Al Hakam - 10 January 2020

Netflix’s “Messiah”

The world examined

Hadith in Commentary

From the Markaz

A look at the recent television series that has caused an uproar among Muslims

Scanning the latest research and developments in the realms of science, academia, technology and geopolitics

Acquiring heaven through deeds alone

Women’s student association meets Hazrat Khalifatul Masih

Page 10

A

Page 4

Page 17

Page 3

THE WEEKLY

www.alhakam.org AL HAKAM | Friday 10 January 2020 | Issue XCV Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre (ARC), 22 Deer Park Road, London, SW19 3TL. UK info@alhakam.org | F: +44(0)208 544 7673

Does gloom loom ahead? bserving recent events that have O transpired in the political world, we are reminded of the relentless and

constant efforts by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in trying to avoid global warfare.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa has been persistent in urging nations to deal with justice and compassion for over a decade; his voice repeatedly echoed by members of his community.

His messages have been for governments and the populace both to play their part in social cohesion and lasting world peace. It is vital that governments exercise true justice and overlook their vested interests while the public act as loyal and peaceful citizens of the country.

The dark reality is that nations are not exercising this advice. Rather, certain nations are, unfortunately, continuously hell-bent on making a statement to other countries about the “supremacy” of their own nation -this has led to lives of millions being under threat.

We cite below a few lines from a letter written by Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa to the then president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: “Indeed, if any country transgresses against your country, naturally you have the right to defend yourself. However, as far as possible disputes should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiations.

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

A generous person Hazrat Aisha, Allah be pleased with her, narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “A generous person is close to Allah, close to people and close to paradise, but far away from hell. As opposed to this, a miser is far away from Allah, from people and from paradise, but close to hell. An ignorant person who is generous is dearer to Allah than a worshipping miser.”

(Mishkat, Kitab al-Infaq)

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

“This is my humble request to you, that rather than using force, use dialogue to try and resolve conflicts.

“The reason why I make this request is because I am the follower of that Chosen Person of God who came in this era as the True Servant of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, and who claimed to be the

Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi. His mission was to bring mankind closer to God and to establish the rights of people in the manner our Master and Guide, the Rahmatullil Aalameen – the Mercy to all of Mankind – the Holy Prophetsa demonstrated to us.

Sympathy and compassion for friends The fact of the matter is that my friends are a part of me, as are my limbs. We observe in our daily lives that even the smallest of parts, such as a finger for example, if subject to pain, agitates and distresses the entire body. Allah the Exalted is well-aware that in exactly the same way, constantly at every moment, I forever remain anxious and concerned about whether my friends are in a state of ease and comfort. This sympathy and compassion which I feel is not the result of any artificial effort or unnaturally. In fact, just as a mother is incessantly absorbed in ensuring that each and every one of her children are in peace and comfort, no matter their number, I find my heart replete, in the way of Allah, with the same tenderness and compassion for my friends. This sympathy is so burning that when I receive a letter from any one of my friends alluding to a grief or illness with which they are suffering,

Continued on page 2

Continued on page 2

2

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM Continued from page one

This Week in History 10 - 16 January A selection of brief incidents from the first and second era of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya

10 January 1928: Talim-ul-Islam High School’s newly constructed building was inaugurated in Lagos, Nigeria.

10 January 1943: Majlis Ansarullah established departments to further enhance its work. Sheikh Abdul Rahim Sharma Sahib was appointed as the office clerk.

10 January 1946: Mr A M Saeed Sahib passed away. He is considered as one of the pioneering members of the Jamaat in Madras region of South India.

10 January 1948: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, may Allah be pleased with him, delivered another speech in Lahore during the series of lectures about Pakistan. In it, Huzoorra examined the future of the country with regard to its naval and political stability.

10 January 1950: Hazrat Sahibzada Muhammad Akram Khanra was martyred in Charsada, near Peshawar.

10 January 1958: Hazrat Haji Abu Bakr Yousafra of Jeddah passed away. He visited the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, on 15 September 1907 in Qadian, when the Promised Messiahas gave him 10 copies of his book Istifta and 10 copies of his commentary of Surah al-Fatiha to distribute among the scholars of Mecca and Jeddah. This noble companion later became the father-in-law of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra when Huzoorra married his daughter, commonly known in the Jamaat as Umm-e-Wasim.

10 January 1962: Morarji Desai, Finance Minister of India was visiting Batala where a Jamaat delegation gave him Jamaat literature. He would later become the fourth prime minister of India.

11 January 1909: Hazrat Chaudhary Rustam Alira passed away. He was a companion of the Promised Messiahas.

11 January 1935: The Jamaat was on scarce budgets and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra expressed the need for sixteen bicycles to aid in a survey project around Qadian. The survey was to improve future tabligh activities. Jamaat members responded with passion and a very large number of bicycles were donated.

11 January 1937: The Ahmadiyya School in Tabora, Africa was established.

11 January 1937: Hazrat Sheikh Nawabuddinra passed away. He was a companion of the Promised Messiahas.

11 January 1948: Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Zafarulla Khanra, Foreign Minister of Pakistan was about to leave for New York to take part in United Nations (UN) discussions about the Kashmir issue. Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra prepared and sent a letter for him, entailing important points about the matter under discussion.

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra helped Chaudhry Sahibra by providing references and books about the topic.

12 January 1913: Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, returned to Qadian after Hajj.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira travelled a relatively long distance to welcome home the young Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra.

12 January 1929: Hazrat Baba Hidayatullahra passed away at the age of 104. He was a companion of the Promised Messiahas and renowned for his poetry in Punjabi.

12 January 1929: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra started his tour of Lahore, which came to an end on 18 January.

12 January 1945: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra reviewed the ongoing political situation of the Indian subcontinent during his Friday Sermon. Huzoorra expressed that India and the UK should engage in negotiations and must start a mutual reconciliation process. The London mission rendered this advice of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra into English and circulated it widely.

12 January 1948: A lady, who was given the new Islamic name of Mahmuda, became the first person to enter the Jamaat from Switzerland.

12 January 1948: Qadian was besieged and undoubtedly, for the dwellers, life was under constant fear and left many psychological and physical effects, yet the Darvesh were filled with faith and steadfastness. On this date, the Darvesh set up a literary group to promote public speaking, education and academic endeavors like poetry and prose. The group was named Bazm-e-Darveshan.

12 January 1954: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra departed for Lahore where he stayed until 17 January.

13 January 1941: The Sultan of Zanzibar was conveyed the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat.

13 January 1941: Madrasa Ahmadiyya in Kumasi, Ghana was inaugurated.

13 January 1950: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra gave the responsibility of Tahrik-e-Jadid’s second Daftar (the second 10 years) to Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya.

13 January 1954: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra went to Lahore where a court of enquiry was established to look into disturbances in the Punjab, Pakistan caused by agitations against the Jamaat. On this date, Huzoor’sra statement was recorded, which was completed by 15 January.

14 January 1913: A reception was arranged for the safe return of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra from his Hajj journey. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira graced this gathering and delivered a speech. Huzoorra also instructed to offer Salat-ul-Hajja, which was performed in Qadian.

14 January 1929: Sir Geoffrey Fitzhervey de Montmorency, Governor of Punjab met with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra.

14 January 1934: Al Hakam was re-launched with a new editor, Sheikh Mahmud Ahmad Irfani Sahib.

14 January 1946: A group of 11 missionaries departed from Qadian on 18 December 1945 and arrived at Liverpool Harbour on this date. The journey had taken almost three weeks.

Continued on page 8

“May Allah the Exalted enable the Muslim Ummah to understand this beautiful teaching.”

In a letter to Barack Obama, the then president of the United States, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa wrote: “…it is my humble request to you to strive to your utmost to prevent the major and minor powers from erupting into a Third World War. “There should be no doubt in our minds that if we fail in this task then the effects and aftermath of such a war will not be limited to only the poor countries of Asia, Europe and the Americas; rather, our future generations will have to bear the horrific consequences of our actions and children everywhere in the world will be born disabled or deformed.

They will never forgive their elders who led the world to a global catastrophe.

“Instead of being concerned for only our vested interests, we should consider our coming generations and strive to create a brighter future for them. May God the Exalted enable you, and all world leaders, to comprehend this message.”

We live in a global village. Let us all learn to live like global citizens where borders and boundaries should become only geographical rather than divisions and a cause of conflict.

In light of this precious advice by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, let us all do whatever we can to make the world a global yet peaceful village.

For more information, please visit www. alislam.org/pathway or read World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace.

Continued from page 1

my disposition becomes restless and disturbed, and I am taken aback by grief. As our dear ones increase, this grief increases in equal proportion.

There is no hour in which I am free from some form of apprehension and grief, because from among the vast number of my friends, one or the other is afflicted by some form of grief or pain. When they inform me of their worries, my heart becomes perturbed and restless. I cannot describe the amount of time that I suffer from worries. Since there is no being other than Allah Almighty who can deliver one from such worries and concerns, I engage myself constantly in prayers.

The foremost prayer that I offer is for my friends to be saved from grief and worry because the thought of them overwhelms me with anguish and agony. Then, I pray in the general sense that if there is anyone who suffers from some form of grief and hardship, may Allah Almighty grant them deliverance. My entire effort and every ounce of my passion moves me to supplicate before Allah the Exalted.

Much hope can be gained from the acceptance of prayer.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 101)

3

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

From the Markaz

Khuddam and Atfal from Germany meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih

A group of Khuddam and Atfal from Bensheim and Pfungstadt, Germany, on 4 January 2020 were graced with the opportunity to travel to Islamabad and meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.

The group had the chance to ask Huzooraa various questions on an array of topics.

The first question was presented by a tifl who asked Huzooraa why Allah revealed the Holy Quran. Huzooraa stated that God created man and sent prophets with His message whereby He guided people to the right path.

Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa further added that numerous prophets had walked the earth, among them, some brought a new law, while others carried on previous teachings. When man’s psyche reached a point where it was capable to comprehend the final and complete Shariah (religious law), God sent the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, with the final law, the Holy Quran.

One khadim asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa regarding the Promised Messiah’sas books and enquired as to which book he recommended to read.

In response, Huzooraa said to start with the topic the khadim was most interested in.

The five-volume book set, Essence of Islam is a compilation of the writings of the Promised Messiahas presented topic-wise. Topics such as Allah, angels, the Day of Judgment, worship, women in Islam, human rights etc. are covered within this compilation of the

Promised Messiah’sas writings.

Huzooraa advised the khadim to read whichever topic he was most interested in and start from there.

A question was asked by a tifl regarding the purpose of life and how one may achieve it.

Huzooraa quoted a verse from the Holy Quran, Surah al-Dhariyat, “And I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me” (Ch.51: V.56). Huzooraa stated that this is the true essence and purpose of man’s life; to worship God and show gratitude.

Another question was about the current situation in the Middle East, the world as a whole, and how we can pray for this crisis to be averted. Huzooraa said that if everyone was to sincerely pray and felt true sympathy for humanity, then this crisis could be averted. Huzooraa further added that Hazrat Yunus’as nation prayed, and the punishment was averted. Thus, Huzooraa said, if every Ahmadi sincerely prays for three days, offers sacrifice and becomes solely His, then a huge change can come about in the world.

But, Huzooraa said, first, it is important to make moral and spiritual transformations within ourselves.

A khadim expressed his worry about what can be done to ensure that the training and upbringing of the new generation is done correctly. Huzooraa said that firstly, every parent should introspect and rectify any shortcoming they may have and become good role models for children. Once this is achieved, children will observe this and

give value to what is said to them; this can help them understand that what parents are saying is in actuality for their betterment.

Such a relationship should be fostered where children feel comfortable sharing their problems with parents. Huzooraa further added that it is not necessary to

scold one’s children; the real achievement is to raise your children without having to scold them.

Upon this, the mulaqat came to a close and the khuddam and atfal had the opportunity to take group photos with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa.

Women’s student association meets Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Student Association (AMWSA) were fortunate to have a mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, on 5 January in Islamabad.

AMWSA was established and set up by Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in 2007 with the purpose and goal to help the spiritual training of the Lajna members of the Jamaat who are studying in university and pursuing higher studies.

In the mulaqat, 266 university students were present from 72 different universities across the UK. Among them were students studying the sciences and humanities and arts, while 22 were studying medicine and 35 who are pursuing master’s degrees and a PhDs. The meeting started with the recitation of the Holy Quran from Surah al-Alaq, followed by a report of events held by

AMWSA throughout the year. After the report, Huzooraa enquired as to how many students were from the top 10 universities of London.

The students presented well-researched presentations on their respective research areas such as the role of cytokines and endocannabinoids in BV2 microglial cells, investigating the feasibility of electricity generation using windmill powered by highway traffic and gene expression during development.

After the presentations, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa enquired from the students as to how many were Waqf-e-Nau. At the end, one student asked Huzooraa whether organ donation was permissible.

Answering her, Huzooraa stated that there is no prohibition in Islam and if it is done to save someone’s life, then it is fine.

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

4

The world examined This series scans the latest research and developments in the realms of science, academia, technology and geopolitics, providing a glance at the ever changing world GEOPOLITICS

HEALTH

To eat, or not to eat In a new study published in Current Biology, researchers at the University of Virginia found a link between the brain’s pleasure center and its biological clock. Further, they found that high calorie foods (that initiate pleasure) disrupt standard eating schedules, resulting in overeating.

Using mice, they found that anytime snacking eventually results in obesity and related health problems. The mice

with fat and sugar laden diets would also go on to eat more, no matter the time. “This lights-on-all-the-time, eat-at-any-time lifestyle recasts eating patterns and affects how the body utilizes energy,” said the researcher Guler.

“It alters metabolism - as our study shows - and leads to obesity, which causes disease.” (sciencedaily.com, 3 Jan 2020)

SCIENCE Iran and the US: A possible catastrophe With Iran and the United States rolling dangerous dice, the possibility of war increases, even if both sides want to avoid it. A Foreign Affairs article written earlier this year

by Ilan Goldenberg, Director of the Middle East Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, panned out the capacities of Iran and the US in an all-out war that could result from miscalculations. The results would be apocalyptic and a huge blow to our civilisation.

Ilan Goldenberg described the strategic US bases around Iran that would post an imminent threat, referring to previous use of the “air and naval assets already stationed in the Middle East” by the US in Syria. On the other hand, Iran could use its “proxy” forces in “Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen to attack the United States and its partners.” Goldenberg spoke of the “Arsenal of ballistic missiles that can target U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.” Further, he referred to the ability of Iran to cause havoc in the Strait of Hormuz and drive up global oil prices.

Goldenberg described how America could possibly attack “Conventional Iranian targets and much of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in Natanz, Fordow, Arak, and Esfahan.”

