Tariq Magazine (Volume 10, Issue 2) by Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK

TARIQ MAGAZINE

Contents

Volume 10, Issue 2 The official publication of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK Baitul Futuh, 181 London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5HF

PART 1: Words of Wisdom 2

Verses of the Holy Qur’an and Commentary

Hadith

Writings of the Promised Messiah

PART 2: Editorial Tel 020 8687 7843 Fax 020 8687 7889

Message from Sadr Sahib

Editorial

Mirza Fakhar Ahmad

PART 3: News & Events

Sadr, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK

Tariq M Chowdhry

Public Speaking: A Powerful Tool

2005 National Badminton Tournament

National Charity Challenge

Mohtamim Isha’at

Tariq Ahmad BT

PART 4: Islam

Naib Sadr, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK and Chief Editor

Hadhrat Umar Farooq

Kalim Anwer

Punishment For Adultery In Islam

Tariq Production Manager and Assistant Editor

PART 5: Ahmadiyyat, The Renaissance of Islam

This Issue’s Design: Irfan Chaudhry Cover Design: Irfan Chaudhry

Book Review: Lecture Ludhiana

Achievements of the Promised Reformer

PART 6: Science and Academia

All correspondence should be forwarded directly to: THE EDITOR, Tariq Magazine Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK Baitul Futuh, 181 London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5HF

Extremism In Religions

Islam’s response to the use of Nuclear and Chemical weapons

Muslims and Terrorism

PART 7: Student Pages 34

Interview Guide

Seal of All the Prophets

Tariq is published by Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, the youth organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Islam. Some of the views expressed by

PART 8: Letters & Comments

contributors may not be the representative views of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, or the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association. Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, Baitul Futuh, 181 London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5HF Tel: 020 8687 7843. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association is a registered charity, UK Charity Reg No. 299081

Letters & Comments

PART 1 WORDS OF WISDOM

Part

1 Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Words of Wisdom

Verses of the Holy Qurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;an and Commentary Hadith (Sayings of the Holy Prophet

)

s | I

Vo l

Writings of the Promised Messiah

e 2

PART 1 WORDS OF WISDOM

Verses of the Holy Qur’an and Commentary ‘And marry not those women whom your fathers married, except what has already passed. It is a thing foul and hateful, and an evil way.’ ‘Forbidden to you are your mothers, and your daughters, and your sisters, and your fathers’ sisters, and your mothers’ sisters, and brother’s daughters, and sister’s daughters, and your foster-mothers that have given you suck, and your foster-sisters, and the mothers of your wives, and your step-daughters, who are your wards, by your wives to whom you have gone in but if you have not gone in unto them, there shall be no sin upon you and the wives of your Sons that are from your loins; and it is forbidden to you to have two sisters together in marriage, except what has already passed; surely, Allah is Most For giving, Merciful.’

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

The Holy Qur’an, Sura Al-Nisa’ , Chapter 4, Verse 23-24

The qualifying clause who are your wards is only added

verse was revealed could be retained. What the words mean

to draw our attention to the fact that we should bring

is, simply, that if such men repent and amend, no harm

up our wards with the same care and tenderness that we

will come to them for what unlawful acts they might have

bestow upon our own children; otherwise marriage with

committed in the past. The past will certainly be for given

the daughters of women with whom conjugal relations

but the women whom it was unlawful to marry were to be

have been established is unlawful, whether or not they are

divorced at once after this verse was revealed. In fact, the

brought up as wards. The daughters of those women with

position of women in pre-Islamic Arabia was so degraded

whom such relations have not been established can be

that men looked upon their step-mothers as part of the

taken into marriage and this is the meaning of the words

chattels, left by their fathers, with whom they did what they

but if you have not gone in unto them, there shall be no sin

liked. Islam accorded to women inviolable rights which

upon you.

he clause except what has already passed does not mean that step-mothers taken as wives before this

could not be infringed with impunity. In conformity with the command contained in the words it The prohibition about marrying mothers, sisters and

is forbidden to you to have two sisters together in marriage,

daughters may look superfluous; but there are certain

the Holy Prophet

people who regard such marriages as not only permissible

one of the two sisters who were together the wives of

but even meritorious. The Holy Qur’an, being a perfect code

one man to be divorced by him after this injunction was

of Law, contains everything essential for man’s physical,

revealed (Tirmidhi).The injunction is based on sentiments

moral and spiritual well-being. The Qur’anic laws are in

of deference to near relationship and is meant to exclude

perfect harmony with human nature. Human nature

possibility of dissensions in the close family circle. For

responds to what is taught by the Holy Qur’an and the Holy

similar reasons the Holy Prophet

Qur’an commands that which human nature demands, and

unite in marriage a maternal aunt and his sister’s daughter

it prohibits what human nature revolts against. The Holy

or a paternal aunt and her brother’s daughter.

Prophet

, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon

him, is reported to have said that the relatives of fostermothers are as forbidden as those within prohibited degree of relationship of real mothers. It is not lawful to marry Ta

riq

foster-sisters and foster-daughters and so on.

M ag

az in e

is reported to have ordered

Source: Muslim Herald May 1982

has forbidden to

PART 1 WORDS OF WISDOM

Hadith

(Sayings of the Holy Prophet

Narrated by Hadhrat Jabir

)

: “Said the Prophet of Allah

‘Best of

you is one who is best in his treatment of his wife and I am the best of you in the treatment of my family.’ ” Tirmidi

Extract from “Forty Gems of Beauty“ by Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad

he emphasis on the kind treatment of one’s wife as

is not the least doubt about it, therefore, that this blessed

enjoined in this hadith is clear and distinct. The Holy

observation of the Holy Prophet

Prophet

attached great importance to

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Commentary

serves

to make the four walls of the home a paradise, provided

a husband’s treatment of his wife and observed, in this

that on her part, the wife abides by the husband’s will

connection, that after belief in God and in His Faith the

and appreciates his love. The unity between husband and

deeds of a man in respect of his treatment of God’s servants

wife necessarily makes its impression on the children and

shall be subject to Divine scrutiny in the light of the rights

thus the felicity of the present becomes the harbinger of a

of His creatures and that the kind treatment of one’s wife

permanent bliss.

holds a place of high priority. So much so, that in the eyes of God the best of Muslims is the one who is best in the treatment of his wife. But since every one is likely to feel, according to his own sense of values, that his treatment of his wife is ideal; in order to dispel this likely error, the Holy Prophet of Allah

said that the standard

of good treatment will not conform to the rules arbitrarily set by individuals but it will be judged by his own example, since by the grace of Allah, his treatment of his wives was

fourteen centuries back, in the midst of a people and in a country where women in general were tied up with two qualifications and set a standard to which even the nations of our day could not, nor ever seem likely to, reach. With two adjuncts, the command about good treatment of one’s wife reaches heights which are the loftiest in this field. These two qualifications are in conformity with the observation made by the Holy Prophet

really the ideal. Through the above observation, the Holy Prophet has raised the standard of marital rights of Muslim women so high that with the possible exception of temporary unpleasantness, which often occurs even in the best regulated families, a life of torment cannot be the lot of

imparted

This is the lesson that our Lord

1. Kind treatment of one’s wife is not only obligatory on the part of a man but is in fact, in the eyes of God, a measure of the excellence of his station and place as a man, in the sphere of his obligations to the servants of God. One who is good in his treatment of his wife is good in the sight of God.

a good wife in the house of a good Muslim. The truth is that

2. The standard for judging one’s good conduct towards

if a wife enjoys comfort at the hands of her husband, she is

one’s wife does not depend on arbitrary opinion of an

prepared to bear every kind of hardship with pleasure for

individual; for self praise is very easy. The standard in this

no other joy of the world has, in comparison, the least value

respect lies in the personal example of the Holy Prophet

in her eyes. But if the husband does not treat his wife with

himself . Only that treatment will be

kindness, then the wealth of her husband is a curse and

termed kindly and good which conforms and sizes up to

also his health a curse. For these gifts are valued only in the

the standard set by his example. 0

Vo l

context of marital happiness and a husband’s love. There

s | I

e 2

PART 1 WORDS OF WISDOM

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Writings of the Promised Messiah

The Promised Messiah and Mahdi, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

riq

You should not think that women are something to be taken as very low and of no importance whatsoever. It is not so. Our perfect Guide, the Holy Prophet has said â&#x20AC;&#x153;the best among you is he who is best in dealings with his wifeâ&#x20AC;?. He who does not treat his wife nicely, cannot be called a righteous person. One can do good to others only if one does good to the wife. He who quarrels with his wife and scolds her for every petty thing and beats her, can certainly do no good to others. At times it so happens, that a person is annoyed with his wife and beats her and as a result of that she gets

M ag

az in e

(1835 - 1908)

hurt at some delicate part of her body and she passes away. Of course, if she does something very undesirable, she may be given a warning. It is the duty of the man to tell his wife that he will not like anything that is contrary to the religious commands, but at the same time he should also tell her that he is not so harsh and hardhearted that he should not overlook any of her shortcomings. Malfoozat (Volume II, page 147)

PART 2 EDITORIAL

Part

2 Editorial Message from Sadr Sahib Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

My dear Khuddam and Atfal,

“Peace be upon you and the Mercy and Blessings of Allah” II pray that you are well.

quarter. The events of the 7th of July 2005 in London only serve to magnify

It is a time of upheaval. Religious, political, social, and economic belief

and bring home these images of despair and frustration.

systems entrenched and accepted for centuries are all under attack. Terrorism in one form or another, especially in fundamental shift of core humanitarian values - values which were cherished, revered, and valued by all. Even worse, human life is considered expendable, whether by institutions, or individuals, as long as it results in attaining a warped agenda of retribution and gain.

continues to shine from within the darkness seemingly enveloping our world. That light is Ahmadiyyat - the true Islam. In these times, it is even more important for us to spread the message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat to all of our acquaintances. The peaceful and beautiful message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat is not only our salvation but also that of the whole of mankind.

Mention the name Islam and it raises the spectre of fear and loathing from the majority of your audience. There is a muted nod to the original teachings of Islam, perhaps a request for better understanding of its’ core values, but

We must pray fervently, but we also must accept and share this responsibility - hoping and waiting for a change is not enough. All of us have to play a part in the future.

more often than not there is a subtle but tacit admission that Islam as represented today is under attack and

May Allah guide us at every step and keep us safe from harm. Ameen.

the actions and teachings of some of its’

Mirza Fakhar Ahmad 0

s | I

followers indefensible in any civilised

Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK

the name of religion, has resulted in a

Vo l

Mirza Fakhar Ahmad Sahib

However, there is a light which

e 2

PART 2 EDITORIAL

Editorial

If there is any person who views these deplorable actions as some kind of justifiable and perverse revenge, well there is a clear message for them. They seek to hijack a noble faith to cloak their sickening ambitions, they commit heinous crimes against God’s creation, they destroy innocent lives – and if this is what they believe, they really have no faith. Yet, as we learn to live with this new reality we must not give up hope on our country, a country which is enriched by its diversity. There is a solution, which begins not just with a condemnation of these despicable acts, but a commitment to eradicate such evil from our society. We must be clear in our objectives - those who seek to spread evil and hate of any kind deserve no place in any civilised society. All communities, all faiths have to be united in fighting this extreme and dangerous enemy, which seeks to take root from within.

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Tariq Ahmad BT Sahib Naib Sadr, Majils Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK and Chief Editor

Many of us in the Jama’at shared the emotions of the millions impacted by the London tragedy. From being caught up in the chaos and thinking that it was just another failure of the transport system, to arriving at offices in the City and watching the horrors of the day unfurl. How a broken down train, became a power surge and then London’s worst nightmare. The anxiety of waiting until all friends and family were thankfully accounted for and then travelling home in apprehension. Waking the next day to find trains deserted and to be confronted by the news that racists were seeking to hijack the tragic events to justify their bigoted stance- and then to feel a cold chill overcome us as we learnt that it was young home bred terrorists who committed these crimes. As Ahmadi Muslims we respect the values and freedoms our country provides and this deep regard for these values is inspired by our faith. No conflict but an appreciation and thankfulness to the Almighty for what we have.

The tragic events of Thursday 7 July 2005 changed Britain.

There is an Islam which may be labelled by some as moderate and by bigots as not being Islam at all, well, it is there it is Ahmadiyyat.

These horrific acts have brought into focus the need to tackle the spread of evil and terror in Britain. The subsequent revelation that this was the work of young British Muslims was a defining moment in community relations and a wake up call for us all.

It is Islam in its pristine beauty. It is an Islam which preaches and teaches that the taking of innocent life is akin to killing all of humanity. It states that there is no compulsion in religion –it implores upon all mankind to serve humanity and it condemns terrorism, without exception. This Islam, is the true Islam.

What possessed some young men to board a train, contemplate their evil designs and then commit an incomprehensible atrocity, which whilst leaving families and lives destroyed and has done no service to the faith they claimed to follow.

riq

It has been made clear, yet I believe it is message that must be repeated time and time again- Islam has no place for terrorism of any kind - whoever the perpetrator, whatever the reason, whoever the victim. Whether it the tragedy of July 7th, September 11th, or the all too frequent suicide bombings in the Middle East – there is no justification. It is an abhorrent act against the teachings of all religions – an act against humanity.

M ag

az in e

Our community, led by our beloved Imam, Hadhrat Khilafatul Masih V , together with countless millions of all creeds, faiths and colours and backgrounds deplored these actions. As loyal citizens it is our role to stand up and be counted. We should not be terrorised by anyone. We love our faith and country far too much to let evil acts destroy what we have and it is our duty to expose these false Imam’s who are but preachers of hate. Let us pray, that Allah enables us to convey the beautiful message of peace which is the very essence of our faith. Tariq Ahmad BT

PART 3 NEWS AND EVENTS

Part

3 Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

News & Events

Public Speaking: A Powerful Tool

National Badminton Tournament

Vo l

National Charity Challenge

s | I

e 2

PART 3 NEWS AND EVENTS

Public Speaking: A Powerful Tool

can take the title and, in the English competition, this was

speaking should be a skill that is second nature to us all.

flowing style, gave an excellent delivery. Runners up in this

The 2005 Khuddam National Speech competition, hosted

category were Usman

by Baitul Futuh Region, showed just that. Attendance at the

Noor and Siraj Khan of

East Region.

If English is the

language of

hey say that public speaking is a skill which some of us have and others lack. As Ahmadi Muslims, public

won by Khalid Ahmad of Islamabad who, with his calm and Khan of Baitul

event may have been humble, but the quality of speeches was certainly not.

business than Urdu is

the language

The event began with Tilawat and verses 26 to 29 of Sura Ta

of poetry; and this was

the category

Ha were recited

of speeches in the

latter half

of the day. The speeches “Loosen the knot from my tongue that they may understand my speech”

delivered were of a high

Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, Mirza Fakhar Ahmad

standard, all very

Sahib, opened the event by stating that the verses recited

clear and articulate.

were a very powerful prayer and should be oft recited in the field of tabligh and other such occasions. Sadr Sahib expressed that “speaking is a gift that we should employ for tabligh. Indeed, it is through the medium of speech and the

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

pen that we should be conveying our arguments. The Holy Prophet

won over the hearts of the people

by reasoning, not by the sword.” This is indeed true and it is worthy of note here that the Promised Messiah

once remarked that

if the Muslims were to bring back the supremacy of Islam through the use of weapons, then Allah has surely

The winner of the second half was Rana Irfan Shezad of

neglected His people. This indicates that Muslims were not

Muqami and the runners up were Tahir Imran of Luton and

to win over the people through such means, since swords

Waqar Ahmed Nasir of Manchester.

can only win territories, not hearts. It was through the gift of truthful speech that the Muslims of the latter days would

At the concluding ceremony we were delighted to

bring people into the fold of Islam.

welcome Naseer Qamar Sahib to give us a few words of wisdom regarding the delivery of speeches. Naseer Qamar

The competition itself was divided into two halves. The first

Sahib expressed that giving a speech should come from

half consisted of speeches conducted in English. One thing I

the heart. He mentioned that there are many scholars

couldn’t help notice was that the majority of speeches were

outside the Jama’at

given on the Life of Hadhrat

who deliver great

Abu Bakr

factual speeches,

. This shows that there is a

but their actions do

genuine interest amongst

not conform to their

Khuddam regarding

words.“There is no

early Islamic history,

point reading as a parrot”,

something that our

he remarked. Until you

beloved Huzur

have fully understood the message of the

has greatly

speech, you cannot

encouraged. But

deliver it to the

alas, in such

best of your

competitions

abilities.

there can only be one Ta

exceptional riq

speaker that

M ag

az in e

Runner Up By Kalim Anwer

Usman Khan (Baitul Noor)

PART 3 NEWS AND EVENTS

2005 National Badminton Tournament

he tournament was hosted this year by the Midlands Region and was held on Saturday, 19 February 2005.

