of Medina enabled all people to practice their beliefs and traditions and were duty bound to be loyal citizens of the state and to refrain from all activities that would undermine the peace of the city.

Keeping these aspects in mind, it is not accurate to attribute the deeds of a minority of Muslims who commit atrocities to the religion of Islam. Huzooraa said that “from cover to cover” the Holy Quran is replete with guidance that instruct Muslims to avail “every opportunity for attaining peace in the world.”

Allah the Almighty instructed the Holy Prophetsa to convey the message of Islam and thereafter leave the matter to Allah.

The Holy Quran never once advocated violence or force against those who shunned its teachings, rather “it called on Muslims to exhibit tolerance and patience” Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that “Islam’s teachings are categorical that violent conquest or forceful conversion are strictly prohibited”. Any act or conduct that is detrimental to the peace of society is forbidden in Islam.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa launching the French Review of Religions website

The Holy Prophetsa taught that a true Muslim is he from whose tongue and hands, others are safe. The Holy Prophetsa made it clear that Muslims must protect and care for all members of society, irrespective of faith.

Consequently, terrorists who commit suicide bombings, attack night clubs etc. are all guilty of violating the teachings of Islam.

The Holy Quran has also given guiding principles of day-to-day life that promote peace. For example chapter 2 verse 189 of the Holy Quran promotes fair trade and

upholding the integrity of all transactions.

Allah instructs Muslims to acquire wealth in an honest and truthful manner, not being unjust.

Chapter 83 verses 2-4, the Holy Quran condemns those who are exploitative in business transactions, try to short-change others while demanding more than their due, in return. Such people are cursed and will be disgraced.

The Holy Quran has given guidance for internal conflicts as well. The Islamic focus is always in establishing sustainable peace.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa referred to chapter 49, verse 10 of the Holy Quran that details how two conflicting parties or nations should be dealt with, in a just and peaceful manner. Huzooraa said that the verse captures a means of lasting peace, if acted on.

However, regrettably, many Muslim nations fail to act upon this Quranic injunction.

Today, we observe that cruelty and injustices are perpetrated by dominant powers in the name of upholding peace.

Such instability is beneficial to none, except terrorists.

Huzooraa said that in both east and the west, “The blue skies of peace and prosperity have given way to heavy clouds of war and injustice”. Nations are being torn apart across the world. Until and unless international relations are based

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upon justice and integrity and fulfilling the rights of others, peace cannot be established.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that he can only pray that mankind does not repeat the mistakes of the past.

If we look back to the period after the First World War, the League of Nations failed miserably in its task to maintain peace. This was because “justice and fairness did not prevail”. As a result, the most deadly war (WWII), in the history of mankind, erupted.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained how modern warfare would be the most deadly due to nuclear arms. A war would ensure “the most horrific and devastating legacy” of our children. Huzooraa then painted a picture of what the consequences of a nuclear war would bring.

“Thus no one should be under the illusion that this world crisis we are passing through is trivial or something that will heal itself without us changing our behaviour” Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa noted.

If the lack of peace continues to be attributed towards the “door of Islam”, grievances will continue.

If Muslim countries or terrorist groups continue to perpetrate atrocities in the name of Islam, then it is only for their vested interests; it is not Islam.

“Today’s conflicts and wars have nothing to do with religion, rather they are all about attaining wealth, power and geopolitical dominance”, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said.

“Let it be that our future generations come to remember us with love and affection rather than hate and resentment”.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa ended his speech by once again thanking the guests for attending.

Huzooraa then led the congregation in silent prayer.

Before leaving, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa launched the new French Review of Religions website.

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

8

Only Allah and His messengers will prevail Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa concludes the 27th Jalsa Salana France

Trie-Chateau, France, Sunday, 6 October: The 27th Jalsa Salana France concluded with Bai‘at and the final address of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.

The Bai‘at ceremony at the 27th Jalsa Salana France took place at approximately 15:15 local time. Huzooraa then led the congregation in Zuhr and Asr prayers.

The concluding session was initiated with the recitation of the Holy Quran, verses 13-20 of Surah Luqman (chapter 31), followed by their Urdu translation by Mansoor Ahmad Sahib. The verses captured Hazrat Luqman’sas guidance to his son; shunning Shirk, being thankful, praying and adopting good morals.

An Arabic poem written by the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, was then read out by an Arab Ahmadi, Hamza Sahib. The couplets were translated by Usama Ahmad Sahib. The poem was in praise of Allah the Almighty.

An Urdu poem written by the Promised Messiahas was then read out by Matlub Ahmad Sahib.

Next, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa presented awards of academic excellence to more than 35 members.

Thereafter, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressed the congregation. After Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and the recitation of Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa recited verse 22 of Surah alMujadalah from the Holy Quran followed by its translation. The translation of the verse is, “Allah has decreed: ‘Most surely I

will prevail, I and My Messengers.’ Verily, Allah is Powerful, Mighty.”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained that prophets have to endure great hardships when they are raised by Allah. It seems as the prophets will be defeated by enemies, but Allah grants them ultimate success.

Huzooraa said that the verse he recited points towards this victory.

The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, went through this as well. His enemies thought they would destroy the weak Muslims but the complete opposite happened.

Then, Allah sent the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, and gave him great promises of success and victory.

Allah continuously told the Promised Messiahas that he would come out successful, despite enemies from all sides.

On numerous occasions, the Promised Messiahas received the revelation, “Allah has decreed: ‘Most surely I will prevail, I and My Messengers.’”

The Promised Messiahas said that God, from the outset, had written and had made it His practice that He and His prophet would be victorious. In a similar vein, the Promised Messiahas came as the second coming of the Holy Prophetsa.

In Noah’s Ark, the Promised Messiahas asks if people think that enemies will stop the prophet of Allah i.e himself. The answer is that it is not possible and “Allah has decreed: ‘Most surely I will prevail, I and my Messengers.’”

At an occasion, the Promised Messiahas said that the one who is from Allah can never go to waste and that Allah grants victory to His prophets.

The meaning of “victory” is to establish the message and truthfulness of Allah in the earth. Prophets come to sow the seed; this is the “victory” that is followed by a second manifestation that cultivates the seed sowed by the prophet.

This second manifestation of Khilafat can be observed through the success of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. Huzooraa said that the message that was given from a small hamlet is now echoing throughout the world.

The history of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya bears witness to the promise of Allah that His Prophet will prosper.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa expressed that he would relate incidents on how Allah has and is fulfilling this promise.

A gentleman from Cameroon phoned the Jamaat and said that his son received a pamphlet that was entitled, “The Messiah has come”. The man said he was lazy in offering Namaz prior to this. Once, in a dream and prior to seeing the Jamaat pamphlet, he saw a white bearded man who told him to get up and offer Namaz and to be consistent in it. Later, he came across MTA Africa and saw the exact same white bearded man delivering a lecture. The man did not know that there was a Jamaat in Cameroon as well.

Through the pamphlet he came in contact with the Jamaat and was told about Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. The man testified to

the truthfulness of the Jamaat and did Bai‘at.

Huzooraa said that the man, by the grace of Allah, is now consistent in prayers and is increasing his knowledge.

A lady from Tunisia states that she had illnesses from a young age. She was unaware about religion and only knew that she was a Muslim. At that time, in a dream, she saw a man leading her in prayers and she declared that this was the correct manner of worship. The lady would listen to Sheikh Hassan’s lectures on the signs of the Day of Judgement. She would ask herself whether such signs would manifest at the coming of the Messiah and whether he would come.

She then saw in a dream that she was in a hospital, time was passing very quickly and she wanted to leave the hospital. She then heard a voice which said, “Do not be afraid, I will take you home”; the person who said this was a man who had a thick beard and wore a turban. Upon asking who he was, the man said that he was “Muhammad”. She woke up and felt as if it was real. When she told her sister, her sister expressed to her that Satan cannot embody the Holy Prophetsa. Later, she came across MTA Al Arabiyya and saw the picture of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in which Huzooraa quoted the Promised Messiahas. When a picture of the Promised Messiahas was shown on the screen, she was astonished as it was him who she saw in her dream as “Muhammad”. The lady then accepted Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.

There is a city in Tanzania in which our missionary was persecuted. Now there are

9

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM regular radio programmes of the Jamaat in this city. As a result of these programmes, the son of the Imam of the city has accepted Ahmadiyyat along with others. Huzooraa said that now, none can raise a voice against Ahmadis in this city and people say that no scholar there can compete with Ahmadi Muslims in knowledge.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa mentioned an incident from Nigeria. Mubarak Sahib, an Ahmadi preacher, began to show Huzoor’saa live Friday Sermon. After Huzoor’saa Friday Sermon, he would deliver a short sermon of his own and offered Jumuah prayers. A non-Ahmadi gentleman commented on this and said that showing the Friday Sermon of Huzooraa was an innovation. The non-Ahmadi gentleman was told that this was not an innovation and that he also should listen to the sermon.

After listening to them, the gentleman expressed that he was shaken by the Friday Sermons of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa and later accepted Ahmadiyyat.

Akhtar Sahib from India says that he saw a man in 2007 in his dream. The man’s face was full of light and spirituality and left a deep impression on him. In 2009, when he was in Pakistan, he heard about the agitations against Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. He contacted the Jamaat and later saw Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a dream where Huzooraa was taking Bai‘at of people. In the dream, when Akhtar Sahib put his hand forward for Bai‘at, his hand could not reach.

People from behind him exclaimed that he could not reach this. Akhtar Sahib continued to phone the Jamaat and learn more about the Jamaat. After another dream and even visiting Qadian, Akhtar Sahib could not gather the strength to perform Bai‘at. After some time, Akhtar Sahib attended a book fair in Shimla, India and after prayers he accepted Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.

Every week, the Jamaat does a very popular radio programme in a city of Ivory Coast that presents true Islamic teachings.

In the city, the inmates of a prison would listen to the Jamaat’s radio programme and greatly enjoy it. A big audience of the inmates would continually begin to listen to the radio programme with great interest. The imam of the prison asked to contact the imam who was doing this radio programme. The imam of the prison then told the local Jamaat Mualim that many of the inmates had almost turned atheist and stopped practice of religion. But due to the Jamaat radio pragrammes they have started to believe in God again and are turning back to Islam.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa articulated another incident about patience. A gentleman came to the Jamaat mission house in Mali and performed Bai‘at. His household greatly opposed him and his father even beat him and threw him out of the house. Despite this, the Khadim would continue to grow in sincerity towards the Jamaat. One night, the Khadim came to the mission house and said that his father had thrown him out.

The Jamaat missionary prayed to Allah for his father to show mercy. The next day, his regretful father came to collect his son and told him that he was allowed back and could continue to believe in Islam Ahmadiyyat.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that the Khadim contributes to Chanda above his capacity and is full of sincerity and faith.

Huzooraa mentioned an incident from India that a missionary, Zulfiqar Ali Sahib

Bai‘at ceremony, Jalsa Salana France

narrated. This year, a ship from Bangladesh was about to sink but the Indian army saved the ship. When the local Jamaat found out, they collected some donations and gave it to those on board. They also did tabligh to them and some of them even accepted Ahmadiyyat.

A lady from Benin prayed that if she was given a job, she would accept the Jamaat.

Earlier, she had applied to three jobs but was rejected on all occasions. The mualim explained to her that such conditions should not be placed and religion and worldly affairs should not be mixed. He told her to first do Bai‘at and then pray. The lady accepted and did Bai‘at and became an active Jamaat member. After Bai‘at, the very place that rejected her, contacted her and said they would offer her the job despite her lack of experience.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa voiced that many write and present lots of worldly conditions after which they will accept Ahmadiyyat. Huzooraa said that this was not the right manner.

Amir Sahib Congo Kinshasa states that a Jamaat mualim went to a village for tabligh. A man, Abdul, said to the mualim that Ahmadis do Shirk, believe in a separate prophet and even a different book from the Quran. The mualim explained to them the reality and performed Namaz as well.

When the man realised that Ahmadis are no different, he accepted that he was wrong and all that the so-called clerics had told them about Ahmadis was false. As a result, more than 50 members of the village accepted Ahmadiyyat.

A village in Mali accepted Jamaat-eAhmadiyyat. The villagers had no religion earlier, but are now Ahmadis. The village chief told the Jamaat that they were waiting for the appearance of the Imam Mahdi for a very long time. The chief expressed that he was very happy that now the message of the Jamaat reached him and unfortunately his father had died, who also was awaiting the arrival of the Imam Mahdi.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa narrated an incident from Ivory Coast. An area was purchased by the Jamaat for a mosque and mission house. Illegally, some people tried to take the property from the Jamaat and took the matter to the governor. The governor gave the decision in favour of the Jamaat and said that no one could interfere with the building of the Jamaat mosque. On

the foundation of the mosque, the governor even attended. A lady, who supposedly would perform magic, and was part of the group that wanted to illegally take the Jamaat’s property said that Ahmadis would themselves leave this property. However, the lady fell ill to such an extent that others would not go near her as she had contracted a contagious disease. Despite her enmity, the local Mualim went to visit the lady and ask of her health. The lady later died. The locals, observing this, saw it as a great sign for the truthfulness of the Jamaat.