The Director of the Middle East Security Program explained how “What began as a U.S.-Iranian skirmish” would engulf the entire region, “imposing not only devastating losses on Iran’s leadership and people but serious costs in blood and treasure for the United States, Israel, Lebanon, the Gulf States, and other regional players.”

He cautioned that a possible war would be catastrophic and that the Trump administration and Iran should “Tread much more carefully”, “Lest they send their countries down a dangerous and costly spiral that will quickly spin out of control.” (foreignaffairs.com, June 4 2019) Surprisingly, Ilan Goldenberg did not speak much about the use of nuclear weapons. However, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, the leader of Islam Ahmadiyyat, has continuously stressed the danger and (very real) threat of nuclear weapons in modern-day warfare. It should be taken as a very serious matter that would destroy generations to come and send us back to the “dark ages”.

Earth at its closest approach to the Sun

NASA robots underwater

On 5 January, the Earth was at its closest approach to the sun – the orbit is known as “perihelion”. It is now more than three million miles closer to the sun as compared to the middle of summer. However, those experiencing winter (in the northern hemisphere) will not feel much change as the distance is still immense. The alteration occurs because “our planet’s orbit is stretched into an ellipse — so Earth snuggles up to the Sun every January and dips farther out into the outer solar system every July, at a point known as aphelion”. Interestingly, (if ever) at its closest approach to the sun, Earth’s oceans would evaporate and experience catastrophic changes. “This incredible seesaw of extreme conditions would devastate the planet, and I expect that it would not take very long for the planet to become a desiccated, barren rock,” said Stephen Kane, an astronomer at the University of California. (New York Times, 2 Jan 2020)

NASA scientists have finished field tests of a floating rover they wish one day will travel to Europa, the frozen ocean moon of Jupiter. The rover is named “Bruie” and is made for freezing, underwater environments, its tests were completed in eastern Antarctica. The trials on Earth have a “Long-term goal of one day seeking evidence of life beneath the thick frozen shell covering Jupiter’s ocean moon of Europa.” The ice beneath that ocean is three times more liquid water than any of Earth’s oceans.

However, “Getting a vehicle like the buoyant rover and other submersibles in the ocean of Europa is the longterm vision for what we hope to one day accomplish,” said Kevin Peter Hand, from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. A number of other missions will foresee “Bruie’s” ventures.

(New York Times, 5 Jan 2020)

PSYCHOLOGY Evolution and modern-day depression Researchers at Tohoku University found how neurochemicals such as serotonin and dopamine (pleasure chemicals) have essential roles in cognitive and emotional functions of the brain. VMAT1 is one of the genes that transports neurotransmitters and regulates neuronal signaling, however the variant of VMAT1 our ancestors possessed (130Glu/136Asn) showed an increased uptake of neurotransmitters compared to a derived (130Gly/136Thr) (modern) genotype.The uptake of neurotransmitters is linked to decreased levels of depression and/ or anxiety and the modern 130Gly/136Thr variant of VMAT1 is presented to be associated with depression and/or anxiety in modern human populations. “This results of our study reveal that our ancestors may have been able to withstand higher levels of anxiety or depression,” the researchers said. (sciencedaily.com, 23 December 2019)

GOOD TO KNOW “Deepfakes” Facebook has said it will get rid of videos modified by artificial intelligence (AI), known as deepfakes. Deepfakes are computer generated clips that are intended to appear as real. AI software generates these videos, usually of politicians or celebrities, by “merging, replacing, or superimposing content on to a video in a way that makes it look real.” The increasing amount of deepfakes are posing a challenge to the tech industry. However, some are concerned about the “standards” of Facebook’s policy as it’s only concerned with “videos generated by artificial intelligence to depict people saying fictional things”, not all altered videos. (bbc.com, 7 Jan 2020)

Listen In When the body says no: the costs of hidden stress Looking at scientific research and his decades of experience as a practicing physician, Dr Gabor Mate is joined with journalist Hannah MacInnes to “explore the role that stress and emotions play in an array of common diseases, including arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and multiple sclerosis.” Listen free at: www.howtoacademy. com/podcasts

5

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

100 Years Ago...

God’s holy truth is one A letter written to Mr Percy Heward—a Christian preacher in London The Review of Religions (English), Jan & Feb 1920, pp. 56-59 Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra

In the name of the One Eternal God, who is not in need of having any father, son, daughter, wife or mother.

Dear Mr Heward, I thank you for the leaflets you have so kindly sent me with your short note of 25 November 1919. I am not aware how you got my address, but it does not matter, when you are prompted by good-will, as I can see from the note, and I appreciate this attention on your part. As you write you will be thankful to hear from me, I am glad to hear from you in reply to this epistle.

I quite agree with you that God’s holy truth is one, and I hope that you will agree with me that we cannot know that holy truth by guessing, but it comes to us only through His revelation. To illustrate this I quote the story of a deaf man related by a wise oriental saint. I hope it will interest you. It runs thus: There was a deaf man incapable of hearing. He came to know that a friend of his was in bed on account of ill-health.

According to an eastern custom he must go to see him and console him.

“But I do hear nothing” murmured he, “how shall I reply to his words?” He was rather worried over this, but after a short time an idea struck him.

“Well,” said he, “well, after all it is not very difficult. I know what the people generally say to their friends in sickness and what the latter generally reply. It is a matter of common sense – an everyday occurrence.

“I can easily arrange a conversation beforehand. Now let me see how to proceed.

First of all, I will say to him, ‘How are you, my friend,’ and he will say, ‘Better’, and I shall rejoin with the words ‘Alhamdolillah’ (God be praised or Thanks to God).

“Then I shall ask him, ‘What is your food in these days’, and he will name something, milk or barley or anything like that, which is generally administered to the sick people.

Whatever it may be, I can say, ‘That’s a very good food.’

“After that my third and final question shall be, ‘Who is your doctor?’ and whatever name he will give, my answer will be plain and satisfactory that he is a good doctor.

This will finish my duty of sympathy.”

The deaf man rejoiced at the skill of his imagination and guesswork, and thus fully equipped with his pre-meditated dialogue he knocked at the door of his friend. He, being well known in the house as an intimate friend of the old sick man, was at once allowed in and furnished a seat very near the bed of the sick man who was unfortunately suffering from some pain at the time and so was in an irritable mood.

The deaf man introduced the dialogue: “How are you, friend?”

“Very bad, I am dying of pain.”

“Alhamdolillah, thanks to God, I am glad to hear this.”

“And what is your food, my friend?”

“Dust and ashes, what else can I eat?”

“Oh, very good food, it is nourishing as well as wholesome.”

“And may I ask who is your doctor, my friend?”

“Who can my doctor be, but the Angel of Death.”

“Oh, a very good doctor, the ablest physician in the town is he. You must stick to him, my friend.”

What is the moral lesson of this story? We cannot please a friend by our guess-work.

When such is the case with the human friends who are like us in every way, how can we please our Creator – the best and most desirable friend, without knowing His will from Himself? Our imagination and guesswork cannot help us in the matter. It will rather injure us.

Now I come to your words again – God’s holy truth is one, but we cannot know that truth by our imagination, unless He Himself reveals it to us. Where is that revelation?

From the papers you have sent me I gather that you base your information about the truth on the Bible. But my dear friend, you know well and all the Christians agree, that the present Bible is not in its original state.

All its parts have passed through many stages of intentional or unintentional alterations, amendment, subtractions and additions. No original genuine copy is to be found anywhere in the world.

The manuscripts from which the present translations, revised and unrevised, are made differ from each other. Each page of the Bible shows the difference in versions.

One doubtful line in a book is enough to throw it down from the grade of authenticity. How can you take a book so full of un-genuine additions as a foundation for a faith on which depends the life or death of your soul? Maybe that the very verse in which you are rejoicing is only an addition by some mischief-monger.

In this case the only plan of salvation

Celebrating the Holy Prophet in Kosovo Shkelqim Bytyqi Correspondent Kosovo

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Kosovo held Seeratun Nabi on 25 December 2019, to celebrate the great life of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Families attended the event and a number of non-Ahmadi guests also came.

This year there was a new addition to the event, a quiz that incorporated quotes in relation to the Holy Prophetsa. The quiz was divided into two parts. Firstly, there was a quiz from the quotes of the Holy Prophetsa himself regarding all aspects of life. Secondly, there was a quiz which incorporated quotes by famous people who had spoken about the Prophet’ssa marvelous life.

During the event, a beautiful and unique passage from the book “Aina Kamalat-e Islam” of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, was read out.

The keynote speaker of the event was Mr Rexhep Hasani, an award winning member

of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Kosovo. He was recognised for his exemplary status of a Principal at a school. His speech was about “True loyalty to the nation through the example of the Holy Prophetsa”.

He elaborated upon the topic, explaining that loyalty to one’s home country is a part of faith. He quoted Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’s, may Allah be his Helper, address to the Military Headquarters in Koblenz, Germany. One such quote by Huzooraa was: “First and foremost, a fundamental principle of Islam is that a person’s words and deeds should never manifest any form of double standards or hypocrisy. True loyalty requires a relationship built on sincerity and integrity. It requires what a person displays on the surface, to be the same as what lies beneath. In terms of nationality, these principles are of the utmost importance.

Therefore, it is essential for a citizen of any country to establish a relationship of genuine loyalty and faithfulness to his nation.”

Around 35 people attended the event.

An interesting observation of a non-ahmadi guest was that in other mosques and organisations this topic (of loyalty) is not linked to Islamic teachings and the opinion of other scholars is that to be a true believer and to be loyal to one’s homeland, is an oxymoron. It is interesting, he noted, how the Khalifa of Islam has solved this formula and has said it is part of the belief to be loyal to the home country by stating a saying of the Holy Prophetsa.

from doubt and skepticism is to seek guidance from some later and purer revelation. God is one and the same at all times. He neither changes nor dies. Let us give ears to His revelation once more.

About 600 years after Jesus Christ there appeared in the world another Prophet (Muhammad[sa]) whose truth was proved by the same signs with which the truth of the previous Prophets was proved. God spoke to him again as He had spoken to Noah[as], Abraham[as], Moses[as], Isaiah[as] and Jesus[as].

A law was revealed to him just as a law was revealed to the Prophet Moses[as]. But unlike the law of Moses[as] this new law has survived 1300 years without any alterations or changes of any kind. This is the Revealed Law (Al-Quran) before us.

Then another Prophet (Ahmad[as]) has appeared in these very days just like the Prophets of old days. And his Prophethood is proved with as many signs that if he be not taken as a Prophet, there remains no chance for any other prophet throughout the ages to be called as such. And the new revelation that comes to this Prophet from the same ever-living God testifies to the truth, purity and genuineness of the Revealed Law given to the world by the Master-Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace and blessings of God).

Well, in conclusion, my dear Sir, I say once more that, as you have said, God’s holy truth is one which we can know only from Him; and the latest revelation, the only pure and genuine revelation testified by an upto-date revelation is that named Al-Quran, and therefore there is no true salvation but in following this book under the guidance of the Prophet of the day – “Ahmad[as],” the Promised Messiah, and Mahdi. Blessed are they who listen and accept.

I am, Yours truly, Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, Ahmadi Missioner 4 Star Street, Edgware Road, London W 2

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

6

Hazrat Imam Malik Part II

Malik Saif-ur-Rahman 1914-1989

Livelihood As has been mentioned earlier, Hazrat Imam Malik’srh family was not particularly affluent and survived on a meagre income.

He acquired education in very difficult circumstances. When he began teaching, even then his financial state was deficient.

He had around 400 dinars, which he invested in a business. Whatever he earned from his business was what he would spend for domestic use. He married a freed slave and lived a happy life with her.

When he gained worldwide acclaim and people started to recognise him, statesmen and caliphs began visiting him. In this way, Allah strengthened his economic status. He would not accept gifts from ordinary leaders, however he

happily accepted the gifts sent by caliphs.

He was of the view that if a caliph sent a gift and it had no strings attached, there was no harm in accepting it because those who had dedicated their lives for the proliferation of knowledge had a share from the bait-ul-mal [central reserve].

Whatever monetary gifts were sent his way from Abbasid caliphs, he would spend most of it on students of his madrasah [school]. Most of the expenses of Imam Shafi‘i’srh education were covered

by Imam Malikrh, as was the case with the rest of his students.

As regards accepting monetary gifts from caliphs, Imam Shafi‘irh shared the same view, although because he belonged to the category of zawil-qurba, he personally preferred not to benefit from this.

In contrast however, Imam Abu

Hanifarh and Imam Ahmadrh bin Hanbal held the view that any monetary gift sent by caliphs should not be accepted as such motives have strings attached.

Imam Abu Hanifarh never needed such gifts as he had a well-established business from which he earned thousands, however Imam Ahmad’srh income was very basic.

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbalrh would earn a small amount through property and would live off that. If times were desperate, he would perform manual labour to earn money. After crops had been harvested, he would go to collect fallen wheat spikes as this was considered acceptable and a basic right for the less privileged. Despite all this, he never accepted any gift sent by caliphs of the time.

Imam Malikrh and governance Imam Malikrh saw the rise of both the

Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties. Both were authoritarian rules. As he lived a long period under the Umayyad rule and had a special bond with Hazrat Umarrh bin Abdul Aziz and because he would openly express his grief at the rebellion and harsh treatment extended to Hazrat Usmanra, he was famously known for being a supporter of the Umayyads.

The fact is that he was against any form of rebellion. His view was that the bloodshed caused by rebellion saw no limit, and even if the rebellion was successful, those who gained dominance were usually as bad as the previous rulers, if not worse. In such circumstances, there could be no hope of improvement or any sort of benefit.

With regard to the Abbasid Revolution, he held similar views and it was for this reason that initially, the Abbasids had

7

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

negative views about him.

In any case, history has not recorded any incident of the Umayyad period which relates to him, nor is it known how his ties were with the Umayyad caliphs.

This period is when he started to gain acclaim, hence why it does not seem plausible that he was the focus of attention for the government.

When the Abbasids gained dominance, as has been mentioned in passing above, he had to endure certain difficulties. One was a result of the forceful oaths that were being taken by the new government from the public.

From a Shariah perspective, the oaths had no bearing and whilst being questioned, he would openly express this opinion. The other famous imams were free from any want and wanted nothing to do with such authoritarian governments.

In contrast to this however, it was the policy and desire of governments at the time to attract the support of the wellaccepted, influential figures and their help in strengthening the government.

In such circumstances, those who were not prepared to submit to the will of the new government and extend their support were subjected to cruelties by the new regime.

Abu Hanifarh faced similar conditions in Iraq, whilst Imam Malikrh experienced bitterness in Medina. Both had to deal with harsh consequences.