Fittingly, the event took place in Leicester where the local Khuddam have a long-standing tradition of weekly badminton sessions. The tournament organiser was Habib Akram, former Qaid of Leicester, and Naseer Shams sahib, National Mohtamim Sehat-e-Jismani. The venue chosen was a brand new, multi-million pound leisure centre. The entire sports hall (comprising four badminton courts and a seated spectator area) was booked for the whole day, as well as a separate conference room for congregational prayers. Registration commenced at 10am followed by an opening session with Tilawat, Pledge, welcoming remarks and an explanation of the rules. The action started shortly after 11am. With plenty of courts and willing players, there were two separate competitions for singles and doubles matches. Both competitions were run on a round-robin league basis

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

so that everyone got a good number of matches whether they won or lost. The standard of the players covered the whole spectrum. From those whose aim was just to get the shuttlecock over the net to seasoned veterans battling it out for the top spot. After lunch, Zuhr and Asr prayers were offered in congregation. Everyone then settled back in the sports hall to watch the quarter finals, semi-finals and finals for both singles and doubles. The winners of the doubles were Raja Mobeen Ahmad and Qazi Rafiq Ahmad of South Region. The winner of the singles was Gohar Maqsood of Baitul Futuh Region. The standard of both winners and the runners up was uniformly excellent. The final session was presided over by Mirza Fakhar Ahmad Sahib (Sadr, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK) and Saleem Ahmad Sahib (President of Leicester). The dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s report was delivered by Regional Qaid, Rehan Akram Sahib. Suitably elegant trophies were distributed to the winners and runners up. There were 57 Khuddam in attendance on the day, with 52 playing. The 7 regions represented were Midlands, Muqami, Islamabad, Hertfordshire, Baitul Futuh, South and North East. The proceedings were brought to a close by final remarks from Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK and silent prayer. Alhamdolillah, the event was very enjoyable for all and the feedback from participants was very positive.

s | I

Vo l

Rehan Akram (Regional Qaid, Midlands)

e 2

PART 3 NEWS AND EVENTS

National Charity Challenge he National Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Charity Walk is

beauty and natural landscape. It may also be worthy of

hosted by a different region each year. The underlying

interest that Lyme appeared as ‘Pemberley’ in the BBC’s

purpose of this is to invigorate and motivate the Region

adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice.

into working together as a team to achieve results. This year the honour went to the North

Work began in earnest in late March when the route and format of the event

West Region under the

was discussed, followed

chairmanship of the

by several

Regional Qaid,

outings to

Ali Khan

Lyme

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Sahib.

Park Once

in order

Sadr Sahib

to map out

Majlis Khuddamul

an ideal route.

Ahmadiyya UK had

Throughout this period,

approved the date of Sunday, 15th May 2005, work and planning for the event began. After

the park wardens of Lyme Park were on hand to advise which areas and paths would be best

investigating various venues, it was decided that the walk

suited. A 10 mile route was eventually chosen, incorporating

should be held in Lyme Park: a 1400 acre National Trust

the best scenes within the park.

Park in the corner of the English Peak District containing moorland, woodland and parkland. It also contains an early 18th century hunting tower (The Cage) and Lyme house - which was originally a Tudor house but updated in the Victorian period. The park was chosen for its surrounding

riq

M ag

az in e

In addition to the walk site, Darul Aman, the North West Mission House in Manchester was also used as part of the host venue. Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK has long standing

PART 3 NEWS AND EVENTS

Sahib. The walk began at 11.30am. This year, as in last year’s National Charity event in Milton Keynes, a 10 kilometre run was also incorporated as well as a shorter 4 mile route for Atfal.

were invited to the walk as the selected charities Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya wanted to support this year. As in

The run times were extremely quick, with the winner, Ataul Quddus from Hounslow North (Middlesex Region) coming in at 49 minutes and 30 seconds.

previous years, a few local charities were also chosen for

A late lunch was served back at Darul Aman followed

sponsership in order to build links in the Region with the

by a closing session in the main hall. This was presided

local communities. The charities sponsored were: Save the

over by respected Naib Amir, Mansoor Shah Sahib.

Children, Cancer Research, Leukaemia Research, Humanity

Certificates of Support were given to the attending charity

First, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Mustard Tree, Evergreen

representatives, pledging a donation from the sponsorship

Appeal and the National Trust.

money raised from across the country. Prizes were then

Sponsorship forms were sent to Qaideen across the country, who distributed them to their respective Khuddam and Atfal and who in turn began collecting promises for donations supporting the walk they were soon to

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

links with a number of National Charities and these

awarded to the winners of the various events with the winner of the top sponsorship raised shield going to Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, Mirza Fakhar Ahmad Sahib, for raising £2,800.

participate in. Posters were displayed in Jama’at Mission

The total attendance for the day exceeded 450 people with

Houses and the Charity Challenge web site

a great deal of that number coming from the southern

(www.mkacc.org) was updated with details regarding the

regions. Almost 80 Khuddam and Atfal from Muqami region

event.

came to participate in the walk.

On the Saturday before the event, Khuddam from all

After the walk, many people expressed their joy in having

over the country came to Darul Aman in the evening

taking part in an event set in such a beautiful part of

in preparation for the charity walk so they could wake

the country. Alhamdolillah, the weather remained bright

up bright and early for the event. The atmosphere on

and

sunny throughout the day. The

Saturday night was alive with a sense of occasion and it was refreshing to see Darul Aman at full capacity, housing in excess of 250 people, all of whom were excited to see what

participants

tomorrow had in store for them.

left Darul Aman in

The next day saw a migration of cars not only from Darul Aman but from all over the country travelling up the M6 (or M1 for those who got lost) and converging in Lyme Park. Once everybody was congregated at the start point, Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, Mirza Fakhar Ahmad Sahib, gave a few words of guidance to the participants

the evening tired but with an expression of happiness, having taken part in a walk that raised much money for charity whilst being thoroughly enjoyed in the company of fellow Khuddam.

s | I

e 2

Vo l

followed by silent prayer led by Maulana Laiq Ahmad Tahir

PART 4 Islam

Part

4 Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Islam

Hadhrat Umar Farooq “There is no Angel in the Heaven that does not respect Umar and no shaytan on the Earth but that he is afraid of Umar” Saying of the Holy Prophet

Early days and conversion to Islam

opponent of Islam. So much so, that one day he took up his sword and left his house with the intention to kill the

adhrat Umar’s

exact date of birth is

Holy Prophet

not known. The consensus of opinion is that he was

approximately 10 years younger then the Holy Prophet . Hadhrat Umar Holy Prophet

who had already accepted Islam. He went straight to them

and the

and knocked at their door. He could hear the Holy Qur’an

had a common ancestor in

being recited in the house. This made him furious and he

had a

Ka’b in the ninth degree. Hadhrat Umar

in the process, who was trying to protect her husband. His

wrestling prowess. He was also ambidextrous (i.e. he could

wounded sister said in a resolute voice, “Umar! You may

use both right and left hands equally well)i. His personal

beat us as much as you like, but we are not going to give up

name was Umar and ibn Khattaab was his family name. The

our faith.” This made him calm down, and he asked them

that the Holy Prophet

stated

to recite a portion of the Holy Qur’an for him. He was so

gave him the title

moved by the Qur’anic verses that his eyes filled with tears.

“Al-Faruq” (i.e. one who distinguishes truth from falsehood)

He went straight to the Holy Prophet

because since his conversion, Islam began to be shown

accepted Islam at his hands. As he was a strong, fearless

openly and a distinct separation made between truth and

and influential man of Mecca, he proved to be a source

falsehood.

of strength for the Muslims. This miraculous change in

When the Holy Prophet

Hadhrat Umar

announced his

Holy Prophet’s

claim to Prophethood, Umar ibn Khattab became a fierce riq

i M

Page 5, Hadhrat Umar Farooque

Professor Masud-ul-Hasan, Islam Publications

az in e

started beating his brother-in-law and wounded his sister

strong physique and was renowned for his athleticism and

companions of the Holy Prophet

. On his way, someone told

him to first deal with his own sister and brother-in-law,

was in fact the result of the prayer for him which has

been narrated in the following hadith: ,

and

PART 4 ISLAM

“Ibn Masud related that the Holy Prophet

Muslim state to safety after negotiating the stormy sea. He successfully

said ‘O Allah, strengthen Islam with whoever is more beloved to You

waged the apostasy wars, and thanks to him, Islam is now supreme

of these two men: Umar ibn Khattab or Abu Jahl ibn Hisham’”.ii

in Arabia. Islam is now on the move and we are carrying Jihad in the

Hadhrat Umar one but Allah

feared no

name of Allah against the mighty empires of Byzantine and Persia. After Abu Bakr

, the mantle of Khilafat has fallen on my

shoulders. I swear it before God that I never coveted this oﬃce. I wished that

is reported as saying:

it would have devolved on some other person more worthy than me. But

“I don’t know of anyone who didn’t emigrate in secret except for Umar ibn al-Khattab; because when he wanted to emigrate he strapped on his sword, put his bow over his shoulder, carried his arrows in his hand, and came to the Ka’bah where the nobles of Quraysh were in the courtyard.

now that in national interest, the responsibility for leading the Muslims has come to vest in me, I assure you that I will not run away from my post, and will make an earnest eﬀort to discharge the onerous duties of the oﬃce to the best of my capacity in accordance with the injunctions of Islam.

He performed seven circuits, and then prayed two raka’at at the Station

In the performance of my duties, I will seek guidance from the

(of Ibrahim). Then he approached their circle one step at a time and said,

Holy Book, and will follow the examples set by the Holy Prophet

‘Whoever wishes to bereave his mother, orphan his children and widow his wife then let him meet me behind this valley.’ Not one of them followed him.”iii

and Abu Bakr

. In this task

I seek your assistance. If I follow the right path, follow me. If I deviate from the right path, correct me so that we are not led astray”.v

Another Companion, An-Nawawi, is reported to have said: “Umar attended, along with the Messenger of Allah , all of the battles and he was one of those

History bears testimony that Hadhrat Umar sacrificed his wealth and dedicated his life for the cause

who stood firm beside him on the Day of Uhud.”

of Islam. He was an extremely intelligent and God-fearing

Hadhrat Umar robe of Khilafat

person. He was one of the ten blessed ones to whom the

adorns the

had given the glad tidings

Holy Prophet

that they had been rewarded Paradise. During the ten years

During his last days, Hadhrat Abu Bakr

was

confined to bed due to his illness and appointed Hadhrat to lead the prayers. Realising that his

Umar

summoned

end was near, Hadhrat Abu Bakr

of his Khilafat, the Islamic state expanded and progressed extensively. Peace and prosperity prevailed everywhere in the state. During the period of his Khilafat, the Muslims had to fight a number of battles against Iran, Iraq, Syria

the companions of the Holy Prophet

and Egypt. As a result of this, vast areas of these countries

regarding the nomination of the future Khalifa. The general

came under Muslim rule. When the city of Jerusalem and

was the

consensus was that Hadhrat Umar

man fit to hold the office of Khalifa. Hadhrat Abu Bakr and informed him that he was to succeed him as Khalifa. said, “But I have no desire

for the office”. Thereupon Hadhrat Abu Bakr replied “But the office needs you”.iv

addressed the Muslims who had assembled in the Holy Prophet’s

“0 ye faithful! Abu Bakr

Umar

himself visited the city on the request

and the people of Jerusalem.

A voice beyond the mountain Hadhrat Umar

After the assumption to the office of Khalifa, Hadhrat Umar

of the address, Hadhrat Umar

Palestine was conquered by the Muslims in 17 AH. Hadhrat of the Romans, and signed a treaty between the Muslims

called for Hadhrat Umar Hadhrat Umar

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Hadhrat Ali

mosque. In the course said:

sent an army and put at

the head of them a man called Sariyah. While Hadhrat was delivering the Friday Sermon he

Umar

suddenly cried out “Sariyah the mountain!” three times. When Hadhrat Umar

was questioned about

this he said:

is no more amongst us.

After having led us for about two years, he has returned to His Maker. He has the satisfaction that he has successfully piloted the ship of the

“By Allah I could not control it. I saw them ﬁghting near a mountain and they were being attacked from in front of them and from behind them. I could not stop myself from saying

Page 106, The History of the Khalifas Who

‘Sariyah the mountain’, so that they could reach the mountain”.

Took the Right Way, Jalal ad-din as-Siyuti iii iv

Page 113, Ibid Page 107, Hadhrat Umar Farooque

Then a month later the messenger of the army came and he asked Hadhrat Umar

, Professor Masud-ul-Hasan, Islam 0

e 2

Page 110, Ibid um

Vo l

Publications

s | I

PART 4 Islam

“Amir al-Muminin, we were being defeated and in that situation

distribute the food justly and send any remaining food to

we heard a voice crying out, ‘Sariyah the mountain!’ three times.

Medina. In Medina, the condition was bad too. A centre

We turned towards the mountain and Allah gave us victory.”

was set up where meals were cooked every morning and

Famine ravages the country

evening under Hadhrat Umar’s supervision. Hadhrat Umar

(Due to the detail captured, this section has been extracted in

eat. Thus, everyone knew that the Khalifah was eating the

its entirety from “Hadhrat Umar Farooq” by Islam International

same food that they were eating. It is related that at one

Publications)

sitting about seven thousand men ate with him and food

would also sit along with other people to

for about fifty thousand women and children was sent to In 18 AH a famine struck Arabia. There was no rain for nine

their homes.

months. As a result the crops, trees and even the wild plants and bushes died for lack of water. The animals were reduced

Once, someone brought bread dipped in ghee for him.

to skeletons and many died because of hunger. Distressed

Hadhrat Umar

and asked

people flocked to Hadhrat Umar for help. Hadhrat Umar

the food with him. The villager began to eat hastily. Hadhrat asked him, “How long has it been since

Umar

ordered that those who were suffering should be helped

you have eaten such a bread?” He replied that he had not

from the treasury. Soon all food in the Central Treasury at

eaten ghee or meat for a long time nor did he see anyone

Medina ran out. It is related that during those days Hadhrat

eating such delicious bread for that period. Hadhrat Umar

Umar

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

comforted them and

called upon a villager to share

resolved that he would not eat ghee or meat

used to go straight to his house and

engage himself in prayer until midnight. He would also get up in the latter part of the night and cry before his Lord for help. His son Abdullah related that one day he heard his father praying to God saying, “0 Allah! Deliver the Muslims from this calamity. Do not let them perish.” wrote to all Provincial

Hadhrat Umar

unless they were easily available to the public. Once, when he was passing near his son Abdullah’s house Hadhrat Umar

smelt roasted meat. He was

much perturbed to see that his family was cooking meat while other people were striving to get any food. He went straight in and found that Abdullah was busy in cooking

Governors to send food to Medina immediately. In one such

meat. Assuming that the animal was one of that which was

letter to Hadhrat Amr bin Al Aas, the Governor of Palestine,

sent in aid, he brought the cooking pot outside. His son

he wrote, “0 Amr, if you do not want us to die of hunger, help

Abdullah also came out and begged, “Ameer-ul-Momineen!

help help.” Similar letters were despatched to the Governors

This animal was not from the lot sent in aid. It belonged to my

of Syria and Iraq. The tone of these letters show how

son, who is your grandson as well. I longed for eating meat

grieved Hadhrat Umar

was at the plight of

so I purchased it from him and slaughtered it.” Hearing this forgave him. On

explanation Hadhrat Umar

the people of Arabia.

another occasion when a camel was slaughtered in Medina In reply, Hadhrat Abu Obaidah bin Al-Jarrah, the Governor

and food was served to Hadhrat Umar

of Syria, sent four thousand camels loaded with grain.

found nice big chunks of meat in his plate. He refused to

Hadhrat Umar directed that the food be distributed to

eat, saying “I do not want to eat these nice big chunks of meat

people living in the outskirts of Medina.

and leave meatless bones for other Muslims.”

Hadhrat Amr bin Al-Aas sent twenty ships full of food. Two

Hadhrat Umar

large buildings were built at the port to store this food.

supplication to God Almighty and the days in distributing

appointed Hadhrat Zaid bin

Hadhrat Umar

Saabit to list all the famine stricken people and the amount of food they needed. Coupons, bearing the seal of Hadhrat Umar

, the Khalifah, were given to the people

against which they could obtain their food. When Hadhrat Umar

learnt that more food

supplies were on the way to Medina, he sent his officers all over Arabia to inform the people that aid was coming. Hadhrat Umar Ta

riq

M ag

az in e

instructed his officers to

, he

used to spend the nights in

food to the people of Medina. As the food that he was eating was not wholesome, his health began to deteriorate. When a Companion of the Holy Prophet showed his concern regarding the health of Hadhrat Umar , he said “An Arab (meaning himself) used to eat ghee and meat and drink milk. Because of famine he stopped eating such food. As a result the colour of his skin has changed and he often starves.” Because of his position, Hadhrat Umar

could

distribute the food under their own supervision and to

obtain plentiful amounts of nice food if he so desired, but

see that no person dies of hunger. They were asked to

he preferred to eat the same food as was available to others.

PART 4 ISLAM

Once, a small girl came to see him. She was very pale and

•Establishment of an official finance department, Baitul

weak. Hadhrat Umar

Maal

asked who she was. His

son, Hadhrat Abdullah, said “Ameer-ul-Momineen! This is your grand daughter. Due to starvation she was reduced to

state

a skeleton, that is why you could not recognise her.”

•Initiated the postal services

When the period of famine grew longer and Hadhrat realised that it was extremely difficult

Umar

•Building of schools and mosques in different parts of the

•Introduction of the Islamic Calendar

to get more food from outside and there was no sign of any rain either, he became more worried. He asked the

Hadhrat Umar

people of Medina to come out of the city in order to beg

appoint men of approved integrity to high offices in the

mercy from Allah and offer special prayers for rain. It is

state. He watched over them like a hawk, and as soon as

related that he held the hand of Hadhrat Abbas, an uncle

any lapse on their part came to the notice of Hadhrat

of the Holy Prophet

Umar

, and prayed to God

went on praying until his

enquiries were held and when any officer was found guilty, he was removed. Thus the concept of an ombudsman

beard was soaked in tears. God took mercy on them and

which the West so highly pride themselves on, originates

soon afterwards it started to rain. The crops came to life and

from Hadhrat Umar’s style of government. Hadhrat Umar exhorted all those concerned to realise that

the period of famine ended.vi

Hadhrat Umar’s Hadhrat Umar

wisdom was a man of great

the officers were not meant to rule; they were there to serve the people. No political thinker or ruler since Hadhrat Umar

said

knowledge. Once the Holy Prophet

has been able to come forward with a better

that while he was asleep, he had a dream that he was

concept of the purpose of the state than the concept

drinking milk, and the milk began to flowing through his

enunciated by Hadhrat Umar

then passed the

nails. The Holy Prophet

. The Companions

milk onto Hadhrat Umar

asked for the interpretation of this dream, to which the Holy replied that the milk represented

Prophet

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

, send us some rain.” It is reported

that Hadhrat Umar

, immediate action was taken. People

were free to complain against their officers. Impartial

Almighty, “0 Allah! For the sake of the uncle of the Holy Prophet

took particular care to

knowledge.