There is an area in Ghana where there is a large population of Ahl-e-Sunnah Muslims. The non-Ahmadi community in this area called a scholar from Egypt and told him to go to the areas that had

Quran. They demanded to have the Jamaat bookstall prohibited. This was rejected. In return, the Muslim group called the media and expressed their hate towards the Jamaat.

They said that Ahmadis are kafir and Pakistan has also declared them this. As a result, the media’s attention turned towards the bookstall of the Jamaat and there were lots of reports on the Jamaat. This turned into a great opportunity for tabligh and the message of the Jamaat was delivered.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then quoted the Promised Messiahas who said that Allah supports His chosen ones and defeats the enemies of His prophet. Prophets become the Khalifah of God. The Promised Messiahas received numerous revelations in which Allah promised His support to him.

accepted Ahmadiyyat and convert Ahmadis back. They also wanted to put water wells in those areas as the Jamaat build these wells as well. The Egyptian scholar took a local translator with him, but the translator later stole the Egyptian scholar’s money.

The Egyptian scholar then separated his translator and started to live in a separate house. His translator was angered with this and attacked the Egyptian. Upon this, the Egyptian scholar fled back to his country.

In this manner, Allah stops the designs of those who oppose the Jamaat.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa narrated an incident from India. This year, during a Jamaat book stall, there was great opposition from a Muslim group. They wrote to the book fair committee in which they stated that Ahmadis are kafir and are promoting the wrong translation of the Holy

The Promised Messiahas openly challenged those who opposed him and said that he would always come out as victorious as Allah has promised this to him.

Huzooraa said that Allah is guiding people towards the Jamaat in miraculous ways. However, those who are Ahmadis by birth need to play their role in spreading the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat. In the same manner, new converts need to spread the very message that guided them to the truth.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa laid stress on a need to carry out tabligh.

Huzooraa then led the congregation in silent prayer.

Next, various groups recited choral poems, before Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa departed the Jalsa Gah.

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Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

Members of Waqf-e-Nau France meet with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa

Continued from page 2

Sermon in which he spoke about the institution of Khilafat.

16 October 1934: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra started his two day trip towards Ferozpur, a famous city on the bank of River Satluj in Punjab.

16 October 1935: Hazrat Munshi Fiyaz Alira passed away. He was among the early 313 Companionsra of the Promised Messiahas.

Adnan Haider Al Hakam Correspondent

Saint Prix, France, Monday, 7 October: Earlier today, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, arrived in Saint Prix, France.

Huzooraa led Jamaat members in Zuhr and Asr prayers at Mubarak Mosque, Saint Prix.

In the evening, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa graced two separate sittings with Waqifaat-e-Nau and Waqifeen-e-Nau from France.

The first was with Waqifaat-e-Nau. The class started with recitation of the Holy Quran and its translation. A Hadith and an excerpt from the writings of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, were then read out. This was followed by a poem, written by the Promised Messiahas.

Next, two presentations were given by the Lajna Waqifaat-e-Nau. The first was by Raghiba Zahoor Sahiba and Naila Akram Sahiba on Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’sra visit to France in 1924.

The second presentation was about the Catacombs of Paris. This was presented by Khawla Ahad Sahiba and Bushra Lateef

Sahiba.

The Waqifaat-e-Nau also had an opportunity to ask Huzooraa questions during the class. One member asked if Huzooraa could narrate an interesting dream of his. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa narrated a dream he had when he was a student. In the dream, Huzooraa saw a prophecy of the Promised Messiahas that pointed towards Divine support.

Another Waqf-e-Nau asked Huzooraa about his opinion on getting married within other nations and cultures.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that such marriages within the Jamaat are positive as everyone is Ahmadi. Huzooraa also mentioned that Hazrat Musleh-eMaudra said that marriages in other nations can aid in the spread of Islam.

The sitting concluded with choral poems by the Waqifaat-e-Nau in Urdu and French.

Waqifeen-e-Nau also had a sitting with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. The session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by its translation. A Hadith and an excerpt from the writings of the Promised

UK Missionaries’ first meeting in Hartlepool, UK

Aqeel Kang Missionary UK

artlepool is a town situated on the H North East coast of England. It has a population of more than 90,000. Hartlepool has one of the oldest Jamaats in the UK,

established on the special instruction of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV, may Allah have mercy on his soul, by Dr Hameed Khan Sahib and his respected wife.

Upon seeing a large number of pure-hearted English converts to Islam

Messiah, peace be upon him, was then read out. This was followed by a poem, written by the Promised Messiahas.

The boys Waqf-e-Nau also gave two presentations. The first was by Dr Talha Rashid Sahib, who presented his research on a rare disease.

The second presentation was delivered

by Usama Rabbani Sahib regarding the mountains found in France.

During the class, a Waqf-e-Nau asked Huzooraa whether the hadith of heaven being under the feet of mothers only applied to Muslims. In reply, Huzooraa explained that a mother who brings their children up in a proper manner and whose children grow to become pious comes within the remit of this Hadith. This Hadith also applies to any child who carries out their responsibility for their mothers and shows them due respect. A child should adopt good morals from their parents and shun bad ones. The Holy Quran has said that if one’s parents teach Shirk, then the children should not listen to them in this instance.

Ahmadiyyat in Hartlepool, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh once suggested that the town may be called “A pool of hearts”.

The Hartlepool Jamaat has indeed had the honour of hosting many pious souls since its inception. They include Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh, Hazrat Khalifatul MasihIV and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, may peace be upon him, as well as Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan Sahib.

At one occasion, in August 1997, when Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh visited Hartlepool Jamaat, he was accompanied by Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmad (who was then Nazir Talim), Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Mansoor Ahmad and Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Muzaffar Ahmad.

Allah the Exalted has also blessed Hartlepool Jamaat with a beautiful purposebuilt mosque. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, laid the foundation stone of Nasir Mosque, Hartlepool in 2004 and inaugurated the mosque on 11 November 2005. The mosque has been visited by 1,700 visitors so far.

16 October 1951: Nawabzada Liaqat Ali Khan, widely known as Qaid-e-Millat (Leader of the Nation) was one of the leading founding fathers of Pakistan, a statesman, lawyer and political theorist who served as the first prime minister of Pakistan. On this date, he was shot twice in the chest while he was addressing a gathering of 100,000 at Company Bagh, Rawalpindi.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra expressed his deep grief and pain on this barbaric assassination. He sent his condolences to the government and grieved family members. The next day, residents of Rabwah convened a special remembrance to show respect to this great leader.

17 October 1925: A monthly magazine in Bengali from Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) commenced its publication to spread the message of the Jamaat. Maulvi Ghulam Samdani Sahib was its first editor.

17 October 1948: Maulana Abul Ata Jalandhari Sahib placed the foundation stone of a mosque in Ahmad Nagar, a village next to the new Markaz in Rabwah. This mosque was likely to be the first purpose built mosque by those Jamaat members who had migrated to Pakistan from India.

During a meeting in 2016, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa instructed Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib, UK Missionary-inCharge, that “missionaries’ meetings should be held every month and should be held in every region, rather than taking place in London every time.”

Following this instruction and guidance, all the UK field missionaries regularly meet at least once a month in a different Jamaat across the UK. September’s meeting took place in Hartlepool on Monday, 23 September. Various matters related to talim, tarbiyat and tabligh were discussed. Instructions and guidance given by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa were conveyed and explained in full.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Imam Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib also participated in a successful tabligh function prior to the meeting, which was attended by more than 75 English guests.

May Allah enable every missionary to strive to meet the expectations of our beloved Huzooraa.

11

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM 100 Years Ago...

Qadian to London Nayyar’s Travelogue Al Fazl, 4 October 1919 26 July 1919: The ship is cruising along the ocean in such manner that it takes pride in passing the country which has a place of worship that was built by the father of all the prophets [the Holy Prophetsa] and where the perfect Shariah [divine law] descended upon the chief of all the prophets. A steamer full of pilgrims going to visit the place of their beloved can be seen on the right side of the ship.

Right now, our ship is at 10-14 longitude and 42-43 latitude. So far today, up until midday, after 24 hours, it has covered a distance of 283 miles. Fervent eyes are eagerly waiting for Jeddah. From far away, they want to send Salaam and offer Durood upon the leader of both the worlds but an Abyssinian khalasi [a sailor or porter] says that Jeddah will appear tomorrow after we

pass seven mountains. Coming face to face with the coast of Arabia, the soul is in bliss and the heart is engaged in prayers.

Today, by the grace of God Almighty, I have conveyed a detailed message of the truth to certain people of Lucknow and Delhi.

Standing on the upper deck of the ship, I have also read out those couplets of Durr-eSamin [a collection of poems written by the Promised Messiahas] which carry the news of Hazrat Nanak’sas acceptance of Islam in front of two respectable Sikhs. A discussion on the subject of “Islam’s attributes” and “Islamic purdah” was held with a professor from Bombay [now Mumbai]. The professor is an admirer of Islamic pardah.

There is a respectable barrister from Bombay on the deck of the ship who is well aware of respected Khawaja Sahib and

his mission. He mentioned that Khawaja’s mission in the UK is without success and further added that he is deceiving the people of India.

27 July 1919: Today, the position of the ship is, longitude 12-19 and latitude 28-39. It has covered a distance of 385 miles in 24 hours.

Every day, people place bets on the speed of the ship and gambling is common among English people.

Today, at around 12 noon, the birth place of the master and Syed-e-Laulak [Prophet Muhammadsa] passed by. I handed over the poetical work of the Promised Messiahas to the dove of affection in my imagination and sent it to the land of the beloved in the following way: ‫حمامتنا تطیر بریش شوق وفی منقارھا تحف السلام‬ ‫الی وطن النبی حبیب ربی و سید رسلہ خیر الانام‬

“Our dove, having the gifts of Salaam in its beak, flies with the feather of love towards the country of our Prophet who is the beloved of our Lord and master of all prophets and best of all creation.”

28 July 1919: Today, I had the opportunity to convey the message of Islam to a lot of young men. A graduate expresses great love for the Promised Messiahas and accepts him as the mujaddid [reformer]. They are ready to follow the teaching of the Promised

Messiahas. However, they insist that though the teaching is beautiful, there is no need to accept the personality of the tutor. I am trying to convince them. Certain people are reading Durr-e-Samin. Today, a Christian by the name Nuruddin was startled while studying Durr-e-Samin [when he read]: ‫انب ی‬ ‫رم� ےک ذرک وک وھچڑو‬ ‫اس ےس رتہب الغم ادمح ےہ‬ “Leave the account of the son of Mary [because] the servant of Ahmad [the Holy Prophetsa] is far superior.”

Then, he kept listening to the comparison of Prophet Muhammadsa and Jesusas of Nazareth with keen interest for around one and half hours. Thereafter, he raised objections on polygamy to which answers were given. Certain Englishmen also kept listening to the questions and answers with close attention. At last, the gentleman was satisfied and was interested in asking questions the next day.

The sight of the sun setting in the ocean is extremely captivating; a huge red and yellow ball appears to be drowning in the waters far away. The spectacle of DhulQurnain mentioned in the Holy Quran can be seen with purity and detail. After Maghrib prayer, Chaudhry Sahib and I stood on the central deck of the ship facing the coast of Arabia and read out the following Persian Continued on page 14

Touring Canada for tabligh Syed Mukarram Nazir Canada Correspondent

“I shall cause thy message to reach the corners of the Earth”, was a grand prophecy given to the Promised Messiahas that is being fulfilled every day. In the same spirit, by the grace of Allah, Calgary Jamaat has been holding world religions conferences across Alberta (AB), British Columbia (BC) and Northwest Territories (NT) for over a decade. Every year, 20 to 25 members travel over 3,600 km to hold several events in remote towns of these areas.

The theme of this year’s events was, “Universal compassion: The core human value”. During the journey, the help and support of Allah was experienced more than ever.

This year an entourage of 26 members embarked on a 5-day journey on Friday 13 September. They held six events at Dawson Creek BC, Grande Prairie AB, Peace River AB, Hay River NT, K’at’lodeeche First Nation Reserve NT and Yellowknife NT –

spanning two provinces and one territory.

After travelling 300 km, the first stop of the trip was Baitul Hadi Mosque, Edmonton, AB. The entourage stayed there for the night. The following morning, they were divided into three teams, each team was to visit one city and hold a conference.