As has been mentioned above, the Abbasid caliphs, especially Abu Jafar Mansur, would try their utmost to prevent any uprising against the government.

On the one hand were supporters of the Umayyads, who were opposed to the Abbasid rule and were searching for opportunities to revolt, while on the other hand were supporters of the progeny of Hazrat Alira who were not happy as schemes had been started in their name and they expected to absorb the caliphate after the Umayyads. Thus, when this did not happen, the various offshoots of the Ahl-e-Bait [family of the Prophetsa] began to oppose the Abbasids severely and considered them disloyal and usurpers.

In such a scenario, the methods adopted by the Abbasids to keep the masses in their control included the method of taking oaths from them. People would be forced to promise while performing bai‘at that if they broke their covenant, their wives would immediately be given divorces and any marriage thereafter for 60 years would be considered null and void. Furthermore, all their slaves would be freed and all their wealth, offered as Sadaqah. These were the strange oaths forced upon subjects by the Abbasids.

A person once asked Hazrat Imam Malikrh about the validity of such oaths in light of the Shariah, to which he replied, “In light of the Shariah, such oaths are considered vain.”

The Abbasid governor of Medina at the time was somewhat ignorant. Instead of using his wisdom to make decisions, he was malevolent and extended cruel measures towards Imam Malikrh. When

Mansur learnt of the foolishness of this governor, he was extremely disappointed and tried his utmost to neutralise the effect of the governor’s stupidity. The reason for this was that it was the caliph’s desire to gain the support of the scholars and cruelty towards them was counterproductive.

Nonetheless, during the days of Hajj, Mansur found an apt moment to resolve the situation. Mansur sent a message to Imam Malikrh that he wanted to talk to him about some pressing matters and that he should meet him after Hajj.

They met accordingly and during their discussion, Mansur expressed his remorse and reassured Imam Malikrh that neither did he instruct for such a harsh treatment, nor was he aware of it. He said that when he found out, he became furious with the governor, who happened to be his relative. He then went on to say that he ordered him to travel back to Baghdad by camel and he intended to punish him for his cruelty. Hazrat Imam Malikrh replied, “Amirul Momineen, do not do this. He is your relative and is from the Ahl-e-Bait. I forgive him and so should you.”

Imam Malik’srh kindheartednesses had a lasting impression on Mansur and he apologised to Imam Malikrh by saying that he was an asset for the Haramain (Mecca and Medina). “Here, people easily fall trap to evildoers, however people like you can explain to them. Therefore, I give you the authority to notify me of any wrongdoing or injustice you notice on the part of the governors of Medina or the Hejaz and they shall immediately be relieved of their duties.” Imam Malikrh had a great, positive impact on Mansur.

The Abbasid caliphs increased their level of friendship with him and would send various types of gifts for him and to benefit from his teaching methods, would bring their children to Medina.

Sometimes, he would sit among the children to listen in on the lessons being given.

On the other hand, the Umayyads of Spain also had a special bond with him and would send gifts to him as frequently as the rest. There were political motives behind this because the government of Spain was opposed to the Abbasid caliphate and the only place they could freely move around in the region was in Mecca and Medina. Students belonging to Spain and the surrounding areas had their eyes set on the city of the Prophetsa, Medina.

Imam Malikrh, being the Ustaz Medinatur-Rasul [teacher in the Prophet’ssa city], was the focus of attention of both governments. As regards promoting good and stopping that which is forbidden, Imam Malikrh would not spare an opportunity, nor did other imams. In their own ways, they all fulfilled this obligation.

The Abbasid government did its utmost to gain the support of the imams of the time so that through their relationship, the masses could be inclined towards them.

Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifarh and his

students were influential in Iraq. The efforts made to establish a connection with him have been discussed previously.

Imam Abu Hanifarh remained unmoved by such efforts, however his students would later play influential roles in governance.

Hazrat Imam Malikrh was mostly influential in Egypt, the Hejaz etc.

Governments did their best to gain his support. First, Abu Jafar Mansur pursued this in that he tried to make the Muwatta a part of the legal constitution of the government, which Imam Malikrh was not in favour of as he thought the scholars of other cities would not accept it. He said that there should be no compulsion in matters of faith. Then, Harun al-Rashid also expressed this same desire, to which Imam Malikrh had the same response.

Status of Imam Malikrh Imam Malikrh was a rather tall, large, fair, awe-inspiring, attractive and handsome person. His beard was somewhat long, and he had noticeable eyes. He had good manners and was a clean person.

In terms of influence and theological command, he lived a very successful life.

Allah gave him a long life and enabled him to make the best use of his time.

In later years, he suffered from diabetes, due to which he was unable to visit Masjid al-Nabawi for a long period and would teach his lessons at home. He never mentioned his suffering to anyone.

People raised many accusations

against him when he was unable to visit the mosque, however he would remain silent.

As his final days approached, he mentioned the reason behind not visiting the mosque to some of his special students and said, “It is not necessary to be vocal about your illness in front of everyone.

Everyone must return to their Lord eventually and everyone is answerable before Him.” His final illness rendered him extremely weak and resulted in his final hour, causing this exemplary star of knowledge and great leader of his time to return to his Lord in 179 AH at the age of 86. َ ْ َ َّ َ ّٰ َّ َ ‫اج ُعوْ َن‬ ِ ‫ف ِانا لِل ِہ و ِانا ِالی ِہ ر‬ The whole of Medina gathered to participate in his funeral, a scene that was witnessed after a long time because after the demise of Hazrat Umarra, no such event of mourning took place.

He was buried in Jannatul-Baqi. ۡ ٰ َ َ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ ُّ ُ ۡ ُ َ ‫ان ّو یَ ۡبقی َو ۡج ُہ َر ِّبک ذو ال َج ٰل ِل َو الۡاِک َرا ِم‬ ٍ ‫کل من علیہا ف‬ [All that is on it (earth) will pass away.

And there will remain (only) the Person of thy Lord, Master of Glory and Honour.]

(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in Tarikh Afkar-e-Islami, which was authored by Malik Saif-urRahman Sahib)

Humanitarian activities Argentina Marwan Ahmad Gill Missionary Argentina

On 22 and 23 December, Jamaat-eAhmadiyya Argentina had the opportunity to organise two humanitarian activities.

One day, we went to a poor neighbourhood of Buenos Aires to distribute toys to around 100 children who are living in extremely poor conditions.

We then distributed food boxes to around 10 families of the same neighbourhood.

On 23 December, we visited children in the Ricardo Gutierrez hospital, which

is the second largest children’s hospital in Buenos Aires.

During our visit to the hospital we distributed toys to more than 60 children.

In total, six members and seven external friends of the Community participated and helped out to carry out both activities.

The local Online news channel ABC Mundial also published an article about our humanitarian efforts and service for the improvement of the Argentinian society.

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

8

Wives of the Holy Prophetsa

Continued from page 2

14 January 1955: Hazrat Doctor Faiz Ali Sabirra passed away. He did Bai‘at in 1900 and had assisted Munshi Muhammad Afzalra to launch and establish the newspaper Al Badr in the early days of the Jamaat.

Hazrat Mariya Qibtiya “Treat the Copts with utmost respect because we are bound to them in two ways, through blood and through a pledge. We are bound to them by blood because the mother of Hazrat Ishmaelas [Hazrat Hajirahas] and the mother of my son Ibrahimas [Mariyara] are both Coptic.”

(The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa)

14 January 1956: Jamia-tul Mubashireen held a reception to honour Muhammad Sharif Sahib, a missionary sent to the Middle East.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra graced the event with his presence and delivered a speech.

15 January 1933: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra went to his newly constructed residence, Dar-ulHamd in Qadian.

15 January 1934: The 1934 Nepal– Bihar earthquake was one of the worst earthquakes in the history of Nepal and Bihar, India. This 8.0 magnitude earthquake occurred on this date at 2:28pm and caused widespread damage in northern Bihar and Nepal.

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra wrote an article about this sad calamity, highlighting the scores of prophecies about heavenly signs in favour of the Promised Messiah’sas claims. The Jamaat took part in humanitarian efforts conducted after the earthquake.

15 January 1945: Khalisa College Amritsar held an event where Jamaat missionaries attended and delivered speeches.

15 January 1954: Hazrat Muslehe-Maudra addressed the local Jamaat in Ratan Bagh, Lahore and told them to focus on the planning and construction of a new and large mosque in the city.

15 January 1956: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra recorded a message using an audio recorder upon the request of Chaudhry Anwar Ahmad Kahlon Sahib, Amir of Dhaka Jamaat.

16 January 1935: A devout Ahmadi, Sheikh Ahmad Furqani Sahib was martyred in Iraq.

16 January 1935: Hazrat Malik Altaf Khanra passed away. He was a companion of the Promised Messiahas.

16 January 1936: Haji Ahmad Khan Ayaz, a missionary, departed Qadian for Hungary.

16 January 1949: Mr Sakhi Mang was martyred in Kashmir.

16 January 1962: Fazl-e-Umar College was established in Mauritius.

Awais Rabbani Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

Name: Mariya Qibtiyah Father: Shamun Sister: Shirin (married to Hazrat Hassan bin Sabitra) Son: Ibrahim bin Muhammadra Acceptance of Islam After the treaty of Hudaybiyya, the Holy Prophetsa wrote letters to kings and governors of different countries to convey the message of Islam.

Hazrat Hatibra bin Abi Balta was the emissary appointed to take the letter to Maqauqas, a governor in Egypt. Maqauqas treated the letter with reverence.

It was a custom among the Egyptians that when they wanted to strengthen their

ties, they would propose a marriage with the girls of noble lineage. In response to the letter, he sent two girls as a gift to the Holy Prophetsa: Mariya and her sister, Sirin.

During their journey, Hazrat Hatibra explained to them the teachings of Islam, which inspired them greatly. Owing to their pious nature, both the sisters embraced Islam.

A noble child The Holy Prophetsa married Hazrat Mariyara, and her sister was married to the famous poet, Hazrat Hassan bin Thabitra.

In 8 Hijri, Hazrat Mariyara was blessed with a son, Ibrahim.

The Holy Prophetsa was overjoyed at the news of this glad tiding. Unfortunately, the child’s health deteriorated. When the Prophetsa was told of his failing health, he arrived to bid farewell to his son and as Hazrat Ibrahimra drew his last breath, the Holy Prophetsa said:

“The eyes send their tears and the heart is saddened, but we do not say anything except that which pleases our Lord. Indeed, O Ibrahim, we are saddened by your departure.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1303) He consoled the bereaving mother in the following words: “There is a wet-nurse appointed for him in Paradise.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3255) At her son’s demise, Hazrat Mariyara was an embodiment of patience and fortitude.

It so happened by chance that on the day he passed away, a solar eclipse occurred.

People started relating the incident with the death of the Holy Prophet’ssa son.

The Prophet of Islamsa was displeased at hearing this and immediately dismissed this superstition in the following words: “The solar and lunar eclipses do not happen because of the death of a person or because someone is born. When you

9

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM see them, pray and prostrate before Allah the Almighty.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1043) The Holy Prophetsa used to say about Hazrat Ibrahimra that if he had lived, he would have been a pious prophet.

A question answered briefly The question has often been raised as to whether Hazrat Mariyara was a slave-girl or a wife. Whereas it has been mentioned above that it was an old tradition in Egypt that whenever kings or governors desired to strengthen their relationships with their revered guest they would present women of their own family or other noble women of nation to marry.

The wedlock of Prophet Abrahamas and Hazrat Hajirara is another example of such case when the chief offered Hazrat Hajira’sra hand in marriage to Hazrat Abrahamas.

The case of Hazrat Mariyara is no different. However, the topic is briefly touched on by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra and it is best to reproduce the extract from his book, The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets. He writes: “The question as to whether Hazrat Mariyara was kept by the Holy Prophetsa as a wife or a slave-girl is a matter of disagreement, the details of which we need not delve into here.

“In any case, there are two points which are definite. Firstly, that the Holy Prophetsa instructed Hazrat Mariyara to observe Purdah from the very beginning, and with regard to this injunction, it is

established that this was only observed by free women and wives. As such, there is a narration that after the Ghazwah of Khaibar, when the Holy Prophetsa married Safiyyah, the daughter of a Jewish Chieftain, the Companions fell into a disagreement as to whether she was a wife of the Holy Prophetsa or merely a slavegirl. However, when the Holy Prophetsa advised her to observe Purdah, the Companions understood that she was a wife, not a slave-girl.

“The second point to note is that history proves that the Holy Prophetsa never kept a slave for himself, rather he would release any slave that came into his possession, whether female or male. In this respect as well, it is unimaginable and unacceptable that the Holy Prophetsa would have kept Hazrat Mariyara, the Copt as a slavegirl.” (The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets, Vol. 3, p. 210) Demise Hazrat Mariya passed away in Muharram 16 AH during the Khilafat of Hazrat Umarra. She was buried in Jannatul Baqi.

Concerning the treatment of Coptic nations, the Holy Prophetsa is reported to have said in one of the traditions: “Treat the Copts with utmost respect because we are bound to them in two ways, through blood and through a pledge. We are bound to them by blood because the mother of Hazrat Ishmaelas [Hazrat Hajirahas] and the mother of my son Ibrahimas [Mariyara] are both Coptic.” ra

Kenya Khuddam and Atfal deep learning course Tahir Ahmad Machengo Correspondent Kenya

Jamat-e-Ahmadiyya Kenya, Western Region was able to hold a six day refresher course in Shianda Mosque from 17-22 December 2019. A total of 44 khuddam, 48 atfal and five new Ahmadi converts (a total of 97 participants) participated, from 7 Jamaats.

Other than Tahajjud and the five daily Prayers, dars-ul-Quran and hadith lectures were given on a daily basis. The following subjects were taught during the first five days of the refresher course: Salaat beginner’s course in reading the Quran, Quran recitation, prayers of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophetsa, hadith, Arabic and basic religious knowledge.

Exams were also carried out to assess the progress of the attendees.

Kasim Muchere, Missionary Kenya reminded all the attendees to excel in tarbiyat and tabligh and also to dedicate their lives for the cause of Islam Ahmadiyyat. After which this humble one delivered a closing speech on the importance of fulfilling the oaths we repeat as khuddam or atfal and also to ensure offering all our salaat while uplifting our standards of worship.

Regular Waqar-e-Amal sessions were also held on a daily basis to ensure cleanliness of the mosque compound

by the participants. The khuddam from Shianda lovingly made fresh meals for all the participants during the six days.

Moreover on Friday 20 December all the participants were taught how to write letters of prayers to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, and more than 70 letters were written and sent to dearest Huzooraa by hand. Huzoor’saa live Friday Sermon was also shown on MTA Africa in Shianda Mosque.