. Some of his

standing instructions to his executives were to keep away from malice; to be careful in respect of Allah’s property in your charge; to be accessible to the people; seek company with the righteous; to attend to your job with due diligence; to not procrastinate in the despatch of state business;

The instructions that he issued to his officers to regulate state business are very much modern in content. He was a good judge of men. He could discern the truth from falsehood. Whatever he regarded as the truth he spoke it even though it might appear to be bitter. Hadhrat Umar paid full attention to the welfare of the

to watch your subordinates; to take immediate action against those who are corrupt and to award merit. All these instructions, given 1,400 years ago, would be as true today as these were then.

Hadhrat Umar’s the people

care for

people. He was able to establish a splendid system of administration for the Islamic state and his Khilafat marked

Hadhrat Umar

a golden period in the history of Islam. Some of his main

farsighted man. He was so anxious about the welfare of his

, was a pious, kind and

achievements in this field are:

people that he used to travel in the city of Medina at night in disguise to see for himself if anyone was in need of help.

•Establishment of Majlis Shura (a consultative body of

Once, during such a patrol, he observed a woman cooking

advisors to the Khalifa)

something in a pot while her children were crying around

•Establishment of a state register

her. He found out from the woman that her children were hungry for two days and the pot was put on fire just to

•Division of the whole Islamic state into provinces to

console them. Hadhrat Umar

facilitate administration

went to the treasury, and brought himself all the necessary

food items to the woman. On his way, one of his servants

Pages 79 to 83, Hadhrat Umar Farooq , Islam International Publications

immediately

offered to carry the load but he stopped him, saying “On the 0

e 2

Vo l

Limited

s | I

PART 4 Islam

Day of Judgment you will not carry my load.” On another

replied,

Hadhrat Umar

occasion a Bedouin and his wife came to Medina and were in a predicament as the lady suffered the pains of childbirth. Hadhrat Umar’s

wife acted as a midwife

while he sat outside the tent the entire time awaiting the birth of the child.

Hadhrat Umar son’s marriage One night, Hadhrat Umar

coins; it is to be measured in the scale of national values. I shall oﬀer her the highest award in my gift, and which shall also be in the highest interest of the nation.”

The Khalifa summoned the daughter and the mother

arranges his

to his court. The mother trembled as she stood before the Khalifa, but the girl faced the Khalifa boldly and with equanimity. Then, before the gathering, Hadhrat Umar related that he had overheard the mother

went, as usual, in

disguise with his companion lbn Abbas to see the condition

and the daughter, and how in spite of the exhortations of

of the people. They strolled from one quarter to another. At

the mother the daughter kept her resolve.

last they came to a colony where very poor people lived. While passing by a small hut, the Khalifa heard a whispering talk within. A mother was telling her daughter that the amount fetched by her that day on account of the sale of milk was very little. She told her that when she was young, and used to sell milk, she always mixed water with milk, and

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

“Such a girl would become a great mother. Her integrity is not to be weighed with

that led to considerable profit. She advised her daughter to do the same.

Someone suggested that the mother should be taken to task. The Khalifa said that ordinarily he would have, but he had forgiven her for the sake of her daughter. Turning said, “Islam needs

to the girl Hadhrat Umar

daughters like you, and as the Khalifa it devolves on me to reward you by owning you as a daughter.” The Khalifa called his sons, and addressing them said, “Here

The girl said, “You adulterated milk when you were not a Muslim. Now that we are Muslims, we cannot adulterate milk.” The mother said that Islam did not stand in the way of the adulteration of milk. The daughter said, “Have you forgotten the Khliafa’s orders? He does not want the milk

is a gem of a girl, who would make a great mother. I desire that one of you should take this girl as a wife. I know no better bride than this girl of sterling character. In matters of wedlock, it should be the character, and not the stature in life, that should count.”

to be adulterated.” The mother said, “But the Khalifa has

Asim, the third son of Hadhrat Umar

forgotten us. We are so poor, what else should we do but

unmarried and offered to marry the girl. With the consent

adulterate milk in order to win bread?” The daughter said

of the girl and her mother, the marriage went ahead, and

“Such bread would not be lawful, and as a Muslim I would

the milkmaid became the daughter-in-law of the Khalifa.

not do anything which is against the orders of the Khalifa,

Interestingly, from this union was born a daughter Umm

and whereby other Muslims are deceived.” The mother said,

Asim who, in due course, became the mother of Hadhrat

“But there is neither the Khalifa nor any of his officers here

Umar bin Abdul Aziz. Hadhrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz

to see what we do. Daughter, you are still a child. Go to bed

became a great Khalifa of Islam. While other Khalifas of the

now and tomorrow I will myself mix the milk with water for

Ummayad dynasty revelled in luxury, he set up standards

you.”

of austerity and simplicity following in the footsteps of

The girl refused to fall in with the plan of her mother and said, “The Khalifa may or may not be here, but his order must be obeyed. You may escape the notice of the Khalifa

Hadhrat Umar

, was yet

Hadhrat Umar of martydom

attains rank

and his officers, but can we escape the notice of Allah and our own conscience.” There upon the mother remained

Hadhrat Umar

quiet. The lamp was extinguished and the mother and

of a Persian slave called Fairuz, belonging to al-Mughira

the daughter went to sleep. The next day, Hadhrat Umar

ibn Shu’ba, Governor of Kufa. He complained of being

sent a man to purchase milk from the girl. The milk was unadulterated. The girl had kept her resolve. Hadhrat Umar

turned to his companion

and said, “The girl has kept her resolve in spite of the exhortation of her mother. She deserves a reward. What reward should I give her?”. “She should be paid some Ta

riq

overtaxed by his master. The build up to the incident ran as follows: “What is your profession?” asked Hadhrat Umar . “Carpenter, decorator, blacksmith” retorted the slave.

money”, said Ibn Abbas. “In that case,” observed Hadhrat Umar

M ag

az in e

met martydom at the hand

“I do

PART 4 ISLAM

not think the tax of two dirhams is too much. I heard that

gathering it on the ground. Hadhrat Umar

you have said you could even construct a windmill. Can you

interpreted this dream to mean that he should name the

make one for me?”

eligible candidates and then leave them to choose one form among themselves as the Khalifa. Hadhrat Umar

“If you live long enough, I will construct a windmill for you that will be talked about both in the east and the west.”

accordingly formed a committee of six companions to elect a successor. They were:

Saying this, he murmured “Umar extended his justice to everyone except me!”

1. Abdu’r-Rahman ibn Awf 2. Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas

Turning to his companions, Hadhrat Umar

3. Uthman ibn Affan

commented, “The slave boy has just now threatened me”, but Hadhrat Umar

did not take any measures

against him. And thus, in the year 644 CE, Hadhrat Umar

4. Ali ibn Abu Talib 5. Taiha ibn Ubaydullah 6. Az-Zubayr ibn al-’Awwam

was stabbed by the Persian slave while offering the Fajr prayer in the mosque. This proved fatal

All the above were mentioned by name in a speech by the

and he passed away at the age of sixty five. Ina lillah, wa ina

Holy Prophet

ilayhe rajeoon.

away after the Farewell Pilgrimage, as being models of piety

As he lay dying, Hadhrat Umar

laid thinking

about the issue of nominating a successor. He fell asleep and saw a dream in which a man who had laid out the garden was plucking all the ripe and unripe fruit and

and that he was well pleased with them. Inspired by Allah the All Knowing, the committee elected Hadhrat Uthman ibn Affan

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Hadhrat Umar appoints the Council of Electors

shortly before his passing

to the noble station of Khalifa.

Thus, due to the foresight of Hadhrat Umar

system was laid down to elect a successor during such dire times. A system which was lost and ultimately reinstated by one community: the Ahmadiyya Muslim Movement within Islam.

s | I

e 2

Vo l

MAP SOURCE: Al-Khulafa Ar-Rashidun by S.A. Khulusi (Ta Ha Publishers)

PART 4 Islam

Punishment For Adultery In Islam t perpetually begs the question in the history of religion

are subject to some interpretation) and Mukhimaat (i.e.

as to why the greatest harm to religion comes from

verses that are direct commandments). It is evident that the

within, if the people of that respective religion itself. The

Qur’anic verse on the topic of adultery comes under the

story of Judas Iscariot remains fresh in most minds I am

brand of Mukhimaat for the verse preceding the Qur’anic

sure. The Muslim Ummah, it appears, may soon follow suit.

injunction on adultery states:

As narrated to us in the Holy Qur’an, this group of people who deform religion intrinsically were present at the time of the Holy Prophet

“This is a Surah which We have revealed and the ordinances of which We have made obligatory; and We have revealed therein

“And among the Hypocrites are those who have built a mosque in order

clear

commandments

that

you

may

take

heed.”

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 24, Verse 2

to injure Islam and help disbelief and to cause a division among the believers, and to prepare an ambush for him who warred against Allah

The verse in question reads:

and His Messenger before this. And they will surely swear; ‘We meant nothing but good;’ but Allah bears witness that they are certainly liars.”

“The adulteress and the adulterer - ﬂog each one of them with a hundred stripes. And let not pity for the twain take hold of you in

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 9, Verse 107

executing the judgment of Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment.”

More recently there have been numerous instances

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

whereby Muslims have really dealt a wound to Islam. The Salman Rushdie affair is an apt example which witnessed the notorious fatwa by Ayatollah Khomeini issuing an Islamic ruling that Salman Rushdie was punishable by death. Something that to this day is haunting the Muslims, particularly in light of the recent death of Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh, who produced a film that portrayed Islam incorrectly. Yet, in practice with the True Islam and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet

there is

should be stoned to death for their vice. However, one will find that they are actually rooted in the Hadith (sayings of the Holy Prophet

It appears the misconception seems to come from a were stoned to death by the order of the Holy Prophet

the Western world is the notion that whosoever commits adultery deserves being punished to death by way of stoning. Cases of women being stoned to death under purported “Shariah Law” have been plentiful of recent. A Tunisian-born Frenchwoman, for instance, was stoned to death and in Iran under the alleged Islamic state there were enumerable occasions of women being stoned to death for committing adultery. One must then pose the question; from where have so many Muslim scholars extracted this belief that in Islam the punishment for adultery is stoning by death? First and foremost, let us turn to the word of God and the supreme authority of the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Qur’an, it must be said, is quite explicit and unambiguous about this matter, especially in light of the two types of verses that are present in the Holy Qur’an: Mutashabihat (i.e. verses that ag

az in e

to the common held belief that an adulterer or adulteress

few cases recorded in the Hadith when married persons

by mainstream Islam that has found great publicity in

the verses of above, neither approach should lend support

in accordance with this, Jama’at Ahmadiyya published a counter argument to Rushdie’s “Satanic Verses”.

riq

Whether it be prima facie or meticulous examination of

no punishment of death for apostasy or blasphemy, and

Similarly, another grave misinterpretation promulgated

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 24, Verse 3

. One such case was that of a Jew and a Jewess who were stoned to death in accordance with Mosaic Law. It was invariably the Holy Prophet’s practice that he abided by the Law of the Torah in adjudicating over matters until a new commandment was revealed to him. There are a few other cases in which the accorded punishment was stoning to death, but it has not been unequivocally established whether the decision given by the Holy Prophet was prior to or after the verse under comment had been revealed. It seems in such cases that the crime of adultery was committed before the revelation of this verse. But, by some miscalculation on the part of the chronicler, it was believed to have taken place after it. An additional argument that is present in the Holy Qur’an is of the verse which denotes that those bondmen or bondwomen who are guilty of adultery should be held punishable, but their punitive measure should be halved. If we hypothetically accept that Islam’s penalty for adultery is

PART 4 ISLAM

death by stoning, how can such a punishment be halved?

showed that she had learnt her lesson and that the certain

Precisely, it is impossible. However, if one accepts that 100

religious penalties are devised to act as deterrents.

stripes should be meted out, it is conceivable that the punishment for bondmen and bondwomen then becomes

In summary, this scenario shows the Prophet Muhammad’s disinclination to implementing such a

50 stripes.

harsh Mosaic law which, for the state of the Jews at the Perhaps it is appropriate at this juncture to cite an incident

time of Moses, was relatively proportionate. However,

which not only portrays the magnificent character of our

the manner in which the Holy Prophet

reveals the weak veracity of the Hadith which allege that condemned adulterers

the Holy Prophet

acted on this occasion, coupled with the patent Qur’anic instruction, can only lead one to ascertain that any account ordering an adulterer

of the Holy Prophet

to death by stoning even after the verse in question was

to be stoned must have taken place before this verse was

revealed.

revealed. was spending

Once, the Holy Prophet

In concluding thought, this matter exposes two lamentable

some quite time in isolation when a woman appeared to

points concerning the Muslim Ummah. First, that the Hadith

and said “O Prophet, I

is being taken in precedence over the Holy Qur’an: which is

the Holy Prophet

have committed adultery”. Immediately the Holy Prophet looked away, turning his face. Again, the woman repeated herself but once again the Holy turned away. For the third time,

Prophet

the true, actual and eternally preserved Word of God. And

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

, but also

beloved Prophet Muhammad

secondly, that some Muslims deem it appropriate to take the law of Moses in preference to that of the “Zalikal Kitab” (The Perfect Book) the Holy Qur’an.

the woman repeated herself and at this point the Holy , somewhat saddened, said to the

Prophet

woman, “Now that you have repeatedly told me of your sin, I must give you the required [Mosaic] punishment”. ordered

Consequently, the Holy Prophet

Thus, the Hadith which prophesied a time when Muslims would no longer study the Holy Qur’an seems to have manifest itself presently. But, by the grace of God and in sync with the prophecy of the Holy Prophet , that even if faith ascends to

his Companions to execute the punishment and he did so in a despondent state. After some time the Companions came back and in a particular eager milieu the Holy

and restore the faith. So appeared Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

enquired about the

Prophet

the heavens, a man of Persian descent will come

incident, to which the Companions replied, “O Prophet, she ran away as soon as we began to throw stones at her”. In a unique sigh of relief the Holy Prophet

; the Imam Mahdi and

Messiah, at a time when the decadence of faith was ubiquitous. And, as the Hadith stated, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

did indeed

bring faith and Islam back to its glorious days

was pleased. However, the

realised in the form of Jama’at Ahmadiyya. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community stands in stark contrast in the midst of discrepancy amongst the Muslim Ummah. It stands as a united face of the True Islam, portraying an honest and accurate understanding of its teachings. And, insh’allah, it shall continue to do so. Companions

Sabah Khan

continued, “Yes, but don’t worry. We caught up with her and stoned her to death”. This in turn made the Holy Prophet

extremely

perturbed and asked the Companions as to why they

s | I

e 2

Vo l

did this even though the fact that she ran away in fear

PART 5 AHMADIYYAT, THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM

Part

5 Ahmadiyyat Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

The Renaissance of Islam

Book Review: Lecture Ludhiana Synopsis from ”Introducing the books of the Promised Messiah

” by Naseem Saifi

his address was delivered on 4th November 1905

also tells the Muslims that it is sheer ignorance to say that

at Ludhiana. Ludhiana was the place where the first

Islam was spread at the point of the sword and to believe

Fatwa of Kufr (disbelief ) was issued against Hadhrat Ahmad

so is a slur on this great religion. They should remember,

. Now that he went to this place to deliver a

he says, that Islam has won the hearts of the people with

lecture he pointed out to the people that the tables had

its beautiful teachings and through the blessings that

been turned. When he had come to this place, he said, he

accrue to the people by following its commandments and

was accompanied by just a few people at the time of his

that these blessings still continue to be received by the

departure and everywhere there was a roaring noise of

people. This is the fact which proves that our Holy Prophet is a living Prophet.

calling him a Kafir (disbeliever) and a Dajjal (anti-Christ). The people were then of the opinion that they would disperse this Jama’at (community) in no time and it would be effaced from the world. Much effort was made to achieve this purpose and conspiracies were hatched. A fatwa was written down and taken round to various parts of India to

He then swears by God that he has been sent by God and says that God knows that he is not a liar, nor is he an impostor. He asks the people to point out to any impostor who had shown the signs that he (Hadhrat Ahmad ) had shown.

show him a kafir. But he said that now he could see that those who called him kafir were no more but he was still

Extract from Lecture Ludhiana:

alive and the membership of his Jama’at had increased. “The time has come that the glory of Islam may once again be manifested

He challenged the people to produce a single instance

and the aim of my advent is exactly the manifestation of the glory of

where an impostor had made such prophecies twenty five

Islam. I say it very emphatically and with great certainty that God has

years before the time when he could talk of their fulfilment.

decided that He should wipe out all other religions and grant supremacy

No such instance will ever be found, he emphatically said.

to Islam. He stresses the point that the supremacy of Islam that has to

The address was mostly meant for the Muslims and in it he expresses his belief to be exactly the same as Islam teaches and he also proved the death of Jesus Christ Ta

and he does so with proofs quoted from the Holy Qur’an, riq

the Sunnah, the Hadith and with intellectual arguments. He

M ag

az in e

take place must have some of the means through which it will be achieved. One of those means is dissemination of the truth about the death of Jesus Christ Christ

. It is really the death of Jesus that

will

cause

the

death

the

religion of the cross and break the backs of the Christians.”