Dawson Creek, British Columbia The first team had to drive 590 km to get to Dawson Creek, BC. The 3rd world religions conference was held at Kiwanis, the Performing Arts Centre, from 1pm to 2:30pm. The conference was attended by 21 people including 14 non-Ahmadi guests.

The event was moderated by a well-known local media personality. Representatives from Buddhism, Aboriginal Spirituality, and Islam expressed their views on the topic. The local newspaper, Dawson Creek Mirror also published articles before and after the event.

Grande Prairie, Alberta The second team drove 460 km to get to

Grande Prairie and held their 6th annual world religions conference at local public library. The event was held from 1pm to 2:30pm and was attended by 20 guests including 13 non-Ahmadi guests. Christian and Islamic perspectives were presented at the conference.

Peace River, Alberta The third team set its sight on Peace River, at a distance of 500 km. Once there, they hosted the 6th world religions conference from 2pm to 3:30pm.

The event was attended by 19 guests including 5 non-Ahmadis.

Later that afternoon, the three teams converged and continued their journey.

After travelling 1300km in one day, they reached Hay River, NT. This was their stop for the night. The stay at Hay River was hosted by the K’at’lodeeche First Nation on their land.

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories The following morning, Sunday 15 September the entourage travelled another 500km to Yellowknife, NT. The 12th world religions conference was held at Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre from 2pm to 4pm.

The conference was moderated by Deputy Mayor Shauna Morgan, and six speakers representing Jainism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Aboriginal Spirituality, and Islam presented their respective views on the topic. The conference was attended by 40 guests. Several guests showed keen interest in the program and appreciated this effort.

The mainstream media, CBC North aired a 15 minute live interview of Asif Arif Sahib. A local French radio station, Radio Taiga also interviewed him.

After concluding the Yellowknife WRC, the group travelled 500km back to the K’at’lodeeche First Nation Reserve, Hay River for the night. The following morning, a friendship BBQ was held, at the K’at’lodeeche First Nation Reserve. This was attended by aboriginal Dene people and the deputy Chief of the nation.

Hay River, Northwest Territories On the same evening, the 4th world religions conference was held from 6pm to 7:30pm at downtown Hay River. The Mayor of Hay River, Kandis Jameson moderated the even and while representatives from Christianity, Aboriginal Spirituality, and Islam presented their perspectives.

The local newspaper, Hay River Hub published an article on the event which included interviews and pictures.

By the grace of Allah, several new contacts were made during all these events and existing friendships strengthened. An important aspect of this year’s tabligh tour was the keen interest and participation of young Ahmadi boys in a significant number.

Ten high school students became part of the entourage and participated in tabligh activities.

May Allah bless these humble efforts and produce long lasting results and reward all the volunteers abundantly. Amin.

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

12 Continued from page 1

followed by an introduction to Jamaat-eAhmadiyya by Asif Arif Sahib.

The speakers included; the communications supervisor of Mali’s delegation at UNESCO, Mr Jean Christophe Auge the Religious Adviser of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Mr Clement Rouchouse from the Central Religion Advisory Board at the Home Office, Mr Gregoire Dublineau, Mayor of Eaubonne, Mr Willy Breton, President of the NATO Memorial and Mr Guillaume Diallo, representative of the Malian Christians living abroad.

nor a scientist, but the head of a religious community…”

Huzooraa said that the founding objectives of UNESCO being peace, respect, human rights, education, freedom of expression and alleviating poverty are all “excellent and praiseworthy”. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa expressed that the guests may be surprised to hear that these are also the objectives of Islam. “Such service is based on the very first chapter of the Holy Quran which states that Allah the All Mighty is the Lord of all the worlds”. Huzooraa explained that this verse is a reminder for Muslims

“It is a religious obligation on Muslims to fulfil the requirements of other people, irrespective of religion, culture or ethnicity and to always be kind” The speakers expressed their admiration of the peaceful aspirations and works of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

Thereafter, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addressed the congregation.

Huzooraa greeted the guests and thanked UNESCO for the event.

Huzooraa also thanked all the guests who came to listen to “a person who is neither a politician, nor a political leader,

that Allah is the Lord of all humankind, “irrespective of cast, creed and colour.”

Huzooraa said that Islam teaches that “the values of mutual respect and tolerance must be firmly embedded within society”.

Allah is the Provider and Sustainer to all people, even though they may reject him.

“His grace and mercy remain even with those who continually speak ill of Him”,

Huzooraa explained.

The philosophy of punishment or sanction established by God, in Islam, is geared more towards the hereafter. In this life, Allah continues to manifest his grace and mercy and has instructed mankind also to show compassion and sympathy to one another.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated that “it is a religious obligation on Muslims to fulfil the requirements of other people, irrespective of religion, culture or ethnicity and to always be kind” to “the emotions and needs of others”.

Huzooraa explained how the Holy Prophetsa was the best of all creation but yet, had to endure great hardships. After migration to Medina, the Holy Prophetsa was elected as Head of the State and “under his leadership, the covenant proved to be a magnificent charter of human rights and governance, ensuring peace between the different communities”.

The Prophetsa of Islam established an impartial judiciary and made it clear that there would be the same law for the rich and powerful and the poor and weak. All people would be treated equally, according to the law of the land. The Holy Prophetsa made it clear that the same law applied to his own family.

Further, “the Prophet of Islam established an excellent education system through which the intellectual standards of that society were raised”. Educated people were instructed to teach the illiterate. “This was all done so that the weak and powerless could stand on their own two feet and advance”.

Huzooraa mentioned that the Holy Prophetsa established a code of business and financial ethics.

“In an age when slavery was rampant and slave owners treated their slaves mercilessly, the Prophet of Islam sought to bring about a revolution in society.” Slave owners were urged by the Holy Prophetsa to treat their slaves with compassion and respect and to ultimately free them.

The roads of the city were expanded and improved. A city-cleaning programme was also implemented by the Holy Prophetsa and the population was taught about the importance of hygiene and health.

Huzooraa said “For the very first time amongst the Arabs, an orderly and civilised society was established”, resulting in citizens becoming beneficial and active members of society.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then spoke about how the Holy Prophetsa of Islam has been mischaracterised in today’s society. The reality is that the Prophetsa of Islam spent every moment of his life, “championing the rights of all people.” He established “a timeless charter of human rights.”

The Prophetsa of Islam taught to respect the beliefs and feelings of others.

Huzooraa said that it was regrettable that, in the modern world, respect has been sacrificed in the name of so-called freedom and entertainment.

“The founders of religion are no longer spared mockery and contempt” The Holy Quran, however, says that Muslims should not even speak ill of the idols of others, as they, in return, may speak ill of Allah the Almighty, hence disrupting the peace of society.

The Holy Prophetsa of Islam established various schemes to raise the standard of living of the weak and underprivileged. He said that “a poor person who was moral and considerate had far greater value than

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

a rich person who cared not for the feelings of others”.

Even in small matters, the Holy Prophetsa paid great attention to ensure protection of the feelings of underprivileged citizens of the society. For instance, the Holy Prophetsa would tell Muslims to invite the poor and weak to dinner.

The Prophet of Islamsa continually told his followers to free slaves, or, if it was not possible, to at least feed and clothe them the same way that they fed and clothed themselves.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then spoke of the rights of women in Islam.

Huzooraa said that it is often alleged that Islam denies women’s rights, but “nothing could be further from the truth”.

In a time when women were not respected, the Holy Prophetsa instructed his followers to ensure girls were educated and respected. He said that a person who educated and guided three daughters in the best way, would be sure to enter paradise.

The way to enter heaven, according to the Prophetsa of Islam was to educate and instil moral values within female members of the society. In light of this, Ahmadi Muslim girls are educating themselves in order to serve Humanity.

“We ensure that girls are given equal access to education as boys. Hence, the literacy rate of Ahmadi Muslim girls in the developing world is at least 99 percent”, Huzooraa pointed out.

Islam was the first to give women the right of inheritance, divorce and many other human rights.

The Holy Prophetsa placed great emphasis on the rights of neighbours.

The Holy Prophetsa paid great stress on education. Huzooraa explained an example of this, saying that after his first battle, the Holy Prophetsa agreed to release prisoners if they educated others.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that it is often alleged that Islam is a religion of violence. This is far from the truth as the Holy Quran gives freedom of belief and conscience.

“In reality if the early Muslims engaged in warfare, it was always defensive and fought for the sake of establishing long-term peace and to protect the right of all people to live with freedom”, Huzooraa explained.

Any Muslim who adopts violence is far from Islamic teachings. Such acts of violence only aim at gaining power or wealth and for attaining geopolitical and vested benefits.

The Holy Prophetsa and his Rightly Guided Caliphs never sought war and “at all times sought peace and reconciliation”.

Another allegation against Islam is of being a backward and archaic religion or one that does not promote intellectual advancement. Huzooraa said that such an assumption is based on merely on fiction rather than facts.

“It is a baseless allegation. The Holy Quran itself has signified the importance of education by teaching the prayer, ‘O my Lord increase me in knowledge’”. Huzooraa said that where this prayer helps Muslims it also inspires them to advance in knowledge. The truth is that the Holy Quran and the Prophet of Islam inspired generations of Muslim scientists, inventors and philosophers who transformed the world.

Huzooraa drew the audience’s attention

13

to Ibn Haytham, who was also recognised

by UNESCO as the pioneer of modern optics. Huzooraa said that the word camera originates from Arabic. In the 12th Century a Muslim cartographer developed “the most extensive and accurate world map of the medieval times that was used by centuries of travellers.”

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa also spoke of the great contributions of Muslim physicians towards medical and biological sciences. For instance, Jabir Ibn Hayyan bought a revolution in the field of Chemistry and invented many of the basic processes that are still in use today.

Huzooraa also pointed towards Algebra as a discipline that a Muslim mathematician invented.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then referred to a New York Times article that stated, “Muslims created a society that was, in the middle ages, the scientific centre of the world”.

“Hence, from the outset, Islam emphasised the immense value of learning and pushing the boundaries of human knowledge”, The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been promoting such trends learning and education since its inception. The very first Muslim scientist to receive a Nobel Prize was Professor Dr Abdus Salam, an Ahmadi, who said that there were “around 750 verses in the Holy Quran directly related to science and which enhanced our understanding of nature and the universe”.

Huzooraa explained that the third Caliph of the Jamaat desired a “new dawn of great Muslim scientists and academics”.

As a result, he started a tradition within the Jamaat of awarding gold medals to those who achieve academic excellence.

Huzooraa said that education is the key to breaking poverty and this is why the Holy Prophetsa urged Muslims to fund the poor in education.

Huzooraa explained that Muslims are

required to achieve the love of God not only through worship, but by serving humanity also.

“In all parts of the world the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community acts upon these noble teachings to the best of our abilities” “We believe that Islam is a religion of love and compassion”, Huzooraa said. That is why the Jamaat serves humanity irrespective of cast or creed.

The Jamaat is providing clean running water in African villages, this enables children to focus on their education rather than travelling miles to collect water from ponds. Huzooraa spoke in further detail of the humanitarian works of the Jamaat that were done out of human sympathy.

At the end, Huzooraa prayed that mankind forsakes greed and forgoes the pursuit of narrow self-interest and focuses on alleviating the pain of the less fortunate.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa thanked those who came to the event and concluded the session with silent prayers.

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Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM Continued from page 11

couplets of the Promised Messiahas with such zeal and passion that only a momin’s [true believer] can produce: ‫ی ت‬ ‫ونر� دراجن دمحم‬ ‫بجع‬ ‫لعل� ی ت‬ ‫بجع س� در اکن دمحم‬ “There is an extraordinary light in the persona of Muhammadsa and there are unique gems in the mine of Muhammadsa.”

O’ Allah shower peace and blessings upon the Holy Prophetsa!

29 July 1919: The ship is cruising past the point where God revealed the Torah upon Mosesas and Mount Sinai, which was blessed

by Allah Almighty. It is on our right. The ocean water is clear and green. Round shaped and green coloured fish move past the ship. The coast of Arabia has ended and Egypt has arrived. Dry land is appearing lush green, but the greenery can only be seen on one side. It is the glory of Allah that He caused springs of spiritual water to flow in sandy lands and dry mountains. And the world’s greatest spiritual men were born in “dry Sinai” and sandy Arabia. All praise belongs to Allah, the Exalted!