Khuddam were also sent to Shianda Market to gain experience in distributing Jamaat leaflets to the locals.

We would like to thank the following teachers who taught during the six days of the refresher course: 1) Brother Kasim Muchere, Missionary Kenya 2) Brother Rana Kamran, Missionary UK 3) Brother Muhammad, Maulidi Mwallim, Shianda 4) Brother Mubarak Simiyu, Qaid Majlis Kasarani 5) Brother Swaleh Rajab Naeb, Qaid Majlis Shianda May Allah almighty bless this refresher course with fruits of acceptance and increase all members of the Jamaat in true knowledge and righteousness, and finally make us ardent devotees of Khilafat-eAhmadiyya. Ameen.

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

10

Netflix’s “Messiah”: An uproar on social media Ali Raza London

I must say that the first few episodes of the new Messiah series give you goosebumps, especially for those who believe in the second coming of the Messiah. Hindus, however, believe in the second coming of Krishna and Buddhists in the second coming of Buddha. Every major religion, in some sense, is waiting for a messiah or a saviour. But this Netflix series only covers three major religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

The traditions following the coming of the Messiah within Islam are mentioned throughout the ahadith, and the gist of one such narration is as follows: He will come out of nowhere, at a specific place, and people will instantly recognise him. He will save the world within days and will restore world peace. (Sahih alBukhari) With this essence in mind, millions of Muslims still await this dramatic appearance of a messiah and that is exactly what this Netflix series shows. Let me summarise the first series in a paragraph, so that the readers may get an idea of what picture the series paints.

to the Israeli border, where he is arrested and jailed while his followers wait by the border for his return. Interestingly, the agent who interviews Al-Masih becomes spellbound when Al-Masih discloses the agent’s personal information to him.

Viewers get the impression that “a hidden power”, perhaps God, is revealing things to him. Later, he mysteriously disappears from the prison cell and catches the eye of CIA surveillance. The next place Al-Masih visits is the Temple Mount (al-Aqsa mosque, Jerusalem) where he addresses the gathering again and is confronted by security officials.

A gunshot is heard and a small boy is killed, but Al-Masih revives him back to life by just touching him and then disappears.

Mysteriously, he then visits a small town in Texas where he saves a daughter of a priest from a tornado and the only building that stands the tornado is this church. He slowly gains followers in America as well and also performs a miracle that is written in the Bible.

He walks on water in Washington DC and later confronts the president of USA, telling him to remove all the American troops from different countries. Before the

A scene from the Messiah series | It sets the environment in Damascus, where Daesh are trying to recapture wartorn Damascus. The man named “Al-Masih” appears near the minaret of Isa (a minaret built in the ninth century by Muslims, for the descent of Jesus’ second coming) in Damascus, clothed in a yellow robe (as the hadith also foretold).

Addressing a large crowd of Muslims, who are war-torn, Al-Masih preaches that Allah will soon wipe out their problems. He quotes the ahadith and Quranic verses and a sandstorm overtakes Damascus, which becomes an obstacle for Daesh to recapture Damascus. Due to the sandstorm, Daesh is defeated and people start referring to the man in the yellow robe as Al-Masih.

Al-Masih quickly gains followers within a day and takes his 2,000 Muslim followers

Netflix

president can make this decision, Al-Masih is arrested by the same Israeli agent who interviewed him in Jerusalem, but the plane they aboard crashes and Al-Masih survives and also revives the dead Israeli agent back to life. This is where the season ends.

Since this character depicts a Muslim messiah, viewers are left waiting for this character to visit Mecca and Medina, but this is a confusion they have deliberately created. At first, he is shown as a Muslim messiah who descended according to the literal Islamic traditions. While he is in jail in Jerusalem, they portray him as a messiah for the Jews as he calls himself “the Word” and then in America, he literally resembles (biblical) messianic qualities as he walks on water.

During the first few episodes, viewers feel that maybe he is the real Messiah and

North side of the Great Mosque [Damascus, Syria] | Wiki Commons that is how he was supposed to come, but the target audience includes “rational thinkers” who are mostly atheists, including the CIA agent who pursues this “messiah” in the series.

They believe that it is all a hoax and no messiah will come and after the fifth episode; that is what the series tells us. The person who appeared out of nowhere, is actually a human being, who was a student in an American university and studied under Oscar Wallace.

Oscar Wallace is a character in the series who writes a book on social disruption and its solution. He was labelled a terrorist due to his ideologies and had to flee to Russia.

This, however, is the interesting part.

Wallace’s ideology was that “in order to bring peace, a social disruption is necessary filled with fear and terror and only then will people look towards a specific community that could save them”. Following suit, the Messiah causes disruption while also seemingly uniting faiths; for Muslims, he quotes the Quran; to Jews, he quotes the Torah and before Christians, he quotes the Bible.

The character they have portrayed as Al-Masih is extremely calm and polite. His words are his best weapon. On one occasion, he says, “Weapons are not the solution.”

He only performs three miracles in the series: reviving the boy to life, walking on water and reviving a Jewish agent back to life at the end. He does not disclose his plan as he keeps saying, “I only do what God wants.”

The messiah in the series is no doubt of Muslim descent as he comes according to the literal Islamic traditions. He is said to be a Persian as mentioned in the Islamic traditions, that the Messiah would be of

Persian descent.

One of the main flaws in this series is that Al-Masih is taken as a literal descension of a messiah from the skies, but he does not perform those literal tasks that have been preserved in scriptures.

The Muslim world, for instance Jordan, has reacted strictly towards this series and called for a ban. They called it “anti-Islamic” and many Muslims have said that the AlMasih is actually the portrayal of the Dajjal (antichrist). (The Independent, Jordan calls on Netflix to ban controversial ‘anti-Islamic’ drama series) In fact, Muslims began flooding Twitter and commenting on how the series creates confusion, with one tweet advising fellow Muslims to first correct their beliefs regarding the Dajjal before they go on to watch the series.

In Islamic traditions, it has been noted that when the Messiah comes, he will wage a war against the Dajjal, kill the swine, destroy all crosses and restore peace. In Judaism, the Messiah is to liberate Jews and make them the true leaders over the world (Messiah in Rabbinic Thought, Prof Dr Gerald J Blidstein). In Christianity, the Messiah is supposed to bring humanity back to peace and also fight against the antichrist, much like the prevalent Muslim belief (2 Thessalonians 2:7–10) This series is based on atheistic theory, portraying the messiah as a complete fantasy or a bogus belief. I believe it has only confused Muslims even more and ridiculed the whole concept of the second coming.

Though a gripping series, the whole edifice of the belief in a messiah has been brought down to tatters.

Social media is overflowing with viewers commenting on the series; more

11

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM comments agreeing with the whole belief as nothing but a farce. The producers seem to have attained their objective.

Lucy Mangan said in The Guardian: “I have no saviour to turn to, and if one appeared I would probably be among the very last converts, sitting canker-hearted as water jug after water jug was turned to wine.

But I believe in television, and I believe in Netflix’s latest offering to us. Salvation from the outside world for at least 10 hours lies within.” (The Guardian, 3 January 2020) This is one of many reviews by critics that undermines religion as a whole and leans towards spirituality without the socalled “constructs” of religion.

Fortunately, as Ahmadi Muslims, the whole concept of a second coming and the arrival of the antichrist has been made extremely clear and easy to grasp.

The actual Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace be upon him, removed all misconceptions and fantasies regarding the second coming and unveiled its true reality while unpacking the erroneous beliefs of someone appearing in a supernatural manner with magical powers.

As the fictional character in Dan Brown’s book Origin, Robert Langdon says, “Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction.”

With regard to this, the truth is stranger than fiction. The truth is that the Messiah has already come and passed away. The truth is that he did not have powers like people assert to their future messiah. The reality is that he was not supposed to come from the skies or just “appear”. The truth is that world peace cannot be attained within days and is a process driven by divine guidance through one leader and a community of believers. The fact is that those traditions regarding the coming of the Messiah are mostly metaphors.

However, the reality we see today is that half of the world is still looking towards the skies for a saviour to come and many of them have lost faith in this pursuit.

One of the main reasons for this loss of faith or belief in the descension of a messiah from the skies is because of literal interpretation of traditions. As discussed above, almost all of them are metaphors, but there is a way to decode those metaphors in a very logical and rational way.

Let me state one example from another hadith.

Hazrat Huzaifah ibn Usaid al-Ghifari said, “The Prophetsa of Allah came to us all of a sudden as we were (busy in a discussion). He said, ‘What are you discussing?’ We said, ‘We are discussing the Last Hour. Thereupon, he said, ‘It will not come until you see ten signs before it’ and (in this connection) he made mention of the smoke, the Dajjal, the beast, the rising of the sun from the west, the descent of Jesusas son of Maryam, Gog and Magog and landslides in three places, one in the East, one in the West and one in Arabia at the end of which fire will burn forth from Yemen and drive people to the place of their assembly.” (Sahih al-Bukhari) The smoke in this hadith does not mean literal smoke that people will see in one day. It signifies transportation, railways and aeroplanes. The Dajjal (antichrist) and the beast in the hadith do not mean a literal monster will take over the world and the Messiah and his followers will literally fight with him. It signifies international powers,

the rise of materialism and the powers behind it that are making sure to dry out spirituality, religion and God from the face of the earth.

The Promised Messiahas spoke about the concept of the Dajjal or antichrist on a number of occasions. One such statement is: “Then understand, my dear ones, that it has been disclosed to me that the reference to the antichrist as one individual is not designed to indicate his personal individuality, but his unity as a species, meaning thereby that in that species there will be a unity of ideas as is, indeed, indicated by the word Dajjal [antichrist] itself and in this name there are many signs for those who reflect. The meaning of the word ‘dajjal’ is a chain of deceptive ideas, the links of which are so attached to each other as if it was a structure of equalsized bricks of the same colour, quality and strength, some of them firmly overlapping others and further strengthened by being plastered from outside.” (Aina-e-Kamalat-eIslam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, pp. 554-555) This also falls under the next statement, “The rising of the sun from the west” as the West became the forerunners of inventions.

“The sun” also means the rise of Islam in the West. The descent of “Jesus” does not mean a literal descent from the skies, but it means the descension of the message and revival of Islam through a man who would be in the disposition and circumstances of Jesusas.

Gog and Magog are not to be taken as monsters or aliens but as two international powers in the world and once those powers have surfaced in the world, there will be worldwide tensions described as “landslides”.

This is the manner in which everyone should analyse these prophecies made by the Holy Prophetsa. And as a matter of fact, if we put this explanation before us, it accords with the claim of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas .

Regarding the interpretation of such prophecies, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas said: “My dear people! These are but metaphors. Those who are blessed by God with insight will realise their true significance, not only with ease, but also with some relish. Literal interpretation of such subtle and profound metaphors is like distorting beauty into monstrosity.”

(Elucidation of Objections, p.12) The second coming, the Muslim messiah, “the Word” and other versions of a “saviour” can be seen in the man who claimed to be the Messiah and Mahdi, to the east of Damascus, in Qadian.

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas showed that in reality, the Messiah was to stop the Jihad of the sword and begin the Jihad of the pen. Hazrat Ahmadas also proved himself to be the Messiah of every religion. He not only addressed Abrahamic religions, but every other religion, including Hinduism and Buddhism, which tells us that he was sent for everyone and was the one that everyone was waiting for.

The Promised Messiahas further cleared the misconceptions of a literal interpretation of the coming of the Messiah that everyone is waiting for.

“It is wrong to infer from this hadith that the Messiah would be a sorcerer that would remove people’s hearts just by looking at them. What it really means is that wherever

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi his pure breath – i.e. his teachings – would spread in the world, people would deny him, reject him and abuse him; so much so, that their rejection shall become a cause of chastisement for them … the Messiahas will be vehemently opposed, with the result that a great many people shall die in the land, the most severe earthquakes shall take place and peace shall disappear altogether. It would otherwise be irrational to think that pious and righteous people should be subjected to various punishments without any reason.”

(Divine Manifestations, p. 9-10) His writings, prophecies and the divinely guided Khilafat that ensued after his demise are the ultimate proofs that he was the real saviour and peacekeeper who God sent. Under divine guidance and under one leader, Ahmadi Muslims are expanding his mission of peace through promoting the rights of God and the rights of humans.

The Promised Messiahas also explained his purpose beautifully in the following extract: “The actual mission for which God has appointed me is to remove the estrangement that has come between man and his Creator and re-establish a relationship of love and sincerity between him and his Lord.

He has also appointed me to put a stop to

religious wars by proclaiming the truth, to create religious harmony, to reveal the religious truths that have long remained hidden from mortal eyes and to display the true spirituality that lies submerged under the darkness of selfish passions.” (Lecture Lahore, p.42) Modern day films and dramas can reach billions within days and it is a very strong tool to portray a message or set an image about a certain concept as this series “Messiah” did.

As I was researching into this, in the first few days, the searches into the word “Messiah” were trending on Google. People were researching and studying to find out the truth behind this concept. This is the power the media holds.

I truly hope that people, after watching this series, do not turn away from religion altogether, rather it should give them a reason to research more into the concept of a messiah and a saviour. If someone is sincere in their research, I believe they will come to know and accept the logical and accurate understanding of the “Messiah” held by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

12

Responding to Allegations

The age of the Promised Messiah Part II

About two and half years before his demise, the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, foretold in his booklet, AlWasiyyat (The Will) that the time of his passing was near. Moreover, he announced in various periodicals of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, presenting countless revelations of God Almighty that his time of departure was close and he had been promised an age of around eighty years.

In the presence of all these prophecies and divine visions, it is impossible for a noble person to deny the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian.

In spite of all that, certain opponents of the Promised Messiahas consider his demise to be a sign of their truth and suggest that his death happened according to their (own) prophecies. One such person was Mian Abdul Hakim of Patiala.

Mian Abdul Hakim Patialvi remained a follower of the Promised Messiahas for 20 years. Once, he wrote a letter to the Promised Messiahas and enquired whether a person who did not believe in

the prophethood of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, but acted righteously and had faith in the unity of God, would be pardoned?

In response, the Promised Messiahas stated that this belief was absolutely evil because God Almighty had established His authority upon mankind through the Holy Prophetsa and thus, whosoever did not believe in him would not be forgiven as virtuous deeds could not be performed without submitting to the Holy Prophetsa.