PART 5 AHMADIYYAT, THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM

Achievements of the Promised Reformer “I confer upon thee a sign of My mercy according to thy entreaties and have honoured

thy

prayers

with acceptance through My mercy and have blessed this thy journey. A sign of power, mercy and nearness to Me is bestowed on thee, a Sign of grace and beneﬁcence is awarded to thee, and thou art the key of success and victory. Peace on thee, 0 victorious one. Thus does God speak so that those who desire life may be rescued from the grip

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

of death, and those who are buried in the graves may emerge therefrom, so that the superiority of Islam and the dignity of

God’s

Word

may

become manifest unto the people, and so that truth may arrive with all its blessings and falsehood may depart with all its ills; so that people may understand that I am the Lord of Power and do as I will and so that they may believe that I am with thee, and so that those who do not believe in God and deny and reject His religion and His Book and His Holy

ﬁlled with secular and spiritual knowledge. He will convert three

Messenger, Muhammad, the chosen one, on whom be peace, may

into four. It is Monday, a blessed Monday. Son, delight of the heart,

be confronted with a clear Sign and the way of the guilty ones may

high ranking, noble; a manifestation of the First and the Last, a

become manifest. Rejoice, therefore, that a handsome and pure boy

manifestation of the True and the High; as if Allah has descended

will be bestowed on thee. Thou wilt receive an intelligent youth

from heaven. His advent will be greatly blessed and will be a source

who will be of thy seed and will be of thy progeny. A handsome

of the manifestation of Divine Majesty. Behold a light cometh, a light

and pure boy will come as your guest. His name is Emmanuel and

anointed by God with the perfume of His pleasure. He wilt pour His

Bashir. He has been invested with a holy spirit, and he will be free

spirit upon him and he will be sheltered under the shadow of God.

from all impurity. He is the light of Allah. Blessed is he who comes

He will grow rapidly in stature and will be the means of procuring

from heaven. He will be characterised by grandeur, greatness and

the release of those held in bondage. His fame wilt spread to the ends

wealth. He will come into the world and will heal many of their ills

of the earth and people will be blessed through him. He will then

through his Messianic qualities and through the blessings of the

be raised to a spiritual station in heaven. This is a matter decreed.”

Holy Spirit. He is the Word of Allah, for Allah’s mercy and honour have equipped him with the Word of Majesty. He will be extremely

Green Announcement, 20 February 1886 0

s | I

e 2

Vo l

intelligent and understanding and will be meek of heart and will be

PART 5 AHMADIYYAT, THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM

his was a grand prophecy vouchsafed unto Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

elected as the Second Khalifa to the Promised Messiah

, the Promised

. There were many at that time who doubted

Messiah and Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim

his ability and maturity at such a young age. A small section

Community. He had been in retreat for 40 days devoting

of the community even refused to take the Bai’at (Oath of

himself entirely in solitude to Divine worship and

Allegiance) at his hand and went their own way to form the

supplication. Having completed his period of 40 days, he

Lahori Ahmadi group. But God had assured the Promised

announced on 20th February 1886 that during the period

Messiah

of his retreat he had been honoured with the disclosure of

grow rapidly. And as was the decree of Allah, in the years of

many matters with regard to the unknown. Out of them he

his Khilafat to follow, the Ahmadiyya Community became

mentioned the above prophecy which related to his own

a truly dynamic force. It became organised and began to

person.

expand rapidly to all parts of the world.

Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddeen Mahmud Ahmad

The Promised Reformer

, the Second Successor to the Promised Messiah

played a key part in

this. As with all things, organisation is a vital precondition

, was a remarkable personality. He

for success. But this was even more so in the case of the

was the Promised Reformer and fulfilment of this grand

Ahmadiyya Community, for which God had promised

prophecy. To live up to the many qualities mentioned in

would spread all over the world. The Promised Reformer realised this and made changes that we

the prophecy is inconceivable for an ordinary person, but

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

that this Promised Son of his would

the Promised Reformer was to fulfil the various aspects

still thrive on today. The propagation of the message of

of his role most magnificently. It was the decree of Allah,

Islam was so important to him that in April 1914, just one

the Almighty. His period of Khilafat of nearly 52 years

month into his Khilafat, he called a Consultative Body

was a golden period in the history of the Ahmadiyya

known as Majlis-e-Shoora particularly for deliberating the

Movement and that of Islam. A period of Khilafat that is

dissemination of the message of Islam. By 1922, Majlis-

remembered with pride to this day, and will insh’allah be

e-Shoora was established as a permanent institution

remembered forever and ever. This article outlines the

within the Community and is convened annually, or when

major achievements during the lifetime of Hadhrat Mirza

necessary, to deliberate important policy matters of the

Bashiruddeen Mahmud Ahmad

, particularly

Community. This blessed idea, mentioned in the Holy

with regards to the progress of Ahmadiyyat.

Qur’an, is now one of the great features of Ahmadiyyat that no one else can claim to have. In fact, it is an institution in

In fact, his achievements begin quite some time before his

Islam second only to Khilafat.

Khilafat. He formed, at the young age of 17, Majlis Tasheezul-Azhan: a committee which was later to start a monthly

In April 1919, various departments known as Nazaarats

publication by this name. This not only showed the great

were set up. This was indeed a very profound landmark in

intelligence and capability that God had endowed him,

the history of Ahmadiyyat, which consolidated its structure

but the good way he used this by initiating a publication

of organisation and increased its efficiency tremendously. In

that so many children still enjoy and benefit from even

the years to follow, the Community was divided into various

today. In 1913, Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddeen Mahmud

auxiliary organisations. Lajna Ima’illah was the first of these.

Ahmad

also started the Al-Fazl, which is a

Created in December 1922, it was an organisation for ladies

daily publication and is the official organ of the Ahmadiyya

above the age of fifteen. In 1928, Majlis Nasiratul-Ahmadiyya

Community. These two examples highlight his sincere

was formed for girls under the age of 15. Then in December

dedication to serve Ahmadiyyat right from an early age.

1938, Majlis Khuddamul-Ahmadiyya was born. This was

A few years earlier, in 1908, while still only 19 years old, he

for young men between the ages of 15 and 40. Majlis

displayed a clearly unique single-minded resolve. It was the

Ansarullah, for men above 40, was established in July 1940

year that his holy father, the Promised Messiah

along with Majlis Atfalul-Ahmadiyya for boys under the age

, passed away. While standing by his body, he promised

of 15. With these auxiliary organisations, all the different

that even if all the others deserted him, he would strive to

groups in the Community could then be activated to

continue the mission of the Promised Messiah

work towards the common goal of Ahmadiyyat: namely to spread the message of the true Islam in whatever way was

History bears witness to how true he was to this pledge. This was not just an emotional claim at a sad time but a sincere one. In 1914, at the young age of 25, he was Ta

riq

M ag

az in e

appropriate. It was for this specific task that in May 1928, he re-inaugurated Jamia Ahmadiyya, an elite institution for the training of those who wished to devote their entire lives for

PART 5 AHMADIYYAT, THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM

the service of Islam. This idea was so useful and successful

the prophecy, to be a “key of success and victory”. He not

that we now have similar Jamias not only in Rabwah and

only guided the Community most skilfully, but also enabled

Qadian, but also in Indonesia and various countries of West

the Community to serve the cause of Islam as a whole.

Africa .

He himself was a great champion of Islam who always grabbed every opportunity of serving and defending

Bashiruddeen Mahmud Ahmad

was also

responsible for the full scale launch of the scheme for WaqfZindagi (dedicating one’s life for the service of Islam). It was established as early as 1917 and this revolutionary scheme has, by the Grace of Allah, become a distinguishing mark of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

the Cause. Through his noble example, he created the same zeal and dedication amongst the members of the Community and encouraged them to uphold the banner of Islam. The Shuddi Camp is a case in point. In 1923, the Hindus launched a widespread campaign to convert Muslims to Hinduism in the Indian subcontinent. The immediately rose to

Promised Reformer

Ahmadiyyat has spread, by the Grace of Allah, as a result

the occasion and launched a counter-campaign. He set

of these dedicated volunteers, who have chosen this

up the Shuddi Camp where 150 trained members of the

noble work over all else and solely to gain the pleasure of

Ahmadiyya Community began preaching. It proved such

Allah, unenticed by any worldly gain. The great sacrifices

a success that not only were Muslims averted from being

made, and being made, by these devotees will, through

led astray but Hindus started coming into the fold of Islam.

Divine grace, be written in golden words in the history of

Allah showed, as He has on so many occasions, that the

Ahmadiyyat. And credit is certainly due to the Promised

supposedly weak can overcome the supposedly mighty. As

Reformer

for initiating this scheme.

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

In this regard, it must also be mentioned that Hadhrat Mirza

a result of this well planned action, the Hindu designs were utterly frustrated. Prominent Muslim leaders with immense

While he had high desires and expectations for the

gratitude openly acknowledged this fact. In this respect,

progress of the Community, he also looked after its welfare.

even one of the most outspoken and hostile newspapers,

An example of this is the establishment in Qadian in 1919

Zameendar had to admit:

of the first ever orphanage in Ahmadiyya history. It fulfilled a very important need of the Community and was an

“The

dedication,

example to all of the high qualities of Islam that Ahmadi

which

Ahmadi

Muslims wished to spread. Also, in 1925, he established

is so sublime that every Muslim is genuinely proud of it.”

a judicial system in the Community known as Dar ul-

zeal, Muslims

compassion have

taken

and part

enthusiasm in

this

with

campaign

The Daily Zameendar - Lahore, 24 January 1923

Qadha. This provided the Community with a very easy, fair, economic and dignified way for Ahmadi Muslims to

The following year, in 1924, he attended the Wembley

get their internal disputes settled in accordance with the

Conference of Religions in London, where he presented

teachings of Islam. Ever since, this has continued to operate

the message of Islam before believers from other religions.

throughout the world.

In doing so, he became the first successor to the Promised Messiah

The Promised Reformer

was also a

great educationist, deeply interested in increasing the educational and intellectual standards of all men and

to travel abroad for propagating the

message of Islam. His famous lecture, later published in a book entitled “Ahmadiyyat: The True Islam”, was eloquently read out by Hadhrat Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrullah Khan

women. For this purpose, he established an institute for

. It was well and greatly appreciated.

scientific research. For ladies, he established a Madrassa, started a theology class and laid the foundation of the

The Promised Reformer

Nusrat Girls School in Qadian. These, and many more

politician. He was a divine and religious person and gifted

institutions of a similar nature, played a highly important

with qualities of head and heart. He also had a deep

role in enhancing the standard of education within the

understanding and insight into political matters. A few

Community and are fine realisations of the great emphasis

illustrative examples follow.

was not a

Islam lays on acquiring knowledge and the duty of both In 1930, the dispute over Kashmir was becoming a crisis. The Promised Reformer

became involved

He became the perfect leader which the Community

at this time at the repeated requests of the respectable

needed. God Almighty had declared him, in the words of

Muslim leaders of India. Alama Iqbal, the famous poet, Reformer

was elected to lead the All-India 1

similar institutions in Canada and the UK

proposed his name and, to the delight of all, the Promised 0

s | I

e 2

Editor’s Note: We are mash’Allah seeing

Vo l

men and women to do so.

PART 5 AHMADIYYAT, THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM

Kashmir Committee as its first President. He strove hard

masses of people within the rural communities. At the same

for the rights of the oppressed Kashmiri people. It was

time, missionaries were being deployed all over the world

a struggle for humanity and justice, as well as for fellow

to form centres that are now well established and bearing

Muslims. The first ever Kashmir Day was celebrated under

great fruits. Part of the success was due to the way the

his guidance. His dedicated services in this cause are

Promised Reformer

indeed a part of history that no one can overlook. After

the Community to contribute. He laid down guidelines such

the partition in June 1948, he raised a battalion of Ahmadi

as only cooking one dish for meals. Simple though it was, it

inspired the members of

Muslim volunteers, named the Furqan Force, to fight along

created a collective spirit of sacrifice not seen in any other

with the Pakistan Army for the liberation of Kashmir. There

community. It brought about simplicity and maximised the

were many successes and fine examples of bravery among

resources of the Community.

the Ahmadi Muslim fighters, openly acknowledged by the then Commander-in-Chief. He put the name of Ahmadiyyat in history forever. Sadly though, these services are all but forgotten by most people and today Pakistan is paying the

Perhaps the greatest achievement was his outstanding contribution to literature. Though he had no worldly qualifications, he clearly displayed the ability that he was promised by Allah in both religious and secular knowledge.

price for its deplorable ingratitude.

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

He liberated the world from old and corrupted ideas and His era saw the freedom of over 30 countries in the world.

beliefs. He wrote about two hundred books on various

Though this was not through his direct efforts in all cases,

topics, including argumentative books, books on history,

it can be argued that the decree of Allah was at work. In

jurisprudence, politics, Kashmir, and also one hundred

the case of many countries winning their freedom, the

books on Ahmadiyyat. Some of the notable ones are

Promised Reformer

was really the person

Invitation to Ahmadiyyat, Economic Structure of Islam,

behind it. Hadhrat Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrullah Khan

Remembrance of Allah and Introduction to the Study of the

was his able spokesman in the UN General

Holy Qur’an. The latter was one of many of his works on the

was

Assembly and the Promised Reformer

theme of the Holy Qur’an. This was the area of his greatest

his source of guidance. In any case, the part of the prophecy

success. Very early on, he began the practice of a regular

which said he would be the means of procuring the release

Dars-ul Qur’an - an educational session for propounding

of those held in bondage was fulfilled.

the deeper meaning of Qur’anic verses. He was granted a remarkable understanding of the Qur’an by Allah, which

The Promised Reformer

, during these

difficult times, did not at all neglect the Community. On the contrary, he took measures to ensure that the Community would be resilient and self-subsisting. In 1934, there was a nationwide anti-Ahmadiyya movement launched by the Ahrar group. Their declared mission being to eradicate the name of Ahmadiyyat from the face of the earth. This was the design of the enemy of Ahmadiyyat; but Allah Almighty had planned His own scheme. He enabled the Promised Reformer

to steer the ship of Ahmadiyyat

to safety while also laying the foundations of its global victory. Reference is made here to the establishment of Tahrik Jadid, the fund he set up for the propagation of the message of Islam in foreign countries that is still active today. Presently, the Community is well established in nearly 175 countries of the world with thousands of mosques, mission centres, hospitals, clinics, schools, colleges and printing presses dedicated to the service of Islam. These are all the sweet fruits of Tahrik Jadid. Along with this was Waqf-e-Jadid, started in 1958. It was for similar purposes, with particular emphasis on preaching in the rural areas

he passed on to the Community. He himself said that he was a teacher to the world. He was granted knowledge that was previously undisclosed. He delivered over three hundred talks on Surah Fatiha (the opening chapter of the Holy Qur’an) alone. He went on to write over 6000 pages on the subject of the Holy Qur’an, including the ten glorious volumes of Tafseer-e-Kabeer (an in-depth commentary of the Holy Qur’an) and also the more brief commentary Tafseer-e-Sagheer. Thus, there was something for everyone to benefit from. He also followed the Promised Messiah in writing a great many poems that are now compiled in the collection entitled Kalaam-e-Mahmud. He was so confident in the knowledge God had given him that he invited anyone to discuss any matter with him to witness this fact. Being a teacher to the whole world, he took on the painstaking task for the first time of translating the word of God so that it could be understood by all. During the period of his Khilafat, the Holy Qur’an was completely translated in no less than sixteen languages. On this foundation, the Community continued to build and now, by the grace of Allah, more than fifty translations are complete.

of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. There was a new drive Ta

riq

M ag

az in e

for the propagation of Islam. Ahmadiyyat began to spread

Another landmark in Ahmadiyyat was just after the time

like no one had imagined. The message now reached the

of the partition. Many Muslims, including many Ahmadis,

PART 5 AHMADIYYAT, THE RENAISSANCE OF ISLAM

were forced to flee from India and the Community was in

“I declare, depending on the favours and the blessings of Allah, that my

a vulnerable position and without any headquarters to

name shalt be preserved in the world forever. Although I will die one day, my

operate from. But then, under Divine indication, a piece

name shall never be erased from history. This is a decree of Allah.”

of barren land was bought to form the new headquarters of the Community in Pakistan. This was, of course, the

He went on to say:

founding of Rabwah on 20th September 1948. To begin

“If not today, then after forty years, or ﬁfty years, or

with, it had only mud huts on an area that was considered

maybe after a hundred years, history wilt decide

uninhabitable. But the idea proved a wise investment

itself whether this statement is right or wrong.

and became the active centre of the Community and an

No doubt I will not be present at that time, but

exemplary town in its peaceful environment.

one thing is for certain, that whenever the history of Islam and Ahmadiyyat is going

Qadian also benefited with the completion of Minarat-

to be written, then every Muslim historian

ul-Masih (the white minaret). Construction had begun

will be duty-bound and compelled to mention my

during the life of the Promised Messiah

name in that history. History will not be complete

supervision of the Promised Reformer

was

without the mention of my achievements.”

an all-time reminder of a prophecy regarding the coming

This could not have been stated any

of the Messiah, and became an identity symbol for Ahmadi

better. This article is a humble

Muslims.

attempt to summarise his achievements and pay tribute

The life and achievements of the Promised Reformer

to him. It is in no way a perfect

will always stand out in the history of Ahmadiyyat and Islam. He led the Community for over half a century. He started with just a few thousand people with him and led them through times of great adversity. With all the odds against him, even to survive would have been an achievement. But the Promised Reformer

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

but was not finished. Its completion in 1915, under the

did

so much more and fulfilled the prophecy to the word. Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddeen Mahmud Ahmad passed away on 9th November 1965. Ina lillah, wa ina ilayhe rajeoon.

assessment. In fact, to go into full depth and discuss the far-reaching impact of his extraordinary performance is beyond the author. He himself pointed out that the full and real assessment will only be made by nations coming after several generations. May Allah enable us to value his efforts, and to carry them on, and may He grant him the highest of

He was indeed a sign of the glory and power of God. Of the many tributes paid to him include one under the heading

rewards. We conclude with one of his couplets:

“A Great Nation-Builder”. Maulana Muhammad Yaqoob Khan (Editor of The Light, 16th November 1965) wrote:

“A time will come when all people will proclaim in unison:

“The death of Mirza Bashiruddeen Mahmud Ahmad, head of the Ahmadiyya movement, rang the curtain down on a most eventful career, packed with a

May the mercy of Allah descend

multitude of far reaching enterprises. A man of versatile genius and dynamic

upon this great servant of Islam,

personality, there was hardly any sphere of contemporary thought and life during the past century, from religious scholarship to missionary organisation,

who sacriﬁced his whole life for this cause. ”

even political leadership, on which the deceased did not leave a deep imprint.”