It is evening time and the ship has reached the Suez. This is a small town of Egypt on one side of the Suez Canal, where the waters of the Red Sea meet the Mediterranean Sea through the waterway and fulfil the prophecy of the Holy Quran: ْ ْ ْ ‫َمرَ َج ال َبح َریْ ِن یَل َتق ِٰین‬ [“Verily, He (Allah Almighty) will merge the two oceans, joining them together.” (Surah al-Rahman, Ch.55: V.20)] It is located on that place where the waters of Mediterranean Sea helped pass Mosesas following the orders of the Divine, and drew a distinction between right and wrong by drowning Pharaoh and his army.

These thoughts which flash into mind by this sight were still afresh when Egyptian boats waving their flag with the symbol of “crescent and star” came close to our ship, and people standing on the deck of the ship started buying and selling goods with boats stationed on water. A bucket was sent down through a rope and pulled upwards. This way, merchandise and payment would reach the hand of the buyer and the seller.

29 July 1919: The moon of Dhul-Qadah was seen with all its glory in the land of Egypt and this traveller, with hands raised, recalled his coming endeavors and the dear ones left behind [at home]. Immediately after the sunset, the ship started sailing again from the canal. It was delightful to experience the slow and steady movement of [the ship] “China” passing between Asia and Africa.

30 July 1919: Cruising all night in Suez, we were in Ismailia by the sunrise. On the way, situated above the canal, we saw the bridge of the train which joins Africa with Asia and runs from Cairo to Jerusalem.

The bridge can be dismantled and rebuilt whenever required. I had a discussion with an open-minded Christian while viewing the sight of the canal. He said, “The Messiah keeps appearing in every age. I am not convinced by the fact that he appeared once in Jerusalem and that was it.” The gentleman was the representative of Congress from Madras. He was told about the message of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and literature was given to him. Most of those present on the deck of the ship are studying the English

translation of “Tuhfat-ul-Maluk” [Gift for the Kings] and they do it regularly.

The ship reached port Saeed by noon and we went to the city with some literature.

This is European style city. Various Christian nations makes up the major portion of the city’s population. Greek are settled in great numbers. Masses of Muslims are also present in the tea-houses. We got a letter of recommendation from the British council and had our passports signed from the French council, and distributed a lot of literature in the city.

A Hindu gentleman met us. He promised, after taking some literature from us that, “I will distribute it in every hotel over here.”

Hence, he performed this task exceptionally well. The exposure of the Jamaat reached far and wide in Port Saeed, and while returning to the ship, a learned Egyptian gentleman searching for us, with the help of Indian students met us. Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sahib preached to him for nearly half an hour. We sent some literature for him from the ship as well.

The tram is pulled by horses in Port Saeed. It has a European style way of living.

Egyptian women purchase and sell goods wearing a black burqa. They were seen selling vegetables at a market.

A remarkable mosque is located at the city centre carrying the name “Abbasi Mosque”. We offered prayer in it and carried out tabligh to the Imam Sahib, and returned after receiving the title ”‫[”فاضلان جدان‬scholars of Jeddah] from the Imam Sahib.

The incident in Port Saeed which was going to have a great impact on my heart and will continue to do so, was that of the “little Yusuf ” who was seen in the shop of a Christian. As we entered the shop, he looked at us with extremely affectionate eyes. I asked him in Arabic, “Are you a Muslim?”

He replied, “I am a Muslim, Alhamdollilah.”

I handed over the English translation of Surah al-Fatihah to him that was printed as a sample. He accepted it with great love. There was another child with him. I handed him a sample as well. Owing to a spontaneous thought which normally comes to mind, Yusuf immediately said, “I am a Muslim but he is Greek.” Nevertheless, the Yusuf of Egypt, a servant in a Christian shop, his innocent face and his coming to the door to bid us farewell, was a sight that will never be forgotten.

A short discourse was held with a Christian missionary as well. He was surprised to hear that we were “bearers of Islam’s glad tidings” and said, “This is the first occasion when I have seen the missionaries of Islam and come to know that Muslims also preach to Christians.”

This is the opinion of those Christians who work in Muslim countries. I hope to God that Muslims soon become [true] Muslims.

The art of deceiving travellers is common at Port Saeed. A bundle of beautiful paper is prepared and sold at one or two shillings and it is said that inside it is something unique and should be unwrapped on the ship. It has one or two playing cards in it or pieces of trash paper. Likewise, a lot of people were deceived. These are the signs of modern day civilisation.

Divers [can be seen] swimming around the ship in the waters of the Port. As soon someone throws a dawanni [two annas], they immediately dive in and bring it out.

31 July 1919: The ship entered the

Mediterranean Sea and left Asia behind.

Europe is on the right and Africa is on the left side. Disturbance was experienced in the ocean and a number of people fell sick.

1 August 1919: The ship has covered a distance of 370 miles in past 24 hours and today at 12 noon, it is on 53-64 longitude and 43-60 latitude. Most of the people have exchanged addresses with us and discussions about the Jamaat take place everywhere.

2 August 1919: Today, the ship passed between the Island of Sicily and the country of Italy. Crossing through Sicily and Italy, leaving behind Turkey, Syria, Arabia and Egypt, with Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria on the right and Hispania in front, the past glory of Muslims comes to mind and the bloodshed of Muslims in the name of Christianity and the dark spots of the efforts for effacing their traces can be seen clearly.

The Ahmadi missionaries have faith in God Almighty that He will spread the teachings of Ahmad again in these countries with the help of spiritual weapons. And bring the centre of Christianity under the spiritual kingship of Islam and prove to the world that Islam was not spread by the sword.

3 August 1919: There is an arrangement for Christian workers to offer prayer on the ship and the priest of the Church of England leads the prayer. Most of the Christians left as the bell rang for the prayer. One of the few who remained sitting explained that he is associated with the “Vezelian” [Vezelay] church, therefore he did not go.

Today, the ocean was rough again and the waves crashed and tossed with such force that the deck is filled with water.

4 August 1919: Handing over the distribution of literature to a friend, we disembarked on Marseilles. It is a fortified port and in reality, it is “Mars-Ali.” The indication of Marseilles is present in: ‫بسم‬ ٰ ‫اللہ مجریھا و مرسھا‬. The actual meaning is “port of Ali” and perhaps its foundation was laid in that age when the Mediterranean was an Islamic sea, and Muslim sailors would sail their trade and warships around its shores.

They would probably build such ports in places that suited them.

After praying here, we disembarked on the land of Europe. In order to buy a ticket and to get [our passports] signed again from the French council, we went in the city of Marseilles. Starting from the station, there was a long straight line of bars and pubs.

On the way, French soldiers were seen walking in various uniforms. Certain soldiers had the symbol of the crescent and star on their caps that gave an idea that perhaps they are Muslims. However, they were French soldiers who had started living in Algeria. Everywhere, women can be seen working. Men and women holding hands and arms walk freely in the market places.

Hardly any Muslims from Algeria and Morocco can be seen. We met two or three Muslims but they were afraid to openly talk to us.

4 August 1919: Seeing those people, I realised the worth of the British Government’s freedom. Below are the things which were a new sight for us in Marseilles: 1. Abundance of bars 2. Abundance of women 3. Huge horses for transportation. As if

these horses are the elephants of Europe.

A Jewish porter met us on the railway station. He said, “My mother is from Damascus and my father is from Egypt and I am from France.” There was a crowd on the railway station of Marseilles for the Geneva mail train, so we were unable to find a place in the second class carriage. Even in third class, we kept standing for a while but then some French sailors came and there was a window of opportunity to board for us between their entering and the exit of the soldiers, so we secured a place to sit.

The French soldiers closely resemble the Pathans of the tribal area. There is only the difference of language. They kept singing and shouting throughout the entire way. We felt like strangers in the country of France and were surprised to see that these people know very little English.

5 August 1919: At 12 noon, we reached Paris and witnessed the paradise of worldly people. I used to think that there are false rumours about Paris, that it is a very indecent city. Suddenly, a woman appeared and placed a nude picture before an Indian student companion of ours, so that he may purchase it. This single instance displayed the picture of that country’s civilisation.

Thereafter, neither was there any time nor any desire to see anything else.

Europe has simple car rental motors.

We rented a motor and reached the mail train for “Boulogne” and boarded it. Time was spent in praying and wishing for the seedling of Islam to be planted in the land of France. Advertisements are erected here in farms and fields as well and the landlords are given payment for them.

Passports have to be shown in Boulogne.

After embarking the ship and crossing over the English Channel, one reaches Folkestone.

Hence, this practice was followed. By the praise of Allah Almighty, engaged in prayers for England to be enlightened with Islam, we reached Foklestone after the sunset. The ocean was very peaceful and everywhere, fishermen were busy catching fish in their sailing boats.

As explained by Mufti Sahib, at times, it is very difficult to cross the channel. However, by the grace of God, everything went well with us. The effects of the war in France are only visible by the broken roof of Jasmine Station. Otherwise, there is no indication of any kind which shows that this country had to face an unparalleled horrifying war.

We drove from Folkestone to Charing Cross railway station and found it filled with a lot of women and some men.

A slight mishap of the telegram made our friends unable to reach the station.

Otherwise, it was the desire of Hazrat Mufti Sahib to welcome us along with English ladies and gentlemen. At the railway station an English guide told us the way to underground railway station. Boarding the train, we reached Edgware Road railway station. Located from here, at three minutes’ walk, is the house which is the residence for Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya’s missionaries. A new English lady convert, Mrs Florence Abbasi opened the door and respected Mufti Sahib, with a white beard, long shirt, relatively fair face and comparatively healthy body, came out with the gift of Assalam o Alaikum.

Entering the house, we lay prostrate before Allah Almighty to express thankfulness for the peaceful completion of the journey and said Alhamdollilah!

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

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A bittersweet relationship: Science and religion arlier this week, in Paris, Hazrat E Khalifatul Masih V most eloquently panned out before UNESCO how Muslim aa

scientists, scholars and philosophers shaped the world of science. In his discourse, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa made it clear that the “Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophetsa of Islam inspired the works of generations of Muslim intellectuals, philosophers and inventors in the Middle Ages”.

It is important to note, Muslim intellectuals possessed personal academic and intellectual goals that were promoted and endorsed by their religion to pursue the sciences. It is crucial to acknowledge that the scientific world in the west, particularly in France, did not experience such an easy ride when science came face to face with religion.

The Middle Ages in Europe witnessed a painful struggle between science and the church. With the dawn of the Renaissance, the world of scientific thought would experience hurdles placed by religious clerics declaring scientists as “heretics”.

Scientists and thinkers like Galileo Galilei and Baruch de Espinoza (better known as Spinoza), would be trialled for their ideas that challenged the Church.

Regarding Galileo, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh wrote: “One famous example is that of the tussle between the Church and Galileo.

When Galileo (1564–1642) published his findings about the solar system, it infuriated the Church because his findings were against the perception which the Church had of the solar system. Under extreme duress he was forced to publicly renounce his scientific discoveries. Alternatively, he would have suffered death by torture…” (Christianity: A journey from facts to fiction, p. 24) Galileo was so relentless with his push for science that even sixteen years after being warned by the Church, he published his Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems, confidently discussing Copernicus’s refutation of the geocentric theory. Threatened with torture, he ended up declaring: “I do not hold this opinion of Copernicus” (Camus on Galileo The Myth of Sisyphus) The infamous Inquisitions of Europe originated for those who were suspected of publishing, spreading or talking about scientific idea that undermined the Church’s authority. However, the cocoon of supressing science would only breed a growing minority of free-thinkers, scientists, philosophers and for that matter, atheists.

Supressing science and free thought across Europe gave birth to the secret salons of Paris where thinkers, the likes of Baron ‘d’Holbach, David Hume, Louis-Philippe Segur, Denis Diderot and Jean Meslier would discuss science, and philosophers like

Voltaire who “appealed to our intelligence” and “Rousseau [who] touched our hearts”, as Louis-Philippe Segur put it. (The Twlight Of Atheism, p. 36).

Scientific books and research began to be strictly controlled particularly in France and anything that opposed religion, would be violently shunned. This suppression simmered the heat of the violent French Revolution and led France to a full-fledged “secular” outlook.

The Reign of Terror (La Terreur) followed the French Revolution, led by radical individuals like Jacobin, Jacques Hebert and Maximillian Robespierre, where it was religion’s turn to be violently opposed.

Many executions took place in France, using Dr Guillotine’s new slaughtering machine; based on the principles of gravity by Newton. Religious attire was also banned in some places and churches were shut down – the tables had been turned. Churches were being turned into “temples of reason” and the words “liberty” and “reason’’ would now openly echoed.

On 10 November 1793, a festival took place in Notre-Dame Cathedral known as the “Festival of Reason”; the most famous Church in France had now been renamed as the “Temple of Reason”. During the festival, a “Goddess of Reason” who was to be worshipped appeared before the crowd and all sorts of rituals took place, with reason being the new “god”.