Thereupon, Mian Abdul Hakim became enraged and left no stone unturned to abuse and accuse the Promised Messiahas as false. He did this to the extent that 12 months after the publication of AlWasiyyat, observing the revelations and prophecies of the Promised Messiahas about his close demise, Abdul Hakim predicted the death of the Promised Messiahas and stated: “Allah Almighty told me in a revelation on 12 July 1906, ‘Mirza is a transgressor, a great liar and a cheat. The mischievous shall be annihilated before the truthful and

the prescribed time period was conveyed to be three years.” (Elan-e-Haq wa Itmamul-Hujja wa Takmila, Dr Abdul Haqim Khan, p. 4 [second edition]) In reply to this, the Promised Messiahas issued an announcement on 16 August 1906 under the title, “May Allah help him who is truthful.” It was published in his book, Haqiqatul-Wahi: “Against this is the prophecy conveyed to me by God Almighty about Mian Abdul Hakim Khan, Assistant Surgeon, Patiala in the following ‫ ت‬words: ‫ت‬ ‫دخا ےک وبقمولں ی‬ ‫وبقل ےک ومنےن اور ی‬ ‫م ی‬ ‫وہیت ہ ی�۔ اور‬ ‫العم ن‬ ‫یہ‬ ‫وہ السیتم ےک ن‬ ‫الہکےت ہ ی�۔ ان رپ وکیئ اغبل � آاتکس‬ ‫زہشادے‬ ‫ت‬ �‫کھ� ی‬ ‫رفوتشں یک چ�ی وہیئ ولتار ی�رے آےگ ےہ۔ رپ وت ےن وتق وک ہن‬ ّ ٰ ّ ‫د�ا ہن اجان۔‬ ّ ‫رب‬ ‫اچہپان ہن ی‬ ‫تری کل‬ ‫فرق بین صادق و کاذب۔ انت‬ ‫مصلح و صادق۔‬ [Those accepted by God carry with them incidents and signs of acceptance.

They are known as the princes of peace. No one can overcome them. The drawn sword of angels is in front of you, but you have not recognised nor seen nor appreciated the needs of the time. O my God, do create a distinction between the truthful and the

liar. You recognise every reformer and truthful one.]” (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation, pp. 505-506) Soon after the above announcement, God Almighty began to expose Abdul Hakim and he annulled his three year prophecy about the death of the Promised Messiahas, stating: “Mirza did not become cautious at all by those [predictions which in view of Abdul Hakim were revelations]. So, Allah Almighty reduced ten months and eleven days from his three years’ punishment that was to be fulfilled on 11 July 1909, because of his impertinence and disobedience and [God] told me on 1 July 1907, ‘14 months from now, Mirza will be thrown in hell receiving the punishment of death.’” (Elane-Haq wa Itmam-ul-Hujja wa Takmila, Dr Abdul Haqim Khan, p. 6 [second edition]) Responding to the above statement, the Promised Messiahas issued an announcement on 5 November 1907 and stated: “… And [God] said: ٰ ‫لکم البشری فی‬ ‫الحیوۃ الدنیا۔۔۔ وضعنا عنک‬

13

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM ‫وزرک الذی انقض ظھرک و رفعنا لک ذکرک۔ انی معک ذکرتک‬ ‫فاذ کرنی وسع مکانک حان ان تعان وتعرف بین الناس انی‬ ‫معی و اھلک انی انا‬ ‫معک یاابراھیم انی معک ومع اھلک انک‬ ّٰ ‫الرحمان فانتظر قل یاخذک اللہ۔‬ “Meaning that glad tidings for you in this world and the Hereafter. Your ending will be good … We shall remove your burden which broke your back and we shall exalt your name. I am with you. I recalled you, so remember me as well and expand your abode. That time is near when you will be helped and your name will be called with honour and exaltedness in the people. I am with you, O Ibrahim and likewise, with the people of your house.

You are with me and likewise, your people of the house. I am Merciful. Wait for my help and tell your enemy that God will take revenge from you. And stated in Urdu at the end: ‫ت‬ ‫ی‬ ‫م ی�ری رمع وک یھب ڑباھ دوں اگ‬ “This means that those of my enemies who say that only 14 months of my age are left after July 1907 or prophesy my death within a certain time, I shall prove them false and increase your age as well, so as to demonstrate that I am God and everything is under His control.” (Badr, 10 November 1907, pp. 5-7) The words, “I shall prove them false” and “increase your age” are of significant importance. It shows that the demise of the Promised Messiahas was due before 1 September 1908 in accordance with the revelations of Allah Almighty but in order to prove the enemy false, God gave the glad tiding of increasing his age. It indicates that the glad tiding of increasing his age was to prove the falsehood of the opponents.

Thereafter, according to Dr Abdul Hakim, God sent him another revelation on 30 November 1908 [he mistakenly wrote 1908 as other predictions before and after it, showed the year 1907 in a sequence]; “The foundation of Mirza will be uprooted.”

Then he received another one on 8 December 1907: “‫”ولا یرد باسنا عن القوم المجرمین‬ And one more on 17 December 1907: “Mirza will die of lung disease.” (Elane-Haq wa Itmam-ul-Hujja wa Takmila, Dr Abdul Haqim Khan, pp. 7-8 [second edition]) Once again, confused by the announcement issued by the Promised Messiahas on 5 November 1907, Abdul Hakim changed his prophecy and stated: “On 16 February 1908, I received a revelation, ‘Mirza will die by 21 Sawan [the fifth month of the Bikrami calendar corresponding to July-August] 1965 [corresponding to 4 August 1908].”

When Abdul Hakim published the above prediction, the Promised Messiahas was writing his book Chashma-e-Marifat.

He stated: “In response to his prophecy, Allah Almighty has conveyed to me that he himself would be cast into torment and Allah will annihilate him and I shall remain secure from his mischief.” (Chashma-eMarifat, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 23, p. 337) Then again, Abdul Hakim made alterations in his prediction and stated about the Promised Messiahas: “… His boldness and transgression did not diminish … so the time limit of 21 Sawan 1965, corresponding to 4 August

1908 has been annulled as well.” (Elane-Haq wa Itmam-ul-Hujja wa Takmilah, Dr Abdul Haqim Khan, pp. 8-9 [second edition]) As per his practice, Abdul Hakim Khan could not adhere to his prediction of 4 August 1908, which was made by him on 16 February 1908 as a result of his socalled revelation.

Many months later, Abdul Hakim announced another prediction about the Promised Messiahas through a letter dated 8 May 1908, in various newspapers.

We found two of those newspapers: The Daily Paisa Akhbar and Akhbar Ahl-eHadith, in which the following prophecy of Abdul Hakim was published: “Mirza will fall prey to a fatal illness and shall die on 21 Sawan 1965 [i.e. 4 August 1908].” (The Daily Paisa Akhbar, 15 May 1908 and Akhbar Ahl-e-Hadith, 15 May 1908) Hence, Abdul Hakim annulled all of his previous predictions and announced that in his view, God had revealed to him the exact date of the demise of the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, i.e. 4 August 1908.

On the contrary, the Promised Messiahas passed away on 26 May 1908 in accordance with the revelations vouchsafed to him

by God Almighty and thus the falsehood of Dr Abdul Hakim Khan of Patiala was demonstrated by Allah Himself.

Lastly, we present an acknowledgement of the above fact in the words of a bitter enemy of the Promised Messiahas, Maulvi Sanaullah of Amritsar.

Soon after the demise of the Promised Messiahas, he stated in his newspaper: “In rejection of Dr Sahib’s [Abdul Hakim’s] prophecy, expressing the limit of 14 months, Mirza Sahib stated in the same announcement [of 5 November 1907], ‘God told me that I shall increase your age, i.e. those of my enemies who say that only 14 months of my age are left after July 1907 or prophesy my death within a certain time, I shall prove them false and increase your age, so as to demonstrate that I am God and everything is under His control.’

These words clearly show that the age of Mirza will prolong against the prophecy of Dr Sahib that expressed the limit of 14 months which was to end on September 1908. … Till this point, the prophecy of Dr Sahib holds great perfection, but we cannot refrain from saying what is true.

“Had the Dr Sahib stopped at what he had stated earlier, i.e. after his prediction of Mirza’s death within 14 months, if he had not fixed a specific date as he has done which is published in 15 May, Ahl-eHadith that Mirza will die on 21 Sawan, i.e.

4 August, then those objections could have never been raised as are being raised on Dr Sahib’s prophecy today by the respected editor of Paisa Akhbar in the publication of 27 [May 1908]. Wherein it is teasingly stated that had the prophecy been left as ‘up to the 21 Sawan’ and not altered to ‘on 21 of Sawan’ it would have, indeed, been wonderful. Hence, had he left his earlier revelations unaltered, without giving a specific date, then today, there could have been no objection.” (Ahl-e-Hadith, 12th June 1908)

Vild Med Suppe: “Crazy about soup”

Sohail Ahmad Kahloon Project Coordinator, Denmark

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Denmark has held a free food camp every year since 2012. The purpose of this project is to serve humanity while also spreading the message of the Promised Messiahas to Danish society. It is a great opportunity to attract people and spread the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat.

This year’s food camp came up with new name ‘Vild Med Suppe’ which means “crazy about soup”. The name was selected in accordance to Danish humour and cultural norms. The three most populated cities of Denmark, Copenhagen, Århus and Odence were chosen to distribute the soup.

Project preparations This project began by writing a letter for prayers to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper. Next, Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya had a meeting with National Amir Sahib, Mohammad Zakaria Khan, for his guidance about the project. After the approval from Amir Sahib, Sadr MKA appointed me (Sohail Ahmad Kahloon) in charge of the project

and divided the project in different departments. Preparation was vast and multifaceted. The first step was taking permissions from local authorities for the camp, Falah-ud-Din Sahib, Missionary Denmark assisted with this regard a great deal. Applications were submitted to local municipal councils with all the plans, dates and a sample of the pamphlets to be distributed. Alhamdolillah, all three municipalities approved our application without any hurdle. Three days were decided for this purpose: 30 November 2019 in Copenhagen, 7 December in Arhus and 14 December 2019 in Odense.

Banners, tents, and the area where we would supply the food were finalised, along with the information we wanted to display about the Jamaat.

The next step was food preparation and transportation. The menu consisted of chicken corn soup, lentil soup and kheer and it was essential we served the soup hot as it was winter and so arrangements were made.

The main event While distributing the soup, a number of Continued on page 15

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

14

100 Years Ago...

Argentinian accepts Ahmadiyyat in London Al Fazl, 5 January 1920

Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Rahim Nayyarra

The disbelievers of Khilafat and Islam became momin [believers]: On 22 November, the Islamic Society held its ‘That Home” [gathering]. The president, Dr Abdul Majid Sahib delivered the annual address on the issue of Khilafat.

We were also invited to the conference.

As luck would have it, Dr Leon, the chairperson walked out of the gathering and there came the time of questions and answers.

In the presence of Maulvi Sadruddin Sahib, the speaker and Chaudhry Sahib had the following exchange of words: Chaudhry Sahib: Is the issue of Khilafat a religious question?

Dr. Abdul Majid: Yes, it is a religious question and Khilafat is an important and integral part of Islam.

Chaudhry Sahib: Is it compulsory and necessary to obey the Khalifa?

Dr Abdul Majid: (Taking permission from Maulvi Sadruddin Sahib). Yes, it is obligatory.

It is up to our Muslim brothers to take the issue [of Khilafat] as they please and consider whosoever they want to be worthy of the office of Khilafat. It is their matter. However, we are surprised at those people who consider the Khalifa as a matter of dispute in India and believe him bad for themselves.

Moreover, they totally disagree with the need of Khilafat but coming to the UK, this disagreement has changed into belief. Now, “Our Khalifa” is a beautiful term for them. They are convinced that Khilafat is a religious question and the obedience of Khilafat is incumbent and important. So, should we think that they have reverted and repented or should we consider them like those “who have something else in their hearts while their mouths say something else?” Our ghair muba‘i [those who did not take Bai‘at at the hand of the Khalifa] brothers should ponder over this matter.

A series of lectures By the grace of God, being impressed with his earlier lectures and association, various societies are inviting Maulvi Fateh Muhammad Sayal MA, missionary of Islam to deliver lectures. Chaudhry Sahib has started the series [of delivering lectures]. Today, on 4 December, with the blessings of God, there is a lecture of Chaudhry Sahib on “Attributes of Islam” in Derby at the Theosophy Hall. Thereafter, he will make a tour of the UK tomorrow, Insha-Allah.

Last Sunday’s lecture Last week, there was a lecture of Hazrat Mufti Sahib on the “Amended Bible” at the Ahmadiyya Lecture Hall.

The audience consisted of new English Ahmadi converts, non-Ahmadi Muslims, Christians and Jewish men and women in great numbers. Mufti Sahib maintained his discourse in a very sublime and interesting manner. During the lecture, Hazrat Mufti Sahib made the subject of the alteration in the Bible much more interesting by the following incident: Mufti Sahib: (Turning towards Dr Berkovich of Bosnia) Dr Sahib please take this Bible and read verse 21 from chapter 17 of Matthew.

Dr Fehmi Berkovich: (It states,) “However, these kinds of ghosts can be exorcised through prayer and fast.”

Mufti Sahib: Very well done, Jazakallah. You read it beautifully. This is a verse from that Bible which is called the word of God. Now, Miss Harvey (an educated Christian lady), please read the same verse in the same sequence.

(He handed over another Bible to Miss Harvey.)

Miss Harvey: (Turning pages of the Bible) Matthew, chapter 17, verse 21, (somewhat surprised,) I cannot find it.

This witty incident made the audience laugh. Moreover, the greatness of the Bible and it being the word of God was practically refuted.

The House of Commons Our brothers read the account of the House of Commons in the telegrams of rewire and observe in Hindustani newspapers the way in which questions

and answers are carried out in the British Parliament. However, this humble one had the opportunity to witness this scene with his own eyes. Entering into the great historical building situated on the bank of river Thames (with the statue of Cromwell at its door, recalling the efforts of its country for liberty and freedom), I heard those questions and answers which are published in the newspapers with my own ears.

God Almighty made such arrangements that I was granted a distinguished place to sit which is famous by the name of special gallery. Sitting there, not only did I see

fact that the announcement of my Bai‘at was made in the report of the annual Jalsa pleases me very much. I am a married man and hope from God that I will be able to bring my wife as a new convert in your company. I have a one year old son as well.

Desirous of prayers, Jack Vess Abdullah Bottomley.”

Brother Sikandar Bashir Sehul Solar The ways in which the angels of God are working and stimulating the hearts, and we humble servants are serving the Promised Messiah[as], all this is very surprising for us. Brother Abdullah Bottomley’s acceptance of Islam is one

Wiki Commons

the public hall of audience but prayed for the Englishmen. In fact, the green turban on a suitable day from a particular place, conveyed the message of that mission to the respectables, ministers and members of parliament for which the Ahmadiyya Missionaries are residing in this country.