Ameen

That was the view of, at the very most, an impartial person.

Ataul Munim Rashed

We, as Ahmadi Muslims, owe the Promised Reformer immense gratitude for the way we are now. So many of his achievements are still with us today.

Extract from Review of Religions, Feb 2002

He himself said, on the occasion of the 1961 Annual

s | I

e 2

Vo l

Convention:

PART 6 SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA

Part

6 Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Science and Academia Exremism in Religions

Islamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response to the use of Nuclear and Chemical weapons

s | I

e 2

Vo l

Muslims and Terrorism

PART 6 SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA

Extremism In Religions

report by the United Nations Special Envoy on

Extremism in Christianity was seen in the eight Crusades

Religious Intolerance stated,

running from 1095 AD to 1291 AD (these were military

“There is a signiﬁcant rise in religious extremism and intolerance throughout

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

the world. No religion is free from extremism. Extremism may be inter-

expeditions organised by Western Christians against Muslims to take possession of Jerusalem and other cities).

religious (directed against religious communities of diﬀerent faiths); intra-

The Crusades were the result of ambitious Popes who

religious (between diﬀerent sects of the same religion); or even both at

sought to extend their political and religious power.

once. The most common victims of extremism are minorities and women.”

Crusading armies were the military arm of Papal policy

The report concluded by saying religious extremism is still on the rise. Yet all religions claim to uphold peace, tolerance and harmony as an objective of supreme importance. What is going wrong?

and many Crusaders believed that their participation in fighting “infidels” would guarantee them a place in Heaven. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims were killed indiscriminately, including women and children. Additionally, in the 13th century, Pope Gregory IX started

Extremism in Islam can be clearly seen in many countries.

the notorious Spanish inquisition. This was where the crime

The fallen Taleban of Afghanistan was a prime example.

of heresy was defined as a deliberate denial of the truth

Women weren’t allowed to wear make-up or high heels and

of the Catholic faith. That is, everyone who did not accept

had their fingernails pulled out if they wore nail varnish.

the Catholic faith or the Pope, was a heretic and faced

Men were physically punished if their beards were not the

the death penalty. The Inquisitors (judges) had rights to

right length and children were banned from even flying

summon suspects and apply punishment for “disobedience”

kites. Members of a foreign football team were once all

which included burning at the stake. No trial was necessary.

arrested when they appeared on a football pitch wearing

Thousands were tortured and killed in the name of

shorts, which was “illegal” under Taleban law. For their

Catholicism.

punishment, they were beaten up and had their heads shaved.

Even in today’s society, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) who claim to be Protestants, state that they fight “for God

The philosophy of the Taleban defies human

and Ulster” against the Catholics. Any Catholics living in

comprehension and takes extremism to its uttermost limit.

Northern Ireland are, therefore, legitimate targets and may

Similarly, in other “Muslim” countries discrimination against

be executed at will by the UVF. The same applies to the Irish

women is seen. In Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Gabon and Yemen,

Republican Army (IRA) who freely murder Protestants and

women require the authorisation of men before they can

claim it is in defence of “their territory”.

even obtain a passport. In Saudi, it is illegal for women to drive. It is worth noting that out of all religions, the media focuses on extremism in Islam. Ta

riq

was seen at the Holy Cross Primary School in North Belfast. This is a Catholic school and the local Protestants object

to Catholic children, aged 5 to 11, attending the school on

az in e

A recent example which demonstrates such extremism,

PART 6 SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA

what they see as “their territory”. Such is the hatred between

extremists then arise who claim to adhere back to the true

the two religious factions.

teachings of the religion. It says in the Holy Qur’an,

In Judaism, extremism is seen today in Palestine, where

“They pervert the words from their proper places and have

some Zionist groups do not believe in a two-state solution.

forgotten

They wish to seize control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip

good

part

that

which

they

were

exhorted”

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 5, Verse 14

and evict all Muslims from their land. All this, apparently, in It is vitally important to distinguish between this minority

the name of God and under Mosaic law.

of extremists, who use religion as a face for their own Sikh extremists are regularly seen in the Punjab murdering

political agenda, and the majority who are practising their

innocent Hindus and Muslims in the name of their religion,

religion in accordance with the principles of tolerance and

all for the fight for a Sikh nation, Khalistan. Yet the Sikh

non-discrimination. Religion has always been a good way

founder, Guru Nanak, was actually a Muslim who taught

of gathering the masses and inciting people to fight in the

only peace and tolerance.

name of God. Shrewd politicians deliberately misinterpret

her husbands corpse. This act has been made illegal by the

So what is the solution? Following the True Islam and

Indian Government, but despite this, some extremist Hindus

teachings is the only answer. Also, unity and a supreme

risk a jail sentence by still performing this ritual.

leader of a religion is needed to guide the believing

a widely accepted

supreme head? Certainly,

in Judaism, Sikhism,

Hinduism and Islam there

is not. Catholicism but he is voted in by a symbolic figurehead. after time, people will the true teachings of a This is human nature and, as a result,

can claim to have a Pope, bishops and is more of Without guidance, deviate from religion.

be a righteous person with Taqwa (fear of God) and lead by example. Such a leader only exists as the supreme Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association. The founder of this faith, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

had this

to say on attaining world peace: “I am the light in the darkness of this age. He who follows me will be saved from the pits and ditches dug by the Devil to ensnare those straying in the dark. He has sent me so that I should lead the world, gently and in peace, to the One true God and re-establish the moral excellencies of Islam.” Page 13, Masih Hindustan Mein

Dr. Abid Ahmad

still exist? The key is guidance. In every religion, is there

followers. This leader needs to be elected by God, needs to

s | I

e 2

So in all the major religions, why do these extremists

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

political gain.

Hindus. This involves the burning alive of a widow with

religious doctrines to serve their purpose and use them for

Vo l

The fanatical custom of “sati” is still practised by some

PART 6 SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA

Islam’s response to the use of Nuclear and Chemical weapons

he question I wish to pose is Islam’s stance on the use of nuclear and chemical weapons. It is a question I wish to

know the answer myself, and on researching it, have come to some conclusions. My search was mainly from Ahadith (sayings of the Holy ) and Jama’at materials. My main

Prophet

search topic was Jihad (Holy War) and I remembered certain Ahadith that spoke about what you can and can not do during battle. One of these was to avoid killing the elderly, children and women. This is the backbone to my argument, since using nuclear or chemical weapons, you can not be sure who it will kill; rather, you would kill indiscriminately The Hadith in question is from Bukhari and reads: “During some of the Ghazawat of the Prophet a woman was found killed. Allah’s Apostle disapproved the killing of women and children.”

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Related by Abdullah, Bukhari, Book 4

Here it quite clearly states that the Holy Prophet disapproved of the killing of women and children, in another Hadith it states do not kill them: “It

narrated

Ibn’

Umar

that

woman

was

found

killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah forbade the killing of women and children.” Related by Ibn ‘Umar, Muslim, Book 19

Now, this leads me to the use of nuclear weapons and includes any kind of bomb as well. For a nuclear bomb and

Thus, in Sahih Muslim it quite clearly states that the Holy Prophet

forbade the killing of women and

children. This view is again confirmed in another hadith and also adds another category of people. “Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that Abu Bakr asSiddiq was sending armies to ash-Sham. He went for a walk with Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan who was the commander of one of the battalions. It is claimed that Yazid said to Abu Bakr, ‘Will you ride or shall I get down?’ Abu Bakr

any kind of bomb will destroy indiscriminately. A nuclear bomb will do just this, thus it is not allowed to be used. Chemical weapons are slightly different, but they too kill or lead to death indiscriminately if you drink them or breath them in. I can well understand Muslims reading these Ahadith and thinking this only means for Muslims, but this next ahadith uses the word “Enemy”.

said, ‘I will not ride and you will not get down. I intend these steps of mine to be in the way of Allah’. Then, Abu Bakr advised Yazid, ‘You will ﬁnd a people

“It has been narrated on the authority of Yazid bin Hurmuz who said:

who claim to have totally given themselves to Allah. Leave them to what

Najda bin ’Amir al-Haruri wrote to Ibn Abbas asking him about the slave

they claim to have given themselves. You will ﬁnd a people who have shaved

and the woman as to whether they would get a share from the booty (if they

the middle of their heads, strike what they have shaved with the sword. I

participated in Jihad); about the killing of (enemy) children (in war); about

advise you ten things: Do not kill women or children or an aged, inﬁrm

the orphan as to when his orphanhood comes to an end; about kinsmen (of

person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited

the Holy Prophet

place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and

write to him. (If he were not likely to fall into folly, I would not have written

do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly.’”

to him.) Write: you have written asking about the woman and the slave

) as to who they are. He said to Yazid:

whether they would get a share of the spoils if they participated in Jihad. Malik Muawatta, Book 21

riq

will be given a prize. And you have written asking me about the killing of the

including not to kill women, children, aged persons,

enemy children in war. (You should understand that) the Messenger of Allah did not kill them. And thou shouldst not kill them unless thou knew what the companion of Moses (i.e. Khadir) knew about the boy he

az in e

Here the hadith quite clearly lists 10 things not to do, disabled persons and even not to destroy inhabited places. M

(You should know that) there is nothing of the sort for them except that they

PART 6 SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA

had killed. And you have written asking me about the orphan as to when the

of weapons are wrong and extreme in returning retribution.

period of his orphanhood comes to an end, so that the sobriquet of ”orphan” is dropped from him. (In this regard, you should know that) the sobriquet “orphan” will not be dropped from him until he attains maturity of body and mind. And you have written asking me about the close relatives (of the Holy Prophet

The Second Khalifa Hadhrat Musleh Mau’ood, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad

highlights

verse 95 of chapter 4 in the Holy Qur’an, which says:

) as to who they are. We think that it is we,

but our people have denied us this (position and its concomitant privileges).” “O ye who believe! When you go forth to ﬁght in the cause of Allah, make proper Muslim, Book 19

investigation and say not to anyone who greets you with the greeting of peace,

The Holy Qur’an teaches us to be peaceful and to show mercy and be kind. Launching a nuclear bomb not only kills people of the immediate vicinity in an instant, but there

Thou art not a believer. You seek the goods of this life, but with Allah are good things in plenty. Such were you before this, but Allah conferred His special favour on you; so do make proper investigation. Surely, Allah is aware of what you do.”

are after effects of radiation that will burn people alive:

He further suggests that Muslims should look for peaceful

subjecting them to a long slow and very painful death. Can

ways during war and killing should not be the aim:

this be deemed consistent with showing mercy or being “...One whom we wish to kill today may be guided tomorrow. Could Muslims

peaceful?

have become Muslims if they had not been spared? Muslims are to abstain

We must remember how the Holy Prophet

from killing because lives spared may turn out to be lives guided. God is well aware of what men do and to what ends and with what motives they do it.”

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

fought in wars, as mentioned above, and how he acted after battle. For instance, at the conquest of

Introduction to the Study of the Holy Qur’an,

Mecca:

The Qur’an on War and Peace

“He said, ‘No blame shall lie on you this day; may Allah forgive you! And He is the Most Merciful of those Who show mercy.’”

I feel my argument is nearly over, but I have a few more Ahadith which have come to my attention from reading the

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 12, Verse 93

The Holy Prophet

Second Khalifa’s wonderful commentary, Introduction to the made sure none of his

followers broke this commandment. Yet to all those who and

had been against the Holy Prophet

Study of the Holy Qur’an: “When Muslims enter territory, they should not strike terror into the general population. They should permit no ill-treatment of common folk”

had wanted to kill him and abused him he said “no blame shall lie on you this day” and asked Allah’s forgiveness on them.

Muslim

“The least possible losses should be inﬂicted upon the enemy”

How can we show this mercy if we blow them up with a nuclear or chemical bomb and destroy them all. There

Abu Dawad

is also a hadith that tells us that one who does not show

On reflecting on the above Qur’anic verses and Ahadith,

mercy will not be shown mercy from Allah.

I believe that nuclear, chemical, bombs and any weapon

In Introduction to the Study of the Holy Qur’an by Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad

, the

Second Khalifa explains the points of Jihad. One such point is that we should only fight those who fight against us. Can a bomb dropped from the sky be said to follow this?

that kills or injures people indiscriminately goes against the principles of absolute justice. Rather, such technology should not be built for this purpose as it will inevitably lead to the destruction of Mankind itself. by Harris Mcguire

“Even after the enemy has initiated the attack, it is our duty to keep warfare within limits. To extend the war, either in territorial terms or in respect of weapons used, is wrong”

Correction: Introduction to the Study of the Holy Qur’an, The Qur’an on War and Peace

In the last edition of Tariq Magazine (Volume 10, issue 1) on page 26, the Book Review was written by Naseem

The words “warfare within limits” and “in respect of

Saifi Sahib. 0

s | I

e 2

Vo l

weapons used” also confirm my suspicion that these types

PART 6 SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA

Muslims and Terrorism Speech delivered at one day Conference on the question

educated, articulate men become ideologically distorted

of Muslims and Terrorism arranged by JKCHR and co-

enough to resort to murder?

sponsored by MWA and WPE on Saturday 20th August 2005 in Wandsworth, London.

During my career as a university teacher in this country, I have seen many children of well-to-do families who, having

e have just had a scholarly discourse on Islamic

enjoyed all the comforts of life in their childhood, turn to

teachings followed by condensed wisdom of what

drugs as they enter their adulthood. By the Grace of Allah,

went wrong on 7th July and why. Then we had a legal

the majority of our children have, thus far, been saved from

summing up of the rights of Muslim minorities in the UK. To

these problems. However, we must not be complacent, as

follow all that is a humbling and intimidating experience. I

our children are not immune from the influences of the

will try to stick to my remit “Role of Muslim leadership and

society unless we can bring them up as clean and God-

Muslim Institutions in embedding the participatory role of

fearing children.

youth”

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

It is a fashion with us that, to prove ourselves superior, I would like to commend the organisers for arranging this

we are too ready to call Western society corrupt. This

Conference on such an important subject. There is indeed

is a negative attitude and an empty gesture. We must

a crying need for frank discussions on the guidance for our

remember that the West offers and practices many Islamic

youth. I would like to thank them too for allowing me to

precepts that sometimes even the so-called Muslim

speak here today.

countries do not. The basic qualities taught to the children in these countries are those of honesty and the value of

First of all, I want to express my condolences to the families of those who have died and I express my solidarity with those who are injured and suffering the consequences of the barbaric act of killing innocent people. I condemn these acts whether committed in the false notion of Jihad

human life, dignity, tolerance, coexistence and helping other human beings irrespective of creed, colour or religion. Health care and social welfare form the basic tenants of these societies, particularly in the UK, that have been taught by Islam but never practised in any “Islamic” country.

by suicide bombers or whether committed by men and women in uniform using the euphemism of collateral

However, if we can inculcate these fundamental qualities

damage. London, Faluja, Kandahar or Kashmir. If those

in our children and add the principles of obedience and

innocent people who died could come back today, they will

love of God, we will surely be successful in creating a new

ask one question and one question only. Why did we have

generation that will be better prepared to contribute

to die?

positively to the society that they live in.

In this 21st century, humanity has no answer to that

These are the challenges facing us. How do we achieve our

question. There may be many excuses, but real justification

objective?

there is none. We talk of the role of Muslim leadership and Muslim I watched with great dismay, shock and sadness the

institutions, and this is the subject today. Forgive me if

terrorist attacks that were perpetrated in London by a very

I ask, but what leadership? What institutions? Have we

tiny minority of misguided young men, who it is claimed

any elected leadership among the Muslims? Or have we

were Muslim. The true message of Islam is one of peace,

developed any institutions? I am not talking of the self-

justice and the love of humanity. Islam holds the sanctity of

appointed un-elected leaders here.

human life with the highest possible regard and shedding the blood of an innocent person is seen as a most heinous and repulsive crime. We must remember that there are over 1 million Muslims in Britain who are law-abiding citizens of the country, making their contribution to society and who want nothing to do with any acts of terrorism.