Prior to this, festivals would almost always be religious in nature but now it

Europe, 1799 | Wiki Commons

was the new “Cult of Reason” government which was holding festivals in awe of liberty, nature and fraternity.

The suppression of science had turned reactionary in leading European society to strongly oppose religion and towards the spiritual darkness that we witness today in the form of the age of atheism.

The ideals of the French Revolution spurred across Europe, including Britain.

Percy Shelley’s The Necessity of Atheism and Queen Mab are prime examples of France’s intellectual influence upon Britain.

Though many factors had played a role, the suppression of science and research was instrumental in leading to this extreme. It paved way for a largely anti-religion society.

The force of intellectuals would now fiercely oppose religion and theories against it began to develop at an unprecedented rate, for example, Karl Marx’s notion about religion being “the opium of the people”.

This was a struggle that the Muslim scientists and philosophers did not have to undergo, for the most part. However, as the Enlightenment reached its peak and reason and science was given undue importance in that the existence of God was rejected, Allah sent the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him.

Interestingly, at the advent of the Promised Messiahas, Muslim clerics had begun to oppose technological advances and issued fatwahs (edicts) against technology developed by the West. It was the Promised Messiahas who corrected the ways of such clerics and revived the original teachings of Islam, promoting research and science.

At the same time, the Promised Messiahas pushed back at those who had taken hold of the other extreme of pure reason and science.

Continued on page 17

Learning could never have been so easy

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Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM Responding to Allegations

Prophecies of the Promised Messiahas

Did the Promised Messiahas cite a wrong reference in his book Mawahib-ur-Rahman and was he right in praying for torment?

“It should be borne in mind that we do not raise objections against the inoculation. In fact we acknowledge its advantages and the great benefit it possesses. We admit that it carries cure for the people without any fear or concern. It was for this reason that once the government realised that the outbreak of plague was reaching its peak and its devastation was spreading to the extreme, it [the government] gave preference to the inoculation over every other remedy and spending a lot of money, provided for its means and out of compassion made every effort for the ones effected by plague, so as to sheath the sword of the plague.”

“This practice was being carried out for several years and we had not heard about its harmful affect from any reputable person. In truth, the wise would praise this remedy and considered it a fast acting remedy and the most effective means of cure. This situation continued until I wrote my book Noah’s Ark and under divine guidance of Allah the Exalted I refused to use the inoculation and said that pure, eternal and complete protection that does not involve painful torment is with us and not with those who receive the vaccine.”

“Thus, if I am proven wrong in this matter, I am not from Allah the Almighty.

Consequently, stern voices were raised and they [the opponents] said that I oppose this method whereas safety depends upon it, and the revelation that I am mentioning is nothing and I will return after facing embracement. Or, calamity would befall me and my associates. [They said] complete

safety and well-being exists in taking the inoculation. [They said that] as the experts have tested it, there will be no fear for those who take it and they will not be plagued. On this occasion, my heart was filled with emotions and tears ran down my eyes because I had witnessed such actions of people that were contradictory to the practices of Muslims. I realised that they acknowledge the remedies of people but do not believe in the promises of RabbulAlamin [the Lord of All the Worlds].”

“They take refuge of the expert but do not come in the refuge of Allah who is very near. They listen to the speculators but do not adhere to that Being under whose commandment exists the order of deaths.

Hence, I presented a complaint before God Almighty that He may exonerate me from the assertions of the people, deliver me from the blame and silence the mouths of the opponents and return the blessings of welfare and safety back to us. [I asked God to] prove the inoculation as ineffective, manifest certain defects in it and show to the people that they have made a mistake in declaring me a wrongdoer. This is so, that they understand the cure is in the hands of the Creator and not the creation.”

“Thus, I continued to pray and carried out prayers with extreme humility and repeatedly submitted before the court of Allah, the Omnipotent and All-Powerful.

So much so that the signs of the acceptance of prayer became visible and the previously written prophecy proved truthful and that promise was fulfilled which was repudiated.

The inoculation infiltrated the courtyards of God’s creation like a lion creeps in and people witnessed its harmful effects through their own eyes…This is the reality behind that unfortunate incident which took place in Malakwal.”

(Mawahib-ur-Rahman, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 19, pp. 263-265) Highlighting the above mentioned extract of the Promised Messiahas from the book Mawahib-ur-Rahman published in 1903, the opponents raise an objection that the founder of Ahmadiyya Jamaat while referring to his book Noah’s Ark stated: “Hence, I presented a complaint before God Almighty that He may exonerate me from the assertions of the people, deliver me from blame and silence the mouths of the opponents, and return the blessings of welfare and safety back to us. [I asked God to] prove the inoculation as ineffective, manifest certain defects in it and show to the people that they have made a mistake in declaring me a wrongdoer. This is so, that they understand the cure is in the hands of the Creator and not the creation. Thus, I continued to pray and carried out prayers with extreme humility and repeatedly submitted before the court of Allah, the Omnipotent and All-Powerful, so much so that the signs of the acceptance of prayer became visible and the previously written prophecy proved truthful”.

Opponents allege that these words are nowhere to be found in Noah’s Ark. Moreover, they ask why the Promised Messiahas carried out such an accursed prayer and desired death and destruction of

the people?

Pondering over the aforementioned excerpt, it becomes significantly clear that the only words referred to the book Noah’s Ark by the Promised Messiahas are: “This situation continued until I wrote my book Noah’s Ark and under the divine guidance of Allah the Exalted I refused to use the inoculation and said that pure, eternal and complete protection which does not involve painful torment is with us and not with those who receive the vaccine.

Thus, if I am proven wrong in this matter, I am not from Allah the Almighty.”

The Promised Messiahas is simply referring to the fact that people began to mock him when he announced in his book Noah’s Ark that he will not take the inoculation for the plague. Therefore, he submitted to God Almighty and prayed, so that others may understand.

Consequently, the incident of Malakwal took place, in which 19 individual who had received the plague vaccine, lost their lives and God’s promise was fulfilled. This indicated that the real remedy of the plague is to seek forgiveness and come into the refuge of the Creator.

Reading the complete extract with the context, the readers may have realised that the Promised Messiahas in his book Mawahib-ur-Rahman has not referred to Noah’s Ark regarding a prayer or a curse.

The prayer that the Promised Messiahas has mentioned was carried out after the publication of Noah’s Ark when people went against him considering the inoculation to be the only cure. Hence, opponents have intentionally tried to deceive the general public by presenting the statement of the Promised Messiahas out of context.

The opponents raise an objection against the prayer of the Promised Messiahas and say he was wrong in beseeching a curse by praying against the inoculation as it involved death and destruction of people.

It should be noted for the record, in the past, opponents have objected to another prayer which was carried out by the Promised Messiahas for the eradication of the plague and emphasised that it was against the practice of earlier prophets like Noahas etc. Hence, opponents are not satisfied either way whether the Promised Messiahas prayed for the eradication of the plague or prayed against the inoculation – to bring people closer to God Almighty because they were entirely dependent on the vaccine and forgot their Creator. It would not be inaccurate to say opponents are raising allegations just for the sake of going against the Promised Messiahas because the above assertion contradicts their own viewpoint.

Earlier prophets, regardless of their immense compassion for mankind, always chose upholding God's honour over the safety of mankind.

For instance, at the occasion of Battle of Uhud when Muslims were nearly defeated and the Quraish were arrogantly chanting against them, the Holy Prophetsa instructed the Muslims to remain quiet for the safety of Muslims. However, when Abu Sufiyan said ‫ اعل ھبل‬i.e. “Glory be to [the idol] Hubul”, the Holy Prophetsa ordered his companions to reply by saying, ‫ اللہ اعلی و اجل‬i.e. “Allah is the Greatest and the Most Glorious.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi) The Promised Messiahas prayed to God

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM Almighty when the people of his time declared that the inoculation is enough for their safety and turned away from seeking forgiveness. This prompted the torment of God. The same prayer was carried out by Noahas when his people transgressed despite all efforts and Allah Almighty told him that they would not believe, as it is stated in the Holy Quran: ُ ُْ َ َّ َ َّ َ َ َ ً َ ُّ َ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َ ‫ين إِلا ضل َ َالًا۔ ِّم ّما خطِيئات ِ​ِه ْم أغ ِرقوا‬ ‫وقد أضلوا كثِيرا ۖ ولا تز ِد الظالِم‬ َْ َ ّ َ ٌ ُ َ َ َ ً َ َّ ُ ِ ّ ُ َ ِ ُ َ ْ َ َ ً َ ُ ْ ُ َ ‫ون الل ِه أنصارا۔ وقال نوح ر ِب لا تذر‬ ‫فأد ِخلوا نارا فلم ي ِجدوا لهم ِمن د‬ ِ َ َ َْ َ ْ َ​َ ‫ين َد ّي ًار‬ ‫ض ِمن الكافِ ِر‬ ِ ‫على الأر‬ “And they have led many astray; so increase Thou not the wrongdoers but in error.

Because of their sins they were drowned and made to enter Fire. And they found no helpers for themselves against Allah. And Noah said, ‘My Lord, leave not on the land a single dweller of the disbelievers.” (Surah Nuh, Ch.71: V.25-27) Prophets perform their tasks in light of God’s directions. Owing to the compassion and love of mankind, they effort day and night to convey the message of God and show various signs to make people understand. However, when their nation excel in mockery and reproach, the prophets are left with no other choice than to pray for torment from God. In the incident of Mosesas, it is stated in the Holy Quran that he prayed in the following words:

17 ْ ُّ َ َ ْ ً َ ْ َ َ ً َ ُ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َّ َ َّ َ ٰ َ ُ َ َ َ ‫الدن َيا‬ ‫وقال موسُى ربنا ِإنك آتيت فِرعون وملأه زِ َينة وأموالا في الحيا ِة‬ ّ ُ​ُ َ ِْ َ ْ َ​َ َ َ​َ ‫َر ّبنا ل ُِي ِضلوا َعن َس ِبيلِك ۖ َر ّبنا اط ِم ْس َعل ٰى أ ْموَال ِ​ِه ُ ْم َواش ُد ْد َعل ٰى قل ِوب ِه ْم‬ َُ ُ َ ْ َّ َ ْ َ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ ُ َ َ َّ َ ُ ْ ُ َ َ ‫فلا يؤ ِمنوا حت ٰى يروا العذاب الأل ِيم۔ قال قد أ ِجيبت دعوتكما‬ “And Moses said, ‘Our Lord, Thou hast bestowed upon Pharaoh and his chiefs embellishment and wealth in the present life, with the result, our Lord, that they are leading men astray from Thy path. Our Lord! Destroy their riches and attack their hearts and they are not going to believe until they see the grievous punishment.’”

“He said, ‘Your prayer is accepted.’”(Surah Yunus, Ch.10: V.89-90) Similarly, the Holy Prophetsa prayed against his opponents when they rejected Islam with great enmity and sought to destroy it. As a result, famine overtook them for one year and destroyed every kind of life to such an extent that the people were compelled to eat the dead and carcasses.

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Istisqa) Hence, the Promised Messiahas was a prophet of God Almighty and he performed the task of reforming mankind, following God’s guidance and the practice of earlier prophets. Opponents must have realised from these examples that had they pondered over the Holy Quran and Ahadith, they would have easily found out the answers to their assertions.

Continued from page 15

The effects of western philosophers were beginning to catch fire in the east, with scores of Muslim and Hindu youth turning away from religion and focusing their sole attention on subjects like logic and philosophy. Islam had also lost its pomp and spiritual light, thus falling prey to doubt and scepticism.

The Promised Messiahas in his Arabic book Lujatunur alludes to a populace of India who had begun to laugh, ridicule and mock those who adhered to religion, while priding themselves with their own intellectual understanding and ability in philosophy, nature and logic. The Promised Messiahas described the intensity of the situation by saying, “They have entered the stomachs of philosophers like the deceased enter graves”.

(Lujatu-nur, Ruhani Khazain Vol.16 p.48 ) The Promised Messiahas challenged atheists on two fronts. Firstly he presented intellectual arguments supplemented with a more robust proof of a living God through revelation. The intellectual arguments the Promised Messiahas detailed against the philosophers were unique and novel and proved to be a breath of fresh air, a ray of hope, and a source of solace and conviction for believing people.

Regarding the field of academia and tackling the various ideologies of the world at the time, the Promised Messiahas said, “I have thus been moved by God to enter this battlefield of science and academic advancement armed with a literary arsenal, and also to exhibit the spiritual valour of Islam and demonstrate the marvel of its inner strength…” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 58).

The world of Islam and the West had

taken up two extremes at the advent of the Promised Messiahas. Muslims generally no longer supported research, science and the thought-process that the Quran had imparted, and previous Muslim intellectuals of the Golden Age had adopted. And the West had left religion altogether, giving science and philosophy an almost divine authority.