Brother Abdullah Bottomley: The name of the new noble soul granted by Allah the Almighty to His Messiah is Jack Vess Bottomley. This young, educated friend was under tabligh through correspondence. On 25 November, he found peace and comfort in his heart after the prayer and left Christianity to accept ٰIslam Ahmadiyyat. ّ ّٰ ّ He expressed faith in ‫لا الہ الا اللہ محمد رسول اللہ‬ [There is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His messenger].

I gave him the Islamic name Abdullah.

He is increasing in sincerity and affection.

Below, I write a few lines from his last letter: “Surely, I am the recipient of Allah Almighty’s reward. Thinking about the

example of these inspirations. Now, the new convert granted by Allah who is being discussed in this report is the second example of this inspiration.

Brother Alexander Sehul Solar is a resident of the South American state, Argentina. He speaks Italian, French, German and Russian. His native language is Spanish. He met me on his way to a conference and promised to meet me again on the coming third day. At last, he came as per the promise because he was a seeker of truth. He did not find comfort in the Roman Catholic faith and preferred the teachings of Islam above all other religions. However, he still had some doubts.

Chaudhry Sahib carried out a discourse of around an hour and a half and I also made him understand to the best of my abilities. Finally, his heart opened up by the grace of God and announcing his acceptance of Islam, he became the “Bashir” of South America.

Alhamdolillah!

15

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM Letter of Brother Bashir Alexander Sehul Solar This intellectual new convert friend wrote a letter in Spanish to Huzoor and translated it for me in English language …

“In the name of Allah the most Gracious, ever Merciful “To His Holiness, Imam Jamaate-Ahmadiyya, Assalamo Alaikum wa Rehmatullahe wa Barakatuhu.

“I met with brothers Nayyar and Sayal in London. They elaborated the objectives and doctrines of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat before me. They told me that they want to spread Ahmadiyya Jamaat in South America as well.

“I totally agree with whatever I have listened [to] and read about Prophet Ahmadas. I am pleased to think about this matter that God Almighty will soon bring that time when I will serve this cause by joining those people who devote their lives to attain God’s delight.

“Being in relation of affection and brotherhood with the above-mentioned brothers (Nayyar and Sayal), I consider myself a member of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. I submit to His Holiness with utmost respect and pray for the safeguard of the pure being of Huzoor. I am the servant of Huzoor, Bashir Alexander Sehul Solar.”

If Sehul is changed to Sayal and Solar is translated to Nayyar as told by Brother Bashir, then it is as though the name of the new brother already possesses Sayal and Nayyar. All praise belongs to Allah!

Continued from page 13

leaflets were also given to members of the public. A small questionnaire was also filled out by participants and a gift was given to every participant who took part.

The quiz was very simple and was mainly for children, however adults also showed interest.

Social media coverage Danish people in general are not attracted to religious activities however the food

31st Jalsa Salana Benin Mirza Farhan Baig Benin Correspondent

The 31st Jalsa Salana of Benin was held in Houegbo, Allada which saw a total attendance of 4877. This was an increase of 1064 people compared to Jalsa Salana Benin 2018.

The Jalsa started on 27 December 2019 with the flag hoisting ceremony carried out by Amir Sahib.

A number of speeches were held on the first day, including guest speeches.

The highlight was the live Friday Sermon of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, which was shown to the attendees in French.

The second and third days were also jam-packed with speeches on various topics such as “the true life of Jesusas” and “the spiritual and physical benefits of salaat”.

All three days were initiated with congregational Tahajjud and Fajr prayers followed by short lectures on the Holy Quran.

Distinguished guests also came to the Jalsa and delivered short speeches. The list of these guests is as follows: Aguessy Zinsou Paul, representing the Mayor of Toffo.

Honorable Marcellin Ahonoukoun, Member of the National Assembly.

Agnide Emmanuel Lawin, Director of Cabinet of Minister of Water and Mines.

Commissioner Principal Issiaka

camp was a great success, by the grace of Allah. The media team consisting of Balaj Ahmad Sahib, Dr Azhar Ahmad Sahib and Imad-ud-Din Malik Sahib approached various outlets.

The Mayor of Arhus, Mr Jacob Bundsgaard visited our camp and showed support and affection. Television channels like TV2 Ostjylland in Arhus and TV2 Fyn in Odense showed the food camp activities as well as an introduction to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Denmark.

Seidou, Assistant to the Departmental Director of the Atlantic Republican Police.

Honorable Malehossou Yacoubou, Member of Parliament.

Honorable Mama Sanny, Member of Parliament.

Honorable Nobime Patrice, Member of Parliament .

Babaloa Barthelemy, Religions for peace.

Kougnitode Gerald Kocou, District Manager of Colli.

King of Kik. King of Sedjedenou.

Grace Lawani, Honorary Consul of Israel.

A lot of people visited our camp after listening to the announcements on local radio. Pictures of the camp were shared on social media and a Facebook live was also streamed. Hundreds of people liked and shared this initiative.

Roughly 4.5 thousand people were served with food and around 17 thousand leaflets were distributed along with 175 books.

Roughly, the message of peace we were spreading reached more than one million

through social media posts and TV and radio coverage.

Efforts of AMJ Denmark Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Denmark in general and MKA especially worked hard to spread the message. These camps were not only fueled by khuddam and ansar who spared their time but lajna, nasirat and atfal, from all three cities, assisted and participated in these events.

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

16

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

In the last Friday Sermon, I narrated incidents in the life of Hazrat Hilalra bin Umayyah and in relation to this, I also spoke about the Battle of Tabuk. Hazrat Hilalra bin Umayyah was among the three men who stayed behind and did not take part in this particular battle. When the Holy Prophetsa returned from the battle, he expressed his displeasure upon this and also reprimanded them. Subsequently, the three companions were extremely anxious and submitted before Allah the Almighty, repenting and continuously seeking forgiveness. This continued until the lamenting of these three companions – which included Hazrat Hilalra – was eventually accepted and Allah the Almighty revealed a verse regarding their pardoning. Nonetheless, in relation to this battle, the extent of sacrifices presented by the Companionsra was also stated. Furthermore, it was stated that certain other individuals, who harboured hypocrisy inside them, did not participate

in this battle and made false excuses before the Holy Prophetsa. Some refused to go along right from the beginning and thus the Holy Prophetsa left the matter of such hypocrites to Allah the Almighty.

In continuation, I will now present some further details with regard to this.

One individual who preferred not to go with the Holy Prophetsa was Jadd bin Qais. The Holy Prophetsa asked him if he would join them in the battle against the Byzantine forces. He replied that this would place him in a trail on account of the women, therefore he ought not to be placed in such a difficulty. Subsequently, the Holy Prophetsa let him be and permitted him to stay behind. In light of this incident, the following verse was revealed: َ ّ َْ َّ َ ُ َ َ ْ ْ ّ َ ْ ُ َّ ‫ِمن ُہ ْم َم ْن یقوْ ُل ائذ ْن ل ِ ْی َولَا تف ِت ِن ْی ألَا فِی ال ِف ْتن ِۃ َسقطوْا َوإِ ّن َج َہن َم‬ ٌ َ َ ْ ‫ل َ ُم ِح ْیطۃ ِبالکافِ ِریْ َن‬ “And among them is he who says, ‘Permit me to stay behind and put me not to trial.’ Surely, they have already fallen

into trial. And surely, Hell shall encompass the disbelievers.” (Surah al-Taubah, Ch.9: V.49) A Jew from Medina, whose name was Suwailam resided in a part of Medina named Jasoom, also known as Bi‘r Jasim.

This was a water well belonging to Abul Haitham bin Tayihaan and was situated towards Syria. Its water was excellent and the Holy Prophetsa enjoyed drinking from it. The house belonging to this Jew was the centre for the hypocrites. The Holy Prophetsa was informed that this was where the hypocrites would gather and they were dissuading people from joining the Holy Prophetsa in the Battle of Tabuk.

The Holy Prophetsa instructed Hazrat Ammar bin Yasirra to go to them and enquire about what they were saying to others. If they denied saying the aforementioned then he should let them know that he had been informed about what they had been spreading. When Hazrat Ammarra arrived there and said as

he was instructed of him, consequently those individuals started coming to the Holy Prophetsa to present their excuses.

(Al-Siratun Nabawiyyah Li Ibn Hisham, p. 597, Ghazwah Tabuk, Dar ibn Hazm, Beirut, 2009) (Al-Sirat al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 3, p. 186, Bab Dhikr al-Bi‘aar allati shariba minha Rasulullahsa, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) (Farhang Sirat, p. 84, Zawwar Academy Publications, Karachi, 2003) Allah the Almighty has described their condition in the following words: ُ ُ​ُ َ َّ َ ُ َ ُ ٰ ۡ َ ُ َُ ٌ ‫یَ ۡحذ ُر ال ُمن ِفقوۡ َن ا ٰ ۡن تنز َل َعل ۡی ِہ ۡم ُسوۡ َرۃ تن ِّبئ ُہ ۡم ِب َما فِ ۡی قلوۡ ِب ِہ ۡم ؕ ق َ ِل‬ َّ َّ ُ ۡ ُ َ َ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ َ َ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َ َّ ٌ ۡ ُ َ ّ َّ ۡ ُ ۡ َ ۡ ‫َاستہ ِزءوا ۚ ِان اللہ مخ ِرج م ٰا تحذرون۔ و ل ِئن سالتہم لیقولن ِانما‬ َۡ ُ ُ َ ُّ َ ُۡ ّ َ ُ ‫کنا نخوۡض َو نل َع ُب ؕ ق ۡل ا ِبالل ِہ َو ٰا ٰی ِت ٖہ َّ َو َر ُسوۡل ِٖہ کن ُت ۡم ت ۡس َت ۡہ ِز ُء ۡو َن۔ لَا‬ ُ ُ ُ َ ّ َ َ ُ ۡ َ َ َ ‫ت ۡع َت ِذ ُر ۡوا ق ۡد کف ۡرت ۡم بَ ۡع َد ِایۡ ۢ َمانِ َک ۡم ؕ ِا ۡن ن ۡع ُف َع ۡن طٓائِف ٍۃ ِّمنک ۡم ن َع ِذ ۡب‬ َ ً ّ َ ُ َ َ ۡ ‫طٓائِفۃ ِبان ُہ ۡم کانوۡا ُم ۡجرِ ِمی َن‬ “The hypocrites fear lest a Surah should be revealed against them, informing them of what is in their hearts. Say, ‘Mock ye!

Surely, Allah will bring to light what you fear.’ And if thou question them, they will

17

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM most surely say, ‘We were only talking idly and jesting.’ Say, ‘Was it Allah and His Signs and His Messenger that you mocked at? Offer no excuse. You have certainly disbelieved after your believing.

If We forgive a party from among you, a party shall We punish, for they have been guilty.’” (Surah al-Taubah, Ch.9: V.64-66) Nevertheless, these were the conditions at the time prior to the departure [for the battle] and such schemes of not going were being plotted. The hypocrites were a part of this conspiracy and the Jews were also inciting them in this regard.

Some presented their excuses prior to going to the battle, whilst others offered excuses when the Holy Prophetsa returned from battle. Nonetheless, the Holy Prophetsa entrusted their matter to Allah the Almighty. When the Holy Prophetsa returned from the Battle of Tabuk and reached a place near Medina, he stated, “There are some people in Medina [at present], who had accompanied us in every journey and in every valley.” The Companionsra submitted, “O Messengersa of Allah! How could they have been with us if they are in Medina?” The Holy Prophetsa replied, “Indeed they are in Medina. However, they were hindered due to certain reasons or ailments.” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 4, p. 263, Musnad Anas bin Malik, Hadith 12032, Alamul Kutub, Beirut, 1998) (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 5, p. 132, Musnad Jabir bin Abdillah, Hadith 14731, Alamul Kutub, Beirut, 1998) These people had genuine excuses not to go and they either fell ill or were hindered from going due to some other reason, even though they desired to go on this journey. This is why Allah the Almighty has counted them among those who participated in the battle. During the journey whilst returning from Tabuk, the Holy Prophetsa said, “I am returning swiftly. Hence, whoever from among you wishes to travel with me may do so and whoever wishes to stay behind (i.e. to return at their own pace) may do so.”

The narrator says, “Following this, we departed until we were able to see Medina.

Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘This is Taa‘bah, which is pure and pleasant and this is Mount Uhud, which loves us and we love it.’ Following this, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘The best household from among the Ansar is that of Banu Najjar, which is followed by the households of Banu AbdilAshhal, Banu Abdil-Harith bin Khazraj and Banu Sa‘ida…’ and the Holy Prophetsa went on to declare all of the households of Medina to be good.” The narrator relates that “Hazrat Saadra bin Ubadah joined us upon which Abu Usaid said, ‘Are you aware of the fact that the Holy Prophetsa has mentioned the excellence of the households of the Ansar and has kept us at the end?’ Hazrat Saadra went to the Holy Prophetsa and submitted, ‘O Messengersa of Allah! You have mentioned the excellence of the households of the Ansar and have kept us at the end.’ Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Does it not suffice you that you are among the virtuous ones?’” This is a narration from Sahih Muslim. (Sahih Muslim, Kitabul fada‘il, Bab Fi Mu‘jazat An-Nabisa, Hadith 1392)

Hadith in Commentary

Acquiring heaven through deeds alone Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaqra

It is mentioned in a hadith that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: َ َ ّٰ َ َ َْ َ ُ َ ُ َ َ َ ْ ً َ ُ ْ َ ‫لا يُد ِخل أ َحد َا الجَ َ ّن َة ع َمل ُه‌‏‏ قالوا ٰ َولا أنت يَا َر ُسول الل ِه قال‬ ّ َ َ ْ َ ّ َ َ​َ ‫‏»‏ َولا أنا ِإلا أ ْن ي َ َتغ ّمدنِي الل ُه بِفض ٍل َو َر ْح َم ٍة‬ The translation of this hadith is, “One’s good deeds will not make him enter Paradise.’ They [the Companions] asked, ‘Even you, O Allah’s Messenger?’

He replied, ‘Even I, until and unless Allah bestows His grace and mercy on me.’”

God forbid, this hadith does not mean that the Holy Prophet’ssa deeds were not sufficient for him to enter paradise. On the contrary, the hadith stresses how the acquisition of eternal paradise solely depends on God Almighty’s grace and mercy.

The reason for this is because man’s deeds are [naturally] limited and being bestowed eternal and limitless paradise in exchange for limited deeds is irrational.

Even in terms of recompense, it would be impossible for limited [good] deeds to be granted eternal paradise. No matter how much a minute good act is rewarded, as man’s life is limited, his deeds are inadvertently also limited. Therefore, a life that is limited in deeds cannot be granted a limitless and eternal paradise.

Thus, the word “heaven” mentioned in this hadith refers to an “eternal” and limitless heaven. What the Holy Prophetsa indicated is that a person, even if they were a prophet, cannot acquire eternal paradise (through his limited deeds alone) without the grace and mercy of God almighty.