For Muslims, the strongest possible living unit is the family. In fact, the real leaders who can train our youth for the future are the parents. They are in most contact, they should be in real communication with their children and give them real quality time and train them in the true principles of Islam. Islam teaches tolerance, service to mankind,

However, this act of few hot-heads, terrorists, extremists,

generosity and brotherhood. These are the ingredients that

call them what you will, is also a wake up call for all of us.

we need to inculcate in our next generation.

How come those young, educated men who had glittering careers in front of them, decided to choose to die and to Ta

riq

kill many innocent people with them? How could young

responsibility of parents to instil the moral values in their children. It is the parents who have to help their children

M ag

az in e

This is where our responsibility lies. To me, it is the

PART 6 SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA

to develop the habit of being steadfast in practising the

sectarianism, parochialism and divisions make any positive

tenets of Islam and it is the responsibility of the parents

impact on Western society?

again to make sure that their children grow up to be honest, to be truthful, to be tolerant and to be just. Above all, it is the responsibility of the parents to make sure that children adopt the true teachings of Islam that teaches peace, broad-mindedness, tolerance, and as the President of Pakistan often emphasises, the “enlightened moderation”. Only then, as parents, can we be content that our next generation will grow up strong and ready to participate in

The time has come, Mr President, to put aside our differences and unite. Islam and Muslims are under attack and on the defensive. Only by uniting can we form a rampart of defence. Perhaps it was this realisation that 180 scholars from different parts of the Islamic world met at the end of the first International Islamic Conference in Jordan on 3rd August 2005 and issued the following statement:

British society or indeed in any society around the world.

“We condemn the principle of accusations of apostasy and the

We must teach our children the pride in serving others.

legalization of the assassination of Muslims for religious reasons,”

Serving the elders and younger members, serving the local society and serving the suffering humanity in the world.

The statement was based on religious edicts, or fatwas, in Cairo (the highest Muslim Sunni authority), Ayatollah Ali

our youth from a very early age in the importance of

Sistani (the Shiite leader based in Iraq) and Egypt’s Mufti

service to others. As a result, our young graduate teachers,

Sheikh Ali Jumma, as well as other senior leaders in Saudi

scientists, doctors and engineers are conducting research

Arabia, Turkey and Jordan. Glaringly absentees were the

on sourcing alternate energy in Burkina Faso, providing

religious leaders from Pakistan.

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

issued by Sheikh Mohammed Sayed Tantawi of Al-Azhar I am proud to report that in our Community we train

potable water and food to the starving humanity in Niger, running medical camps in Banda Ache and Najaf as well as

Jordan’s King Abdullah II denounced all kinds of religious

providing humanitarian assistance in Bosnia and Kosovo.

extremism. He also urged all Muslim states to harmonize

They are doing all this purely for the love of humanity and

their schools of jurisprudence. He also said,

love of God.

“Divisions within the global Islamic community, acts of violence

When we look back on Islamic history and see how Islam

and

spread in the world, we see that early Muslims were not

of Muslims in the name of Islam violate the spirit of Islam,”

armed to the teeth with weapons. Their only armour was their Taqwa (fear of God) and the true teachings of Islam. Where ever they went, from China to Europe or from Russia to Africa, they displayed the beautiful teachings of Islam by their acts of piety and by their conduct. As a result, instead of getting absorbed in other societies, the other societies and cultures were absorbed in Islam. Even when the Golden Hordes of Mongols, after sacking Baghdad, took away men, women and children as slaves, the slaves ended up eventual

terrorism

and

accusations

apostasy

and

the

killing

We must unite ourselves before we can teach our children the benefit of unity. We must create peace and justice among ourselves before we can teach our children peace and justice. Our children will become the future leaders if we bring them up properly. We have many responsibilities and we can only fulfil them together, united as one, without dissension, forming a solid parapet of Islam. Salim A Malik

conquerors by converting the whole Mongolian nation into Muslims. To me, that is the positive contribution to a society. Those people had nothing with them except their faith and the teachings and the Holy Qur’an. They showed their faith not in lectures or fiery speeches but by their conduct in

(Editor: I am grateful for this article from our respected Salim Malik Sahib, who heads the UK Jama’at’s Human Rights Desk)

everyday life. They preached peace, not hate; they preached brotherhood, not sectarianism; they preached humanity not division. Why do people have to resort to violence when we can achieve ascendancy with love? We must search our souls, we must face the facts. But this soul searching must be with bluntness and frankness to act as our catharsis if we have to move forward. We must look

s | I

e 2

Vo l

at ourselves. Can we, with our present antics and behaviour,

PART 7 STUDENT PAGES

Part

7 Student Pages Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Are you at university? If so, then have you considered forming an Ahmadiyya Muslim

Student

Society

your

university?

The advantages of having such a society are manifold not only to the Jamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;at as a whole but to individual students too. A university society provides an excellent platform for spreading the true message of Islam to the students and to the academics of the university and encourages interfaith dialogue. It is also a great way of getting involved in the social and religious scene of the university and of providing a welfare structure for the Ahmadi students as well as a sense of identity. There are already societes set up and successfully running at Kingston, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial and others, enabling students there to make a difference. So if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested or need help setting up, please contact Omar Iqbal (Mohtamim Student Affairs) on 07956 123 489.

Interview Guide

he literature on interview technique is vast, with

As with any competition, some candidates may be

several hundred page tomes promising to land you

more talented than others when it comes to interview.

the perfect university place or dream job youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always

But with practice, preparation and prayers even those

wanted. In this very brief space we endeavour to put

who consider themselves lacking in self-confidence

forward just some of the basic interview preparation

and the ability to self-project can come out winners.

and strategy tips recommended by human resource

Although most literature is geared towards job

professionals.

interviews, much of it can be easily transposed to the university admission scenario.

riq

M ag

az in e

PART 7 STUDENT PAGES

Before the interview

consult these sources but try to avoid parrot answers. The real model answer is one which answers the question succinctly and

Build up a network of contacts starting with friends, colleagues

with direct relevance to both your skills, abilities and experience

and appropriate professional organisations. Use your network

and the requirements of the position. The interview should be an

for the advice and help you need to break into your chosen field.

interactive exchange.

“Networking” may sound a cheesy buzzword but already having contacts “on the other side” before the interview will drastically

For some positions interviewers may throw out strange or

improve your chances of success. Ensure that the referees on

difficult questions to see if you can think on your feet.“If you

your application form are well aware of what is required of them.

could be a car, what car would you be?”.“A SmartCar, so I could park easily” was one sharp answer. Other favourites include “how

Obviously, you must thoroughly research the position you

would you sell me my fountain pen?” and “what would you take

are applying for. This is key and, if anything, will boost your

to a desert island?”. For these sort of questions try to concentrate

confidence before the interview. Use the the internet, phone calls

on process rather than jumping to a short final answer. The

to your network of contacts as well as university literature and

interviewer is interested in how you think. Instead of leaving a

brochures.

long silence while you work out the answer, think aloud (as long

rest, but don’t force this knowlege into the conversation. If any

as it sounds logical and coherent). That way, the interviewer can help you as well as assess your reasoning.

tests or exams are required for the position, obtain and do as

Inappropriate questions: employers are forbidden by law to

many past papers as possible for practice.

make hiring decisions based on things like marital status, age,

Look through your application form and identify your major selling points so you can highlight them in interview. Try to prepare answers for any obvious objections or concerns your interviewer may have such as gaps in your employment history.

ethnicity, religion etc. If, however, you are asked such a question it is best to gauge the tone of the question. It may simply be chitchat. If you find that the interviewer continues to pursue a line of inappropriate questioning it might be advisable to attempt to defuse any possible doubts or suspicion, for example “I’m

The obvious points. Get a good night’s sleep and eat a hearty

not quite sure what you wish to learn from that question. If you

breakfast. Interviews can make you sweat and the smell of body

are concerned it would somehow affect my suitability for this

odour will be seriously offputting so take a shower on the day

position, let me assure you ...”.

and use deodorant and possibly a hint of aftershave or cologne. Dress conservatively and for virtually all interviews a dark blue suit is the safest option.

Do you have any questions? It is advisable to put forth a few questions to show your enthusiasm. A good question to ask is “Have you had a chance to review my CV?”. Your interviewer

Arrive in good time for your interview. Too early may leave you

may have just briefly glanced over your CV. If the response is

nursing the butterflies in your stomach for a while but that’s

something like “I had a quick look”, you have an opportunity to

better than arriving too late.

reiterate some of your major selling points.

The Interview

After the Interview

The entrance into the interview can put you onto a good or bad

Review what you have learned from the interview. Discuss it

footing straight off. Try to walk in confidently and with a slight

with your friends, colleagues and references. Even if you were

smile. Make eye contact with the interviewer and offer a firm

not immediately given an offer you will have gained valuable

handshake. This is best judged by practice. Human Resource

experience. Note down any sticky points or questions that were

gurus say that 85% of communication in interviews is non-

raised so you can better address them in future.

verbal. This is perhaps an exaggeration but good body language is crucial.

A brief (3 to 4 paragraph at most) post-interview thank you letter is increasingly a standard part of the process. This should be sent

Try to speak clearly and to the point. Avoid abrasive and

as soon as possible after your interview. If you wish to include

negatively-toned language such as “you’re mistaken”,“I resent”,

an “I forgot to mention” type comment, keep it brief and to the

“you don’t understand” and “it wasn’t my responsibility”. Also, try

point.

to avoid unnecessary filler words and phrases like “sort of”,“more or less”,“I guess”,“know what I mean?”,“innit”,“like”, and “what I’m trying to say is”.

Thank the interviewer and say how much you enjoyed the interview and say how excited you are by the opportunities available. 0

s | I

e 2

Vo l

There are many books and internet sites which will give long lists of typical interview questions alongside “model” answers. Freely

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Knowing the inside information makes you stand out from the

PART 7 STUDENT PAGES

Seal of All the Prophets The Holy Qur’an states:

be last out of all three of us to graduate. Does that in any way make me greater considering the fact that the former

“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets and Allah has full knowledge of all things.”

invented the telephone, the latter was a symbol of peace at the time of partition in India and I have not achieved anything of that stature?

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 33, Verse 41

t is with great regret that there are Muslims of our

Therefore, it was the work carried out by those people that

day have inferred from these verses that the door to

elevates them in stature over myself and my being last to

prophethood has now closed. They believe that the phrase “Seal of the Prophets” means that Hadhrat Muhammad

graduate has no bearing on the matter. In the same way, it was the message of the Holy Prophet

was the last prophet. This is despite the fact that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has provided incontrovertible evidence from the Holy Qur’an that the blessing of prophethood will continue until the end of

that made him distinct. It was his character and personality that elevated him above all other prophets. Ultimately, it was his unrivalled love for Allah that gave him the title ”Seal of the Prophets”.

time and that the phrase signifies the best or the greatest of prophets. The aim of this article is to summarise some of

Other Proofs Supporting Our Claim

this evidence. Proof 1

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Context of the Verse

The Holy Qur’an states

The context within which the above verse was revealed makes it very clear that Hadhrat Muhammad was being referred to as the greatest of prophets. The opponents of Islam in Mecca claimed that the Holy Prophet

did not have a

hast

bestowed

Thy

displeasure,

Thy and

blessings, those

those who

who

have

not

incurred

have

not

gone

astray.”

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 1, Verses 6 and 7

male offspring and therefore Islam would collapse after his demise. It was in response to this allegation that Allah

The verses above, taken from Sura Fatiha, are recited daily

revealed the above verse. If we take the stance that “Seal

by Muslims in their Salat (prayers) all over the world. In

of the Prophets” means the best of all prophets as the

these verses, Muslims have been instructed to pray that

Ahmadiyya Community claims, then the it is understood

they are guided on the same path as those on whom Allah

that it is irrelevant if Muhammad is not the father of any

had “bestowed his blessings”. In Sura Nisa, Allah explains

man because he is a messenger of Allah, which is a higher

who the people are upon whom his blessings have been

station than being a father. The verse then goes on to state

bestowed:

that not only is he the Messenger of Allah, but he is also the best of all prophets. Within the context of the verse, this interpretation is reasonable and logical as compared to the argument put forward by the mainstream Muslims. The alternative as

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 4, Verse 70

have been instructed to pray to tread the same path

messenger of Allah, which is a higher station than being a

as prophets before them. How could Allah ask us to

father. The verse would then goes on to state that not only

pray for something that we cannot attain if the door to

is he the Messenger of Allah but he is also the final prophet.

Prophethood was now closed? Moreover, if an individual

prophethood distinct from that of other prophets. There is no distinction at all in being the final prophet or being the last at something in time. For example, I am studying at a university that was also attended by Alexander Graham Bell and Mahatma Gandhi. They are both now dead and I will

az in e

the Martyrs, and the Righteous. And an excellent company are they”

The two verses, when read together, show that Muslims

through elevating him to a high status and making his

whom Allah has bestowed His blessings - the Prophets, the Truthful,

Muhammad is not the father of any man because he is a

the charge placed on the Holy Prophet

riq

“And whoso obeys Allah and this Messenger shall be among those on

represented by them would have us read; It is irrelevant if

That simply makes no sense. The verse is trying to counter

“Guide us on the right path. The path of those on whom Thou

cannot reach prophethood through following the Holy Prophet

, then according to the verses

he cannot be from among the truthful, the martyrs or the righteous either. To attribute such a twisted idea is disrespectful to the greatest Prophet of all time and Ahmadi Muslims cannot for one second entertain such a notion.

PART 7 STUDENT PAGES

It should also be noted that this verse is speaking

in nature. It is therefore illogical to claim that one verse

specifically about Hadhrat Muhammad

is referring to people of the time of Hadhrat Adam while three others are referring to the people

and his followers and as such only those following him can

of the time of Hadhrat Muhammad

attain the level of the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous. Allah, in his beneficence, has provided us

Proof 3

with another verse that sheds further light on the issue: “And those who believe in Allah and His Messengers, they are the Truthful and the Martyrs in the presence of their Lord. They will have their full reward and their light. But those who disbelieve and reject Our Signs, these are the inmates of Hell”

The Durood Sharif is another proof in favour of the view held by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on “Seal of the Prophets”. Durood Sharif is an important prayer that Muslims all around the world recite daily as part of their salat. The

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 57, Verse 20

translation of the first part of Durood Sharif is:

The above verse refers to all the messengers and leaves

“Bless, O Allah, Muhammad and his people as Thou didst bless

out prophethood. When read in conjunction with the

Abraham and his people. Thou art indeed Praiseworthy, the Exalted”

other verses mentioned above, it signifies that followers of other prophets can only attain the level of the truthful and

The question arises as to exactly what it was with which Hadhrat Abraham

the martyrs while the followers of Hadhrat Muhammad can also attain prophethood. The verse

and his people were

blessed. From the Holy Qur’an and a careful study of and his

blessing bestowed on Abraham

now only reserved for the followers of the Holy Prophet

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

religious history, it becomes evident that the greatest

omits prophethood because that particular blessing is

people was that of Prophethood.

. This elevates the Holy Prophet and his followers to a level that will never again be conceived by any other prophet or his followers.

Referring to Hadhrat Abraham

, the Holy

Qur’an states:

This claim by the Holy Qur’an cements the Holy Prophet’s place as the Greatest Prophet of all time

“And We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and We placed Prophethood and the Book among his descendants, and We gave him his reward in

and the “Seal of the Prophets”

this life, and in the Hereafter he will, surely, be among the righteous”

Proof 2 The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 29, Verse 28

The Holy Qur’an states: It is this same blessing of Prophethood that Muslims have “O Children of Adam, if Messengers come to you from among

been instructed to pray for every day. This simple yet

yourselves, rehearsing My Signs unto you, then whoso shall fear God

effective prayer taught to Muslims by Hadhrat Muhammad

and do good deeds, on them shall come no fear nor shall they grieve” The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 7, Verse 36

Current belief held by mainstream Muslims aboutHadhrat Jesus

and not

people of the time of Hadhrat Adam

to the followers of Hadhrat Muhammad

This is a false notion because certain preceeding verses of the same chapter use the term “O children of Adam” and are speaking in the present tense. That is:

place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not immoderate; does

not

love

those

Jesus

will come and save them is highly

who

are

immoderate”

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 7, Verse 32

when that belief is held under scrutiny. If this belief was taken to be true then it results in a scenario where the Muslims are not capable of producing a prophet through .

The Holy Qur’an states that a tree can be judged by the fruit it contains. The tree of Islam, the seed for which was laid by the Holy Prophet

, according to

mainstream Muslims cannot bear the fruits of Prophethood. The tree of Hadhrat Noah

Verses 27 and 28 of the same chapter are also similar

disrespectful to Hadhrat Muhammad

following the Holy Prophet

“O Children of Adam! take your adornment at every time and

The belief held currently by some Muslims that Hadhrat

contained many

such fruits and through following him many men attained 1

in the future. It is often claimed that the verse is speaking to

s | I

e 2

therefore, categorically implies that prophets will still come

and,

the followers of the Holy Prophet

Vo l

This verse is speaking in the future tense and is sent to

surely,

proves that prophethood is a blessing that the Muslims have not been denied by Allah.

PART 7 STUDENT PAGES

the status of a prophet such as Hadhrat Lot The tree of Moses

produced similar fruits. His

own brother, Aaron

obtained prophethood

Muslims maintain that his followers cannot even produce

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

a single prophet through following Hadhrat Muhammad

His mission was simply to bring Muslims closer to Allah

of Qadian.

and His Messenger thus achieving the aim of Islam, which

. Therefore, in my opinion, it is this unintentional belief in the finality of Prophethood on the

is to unify and bring Man into a state of harmony with his

part of orthodox Islam that is disrespectful to the Holy

environment. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is blessed

and provides a doorway for the

Prophet

and unified under Khilafat and where there is unity, one is

enemies of Islam to launch attacks on the founder of Islam.

bound to find Allah at its source.