Both of these extreme fronts were successfully challenged by the Promised Messiahas through his literature and a new dawn of Islam was shown to the world.

After the demise of the Promised Messiahas, his successors have successfully upheld the great mission. While religious education lies at the core of human life, Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya has encouraged secular learning to keep at par with the modern world. We see Hazrat Khalifatul Masih awarding gold medals to those that have excelled in education during the year.

Financial grants are available to students who wish to pursue higher education in science, technology and humanities.

Knowledge is, for the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, a lost asset that must be attained at any cost.

World Religions Conference at University of Waterloo, Canada

Syed Mukarram Nazir Canada Correspondent

undreds of people gathered in Waterloo, H Ontario for the 39 Annual World Religions Conference which was held on th

22 September 2019. Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada hosted this event as it has been doing for nearly four decades.

The conference venue was a very familiar one, the University of Waterloo located 114 km south west of Baitul Islam mosque, Toronto. The very important theme of this year’s event was, “How to establish a just society”, which was addressed by many faith group representatives. Each speaker presented their personal experience with God and their scriptural perspective on the topic of justice.

This conference has the dual distinction of being Canada’s largest and longest running multi-faith event. Its purpose is to explore the teachings of various religious and philosophical traditions of society. This event has the noble theme of encouraging a respectful discussion of faith and personal understanding to promote a harmonious society for all Canadians.

This year’s event was moderated

by Ms Angela Vieth, councillor City of Waterloo. The conference officially started with recitation of Holy Quran followed by an English translation. The honourable moderator welcomed everyone to the program and introduced each faith representative. Every year, the conference begins with the unveiling of the world religions conference plaque which was conducted by Naib Amir Jamaat Canada, Farhan Khokhar Sahib. Everyone stood up for the Canadian National Anthem to show their mutual respect and unity for the nation.

Farhan Khokhar Sahib gave a warm welcome to the all attendees and speakers and briefly introduced Jamaate-Ahmadiyya. The Moderator, Ms Vieth, briefly reminded everyone about the objectives of the conference and introduced various prominent guests who are normally in attendance each year. These guests included members of parliament, members of the provincial parliament, and local councillors.

Each of the scholars from the seven faiths, presented their personal perspective

on “How to establish a just society”. Each presentation was followed by a brief religious piece based on recitation of the Holy Scriptures by members of their respective faiths. The list of speakers at this year’s conference follows; Hinduism, Swami Chaitanya Jyoti, Christianity, Reverend Preston Parsons, Judaism, Dr Michael Grand, Indigenous Religions, Malcolm Saulis, Islam, Imam Imtiaz Ahmed, Humanism, Doug Thomas, Sikhism, Navdeep Singh.

Each year, a very engaging question and answer is held with all the speakers of the conference. This gives the audience a chance to present many questions for different speakers to address before the event concludes.

The President of the WRC Organising Committee, Nomaan Mubashir Sahib, wrapped up the event by expressing his sincere gratitude to all the participants who helped to make this year’s event a success.

Naib Amir Jamaat Canada, Farhan Khokhar Sahib presented commemorative plaques to all the speakers as well as to the moderator.

As per Jamaat tradition, the World Religions Conference concluded with a multi-faith silent prayer which most people participated in.

The annual conference has grown significantly in the past 4 decades since it started and each year it attracts several hundred delegates, nearly a dozen speakers, and many distinguished members of society. By the grace of Allah, this year’s event was attended by over 600 attendees with the entire conference broadcast live to the internet on worldreligionsconference. org website. For everyone’s convenience, the video of the program is also available on YouTube for replay on the World Religions Conference channel. Two local TV channels also covered the event.

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM

18

Friday Sermon Men of Excellence 13 September 2019 After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:

T

he series of narrating the accounts of the lives of the Badri companions, which I have started, will continue today. However, before I do so, I would like to say to Ansarullah on the occasion of their Ijtema that when those companions, among whom were Ansar as well as Muhajir, accepted Islam, they inculcated pious transformations within them and they set wondrous examples of sacrifices, righteousness, sincerity and loyalty.

Most of you who are present here at this moment in time, have reached the age of Ansarullah and are Ansar as well as Muhajir.

Hence, you should undertake a constant selfanalysis as to what extent you are following and acting upon those examples that were set before you.

After these brief words, I will now begin with the actual subject [of today].

The first account that will be given is of Hazrat Numanra bin Amr. Hazrat Numan’sra name is recorded as Numan as well as Nuaiman.

His father’s name was Amr bin Rifa‘ah and his mother’s name was Fatima bint Amr. Among the children of Hazrat Nuaimanra, we find the following names: Muhammad, Amir, Sabrah, Lubabah, Kabshah, Maryam, Ummi Habeeb, Amatullah and Hakimah. According to Ibn Ishaq, Hazrat Nuaimanra participated in the second Bai‘at at Aqabah along with 70 Ansar.

Hazrat Nuaimanra participated in all of the battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa, including the Battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. According to a narration, the Messengersa of Allah said, “Say anything but good about Nuaimanra for he loves Allah and His Messengersa.” Hazrat Nuaimanra passed away in 60 AH during the rule of Hazrat Amir Muawiyahra. (Al-Tabaqaatul-Kubra li ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p. 257 Dar-ul-Haya Al-Turath Al-Arabiy, Beirut, Lebanon, 1996) (Al-Kamil Fi Al-Tarikh, Vol. 3, p. 405, Dar-ulKutub Al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon 2006).

“Hazrat Ummi Salamara narrates that Hazrat Abu Bakrra went to Busra a year before the demise of the Holy Prophetsa.” (Busra is a historical and famous city of Syria. During a trade journey to Syria, the Holy Prophetsa along with his uncle, stayed in this city. Likewise, when the Holy Prophetsa took the trade goods of Hazrat Khadijara to Syria, he also stayed at this place. Maisarah, the servant of Hazrat Khadijara also accompanied the Holy Prophetsa on that journey.)

In any case, [she narrates that] Hazrat Abu Bakrra undertook a trade journey to that place before the demise [of the Holy Prophetsa], and was also accompanied by Nuaimanra and Suwaibitra bin Harmalah. Both of these men participated in the Battle of Badr. In this journey with Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Nuaimanra was entrusted with the provisions. It was during this journey that in a lighthearted moment, Hazrat

Nuaiman’sra companion sold him off to a tribe.

I have mentioned this incident once before whilst narrating the account of the life of Hazrat Suwaibitra. However, I will briefly narrate it again.

Suwaibitra, who was his companion, had a light-hearted nature. We find in the narrations that both Hazrat Numanra as well as Hazrat Suwaibitra had a very frank and informal relationship and would often have a lighthearted conversation with one another.

During the journey, Hazrat Suwaibitra asked Numanra to give him some food. However, he replied, “As long as Abu Bakrra does not return (as he had gone somewhere), I will not give you any food.” Upon this, Saiwaibitra replied, “If you do not give me anything to eat then what I will say may infuriate you.” The narrator of this tradition states that in the meantime, they passed by a tribe. Upon this, Suwaibit asked them if they would purchase a slave from him. (Either this particular incident took place a few days later or perhaps occurred at that time, as they were walking along on their journey. In any case, it was soon after their initial conversation.) Hazrat Suwaibitra asked the tribe if they would purchase a slave from him. The tribe replied that they would do so.

Upon this, Suwaibitra informed them, “He talks a lot and he will continuously repeat that he is a free man. Thus, when he says this to you and asks you to release him, do not do so lest you ruin my slave.” They replied, “We will not do so and we wish to purchase him from you.”

Hence, they bought him in exchange for ten camels. Following this, these people came to Nuaimanra and wrapped [the cloth of] a turban or a rope around his neck in order to take him as a slave. Nuaimanra said to them that he was in

fact joking with them and protested that he was a free man not a slave. However, they replied that they had already been informed about him.

Nevertheless, they forcefully took him with them. When Hazrat Abu Bakrra arrived and people informed him about this, he went after the people of this tribe, returned their camels and brought Nuaimanra back. The narrator of this tradition further states that when these individuals returned to the Holy Prophetsa and informed him about this, the Holy Prophetsa and his companions enjoyed listening to this and continued to enjoy this lighthearted moment among them for almost a year. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab-ul-Adab, Baab-ul-Mazaah, Hadith no. 3719) (Mujam-ul-Buldan, Vol. 2, p.

348) (Farhang-e-Sirat, p.58, Busra) In certain other books, this incident is described as Hazrat Numanra who was the one who sold Hazrat Suwaibitra and not the other way around. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifat AlSahaba, Vol. 2, p. 354, Suwaibitra bin Harmalah, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003) Nevertheless, this narration is found in reference to both of them. In relation to Hazrat Nuaimanra, it is stated that he also had a very lighthearted nature and the Holy Prophetra would greatly enjoy listening to him.

Rabiah bin Uthman narrates that a Bedouin once came to the Holy Prophetsa and having entered the mosque, he sat his camel in the courtyard. Upon this, some companions said to Hazrat Numanra that if he slaughtered this camel, they would eat its meat as they really desired to have some meat. They also said that since this was the camel of the Bedouin and he would subsequently complain to the Holy Prophetsa, but once the complaint would be made to the Holy Prophetsa, he

would compensate for it. The narrator of this traditions states that having been persuaded by them, Hazrat Numanra slaughtered the camel.

When the Bedouin came outside and saw his camel in this state, he raised a hue and cry saying, “O Muhammadsa! My camel has been slaughtered.” The Holy Prophetsa came outside and enquired as to who was responsible. The people replied that it was Numanra. Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa went to look for him. Having committed this act, Numanra had left the place and was hiding somewhere. Nevertheless, the Holy Prophetsa went to look for him and found him hiding at Hazrat Zuba’ahra bint Zubair bin Abd-il-Muttalib’s house. A person at the place he was hiding, indicated towards his direction with his finger and loudly proclaimed, “O Prophetsa of Allah! I cannot see him anywhere.”

The Holy Prophetsa took him out from there and asked why he did this. Upon this, Numanra replied, “O Prophetsa of Allah! The people who told you that I slaughtered it, they were the ones who in fact encouraged me and told me to do so. They also said that the Holy Prophetsa would compensate for it and pay for it later.” Having heard this, the Holy Prophetra touched Numan’s face with his hand and began to smile. The Holy Prophetsa then paid the Bedouin the value of the camel. (Usdul Ghaba Fi Marifat Al-Sahaba, Vol. 4, p. 332, Suwaibitra bin Harmalah, Dar-ulKutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2008) (Al-Fukaha Wa Al-Mazaah, Zubair bin Bukkar, pp. 24-25, 2017) In his book, Kitabul Fukaaha wa AlMazaah, Zubair bin Bukkar relates an incident regarding Hazrat Numanra. He writes that whenever a travelling salesman or merchant would enter Medina, Hazrat Numanra would always purchase something from them and present the items to the Holy Prophetsa as a gift from himself. Since he was familiar to them, therefore he would tell them where he lived and they would retrieve the cost later. Therefore, when the owner would come to Hazrat Numanra to retrieve the cost, Hazrat Numanra would bring him to the Holy Prophetra and ask him to pay for the item he gave him. (He would request the Holy Prophetsa to pay for the item that he had purchased and brought for him.) The Holy Prophetsa would reply, “Did you not gift this to me?” to which Hazrat Numanra would answer, “O Messengersa of Allah! By God, I did not have anything to pay for them at the time, but it was my desire for you to eat of it if it was something edible, and that you keep it if it was something to keep.” The Holy Prophetsa would smile and would instruct for the merchant to be paid for his item. (Al-Fukaha Wa Al-Mazaah, Zubair bin Bukkar, p. 27, 2017) Thus, these are example of the gatherings which were filled with such extraordinary love, affection and light-heartedness; and it was not

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM the case that they were always strictly formal and without any lighthearted moments.

The next companion I shall mention is Hazrat Khubaibra bin Isaaf. Hazrat Khubaibra belonged to the Banu Jusham branch of the Khazraj tribe of the Ansar. According to another narration, his name was Habib bin Yasaaf.

His father’s name was Isaaf, but according to another narration it is recorded as Yasaaf. His grandfather’s name is recorded as Itabah, but also as Inabah. (Al-Sirat al-Nabawiyyah li Ibn Hisham, p. 476, Al-Ansar wa man ma’ahum, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2001) (AlTabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 275, Khubaibra bin Yasaaf, Dar-e-Ihyaa Al-Turath Al-Arabiy, Beirut, Lebanon, 1996) (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 1, p. 683, Khubaibra bin Yasaaf, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) Hazrat Khubaib’sra mother’s name was Salama bint Masud. Among his children was Abu Kathir, whose actual name was Abdullah and was born to Jamila bint Abdillah bin Ubayy bin Sulool. His second son was Abdur Rahman, who was born to Umm-e-Walad.