Islam therefore does not teach that no matter how many sins someone commits, Allah will not punish him, nor does Islam advocate that God will only reward according to the amount of good deeds and nothing more. Rather, Islam says:

When the Holy Prophetsa returned, the men, women and children of Medina had already gathered at Thaniyat-ul-Wada in order to welcome the Holy Prophetsa on the outskirts of Medina. Thaniyat-ulWada is a place near Medina and those travelling from Medina to Mecca were accompanied to this place and bade farewell, hence it was called Thaniyat-ulWada. According to the historians of the life of the Holy Prophetsa, when the Holy Prophetsa migrated from Mecca and to Medina, he passed by Quba and Thaniyatul-Wada was also situated on this route.

According to the narration of Hazrat Aishara, the children of Medina welcomed the Holy Prophetsa and the girls were

ٌ َ َ َ ٰ ۡ ُ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َ َ ۡ َّ ‫ادۃ‬ ‫ل ِل ِذین احسنوا الحسنی و ِزی‬ [For those who do good deeds, there shall be the best reward and yet more blessings.

(Surah Yunus, Ch.10: V.27)] This means that God will bestow much more as compared to our deeds alone.

We hold the belief that He will grant us more than just what our deeds will reap.

After all, what [good] deeds did we carry out that Allah gave us the earth, the sky, oxygen, water, fire, the Moon, the Sun, the stars, mountains, vegetation and animals etc., all to serve us? If this is not a gift from God Almighty, then what is it?

There is absolutely no deed, small or big, on our part that led us to these bounties; they were all created prior to our birth, before any [good] deed we

reciting

‫ثنیات الوداع‬ ‫طلع البدر علینا من‬ ّٰ ‫وجب الشکر علینا ما دعا للہ داع‬ That is, “The full moon has risen over us from the valley of Wada. We owe our gratitude to Allah, for we have among us a caller unto Him.” Some commentators of the ahadith, such as Allama Ibn Hajar Asqalani, who has written a commentary on Sahih alBukhari, believe that it is quite possible that the poetic verses which have been mentioned in Hazrat Aisha’s narration (which I have just read out), are in actuality connected to the return from the Battle of Tabuk, as adults and children welcomed the Holy Prophetsa at Thaniyat-ul-Wada.

committed.

A rational person, keeping this in mind, can draw the conclusion that God can and does grant an unimaginable amount as compared to the reward of human deeds alone.

Thus, an eternal life and an eternal heaven is not based on deeds, rather it relies solely on God’s grace and mercy.

Our deeds can allow us to enter heaven but will never be enough for us to stay there eternally. To stay in heaven forever, God’s grace and mercy is mandatory.

(Originally published in Al Fazl on 7 February 1940 in the form of notes taken by Mahmood Ahmad Khalil Sahib from the lectures on hadith by Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaqra, brother-in-law of the Promised Messiahas)

The reason for this is that the people who were travelling from Syria were welcomed at this very place.

When the people of Medina found out about the return of the Holy Prophetsa from the Battle of Tabuk, they rejoiced and gathered at this place outside of Medina in order to welcome the Holy Prophetsa.

In light of this, Hazrat Saibra bin Yazid narrates, “I remember that along with the other children, I also went to Thaniyatul-Wada in order to welcome the Holy Prophetsa on his return from the Battle of Tabuk.”

Imam Bayhaqi has also stated that the children welcomed the Holy Prophetsa with these poetic verses when the Holy

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM

18 Prophetsa returned from the Battle of Tabuk. (Mu‘jamul Buldan, Vol. 2, p. 100, Thaniyat-ul-Wadaa, Dar Ihyaa al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut) (Justuju-e-Medina, pp.

403-404, Oriental Publications, Lahore, 2007) (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, p. 267) Nevertheless, whatever may be the case, both views of historians and biographers can be found; according to some, these verses were recited on the occasion of the migration of the Holy Prophetsa to Medina, whereas others believe that they were recited on the return from the Battle of Tabuk.

It was the practice of the Holy Prophetsa that whenever he returned to Medina after a journey, he would go to the mosque and offer two rak‘aat [units] of prayer. Thus, the Holy Prophetsa returned from Tabuk and entered Medina in the morning. He preceded immediately to offer two rak‘aat of prayer in the mosque. (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 5, p. 414, Musnad Kaab bin Malik, Hadith 15865, Alamul Kutub, Beirut, 1998) After offering his prayers, he sat down in the mosque in order to meet with everyone. Those who intentionally stayed behind from travelling to Tabuk without any reason had also come to see the Holy Prophetsa. There were approximately 80 individuals who presented excuses for remaining behind. Despite the fact that the Holy Prophetsa knew the true reality of their false excuses, yet even then he accepted what they said and pardoned them. He would take their oath of allegiance and seek forgiveness for them.

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Bab Hadith Kaab bin Malik, Hadith 4418) However, as it has been mentioned in detail already, Hazrat Hilalra bin Umaiyyah, Hazrat Murarahra bin Rabee‘ and Hazrat Kaabra bin Malik did not present any false excuses. As a result of this, Holy Prophetsa was displeased with them for some time.

They prostrated before God Almighty and lamented before Him and implored for His forgiveness. Later, Allah the Almighty accepted their repentance and also mentioned the acceptance of their repentance in the Holy Quran.

The second companion who will be mentioned today is Hazrat Murarahra bin Rabee‘ Amri. Hazrat Murarah’sra father was Rabee‘ bin Adi. His father’s name is also recorded as Ribee‘yi and Rabee‘ah as well. Hazrat Murarahra bin Rabee‘ Amri belonged the of Amr bin Auf branch of the Aus tribe of the Ansar. According to another narration, he was from the Quza‘ah tribe, a confederate of the Banu Amr bin Auf. Quza‘ah was a well-known tribe in Arabia, who lived at a distance of ten miles from Medina, past the Valley of Al-Qura. They lived to the west of Mada‘in Salih. (Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 5, p.

129, Murarah bin Rabee‘ra, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) (Al-Isabah Fi Tamyeez Al-Sahabah, Vol. 6, p. 52, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) (Farhang Sirat, p. 237, Zawwar Academy Publications, Karachi, 2003) Hazrat Murarahra had the honour of participating in the Battle of Badr.

According to Imam Bukharirh and

other books about the Companionsra, it mentions that he took part in the Battle of Badr. Whereas, according to the list compiled by Ibn Hisham, he has not been mentioned in the list of Companionsra who participated in the Battle of Badr.

As mentioned previously, he was among the three companions who were unable to participate in the Battle of Tabuk and regarding whom God Almighty revealed the following verse of the Holy Quran: َّ َ َّ َ َ َ َ َ َ ّٰۤ ُ ّ ُ ُ َ ‫ّو َعلی الث ٰلث ِۃ ال ِذیۡ َن خ ِلفوۡا ؕ َُحتی ِاذا ضاق ۡت َعل ۡی ِٰہ ُم الۡا ۡرض ِب َم ُا َر ُح َب ۡت‬ ّ َ َ َ ۡ َ َ ّ ۡ َ ۤۡ ّ َ َ ۡ ُ ُ ُ ۡ َ ۡ ۡ َ َ ۡ َ َ َ َ َ‫الل ِہ ِالَّا ۤ ِال َ ۡی ِہ ؕ ث َّم ت‬ ‫اب‬ ‫و ضاقت علی ِہم انفسہم و ظنوا ان ٰلا ملجا ِمن‬ َّ َ ُ َ ّ َّ ۡ ُ ۡ ُ َ ۡ ۡ َ َ َ ُ َ‫الت ّو‬ ُ‫الر ِح ۡیم‬ ّ ‫اب‬ ‫علی ِہم ل ِیتوبوا ؕ ِان اللہ ہو‬ “And [He has turned with mercy] to the three whose [case] was deferred, until the earth became too strait for them with [all] its vastness, and their souls were [also] straitened for them, and they became convinced that there was no refuge from Allah save unto Himself. Then He turned to them with mercy that they might turn [to Him]. Surely, it is Allah Who is Oft-Returning [with compassion and is] Merciful.” (Surah al-Taubah, Ch.9: V.118) As it has been mentioned previously, all three of these companions – Hazrat Hilalra bin Umaiyyah, Hazrat Murarahra bin Rabee‘ and Hazrat Kaabra bin Malik – were from among the Ansar. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Bab Hadith Kaab bin Malik, Hadith 4418) (Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 5, p. 129, Murarah bin Rabee’ra, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) In reference to this incident, there is no separate account by Hazrat Murarahra.

The only detailed account is by Hazrat Kaab bin Malikra, which was mentioned in the previous sermon in relation to Hazrat Hilalra bin Umaiyyah, therefore there is no need to mention it again here.

The next companion who will be mentioned is Hazrat Utbahra bin Ghazwan. His title were Abu Abdillah and Abu Ghazwan. Hazrat Utbahra was a confederate of the Banu Naufal bin Abd Manaf. His father’s name was Ghazwan bin Jabir. Aside from Abu Abdillah, Hazrat Utbah’sra other title was Abu Ghazwan – as mentioned earlier. Hazrat Utbahra was married to Ardah bint Harith. Hazrat Utbahra narrates, “I was the seventh person who accepted the Holy Prophetsa and joined him.” According to Ibn Aseer, Hazrat Utbahra was 40 years old when he migrated to Abyssinia [Ethiopia].

On the other hand, according to Ibne-Saad, Hazrat Utbahra was 40 years old at the time of migration towards Medina.

In any case, when he returned to Mecca from Abyssinia, the Holy Prophetsa was still residing in Mecca and he stayed with the Holy Prophetsa. He migrated to Medina along with Hazrat Miqdadra bin Aswad. Both of these companions were from among the early converts to Islam.

(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 5, p. 129, Murarah bin Rabee‘ra, pp. 558-559, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003) (Al-Tabaqaatul-Kubra li ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p. 72, Min Hulafa-e-Bani Naufal bin Abd Manaf, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) (Imta‘ul Isma‘, Vol. 6, p.331, Fasl Fi Dhikr Mawali Rasulillahsa, Beirut, 1999)

The incident of their migration to Medina is as follows: Hazrat Utbahra bin Ghazwan and Hazrat Miqdadra bin Aswad departed with the army of the Quraish, and they intended to join the Muslims. The Messengersa of Allah dispatched a Muslim army under the command of Hazrat Ubaidahra bin Harith towards Thaniyat-ul-Marah, which is situated almost 55 kilometers northeast from the city of Raabigh and approximately 200 kilometers from Medina. The army of the Quraish was under the command of Ikrimah bin Abi Jahal. They did not engage in any battle except for one arrow which was fired by Saadra bin Abi Waqas and this was the first arrow shot in the way of Allah. On that day, Utbahra bin Ghazwan and Hazrat Miqdadra fled and joined the Muslims.

(Atlas Siratun Nabawi, Siryah Ubaidah bin Harith, p. 196, Maktabah Darul Islam) (Al-Isti‘ab, Vol. 4, pp. 1480-1481, Miqdad bin Aswad, Dar-ul-Jeel, Beirut) This incident has already been mentioned in reference to Hazrat Miqdadra, where it was stated that although they came with the disbelievers, they fled from them and joined the Muslims. In light of the various historical sources, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra has mentioned in his book, The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophetssa about the commencement of Jihad of the sword, and other details regarding the defensive actions that the Holy Prophetsa took: “It has already been mentioned that the first Quranic verse which allowed Jihad by the sword was revealed on 12 Safar 2 AH. In other words, the divine indication which was made of defensive war in the migration, was officially announced in Safar 2 AH, when the Holy Prophetsa had become discharged of his initial undertakings relevant to his stay at Medina, and in this manner, Jihad began.

It is discovered through history that the Holy Prophetsa initially employed four strategies in order to protect the Muslims from the evil of the disbelievers. This is conclusive evidence of the expert political aptitude and military insight of the Holy Prophetsa.

These strategies are as follows: Firstly, the Holy Prophetsa began traveling to nearby tribes and establishing peace treaties with them, so that the surrounding region of Medina would become free of threat. In this respect, the Holy Prophetsa gave special consideration to those tribes who were situated close to the Syrian trade route of the Quraish.

As every individual may gather, it was these tribes in particular, from whom the Quraish of Mecca could have derived most benefit against the Muslims and whose enmity could have resulted in severe threats for the Muslims.

Secondly, the Holy Prophetsa began to dispatch small companies in order to obtain intelligence in different directions from Medina, so that he was able to remain informed of the movements of the Quraish and their allies; and the Quraish also understood that the Muslims were not oblivious, so that in this manner, Medina could be safeguarded from the dangers of

sudden attacks.

Thirdly, another wisdom in dispatching these parties was so that the weak and poor Muslims of Mecca and its surrounding areas could find an opportunity by these means, to join the Muslims of Medina.

Until now, there were many people in the region of Medina who were Muslims at heart, but were unable to publicly profess their belief in Islam due to the cruelties of the Quraish. Furthermore, due to their poverty and weakness, they were unable to migrate either because the Quraish would forcefully hold back such people from migrating. As such, Allah states in the Holy Quran: َ ّ َ َ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ ُ ۡ َ ّٰ ۡ َ ۡ َ ۡ ُ َ ُ َ ۡ ُ َ َ َ ‫ال َو‬ َّ ِ ‫ّو ما لک َم ل ۡا ۡت َقا ِتلو َّن ۡفِی َس ُ ِب ُی ِ َل َ َّالل َ ِہ ۤو َ ۡالم ۡس َتضع ۡ ِفی ٰن ِم ۡن َالرِ َج‬ ‫ان َال ِذی َن یَقوۡلوۡن ربنا اخ ِرجنا َ ِمن ہ ِذ َِہ الق ۡری ِۃ الظال ِ​ِم‬ ِ ِ ‫الن َسٓا ِء و الولد‬ َّ ًّ َ َ ۡ ُ ّ ۡ َ ّ ۡ َ ۡ ِ َ َ ُ ۡ َ ً‫اج َع ۡل لّ َنا م ۡن لّ ُدن ۡ َک نَصیۡرا‬ ۡ ‫اہلہا ۚ و اجعل لنا ِمن لدنک ول ِیا ۙۚ و‬ ِ ِ “O ye believers! There is no reason that you fight not for the protection of religion, and for those men, women and children who are in a state of weakness, who supplicate saying, ‘O our Lord! Take us out of this town, whose people are oppressors, and make for us, who are weak, a friend and helper from Thyself.’”

Hence, one wisdom in dispatching these parties was so that such people could receive the opportunity to be delivered from a wrongdoing people. In other words, such people could reach close to Medina along with the caravans of the Quraish, and then escape to join the Muslim forces.”