One of the charges laid against Ahmadi Muslims is that we

Conclusion

disrespect the Holy Prophet

through our

interpretation of “Seal of the Prophets”. This is completely unfounded. On the contrary, it is in fact the Ahmadi Muslims who have upheld the great station occupied by the Holy .

Prophet

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

through that love being rekindled in the hearts of Muslims so much today. It was for this purpose that Allah sent

, the orthodox

of the Holy Prophet

can once again be revitalized to that same level. Only can we ever hope to achieve the unity that we require

. As for the tree

through following Moses

prophethood so that the love of Allah and his messenger

The Muslims today are in dire need of a prophet. In whatever way one wishes to measure success; be it in terms of military, scientific, economic or technological success; the Muslims are unfortunately behind in virtually every field. There is not a single crime or vice that is not

Furthermore, according to mainstream Islam, a prophet

found in the so-called Muslim nations of today. Whenever

from another Ummah will come to save them in the form

the people of any time have required guidance from God,

of Hadhrat Jesus

. The teachings of Hadhrat

help and assistance is sent to them through prophets.

Muhammad

are not enough so the

Then why should this assistance be suddenly taken away from the Muslims who follow the Greatest ever Prophet

Muslims need a prophet belonging to another set of

teachings to come and save them. If we cast a glance yet again at the history of religion we see that all previous lawand

bearing prophets such as Hadhrat Noah

brought teachings that did

Hadhrat Moses

not rely on any prophet belonging to another Ummah to be implemented. Therefore, if the law of Hadhrat Muhammad requires a prophet from another Ummah then this does not elevate the prophethood of the Holy over all other prophethoods but

Prophet

instead reduces it in stature. Once again, when this belief is held in scrutiny it again proves to be highly disrespectful to the Greatest Prophet of Allah, Hadhrat Muhammad .

It is ironic to see, therefore, that the Muslims have shut off the only avenue of hope left to them. They go to great lengths to try to revive Islam but are not willing to even listen to what the Promised Messiah

to be outside the pale of Islam but all that is required from them is to open any book of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

and notice how he was completely and

lost in the love of the Holy Prophet

submitted all he had to Allah. They can continue to oppose Ahmadiyyat, but little do they realise that the victory of Islam is at hand and will come only through the acceptance

It should be noted at this point that this article is not aimed

of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

at hurting the feelings or sensibilities of non-Ahmadi

Promised Messiah and Mahdi.

Muslims. As Ahmadi Muslims, we are in no doubt that all Muslims of today, regardless of their doctrinal or sectarian differences, have a tremendous amount of love and respect for Allah and His Messenger

has to

say. The Muslim nations today have declared Ahmadiyyat

. However,

as the

May Allah guide us all on the right path, the path of those on whom He has bestowed His blessings. Ameen

that love and respect is not of the same level which existed at the time of the Holy Prophet

. History

testifies that the love and affection of that time resulted in unity and brotherhood among Muslims: the like of which had never been witnessed before in the history of Man. Ta

riq

We need to realise that Islam requires the continuation of

M ag

az in e

Amaar Idris (Redbridge Qiadat) (Editors note: The author’s use of the word mainstream is used to distinguish the interpretations of other Muslim groups from those of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community)

PART 8 LETTERS & COMMENTS

Part

8 Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Letters & Comments

The Great Reward A Hard Life (poem)

(This section is to encourage “Tariq’s” readers to submit their comments for publication. We would welcome any letters, poems

s | I

e 2

Vo l

or written articles...)

PART 8 LETTERS & COMMENTS

Letters & Comments The Great Reward

is the

Muhammad Syed Ansar Khan “Oh ye who believe! shall I point out to you a commerce which will deliver you from a painful punishment? That you believe in Allah and His messenger, and strive in that cause of Allah with your wealth and your persons. That is better for you, did you but know. He will forgive you your sins, and will admit you to Gardens through which streams ﬂow, and to pure and pleasant dwellings in Gardens of Eternity. That is the supreme triumph.” The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 61, Verses 11 to 13

garden needs water for life, so too

In the annuals of history Hadhrat

create a stream of goodness which will

to teach humanity the ways of life.

irrigate a garden of paradise for him.

Guided by Allah he both explained

Hence paradise is achievable in this

and carried out everything in

world as well as the next.

accordance with building a utopia (perfect society). His is the example and teaching we should follow; if for no other reason that he is the only man throughout human history who truly brought peace where ever he went. His triumphant return to Mecca is a case in point. He brought people

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

“Those of the believers who sit at home, excepting

and from all walks of life under the

the disabled ones, and those who strive in the

shade of Islam and his example and

cause of Allah with their wealth and their

teachings created a peaceful and

persons are not equal. Allah has exalted in

productive harmony. Sa’id

Khudri

“Abu Hurairah Hadhrat

relates that

Muhammad

relates

and asked: “Who is the best of Mankind?”. He replied “A believer who strives with his person and his property in the cause

said: ‘the case of one who strives in the cause of

of Allah”. The man asked “And after him?”. “A

Allah is like that of a person who should observe

believer who worships Allah in a mountain valley

the fast and the prayers and should carry out

and spares people all mischief ” was the reply.

Allah’s commandments in a humble spirit and should not interrupt his observance of the fast

forgiveness. How arrogant or careless are we to think we will be automatic heirs to an eternal paradise. It is by the sheer Grace of God that He has common good, similar to how the ant colony function, through which we

Jama’at of Allah’s great rewards and the sacrifices made in His cause. One such example is the all night security duty, a difficult task with amazing payback. Numerous Khuddam testify to it undoubtedly having been a catalyst for Allah to sort out problems in their lives. And many do not even know that Hadhrat Muhammad explained that

Bokhari & Muslim, Hadith 1294, Gardens of the Righteous, page 222

“patrolling the frontier for a day or night is greater in

or his participation in prayer till the return of the one who is striving in the cause of Allah.’”

Allah at least seventy times a day for

There are many examples within our

that a man came to Hadhrat Muhammad The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 4, Verse 96

, who could do no evil, supplicated to

can wipe away our gravest sins.

rank those who strive with their belongings Abu

The Exemplar of God

given us small and simple tasks for the

together from various religions

and their persons above those who sit at home.”

Mankind must through his actions

exemplar. A man chosen by God

The cause of Allah is anything that

reward than a months fasting and voluntary prayer.”

is tantamount to creating a better Bokhari & Muslim, Hadith 1303,

environment and quality of life. It can

Gardens of the Righteous, page 223

range from a simple Waqare-Amal

riq

to a period of Waqfe-Arzi in a foreign

So in real terms, how lucky are those

increase the quality of life. It is a social

land. Allah is our Creator, our Nurturer

who sacrifice an occasional day or

and economic system, which raises

and our Sustainer. He is Wise and has

night? Very lucky. No wonder they are

man from a morally depraved beast

no need to break the rules of nature

blessed with the succour of God.

to a highly developed spiritual being

He has already put in place. He has

able to share communion with its

created a world built on the principle

Creator.

of “cause and effect”. So it is up to us

Hadhrat

“Abu Hurairah

relates that

Muhammad

with our freed conscious that have

said: ‘Everyone who is injured in the cause of

Like ants which are blind, yet by

to make a concerted effort to prove

Allah will appear on the Day of Judgement

following a highly organised structure

we are worthy. By coming together

with his wound bleeding, its colour the colour of

and system, are able to collectively

and using our hands we can create a

blood and its smell like the fragrance of musk’”.

reach objectives conducive to a whole

paradise here on earth.

have the moral responsibility to

Hadhrat Masih-e-Maud

work together for the betterment of

explained that the Gardens of Paradise

mankind.

through which rivers flow is a deeper way of explaining that like a physical

az in e

Gardens of the Righteous, page 222

Islam is a way of life designed to

ant colony. We too as human beings

Bokhari & Muslim, Hadith 1296,

Bokhari, Hadith 1300, Gardens of the Righteous, page 222

So truly righteous are those of us who, through the sacrifices of our

PART 8 LETTERS & COMMENTS

time, wealth and honour, are currently building upon the foundations laid by the Promised Messiah

for

“As no garden can ﬂourish without water, no faith can be considered live without good deeds. It is meaningless to have faith without righteous

another utopian society. By the sweat on our foreheads and

actions; likewise good deeds without faith are a vain display. According to

the marks on our skin and clothes we irrigate the gardens

Islam, heaven in fact is the reﬂected image of our faith and our deeds. It is

of our eternal resting place.

not something new which will be delivered to man from outside. In fact it is created from within him. Each man’s heaven is born out of his own faith

Life is short and filled with many distractions. Compared

and good deeds, which he begins to experience and enjoy in this very life.”

to the hereafter our current lives will be like the blinking of an eye. How many times do you think you have blinked

Roohani Khazain, Volume 10,

whilst just reading this article? It’s probably hard to guess.

Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, page 390

But by mentioning it, your brain is now making a concerted effort to note each blink. Likewise, we have to make a concerted effort to note how much good are we sending on for ourselves in the hereafter. If each blink, was to equal

May Allah forgive us our sins, increase our effort and open for us the doors of success. Ameen.

a person who lived and died compared to an eternity. How many people throughout the world do you think may have died before you finish this paragraph? It makes for a

A Hard Life

shocking reality.

Muhammad

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, UK

Syed Ansar Khan relates that Hadhrat

That is why Abu Hurairah said

“There are a hundred grades in paradise which Allah has prepared for

When the world around you is getting you down,

those who strive in the cause of Allah and the distance between any

And people of this world look at you and frown.

two of these grades is like the distance between heaven and earth”. Bokhari, Hadith 1305, Gardens of the Righteous, page 223

Our real goal is to build a paradise in this world and the

When people you love leave behind this life, And all around you is confrontation and strife.

next. Like the ant colony, we have no time to wait or be mistaken that there is still much time and that prayer alone will save us. Even a seemingly menial or trivial task is part of a grand plan. Sweeping the floor or setting out a line of

When a smile on your face feels like an impossible feat, And the stress on your face digs even ever more deep.

chairs for a function is partaking in establishing a perfect socio-economic system for the betterment of the whole of mankind. The rewards of which Insh’Allah we will see not only in the next world but in this world also.

When your life seems hard and unable to bear, And your patience and resolve is worn down to a hair.

So the next time you are asked to spare a little time or effort for the Jama’at, remember the bigger picture it truly is. Be

This is when we know we are nearing our goal,

like the ant that through a combined and concerted effort

For true steadfastness does complete your soul.

works for the future of the whole colony. For in common good is our good. We must realise that the fate of the world does rest in our hands. The Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi

Be humble and pure and regular in prayer, For this is the power that causes wings to appear.

summed things up perfectly when he said: So rejoice in the glad tidings and be happy to be tried,

s | I

e 2

Vo l

Just sit right back and enjoy the ride.

§H i + ³ u D < E 8^ H 7 H w XW X /8 ¿ FWD W Ä + E % ¿ W½8 ` H8 6X W 6§H[DDx Dv C Q l< m | c » 6ZD Å U8D5 Z FWD W 8 a V/6x5 E Ì ¸ W O Y DW8 8W a 8 6E 98 Â D Ï c 4 8S .8 DW8 # µ 8 # Á U8} W ¹ F X¼5 .8 n* 0 a 4k W l VS<Ãa4·D6# D8´ % U S 8 Q ¼ 6u D< + R_ + % tW Z¨ m HÁ8 Æ B UØ8 V/ V/ DW8 l ÇB 4WD8 tWD k lj 6mVE xaT ¸ S 8 68 D n Ù8WD Q Z¨ 9 -5 ;8D FWD ZÄ a H8 Ä Á VFW 7 Ä + E % 6m Ï H mt + + Z¨ h ¥ /8 D j8 6j EWi W Tk c 7 j i 3 c tW ¥ Z¨ n* 0 5Ä 8i´ li¾aR + [D tQ S Á XX I8 7 6 T0 S ¥ l F t 8WD a ½ $ S 8 s DW8 X8B /8 l H/ j [D8 C c lj DWj I8XWDW8 Z [ Á 6± 8 s¿¬S 8 mt 8S i 8Pic4 WDÑ V6u 4Í m D% iXD¤ Å RY 8D 8D 6m Ä + E ¸ Å @i K8 DW8 m Ä + E J ¥ XD ; ¸¦) 1 W a 8D6m iÆ DC [ S 8i ! ½8' wz8 V Å li D V/ m Ä + E % Å a liD Å8ÅLz85mUvpH mt Á 8DV6±miD 8 6j;DWgcÓD ½ (E z 5UxQ ÔD X E F S n* 0 @i H8 6 Y .8 h &8 l n* 0 ?D1 S + ´ ¸ HÁ8 VFW h DW8 m ¸ li H& 8 6m Ä a ;D 8 P h Å 8 j G 8" V % 7 j À [ ¸ 7Ä + E ¸D 8 D j S 86 M i 8= x<+T 8 7 ¸ 8 6j B< [ ¥ ¤5 c T 8 / ? 8W S D8 £x a tW /8 DW8 V8I8 U /8 £x a ½ $ n* 0 DC h W i Å Å8 I8<Ã Å / H8 6m < bD ®8D &8 <a;P898£6x<+NWfX+ < ÅÅ8l ¶/ ;8D [D ½ $ <Ã Ä + E % 6 li NWf A 8W S V 4 ³ d 4v< 9 H Å8 n* 0 = DW8 ¹ Z, K 3 [6 H 5 ;8D«8DW8È4 8WDÅ4 WQ l< U Pi c T .8 i i U Y8 l n* 0 6È 15 XD W Q Â Ë5 Ë5 % i W S 8 £W Z 8 ¥ DW8 x, u[D<aXDfX¼5 6Ä t Á `FXcR/88 + C# F

ÈÏ M¿ ² Ì ¾ RÌAH ¹ ReA¿

*R c * ( ( S 8c? Y8 D 8b8 ¥ 8 s * º ;_ ;fT /8 4 # i :5 a ,, ; ® IS XW Å a :5 6% X@ < l ? 8` Á n V XW × DWg 8 DW8 u Åk W Å ;¼ < l? Y8Å¼7Å¼H8XW+ %X@ Á jk D£ 8` Á D V/ s Ô a m t u E k 7 F % X x Á >

yy6 ×

mD jTmM¾ jIÎ¬ S¯¿X@ F a D( : 5 } 8 V 8 5c D( .8³×ÉM 6 º cU F8¶²8¾B ¬ @WD c A Ô Ph f U F8 ¶²8 H8 b;k 5 [ 8 Dv[ 8È8eu Du É @ c UV8 Ph DC F8 ¶²8 H8 6u j @i H8 DW8 ¹ x< c º c lj FbH DW8 ZXW x, ; N8 li Tu Q Ù a TMk [D8 8WD a D( [ 8 ¹ 8 DC s8 S 8 V e È 1< a F8 8 D Ï a 4x8} W ,q DW8 &fo i8W l ²

f c V/% % ¬ c [ 8 @i H8 6 i f 6d u ¸: m* 8 ¶²8 V 8 c Q H8 a 4 D( ¶ Ì c 4 D( V86×¥Di8 8D8 iÙ&8Å [ [ DW8×u 6× w¤ D 8 U8 ¶ >² É a i ¸ Y ° DW8 ½ UØ F a D( ¥ 8 ´ : 5 } 8 u u F8 ¶²84Â× É M U³ H8 i®8DÅ [ 8Y u 8SD Å:5³ F 8 ¶ ² 8 V 8 ¸8 a D( c :5 } 8 6 i L a U H8 i º a XD H8 ³ E 5 a U i®8DÅD¯^Q ;k cQ% Â a©H861f V f8U8` Dx8] T'8 07956 123 489 ÔVÃ 7 Ô

V ;;d A¬==

IÀ Ø c V/ Ï g F c WD 3 n* 0 a ;D c li T- ¸ Î g F 4WT ;DWg Å Ì x1 c li uD'iV»;bc g F .8U nD8 m4£4£6m< i l n* 0 5 Ä + 2f Å ½S T 8¨ /8 Q ; Å S [ ¤ n Tc[D Ì°cº c : # 8 /DW8E ; B 0 u >< fc t F8DVqD Ä + E %¸V 64 D X k5 n* a Á Z¨E a;D cDw8Z¨QH8 liº cl D8 g F X i cV/l n* 0 6u<<E Á Dvj . j· D 6[ i% Â ¯5ÅD @f Â t[T D liT-x '+ % 6Ä + ` Dv V ¥alm V/n* 0 ¿ H8 $ <ÃS 8È«8 ) /ÅaH/<ÃW 6coi5W m½ ¿ a : X W xH DW8 li Ñ Å D8 m DW8 x5 a m i 4 6Ä 8 % V/ ¸ ³ f l 8WD + E ¨ a <Ã S ;8DDW8 0 ) clCD·j h W V DW8 V À[ Ä U8} i 8 a Z 8 W 8D 4 DW8 6± x% T 8 . ZD¤ 3 ;8D ´ Ä + E + E % 6dZi E < U + Å t Ä F t Á XX i Z T mk DW0 Å E ;Â WD · ¸8 XXDW8¹ miD XXx TDÏ;8D 46dx<E EJ t Á 8 4vd Ü8W ) F 8 ´ Tk X ¾ i ' a VN S H8 6m ®8D Å <Ã XD q Å 7 d i z 5 [ DW8 m i D 8 A 8W ;8D «8 ¿ li U8D5 V 8D ¿ Â W a;D c L 8W% ÌS 8 £ m < E WD D8& 6jWW mt Á ¸ÅX8 D8 kcR [D XUxS 8DW8j D[ m HÁ8 5ÀÅ8Wi ÅÅ8ZXW ´; [¨S} 8 H8 a »f D ° DW8 × ± * D li 8 V S ) 6×T aU R oDW8mk

l7Ä + E i 8S 8i8W48x[ 8x;fT} & cT % Â 0 ) [ m 8 E %DW8E @iK8V6[ Ä ¹ m« mÍ + a ;D c l< Zx DW8 d i + 4 ³ ×D ² ¸ U Å Q Z¨ Q H8 m > XD a >Ã S qD n* 0 6X W 8¨` # jmiQ H8 £ [D 8 8XW³ j²} 85m 0 [¨ Å H/ c Å [ 7 l n* [D 8 8 V 6x< ³ © 6Ä + a 8j a[ 8 S W I8 S 5 8 ljdZ¨ ¿ ¤5 c W 6 O Ý ) &8DW8×À[ iÏ;k [DWgcQ% Â E %DW8E i ;f8µ = Å t l I8 H8 6u i n Å [ l n* 0 HD } 8E d + |D8¨³x< Å.D <Ã ´R 8¨} 8_* 7 Ô