He had a daughter named Unaisah, who was born to Zainab bint Qais. After the demise of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Khubaibra married Habiba bint Kharijah, the widow of Hazrat Abu Bakrra. (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, pp.

275-276, Khubaibra bin Yasaaf, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1996) (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 153, Khubaibra bin Yasaaf, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2008) Even though Hazrat Khubaibra had not yet accepted Islam at the time of the migration, he had the honour of hosting and accommodating the Muhajireen in Medina as the migration took place. Despite the fact that he was not a Muslim, he acted with great hospitality [towards the Muhajireen]. Hazrat Talhara bin Abdillah and Hazrat Suhaibra bin Sinaan stayed at his house, but according to another narration Hazrat Talhara stayed at the house of Hazrat Asadra bin Zurarah. (Al-Sirat al-Nabawiyyah li Ibn Hisham, p. 338, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2001) Likewise, according to a narration, when Hazrat Abu Bakrra migrated to Medina, he stayed at the house of Hazrat Khubaibra in Sunah, Qubaa. Sunah is the name of a high area of the village in the outskirts of Medina where the Bani Harith branch of the Khazraj tribe lived. Yet according to a different narration, Hazrat Abu Bakrra stayed at the house of Hazrat Kharijahra bin Zaid. (Al-Sirat al-Nabawiyyah li Ibn Hisham, p. 348, Khubaibra bin Yasaaf, Darul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2001) (Lughaatul-Hadith, Vol. 2, p. 373) Hazrat Khubaibra took part in all the battles alongside the Holy Prophetsa, including the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. (AlTabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p. 276, Khubaibra bin Yasaaf, Dar-e-Ihyaa Al-Turath Al-Arabiy, Beirut, 1996) According to one narration, Khubaibra was living in Medina but despite that, he had not accepted Islam until the Holy Prophetsa set off for the Battle of Badr and he joined the Holy Prophetsa along the way and it was then that he accepted Islam. (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p.

152, Khubaibra bin Yasaaf, Dar-ul-Kutub alIlmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, 2003) The incident of Hazrat Khubaib’sra acceptance of Islam is mentioned in Sahih Muslim and has been narrated by Hazrat Aishara, the noble wife of the Holy Prophetra.

She narrates that the Messengersa of Allah departed for the Battle of Badr and when he reached Harratul Ghabara, which is situated about three miles from Medina, a person who was famous for his courage and valour met with him. The Companionsra of the Holy prophetsa were very pleased to see him. Upon meeting with the Holy Prophetsa, he stated, “I have come to accompany you and to partake of the spoils

19 of war.” The Holy Prophetsa said to him, “Do you believe in Allah and His Messengersa?” He responded, “No. I do not believe [in Allah and His Messengersa]” i.e. he was not a Muslim.

The Holy Prophetsa then stated, “Then you can return as I do not seek help from the mushrik [idolater].” Hazrat Aishara states that the man went his way. When the Holy Prophetsa reached Shajarah, a place situated near Dhul Hulaifa which is 6-7 miles from Medina, the same individual approached the Holy Prophetsa and said exactly what he said before. The Holy Prophetsa also gave him the same response as before, telling him to leave as he was in no need of the support of a mushrik. The man left once again and met the Holy Prophetsa again at a place called Baidaa near Dhul Hulaifah, 6-7 miles away from Medina and which is close to Shajarah. (These two places are not far from one another.) The Holy Prophetsa again said to him as he did the first time that he will not take the help of a mushrik. The Holy Prophetsa then said, “Do you believe in Allah and His Messengersa?” The man replied, “Yes, I do”. The Holy Prophetsa then said, “Now you may accompany me.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitabul Jihad, Fitan Wa Ashraat al-Sa‘ah, , Hadith 1817) (Mujam-ul-Buldan, Vol. 3, p. 142) (Akmaal-ulIlm Bi Fawaid Al-Muslim, Vol. 4, Kitab-ul-Hajj, Dar-ul-Wafa, 1998) It has been mentioned in the commentary of this narration that the man mentioned to have accepted Islam in this narration was Hazrat Khubaibra. (Al-Bahr-ul-Muheet, Vol. 1, p. 620, Dar ibn Al-Jauzi Riyadh, 1434 AH) Whilst explaining Hazrat Khubaibra bin Isaaf ’s acceptance of Islam and participation in the Battle of Badr, Allama Nooruddin Halabi states in his book Sirat Halabiyyah that there was a strong and courageous person in Medina by the name of Habib bin Yasaaf. (This was the other name of Hazrat Khubaibra bin Isaaf as is mentioned in the books of Sirat.) In any case, this man belonged to the Khazraj tribe and had not accepted Islam until the Battle of Badr.

Nevertheless, he too departed with the Khazraj tribe in the hope of partaking of the spoils of war, in case they won the battle. The Muslims were very pleased to see him go forth with them but the Holy Prophetsa told him that only those can accompany them to battle who adhere to their faith. In another narration, it is mentioned that the Holy Prophetsa told him to go back as they did not require any help from the mushrik. The Holy Prophetsa told Habib or Khubaib to turn back on two occasions, but the third time the Holy Prophetsa asked, “Do you believe in Allah and His Messengersa ?” to which he replied, “Yes” and thus he accepted Islam and fought valiantly in the battle. (AlSirat al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 3, p. 204, Bab Dhikr Maghaziyah/Ghazwah Badr Al-Kubra, Dar-ulKutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) In Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, the account of how Hazrat Khubaibra accepted Islam is mentioned as follows: “One of my tribesmen and I visited the Holy Prophetsa when he was preparing to depart for a battle, but at that time, we had not accepted Islam. We submitted to the Holy Prophetsa saying that we felt ashamed that our people would go for war and we did not participate with them. The Holy Prophetsa asked, ‘Have you both accepted Islam?’ We replied that we had not, to which the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘We do not wish to seek help of an idolater against another idolater.’”

The battle the Holy Prophetsa was preparing for was against idolaters, therefore the Holy Prophetsa questioned how could he accept the help of an idolater?

“Hazrat Khubaibra then stated that they decided to accept Islam and joined the Holy Prophetsa in the battle. He states, ‘During the battle, I killed one of our adversaries, but before

that, he managed to inflict injury upon me.

Later on, when I married the daughter of the person I had killed, she would often say, “You will never be able to forget the person who gave you those scars,” and I would reply by saying that she would also not forget the person who hastened her father into the hellfire.’” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 5, p. 411, Hadith 15855, Aalamul Kutub, Beirut, Lebanon, 1998) During the Battle of Badr, Hazrat Khubaibra bin Isaaf killed Umayya bin Khalf, one of the leaders of the Quraish of Mecca and this account of the marriage that took place between Hazrat Khubaibra and the daughter of the person who was killed was briefly alluded to in Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, but the person who was killed was not mentioned by name.

Allama Nooruddeen Halabi has mentioned this account in detail in his book Seeratul Halabiyya which is as follows: Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf narrates, “In the plains of Badr I met Umayya bin Khalf, who was a friend of mine during the Jahilyya period [the era before the advent of Islam]. Umayya’s son, Ali, was standing beside his father, holding his hand. Ali was among those Muslims who had accepted Islam before the Holy Prophetsa migrated to Medina.

However, his relatives pressurised him to leave Islam and succeeded. Thus, he accepted Islam initially but later renounced his faith and died in a state of disbelief. Regarding such people, God Almighty revealed the following verse: َّ ُ ُ َ ْ ُ َُْ َ ُ َ ْ ُ َّ َ َ َ َّ َّ ُ َ ْ ْ ‫اہ ُم ال َملَائِکۃ ظال ِ ِم ْی أنف ِس ِہ ْم قالوْا فِ ْی َم کن ُت ْم قالوْا کنا ُم ْس َتض َعفِی َن‬ ‫إِن ال ِذین توف‬ َْ ْ ‫ض‬ ِ ‫فِی الأر‬ ‘Verily, those whom the angels cause to die while they are wronging their own souls, they (the angels) will say to them: ‘What were you after?’ They will reply: ‘We were treated as weak in the land.’” (Surah al-Nisa: V.98) Nonetheless, he further stated, “Among these people there were Haritha bin Rabiah, Abu Qais bin Faaqey, Abu Qias bin Waleed, Aas bin Munabbah and Ali bin Umayyah.”

Allama Nooruddeen Halabi further writes that in the book Seerat Hishamiyya, it is written that these people accepted Islam when the Holy Prophetsa was still in Mecca. When the Holy Prophetsa migrated to Medina, the relatives of the aforementioned held them back in Mecca and pressurised them. As a result of this, they succumbed to their pressurisation and abandoned Islam (i.e. they left the pale of Islam). They then came with their tribe to the Battle of Badr and were all killed in this battle.

From this narration it seems that these people had not recanted from Islam before the Holy Prophet’ssa migration, whereas from the earlier narration it seemed as if these people had left Islam before the Holy Prophetsa migrated from Mecca.

Nonetheless Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra narrates an incident regarding the battle. He states: “I was holding many chain armours. When Umayyah saw me, he addressed me using my name in the Jahiliyya period which was Abde-Amr. I did not respond to him because when the Holy Prophetsa had given me the name Abdur Rahman, he asked whether I would like to give up the name of my forefathers, to which I replied in the affirmative. Umayyah said that he did not recognise the name ‘Rahman’. Then, when Umayyah later called me by my actual name – Abdur Rahman – I responded to him.”

It seems that when Umayyah had called out to him the first time, Abdur Rahmanra knew he was being addressed, yet he refused to acknowledge him because he called out to him by referring to him as a servant of an idol. At the same time, it is quite possible that Abdur Rahmanra did not even comprehend that he was being addressed, as he abandoned the name a long time before this incident. Then when Umayyah called out

using his actual name – Abdur Rahmanra – that is when he realised that he was being addressed and thus responded to him. Umayyah then said to Abdur Rahman, “If I have any rights over you, then I am better than the chain armour you hold in your hands.” He gave reference to their old friendship and thought that his life may be spared owing to it, for they had already been defeated. He said to Abdur Rahmanra that he had rights over him and that since he was better than the chain armour, he should arrange for his safety. Abdur Rahmanra then further narrates, “I said, ‘Very well.’ I then put the chain armours on the floor and held Umayyah and his son Ali by the hand. Umayyah said, ‘I have never seen a day such as this one (i.e. the Day of Badr).’ He then asked, ‘Who was it among you that had an ostrich feather on the armour of his chest?’ I replied that it was Hamza bin Abdil Muttalib. Umayyah then said, ‘He was the one responsible for all that took place. It was because of him that we are in such a state.’”

Nonetheless, this was his own opinion and according to one narration Umayyah’s son said the aforementioned statement.

Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf further states: “After that, I was walking with both of them and held them by the hand, when Hazrat Bilalra saw Umayyah with me and shouted out, ‘The chief of the disbelievers, Umayyah is here; only one of us will survive.’” In Mecca, Umayyah severely persecuted Hazrat Bilalra in an attempt to try and turn him away from Islam. Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra states, “When I heard this, I said to him, ‘Why do you say this regarding my prisoner?’ However Hazrat Bilalra kept on repeating the aforementioned and I replied in the same way. Hazrat Bilalra would repeat, ‘Only one of us can survive,’ and I would continue to repeat my reply. Hazrat Bilalra then said at the top of his voice, ‘O Helpers of God! The chief of the disbelievers, Umayyah bin Khalf, is here.’

He cried at the top of his voice, ‘O Helpers of God! The chief of the disbelievers, Umayyah bin Khalf, is here. Know this that only one of us can live’ and he kept on repeating this statement.”

Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra says, “Upon hearing this, the Ansar ran towards us and surrounded us. Hazrat Bilalra then attacked Umayyah’s son and dropped him to the ground.

Witnessing this, Umayyah shrieked in such a horrific manner, that I have never heard a scream like it. The Ansar then attacked them with their swords and killed them.” (Al-Sirat al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 2, pp. 232-233, Bab Dhikr Maghaziyah/Ghazwah-e-Badr Al-Kubra, Darul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002) In Sahih Bukhari, the killing of Umayyah bin Khalf is recorded in the following manner, Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf states: “I wrote a letter to Umayyah bin Khalf stating that he should look after my wealth and wife and children, who were in Mecca, which at the time was Daar-ul-Harb. Similarly, I would protect his wealth in Medina for him. When I wrote down my name as ‘Abdur Rahman’, Umayyah replied, ‘I do not know any Abdur Rahman; write down the name you used previously in the Jahiliyya period.’ Upon this, I wrote down my name as Abd Amr. During the Battle of Badr, whilst the enemy were asleep, I climbed a hill with the intention of securing that passage (i.e. in case the opposing army attacked from there). Hazrat Bilalra happened to see Umayyah nearby and went to a gathering of the Ansar and said, ‘Umayyah bin Khalf is nearby; if he escapes, then my life will be in danger.’ Hazrat Bilalra then followed us with a group of the Ansar. (It seemed as though by this time, Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf and Umayyah had spoken and come to an agreement.) Nonetheless, I said that I will take them, i.e. Umayya and his son, as prisoners; hence I captured both of them. Prior to facing

20 this group of Muslims, I left Umayyah’s son behind where we were, so that they could contend with him and whilst they would be engaged in battle, we would be able to escape.