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra further writes: “Therefore, it is evident through history that when the Holy Prophetsa dispatched the very first company in the leadership of Ubaidah bin Al-Harithra, who happened to encounter a group led by Ikramah bin Abi Jahl, two weak Muslims who had come along with the Quraish, managed to escape from the Quraish and join the Muslims. As such, it is narrated: “‘In this campaign, when the Muslim party encountered the army of the Quraish, two people, namely Miqdad bin Amrra and Utbah bin Ghazwanra, who were allies of the Banu Zuhrah and Banu Naufal, fled from the idolaters and joined the Muslims. They were Muslims and had only set out to join the Muslims under the cover of the Quraish.’”

Therefore, one of the purposes of the Holy Prophetsa in dispatching these parties was also to give such people an opportunity to be delivered from the Quraish and join the Muslims.

Fourthly, the fourth strategy employed by the Holy Prophetsa was that he began to intercept the trade caravans of the Quraish which travelled from Mecca to Syria passing by Medina en route.

The reason being that firstly, these caravans would spark a fire of enmity against the Muslims wherever they travelled. It is obvious that for a seed of enmity to be sown in the environs of Medina was extremely dangerous for the Muslims. Secondly, these caravans would always be armed and everyone can appreciate that for such caravans to pass by so close to Medina was not empty of danger. Thirdly, the livelihood of the

19

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM Quraish primarily depended on trade.

Therefore, in these circumstances, the most definitive and effective means by which the Quraish could be subdued, their cruelties could be put to an end and they could be pressed to reconciliation, was by obstructing their trade route. As such, history testifies to the fact that among the factors which ultimately compelled the Quraish to incline towards reconciliation, the interception of these trade caravans played an extremely pivotal role. Hence, this was an extremely sagacious strategy, which yielded fruits of success at the appropriate time. Fourthly, the revenue from these caravans of the Quraish was mostly spent in efforts to eliminate Islam, rather some caravans were even sent for the sole purpose that their entire profit may be utilised against the Muslims. In this case, every individual can understand that the interception of these caravans, was in its own right, an absolutely legitimate motive.” (Sirat KhatamunNabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 323-324) In the Sariyyah of Ubaidah bin Harithra, Hazrat Utbahra fled from the Quraish and joined the Muslims. I have narrated some parts of this account in a previous sermon, however I shall briefly relate the account again.

“In the month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, the Holy Prophetsa dispatched a company of the Muhajirin, comprising of seventy men mounted on camels, in the leadership of a close relative, Ubaidah bin Al-Harith Muttalibira. The objective of this campaign was also to prevent the attacks of the Quraish of Mecca, (this reference is also from Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin). As such, when Ubaidah bin Al-Harithra and his companions covered some ground and arrived close to Thaniyyatul-Marah, they suddenly noticed that 200 armed young men had set up camp in the command of Ikramah bin Abi Jahl. The two parties encountered one another and a few arrows were exchanged in a confrontation.

However, this group of idolaters then stood down from further conflict due to the fear that the Muslims probably had hidden reinforcements at their disposal and consequently, the Muslims did not pursue them. Albeit, two individuals from the army of the idolaters named Miqdad bin Amrra and Utbah bin Ghazwanra fled from the command of Ikramah bin Abi Jahl and joined the Muslims. It is written that they set out with the Quraish for this very purpose, so that they could find an opportunity to join the Muslims. The reason being, that they were Muslims at heart, but could not migrate out of fear of the Quraish due to their weakness.”

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra, offering his commentary on this, states: “Moreover, it is possible that this very occurrence caused them to lose heart and they decided to step back considering this to be an evil omen. History has not recorded whether this army of the Quraish, which was definitely not a trade caravan and regarding which Ibn Ishaq has used the words Jammun Azeem (a grand army), set out in this direction with a specific objective. However, it is definite that their intentions were not favourable. It was due

to the grace of God that upon finding the Muslims vigilant and upon witnessing some of their own men joining the Muslims, they lost courage and retreated.

Moreover, a practical benefit, which the Companions derived from this campaign was that two Muslim souls were delivered from the tyranny of the Quraish.” (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 328-329) There is a tradition in Al-Tabaqaatul-Kubra stating that when Hazrat Utbahra bin Ghazwan and his freed slave, Khabbab, migrated towards Medina, they stopped at Quba and stayed in the house of Hazrat Abdullah bin Salama Ajlani.

When Hazrat Utbahra arrived in Medina, they stayed at Abbaad bin Bishr’s house.

The Holy Prophetsa established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Utbahra bin Ghazwan and Hazrat Abu Dujanara. (AlTabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Saad, Vol. 3, p.

73, Min Hulafa-e-Bani Naufal bin Abd Manaf, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990) (Al-Siratun Nabawiyyah Li ibn Hisham, p. 220, Manazilul Muhajireen Bil Madinah, Dar ibn Hazm, Beirut, 2009) There are more details in regards to Hazrat Utbahra bin Ghazwan, which I will relate in the coming sermons.

Now, I would like to make an announcement in regards the launch of the Daily Al Fazl website. I will also mention some details regarding two deceased members.

On the completion of 106 years of Al Fazl, the online edition of Al Fazl will be launched from London. 106 years ago, on 18 June 1913, with the permission and prayers of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra started the Al Fazl newspaper. After the establishment of Pakistan, the Al Fazl newspaper was printed from Lahore for a short while and then under the leadership of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra it began to be published from Rabwah. The online edition of this historic daily newspaper in Urdu shall, God willing, be launched today on 13 December 2019, and will be easily accessible to everyone across the world through the internet.

The website, alfazlonline.org is now ready and the first edition is also available online and our central IT team has worked hard in this regard. There is a lot of material available in regard to highlighting the importance of Al Fazl and its benefits. Under the heading of Divine Commandments, they will publish verses of the Holy Quran and under the section “Sayings of the Holy Prophetsa”, there will be ahadith and in addition to this, there will also be extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiahas. There will also be some articles from Ahmadi authors as well as information on other important topics. They will also publish the works of Ahmadi poets. Apart from the website, it is also available on Twitter and an Android app has also been prepared.

Through various social media platforms, this has now been launched as a daily publication, therefore Urdu readers should derive benefit from this.

Also, authors and poets should assist in this regard through their writing, so they can publish well prepared and well

researched articles. The daily edition will also be available on the website in a PDF image file which can be read online and can also be downloaded, so that those who wish to read it in its printed form can do so.

In any case, God willing, this will be officially launched today and every Monday, the entire transcript of the Friday Sermon will also be published and the summary of the most recent sermon will be made available. God willing, this will be officially launched after the Friday Sermon.

There are two deceased members whose details I will mention and God willing, I will also lead their funeral prayers [in absentia]. The first is Respected Sayyeda Tanvir-ul-Islam Sahiba, who was the wife of the late respected Mirza Hafeez Ahmad Sahib. She passed away on 7 December 2019, at the age of 91.

“Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”

By the grace of Allah the Almighty, she was a musiya [part of Nizam-e-Wasiyyat].

Her father was Mir Abdus Salam and the deceased was the great granddaughter of Hazrat Mir Hissamuddin Sahibra, who was among the very early and devoted companions of the Promised Messiahas.

She was the granddaughter of Hazrat Syed Mir Hamid Shah Sahibra and the daughterin-law of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. Hazrat Mir Hissamuddin Sahibra, who was a prominent companion, born in Sialkot in 1839 and a well-renowned physician in Sialkot. When the Promised Messiahas stayed in Sialkot for some time, Hakim Sahib practised as a physician and prescribed medicines. During this period, the Promised Messiahas stayed in one part of Hakim Sahib’sra house. In 1877, when the Promised Messiahas travelled to Sialkot, Hakim Sahibra also invited him to his house.

When the Promised Messiahas announced his claim, the pious natured and fortunate individuals, who were enlightened with wisdom, accepted the Promised Messiahas since they had witnessed his level of piety in his youth and his excellent example. Among those who accepted the Promised Messiahas in Sialkot with utmost sincerity and devotion, this family was among the foremost. (Ahmadas Sirat-o-Sawanih, Syed Mubasher Ahmad Ayyaz Sahib, Vol. 2, p. 468) Syed Mir Hamid Shah Sahibra performed the Bai‘at [pledge of allegiance] of the Promised Messiah on 29 December 1890 and according to the Register of Bai‘ats, his number is 213.

His wife, Fairozah Begum Sahiba performed the Bai‘at on 7 February 1892 and she is number 246 [in this register].

The Promised Messiahas has mentioned Mir Hissamuddin Sahibra many times in the following books: Izala-e-Auham, Aasmani Faisla, Aina Kamaalat-e-Islam, Tohfa-e-Qaisariyyah, Siraj-e-Munir, Kitab-ul-Bariyyah, Haqiqatul Wahi and also Malfuzat, volume 5 in reference to the attendees of Jalsa Salana, contributors towards Chanda, Jalsa Diamond Jubilee and a peaceful Jamaat. (Teen So Tera Ashab-e-Sidq-o-Wafa, Nasrullah Khan Nasir, Asim Jamali, pp. 42-43)

Respected Sayyedah Tanvir-ulIslam Sahiba is from the progeny of Mir Hissamuddin Sahibra and she was born in 1928 in Sialkot. In January 1948, her marriage took place with Mirza Hafeez Ahmad Sahib and thus, she became the daughter-in-law of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. During various periods between 1956 and 2008, for approximately 48 years, she had the opportunity to serve as the Secretary for Exhibitions in the central Lajna department. Similarly, she has rendered many other services. She had a very loving bond with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. Respected Sayyedah Tanvir-ul-Islam Sahiba was very regular in observing her Tahajud [pre-dawn voluntary] prayers. In fact, one of her assistants at home states that the night she passed away, she woke up at 3am to offer her Tahajud prayer. Then, when she fell back to sleep, she passed away in this state. Her daughter says that she would often tell her that after her marriage, when she became the daughterin-law of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, she received so much love, respect and care from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra and Hazrat Umm-e-Nasir, that she completely forgot about her previous home. She further states that she had a very strong memory and would recall many accounts of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra. May God Almighty grant her His forgiveness and mercy and elevate her status.

The second funeral is of Sister Haajah Shakoora Nooria Sahiba from the USA, who passed away on 1 December 2019: “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”

She was born in 1927 and spent the early years of her life in Washington DC. She taught history in a high school in the 1960s and later obtained an MA in world history. After retirement, she wished to become a protestant missionary, but later, when she came to know that prophet Jesusas was not the son of God, she changed her mind and then completely left the church in 1968. After travelling in USA, Mexico and Canada, she also studied in various universities of Africa. She then took a year’s leave from this and travelled to Europe. She would always remain in search of seeking the answers to various religious questions and issues that would arise in her mind.

Upon her return to Washington DC, she was introduced to Islam through one of her friend’s son, whom she coincidently met at the airport. He had accepted Ahmadiyyat only a short while previous to this. At the time, Respected Mir Muhammad Ahmad Nasir Sahib was serving in USA and along with Respected Mubasher Ahmad Sahib, they were waiting to receive this gentleman and it was during this meeting that they introduced her to Islam. Their interaction continued and gradually she became inclined towards Islam and found in Islam the teachings she was in search of.

In 1979, she saw a dream in which she saw a copy of the Holy Quran and the Kalimah Shahadah [Islamic declaration of faith] and was thus convinced that Islam and Ahmadiyyat is indeed the true faith and subsequently, performed the Bai‘at.

20 After her Bai‘at, she served the Jamaat in various capacities. She would not only attend the various programmes organised

by Lajna Imaillah USA but would play an active role in them.

In 1986, she was appointed as the local president [of Lajna] in Washington DC and served in this role for five years. Alongside this she also served as the deputy national president as well. Aside from this, she also served in various other departments. In 1995, she had the opportunity to perform the Hajj. She was also part of the team which prepared the 118-page index of the 5-volume commentary of the Holy Quran under the guidance and supervision of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh and played a very significant role in this regard. She wrote many articles on a vast array of topics for the magazines of the Jamaat and Lajna Imaillah.

In 1997 and 1998, she started classes

Friday 10 January 2020 | AL HAKAM every Sunday for Atfal. She also served as a councillor for the Ahmadi summer camp for Nasirat. For many years, she served in the Ahmadiyya National Human Rights Committee and during this period, she worked diligently in producing very comprehensive documents which detailed reports in regard to the unjust treatment of the Pakistani government towards Ahmadis.

Shamshad Nasir Sahib, a missionary in the USA, writes: “She would say that above all these works, her greatest passion was tabligh.

She would always give precedence to tabligh work. For many years, she served as the national tabligh secretary for Lajna.

She would also do tabligh on radio and television programmes. She played an active role in setting tabligh programmes in university campuses and churches.

She devised a comprehensive plan to

distribute leaflets of the Jamaat to various ethnic communities.”

In fact, this was not the report of Shamshad Sahib, rather this was in reference to another report. Shamshad Sahib has written the following about her: “Sister Shakoora Nooria Sahiba was very strict in her observance of purdah.

She would always wear the Pakistani style burka and her burka would never be a hindrance in any of her activities. Due to her Jamaat responsibilities, she would have to meet senators and congressmen on an official level and even then she would wear her burka and would fulfil all her responsibilities in an excellent manner.

She would greatly assist the missionaries in the field of Tabligh.”

He further states: “When I first arrived here in the USA, she sat with me and told me about the history of USA and would greatly assist

me in my work. She had great respect and a strong attachment to Khilafat.”

Recently, when I travelled to the USA in 2018, despite her illness and having to endure great pain, she came to meet me in a wheelchair.

“She would regularly listen to the sermons and in the beginning, when there was no MTA, the sermons would be received in the form of cassettes; she would assist in translating the sermon into English. She was regular in her congregational prayers.” He further says, “Whenever I saw her, it was always in the mosque and she would regularly come to attend the prayers in congregation.”

May God Almighty grant her His forgiveness and mercy and elevate her status. May God Almighty continue to grant such individuals to the Jamaat, who are filled with the passion to serve and who display the utmost sincerity and devotion.

The Truth Unveiled Islam is a religion that inculcates the importance of being loyal to the country in which one lives. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace be upon him, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi and Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community always taught the same to his followers.

However, Maulvi Muhammad Hussain of Batala, a staunch opponent, sought to defame the author by sending false reports to the government alleging that the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, was a man who secretly conspired against the state.

Against this backdrop, the author was moved to pen this treatise, in which he outlines his own family background and the long-standing services of his family in support of the British government. He also presents a succinct summary of the teachings of his community. Moreover, the author explains that Muslims who believe in the return of a violent Mahdi who would forcibly convert the world to Islam could not be further from the truth.

www.alislam.org/library/books/The-Truth-Unveiled.pdf

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