Ø L R½ R ¯Ë

'gABÎ± u ³(

'f C Ë Ò Ä ¸ (

s a [a ¢ Q 4 ^ 6[D a ;f8M ;8D Ä + 8xÅ4W\ V/ y Ï XW Z¨6 ±ÜAS ; c7m ' 8cUC H/¸ 4WO DW8 8W V/6m 8 Ì 4¥4kW 6 ± T8B~ 4SVU VaI8 8 6m TT Ï ³ lWD i Å W W ³ S Å/ y J * DW8 w yÂ2K '8Wi ?µ n* 0 6w M Å/ Å 8M P 8 U 8M 4¯} J 8 D £ x a ¿ Vk } $ [¨ m D 4WiÄU 5cD8 mÈ³Q jhc4¥W V8Åli zÉ £W l V . 8 8F5 D Î Å M¼ H8 y V 6d 4< ) Q T¥ [ 8F5 .8 DW8 ± x i D C Qv 6 uD<Í 4 t Á 8 Å Q Å ¥ a R´ J Ph £ Ä + E Ã XW È «8 ÅH ;f8M6xfR U Á 6m<) 8 nD8 m9XDÄ + mt È Å ! 8£V DW8E v# 48x.8l4S8x 'D ¥ DW8 ± * W V/ Vk) ZD 4 6Å« J k c l< VW XF8 ;8D l Vk) ZD E % ¸ V / i IS l ÂE H86Å FXÅV1f

Z X ]E 8fD Å DW8u +X% 6E li D Dv[DÃ 4¥4kW 8DF8lU nD8 m Z liYa[a [XW S 8DW8 4 8 U)ZXW S fKXWÅVk)4ÈÏ '<'<6±iR aX D 8XWi @i d 8 DW8 u [D8 a Ì l 4S8 qD;8D Ã K8iD . 1 a;f8M¶/XW98QH8Hw Üx U8D5Å c m x XD W È X¼5 Qo V/ V DW8 × 0 K i U8D5 @i 6x<+ a g ` X0 V/D£ U i D8 nD8 m ¿ 3 ¤ ' j8W;8DÅtl4S8iq ¶iS + + aX 8c[d 6Ä J XD W mÍ Â t p8 S c * 8 6c % h W 8D £ m £x 4 W ¸ ¥ S K8 i ;f8µ Ñ i ´ XD W mÍ [D 6 D 8 X Z¨ a ½x^ 3 6c º c 5 ¿ lD8 S DW8 J< @i ¤ i S g F D8 g F j S 8 x1 c li IÀ Ø c 8 ;D cDw8Å + E %¸Va/|5¡ DW8Àc Ø cV/ Ä E x< [ 8 8Z c ^ DC n 8f u 0 a 6x< [ 8 ;Ø Q m ¥ Å ¹ F [Ï 4c H8 U 3

V ;;d A¬==

Â&#x2021;ÂżAĂ&#x152;Â&#x203A;m h Â&#x2021;Âż QH Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Ă&#x2014;QĂ&#x152;

NQemĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x2013; QÂż aAĂ&#x20AC;MT@ jĂ&#x152;ÂŞAÂ˛

Ă % D, V U28M Â? Â&#x201C; Â&#x; 7 [DWÂ? F Â? < D &o Ă ;WĂ&#x20AC; Âż Â? F=D FÂ&#x2022;5 Â&#x153; U8} Q )D V5t W 68Â? Â˛ a : Ă&#x17D; B DW8 Â Âż Â? 7 8Â? 9 XDĂ&#x201E; z Â&#x2019;m & c 4 Ev + Ă&#x2C6; Ă&#x2026; i Â¸ X XH S 8a: Q )D Q Â? 8Â&#x2019;8 c F~ 6xÂ? NWf Ă&#x17D; Ba D,6mĂ&#x201E; DW8Â&#x201E;8Ă&#x2022;<8D Â?<D%vÂ?)~ Â&#x153; + + Ă&#x2021;T Ă&#x201A; ÂˇUÂ&#x2019;^Â? <D@Â&#x153;8Ă&#x201E; % 0 )~ Â&#x153;Â Ă?Â&#x2DC; lÂ&#x201E;8 DqÂ&#x20AC;U * ( i8WS S D P Ă&#x2026; l( !( D ;Â? Dv Ă&#x2021; a D, 6Â&#x2DC; l Â&#x2019;Â&#x201A; i [EvU8` 6xÂ?wÂ¤ % a ;D8Â&#x20AC; c ! DÂ&#x20AC; U Ă&#x2026; z 8 n Â&#x201E;8 } 8F U F ;kc8 Âż Â? 7 c <D D l Ui8 V D < Â&#x20AC; Â?D 6Ă&#x2026;Â? Â˛ Ă 9Â&#x201D;`lU 6Ă&#x2026;8WixÂ&#x2019;DW8E kÂ? nDÂ&#x20AC;U 6Âą*Â°

! DÂ&#x20AC; UĂ&#x2013;Â&#x153; Â&#x2C6; VÂ&#x201E;f8U8` s=* Â&#x153; WY8 s* DWLU"8 Ă&#x2026;Ă&#x201A;ZD? NĂ?8 fÂ? F Â? Â? VÂ&#x201E;f8 U8` Ă&#x2026; :5 n* 0 >5 (+ Â&#x2022;u DÂ? Â˛ a BD Ă&#x192;Â&#x2C6;Âş Â&#x2019; 5 UV8 7 Â&#x17D;8% # 0% Â&#x201C;ÂŁ

Â&#x153;NĂ?8ZDÂ&#x2022;T 8 64Â? D Â? s Q Â? Â&#x2021;Â&#x2019; ;~Â&#x2019; cf

fa 6d8DÂ&#x2022; uUĂ&#x2013;j6 Ă&#x201A; yyd,, U D ;kĂ&#x2013;ZĂ&#x2014; Ă&#x152; Q Â? DW8 UÂ&#x2019;^% Â&#x203A;DW8 u ÂŻ ;Â&#x2026;XÂ&#x2014; c` 0 8XWc?Â&#x17D;8` Â&#x2022;@WDcV=8ZDÂ&#x2022; 9 Â&#x20AC;5ZD?DW8 ÂĽ8Stc tWDW8 Zfo/8 Â&#x203A;d 8DÂ&#x2022; 6u # i Ă&#x2026;d8D Pi c 4 ^ c |kF5- UV8 Ă? Â&#x192; h WH8 6u # fÂ&#x2019; 7Âł Pi c Âš8 c @ XW Â&#x153; UV8 s Â&#x201C; u UFf S Ă&#x2026;a Ă&#x201A; Ă&#x2026; a s Â&#x2022;u D DÂ&#x2030; 8% Â&#x153;UĂ&#x201E;WRÂ&#x203A; Â? q8DÂ&#x2022;6uÂľĂ&#x2021;8DW8Â Â&#x153;UV8Â&#x201C;ÂŁ i XfoÂ&#x203A;UV86urÂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2030;cÂ˘ : [jĂ&#x2030;8Â&#x2018;) 1 DW8D8Â&#x2039; Â&#x153;VkÂ&#x20AC;Â&#x2022;D8Â&#x2019;~W Ă % Ă&#x201A; i8WĂ&#x201C;Da Ă&#x201A; EÂ&#x153;[D8Â&#x2019;8WDDW8Â&#x192; 8Â&#x2019; QÂ?Â&#x2019;Â? rÂ&#x2019;Ă&#x2030;cliX% 6u Â&#x153;j( / Â&#x;@WDÂś8fÂ&#x153;NĂ?8H8ZDÂ&#x2022;6u Ă&#x201A; Â&#x201C; 4Â? ÂŻ Q Â? TÂľ a NĂ?8 T 8 UÂ&#x2019;^ % U D n* 0 Â&#x153;;S8DW8 WÂ&#x2019;E aĂ&#x17D;Â?TÂľaNĂ?86dZiĂ&#x2021; j6 Â? 4WXWÂ&#x2019; Dv J^ DW8 d $ Ă&#x153;x Â&#x153; Tu s-Â´Â&#x2019;Q a 5 Â&#x2022;d $ OWÂ? Ă 6Ă&#x2C6;Â&#x17E;iÂşÂ&#x;Â¸QÂ?Ă?) mTWD.8si1Â&#x2019;Â&#x; 8E x [DÂ&#x2022; ?Â&#x17D; Y8 6 i xÂ&#x2019; Â¸ Q Â? [Â&#x153; c NĂ?8 H8 O 8XÂź?Â&#x17D;Y8XJ 8Ă&#x2030;!8Â¨8;_Â&#x203A;DW8xkÂ? Ă T-Â&#x;4#Â&#x; 6xkÂ? Ă Â&#x203A; Âłcl) /8D ;XÂłc U"8 W Â&#x2C6; VÂ&#x201E;f8U8` !DÂ&#x20AC;Â&#x2022;Â&#x201E;8}8F

Â&#x;@Â&#x201C; R PÂ&#x20AC;Q Â&#x17D;Â&#x2021;Ă&#x2014;QĂ&#x152; U28M T 8 F Â? <D Â&#x2039;W %D R8W Â&#x152;R ' c U8` Ă&#x201D;8 Âľ XÂ&#x2019;D RD V 6Ă&#x2026;Â? Â˛ a Lyme Park Â&#x; 7 % U8` Ă&#x17D; Â&#x20AC;Â¸Ă&#x2026;8@D# eÂ &DÂ&#x2021;Ph DW8uÂ? 6uJ Â&#x2019; 6mĂ&#x201E; VÂ&#x201E;8U28Â&#x153;| Dc + +Â¸aykĂ&#x2030;f8D8Â&#x2019;8u + + Ă? Q Â? @ Save a V/ Â&#x2022;Ă&#x201E; N + D5 Â&#x152;R ; T 8 the Children, Cancer Research, Leukaemia Research, Humanity First, Great Ormond Street

DW8 Hospital, Mustard Tree, Evergreen Appeal i National Trust 6ÂąwÂ¤ VÂ&#x201E;f8 U8` ! DÂ&#x20AC; U n Â&#x201E;8 } 8F U FÂ&#x2022;5 Â&#x153; Walk Ă %Â? Â? xÂ&#x2019; Ă&#x2021;Ă?8 DW8 ;E 8" ` c Â&#x2C6; xÂ&#x2019; 68Â? 9XDĂ&#x201E; + xEÂ? mt Ă&#x201A; Â&#x2C6; Â&#x201E; 8 f x U Â? U8` Â¸ T 8 6Ă&#x2026;8Wi l ÂŠ U n% i EWÂ&#x2019; 6m Ă&#x201E; + + Dx <Wo XH Â&#x153; p DH Q Â? T%8 DW8 p HÂ&#x2019; Q ( HÂ&#x2019;l4S86x5TÂ?8 Ă&#x192;ÂşK ; HW 87Â&#x203A;a4Â&#x2030;8Wlinv8Â¨ 6+Ă&#x2020;a HÂ&#x152;8xEÂ? ~Â&#x153;p Ă&#x2030;f8D8Â&#x2019; Â&#x2019;=8 Â&#x153; F Ă&#x2026; z 8 Âż Â? 4WF~ DW8 l Â? 3WÂ&#x2019; i Â&#x201E;8 DĂ&#x2122; Ă&#x2020; U ;D8Â&#x20AC; c 7 8Â? a cl Â? Â¨8 6 U nXÂ¤ Ă&#x201A; EÂ&#x153;ÂšÂ&#x2019;iDÂ&#x153;4E ~DW8 Â°V % aÂşRDW8;kc8a4Â&#x2030;8WliX% 1 6xÂ?wÂ¤ i aR8WH8U8 `ÂľDHxEÂ?ÂŚÂ&#x2021;6* Â¤ i h <D D

7 Â&#x201E;Â&#x2022; Ă&#x201D;

a picture of Marathon

VÂ&#x2030; ;;dÂ&#x203A;AÂŹ==

uIÀc:5 XµS 8 8`

9 I¿Ë

V f 8 U 8` !m x ~xÙ;_ ÆF8

6 iU aV @X DX j8"× < i :5+ T <f :5 a ;D ´ ²8 "× < h V :5 + :5 6Q T <f ¸ O DW8 W :5 W :5 6 .;ÈDg8 H8:5³x«U 8D <f/8Å W 6 XD Z WEb a 4 "× R Å ; B ; .f :5 + V 8 Q % Â Å F8W5 ¢ 6× K 4 a 4 i98 } × K S<;8D[D [D DW8× K ia4WD8F K 4V 8D 8D 6× 6× K S K i P08 :5 + 8 8 × ' S 7 "× ´4k DW84> 5 > 6[D'i3W 4> 5 9 6[D 4k 6 i ; ÅV . 8 K i A :5 + c :5 H8 i98 } &8 8 "× a 4v¿5 DW8 4Î8W a 4_ DW8 4 6 Å a ¿ $ 6 4Ã 4i 4k Â z 5 ° × D ; H8 :5 + ' f Å ¢ % Dx Q 8 4WE1 XW 6'i , ~ U ¢ XW 6× m t Á H8 :5 + 6× '< X k5 lf p 4vE D XW × '< "× K D x Q u ¶ a :5 + :5"4 <:5DW8 Ò y ~ :5 S 62D u ¹ª :5 DW8 Ì S Pi 4WDH lEW x1 U :5 DW8 6È Dk 1s < , < DW8 EW k c ´ :5 6 Dk < iS X Pi c H8 :5 DW8 x< , 6×):5q<%8IÅy :5 ×V <fS q< 6E iU l? 8` c l n* 0 4 I V:5 u # i £ 4 3 S D :5 64 D@ &8 z % Âe 6c % Â lH8 # 9[ £DW8u# 9[ S D c l C 3 # <8 DW8 <8 :5 ³ × 8 :5 } 8 6uIÀc:5 XµS "4Í×:5 6× 8 8`

R)eA L jÎ e@ ÀA¸

Ak Q Î ³ R ¿y² h ¾ j Äyµ Îy³ ¦ H @ h ¿ ³ f »z}Hy h ¾y zvy ¦ H f ½z È T ¯ ¸ ¢ {Q µyY Hy f »zQ Î ² AË @ ¾ Ucf8!Dµ

6× B9 c;}¶ Ì Å Pi c D ZDY "* 8£DW8dZiFf¥/8 S³ZiÇT;}£ ³uD, 8Ph f ¶/ 64 q} "aDW8duD,

Àm± e@ ÀA¸ 9 D 5 ; Å ÅÂ /8 8DY E k Á Å Dx C 8 ;_ l ` 8D uz ¸ 8D x 8´ uz ¸E 8£ h W TWB ÅÂZXW ÅTWB/8 uz ¸E 8 E [# Å · ¿e@ `vA ¥ R³ S°¾ L

6uz ¸E U 8m a

Ôqm²m¾ [QÄ¾ O ¡X ÔAÕ @ Á a Ry c Rf V5t Á ? Y8,, h Q~¹yM ¿zÎ~}ey S¯§iz 6u # k 78§86 iD 8zÇ£u# = 8"c4· /¸V5t Á x G (& 1 ( Å ¦ DW8 Å DW8 n Á a Â u V zÇ 4 8W ¼ V5t ( * * 2( Q i i % zÇ e Ã 1 e % Rf V5t Åt Á 7 a8% 6d8

Á yy6Í RfV5t

«¾Are@ [QÄ¿e@oµQÎs O ¡X ÔAÕ @ /8 6W4 x 'i R u Dk Á ? Y8,, 4 i 8 8 J^ S 8 i? Td 8 V } DW8 4 8W liR u# F8 ´ Å /8 u & ; x c 4· °6 , d ? Y8 8 W 4 8W 7D i8W W8 Å /8 DW8 × ' uD ¥D Â%t¸Å8 cNRa4· 8³6×'<ÍÒ W QDW8 u# <

4@8 Ïh8 ¶ Ì u£ R V ³6u & ¸ Å 4DW8 6× '< µ d Ë5 Ë5 8D Ï) a

U³ × '< DW V8 ° ° DW86× '< DW ¸ Å l Å 4¢ H8 Å 9t Á TµD DW8 Y8 XW W W uN R 7 a8% X x Á >

yy6×'<ÍDWj¸ ' T D8 UC>D ;¤ i Dy.8Q ; W D8

a /8 H8 ÇB V8£k [ 8 Z8 aT /8 a\/8 a'/8 aj/8 7 Ô

Èp 1//4 9 ¯ÎT

Editor (Urdu) : Mirza Fakhar Ahmad MKA Offices, Baitul Futuh Mosque, 181 London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5HF 1

V ;;d A¬==