The group killed Umayyah’s son and they did not allow my plan to save Umayyah succeed and chased after us. As Umayyah was of heavy build, it was difficult to travel far and as a result they caught up with us. I told Umayyah to sit down and he complied. I laid over him in order to shield him, however, they stabbed their swords from underneath me and killed him. One of them even injured my foot with his sword in the process.”

The narrator, Ibrahim, states: “Hazrat Abdur Rahmanra bin Auf would show us the scar on the back of his foot that he received during the incident.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul-Wakalat, Hadith no. 2301) As for who killed Umayyah and his son, according to famous narrations, it is stated that a person from the tribe of Banu Maazan killed him, whereas Ibn Hisham states that Umayyah was killed by Hazrat Muaz bin Afraa, Kharjah bin Zaid and Khubaibra bin Isaaf – i.e. the companion who is currently being mentioned, he was also present. It is also mentioned that Hazrat Bilalra killed him; in reality, the companions all took part in his killing and Umayyah’s son, Ali, was attacked and brought to the ground by Hazrat Bilalra. Subsequently Hazrat Ammarra bin Yasir killed him. (Sharh Zurqani Alaa al-Mawahib al-Deeniyyah, Vol. 2, p. 296, Ghazwah-e-Badr Al-Kubra, Darul Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1996) There are certain incidents which are not always directly related to the companion being mentioned, although in this case, he is mentioned, but I mention them so that we can learn what took place in that period of history.

Khubaibra bin Abdur Rehman relates that his grandfather, Hazrat Khubaibra, sustained an injury during the Battle of Badr and broke one of his ribs. The Holy Prophetsa placed his blessed saliva on the injured area and placed the bone back in its proper place as a result of which Hazrat Khubaibra was able to walk again.

According to another narration, Hazrat Khubaibra relates, “I sustained a very severe injury to my shoulder which penetrated my abdominal region, causing my arm to dangle. I presented myself before the Holy Prophetsa and he placed his blessed saliva on that particular area and reattached the shoulder in its place and the wound also healed.” (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 152, Khubaibra bin Isaaf, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2008) (Al-Badaaya Wa AlNihaya Li Ibn Kathir, Vol. 3, pt. 6, pp. 166-167, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2001) In relation to his demise, there is a narration which states that Hazrat Khubaibra passed away during the Khilafat of Hazrat Umarra. Whereas, according to another narration, he passed away during the Khilafat of Hazrat Uthmanra.

(Al-Isaba Fi Tamyeez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 2, p.

224, Khubaibra bin Yasaaf, Dar-ul-Kutub alIlmiyyah, Beirut, 2005) (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p. 276, Khubaibra bin Yasaaf, Dar-e-Ihyaa Al-Turath Al-Arabiy, Beirut, 1996) However, in any case, may God Almighty elevate the station of the Companionsra.

Now, I shall mention some details regarding three deceased members [of the Jamaat] and will also lead their funeral prayer.

The first is respected Rashida Begum Sahiba, wife of respected Syed Muhammad Sarwar Sahib of Rabwah. She passed away on 24 August at the age of 74. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانا ل ِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”

Her forefathers migrated to Pakistan from Chaar Kot, Kashmir and her father, respected Din Muhammad Sahib, worked in the railway

department. The deceased was only five years of age when her father passed away and their mother brought the children up all alone with great effort and bearing much hardship.

Ahmadiyyat entered the family of the deceased through their grandfather, respected Fateh Muhammad Sahib, who travelled to Qadian and had the good fortune to perform the Bai‘at through a companion of the Promised Messiahas, Hazrat Qazi Muhammad Akbar Sahibra. Upon witnessing the solar and lunar eclipse in 1894, Qazi Sahib informed his family members and the locals of his area that this sign signified the advent of the Imam Mahdias. The deceased’s family had close ties and relations with Qazi Sahib, thus the message of Ahmadiyyat also reached them and subsequently they did the Bai‘at.

The deceased’s son, Muhammad Zakariyah Sahib, who is currently serving as a missionary in Liberia, states: “My mother offered her Chandas [monetary sacrifices] with great regularity.

She would always be concerned and would often ask whether her Chanda had been paid.

She would also take great care and show a lot of concern in the upbringing of her children.

She would not permit the children to leave the house unnecessarily, so that they do not grow with the habit of wandering aimlessly in the streets or fall to prey immoral habits.”

He further writes: “During our childhood, when our father would wake us brothers up to offer our Fajr prayer in congregation at the mosque, our mother would play a very important role in getting all the children up. Until we did not leave for the mosque, she would continue to remain anxious. She had a very loving and loyal bond with the institution of Khilafat. She would listen to the sermons very attentively and would note down various points which she would then discuss with her children.”

The deceased’s elder daughter writes: “Right up until her final days, she paid great attention towards her prayers. [Prior to her demise] she offered a very lengthy prayer and did not let anyone even realise that she was not well, however immediately after she completed her prayers, she felt unwell and was taken to the hospital where she suffered a heart attack and they were unable to revive her and she passed away. By the grace of Allah, she was a Musia [part of the Wasiyyat scheme] who paid 1/8 towards Wasiyyat.”

Her five sons have the opportunity to serve their faith as life devotees [Waqf-e-Zindagi].

Two of the sons, Muhammad Mohsin Tabassum Sahib and Muhammad Momin Sahib, are currently serving in Rabwah under the Waqf-eJadid scheme and two sons, Daud Zafar Sahib and Zakariyah Sahib, are currently serving as missionaries. The other son, Asif Sahib, is a Waqf-e-Nau and is serving in the Computer Section in Khilafat Library. As I mentioned, Muhammad Zakariyah Sahib is serving as a missionary and is currently in Liberia and he could not travel back for his mother’s funeral.

He demonstrated an excellent example of patience and continued to fulfil his duties away from his homeland and did not express at all that he was not able to go back or that he could not fulfil his duties.

May God Almighty grant patience and steadfastness to all her children, particularly her son who is in Libera serving as a missionary, who could not meet his mother at the time of her demise. May God Almighty enable her children to continue her good deeds and elevate the station of their mother.

The second funeral is of respected Muhammad Shamshir Khan Sahib, who was the president of Nadi Jamaat in Fiji. He passed away on 5 September.

َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانا ل ِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”

He was born in 1952 and in 1962, along with his late father, he did the Bai‘at and joined the [Ahmadiyya] Jamaat from the Lahori Jamaat.

He was initially a member of the Lahori Jamaat – who have many members in Fiji – however in 1962, he came under the Bai‘at of Khilafate-Ahmadiyya. The deceased was among the pioneering members of the Jamaat in Fiji and by the grace of God Almighty, he had the opportunity to extensively render his services to the Jamaat.

He played a very important role in establishing mosques in Maru, Suva, Nadi and Lautoka. From 2010, he had the opportunity serve as the President of the Nadi Jamaat until his demise. For a long time, he also served as the National Ishaat Secretary. Even in worldly terms, he was held in high esteem by the grace of Allah the Almighty, but he always gave precedence to his Jamaat work. Aside from serving as president and national ishaat secretary, he was also a manager of a Muslim primary school in Lautoka. The deceased was extremely sincere and devoted to the institution of Khilafat and displayed utmost obedience. He leaves behind his wife, Raazia Khan Sahiba and a daughter, Nadia Nafisa Sahiba. May God Almighty grant him His forgiveness and mercy and enable his progeny to continue his good deeds.

The third funeral is of respected Fatima Muhammad Mustafa Sahiba who was originally from Kurdistan and was currently living in Norway. Although she passed away on 13 June, however her details were not received until now, therefore the funeral prayer [in absentia] is being offered now. She passed away at the age of 88. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ِانا ل ِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”

She had the opportunity to do the Bai‘at in 2014 and leaves behind three daughters and five sons, out of whom only her daughter, Barifaan Muhammad Saeed Sahiba is Ahmadi and is currently living in Norway.

Her daughter says: “I came to Norway in 1999 where I had to endure very difficult circumstances, therefore my mother came to Norway from Kurdistan in order to help me. Although my mother was unable to read or write, however she had committed many verses of the Holy Quran and sayings of the Holy Prophetsa to memory. She had such passion to read and write that despite being over the age of 40, she spent great effort in order to learn how to read and write. Her most important objective in life was to offer her prayers on time. She would also keep a lot of fasts and would often say that she was fasting for the sake of those who were unable to fast.

My mother had such passion to help and serve others that in Iraq sometimes she would travel for 50 miles accompanying women who needed to get treatment from hospital and she would also financially support them as well.”

She further states: “Upon her demise, I received numerous letters from people of all different backgrounds, particularly many Pakistani Ahmadi sisters, who expressed with great emotion that they had a deep bond of love with my mother.”

She further states: “I have been in the company of my mother since my birth and had the opportunity to witness her excellent morals and pious character. She never harboured any ill feeling about anyone in her heart and was always willing to forgive even the greatest of wrongs.

Right from our childhood she taught us to always adopt the truth even if it went against

Friday 11 October 2019 | AL HAKAM us. She would say that if our eyes or hands committed a wrong, we should at least have the courage to admit that they are guilty of committing a wrong. She would always meet everyone with a cheerful smile and she would always be occupied in seeking supplications from God Almighty. She had great love for God Almighty and the Holy Prophetsa and perhaps it was owing to this that she had the opportunity to do the Bai‘at of the Messiah of the age. I came across MTA in 2007 by chance but then could not relocate the channel despite searching for it.

“One day, after three years, in 2010 I once again came across MTA Al-Arabiya and called out aloud to my mother that the channel had been found. I told my mother that I had been searching for this very channel for the last three years. I told my mother to listen to what they had to say as they claimed that the Imam Mahdi and the Promised Messiahas, who we are waiting for has already appeared. Our father also used to say the same. My mother started to watch MTA with me. After a few days, my mother narrated the entire incident to my siblings, however they made certain comments which caused the complexion of my mother to completely change, but she did not take any notice of what they said and continued to watch MTA. When she travelled back to Kurdistan, she came under the influence of my brothers and turned completely against me. When she returned to Norway, she started to stop me from watching MTA. My personal circumstances worsened after I had the Bai‘at and my mother was told that I was now a kafir [disbeliever].

Nevertheless, when my mother would return to my brothers, she would go against me and when she would come stay with me, she would again start to watch MTA. She really liked the poems written by the Promised Messiahas in Arabic in praise of the Holy Prophetsa and would often begin to cry when she would listen to them.

“One day, she was listening to the following Arabic poem of the Promised Messiahas: َ ْ ْ َ ّٰ َْ َ ْ َ َ ‫ان‬ ٖ ‫ض الل ِہ وال ِعرف‬ ِ ‫یا عین فی‬ She was also reciting the words along with it and I asked her that can one who has written these couplets be called kafir? She looked at me with great anger and said which unjust person claims that the author of these couplets is a kafir. I told her that her children were among such people. Upon hearing this, she fell silent. I then said to my mother that she was famous for the strength of her belief, thus who was she in fear of? Her children or her God? She became deeply affected by this question but did not give an answer. The same night she called me and asked me to call the headquarters of the Jamaat and inform them that she would like to do the Bai‘at. I told her to carefully ponder over it so that she would remain resolute on this decision.

Therefore, she spent the entire night pondering over it or perhaps praying and the next morning said that she had decided that she was going to do the Bai‘at.”

Thus, in 2016 when I travelled to Norway, she also had the opportunity to meet me and she was extremely happy that she was able to meet the Khalifa of the time and would tell everyone about this. She had a bond of great loyalty with Khilafat.

May God Almighty grant her His forgiveness and mercy and elevate her status.

May God Almighty also grant strength to her daughter’s faith and her children. May He also enable her other children, who are not Ahmadi, to open their hearts [for Ahmadiyyat] and become the recipient of her prayers.

(Originally published in Al Fazl International, 4 October 2019, pp. 5-9.

Translated by The Review of Religions.)

Editor: Qaasid Muin Ahmad | Design & Layout: Jalees Ahmad | News: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir | © Al Hakam 2019