Tariq Magazine (Volume 16, Issue 4, September 2011)

Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Bike Challenge 26th June 2011 London

Volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association help Marshall the event.

the voice of khuddam

www.khuddam.org.uk

2011

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Important Prayers

Journey of a Lifetime

2011 Student Mulaqats with Huzur Aqdas [atba]

Jalsa Salana Khidmat–e– Khalq

Is God Dead?

Who is an Ahmadi?

vol. 16 | issue 4

Jalsa Salana 22nd–24th July 2011 Alton

Tariq Magazine

Volume 16 • Issue 4 • September 2011

The official publication of: Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (UK) Baitul Futuh, 181 London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5HF Tel: 020 8687 7843 Fax: 020 8687 7889 Email: info@khuddam.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1135657 Editorial Fahim Anwer Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK Aziz Ahmad Hafiz Naib Sadr, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK and Chief Editor Muzaffar Bhatti Mohtamim Ishaat Yousaf Aftab Assistant Editor Design & Typesetting Irfan Chaudhry Ali Ahmad Muhammad Akram Anjum Yusuf Ginai Proofing Hannan Bhatti Safeer Ahmed Ibraheem Khan Packing & Distribution North East Region: Bradford North and Bradford South All correspondence should be forwarded directly to: aziz.hafiz@khuddam.org.uk

Contents 1 Words of Wisdom The Holy Qur’an 2 Hadith 2 Writings of the Promised Messiah [as] 3 2 Editorial Editorial

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3 Islam Ahmadiyyat Summary of Friday Sermon 5 Objectives, Purposes and Blessings of Jalsa Salana in the Words of the Promised Messiah [as] 8 The Impact of Alcohol on Society 11 Who is an Ahmadi?

12 The Life and Character of the Seal of the Prophets [saw] 14 4 News & Events Is God Dead? An AMSA Event at UCL 18 MKA UK Football — The Story So Far 19 Muqami Events 21 Closing Address by Sadr Majlis at the 2011 Charity Challenge 22 Islamabad Holy Qur’an Exhibition 24 North East Regional Tarbiyyat Seminar with Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib 25 Jalsa Salana UK 2011: Khidmat-e-Khalq 26 Student Mulaqats with Huzur Aqdas [atba] 28 Women in Islam: Oppressed or Liberated? — An AMSA Event at UCL 32 5 Articles Blessings and Importance of Prayer A Journey of a Life Time Treatment of Parents – Islamic Teachings

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6 Books of the Promised Messiah [as] Sirrul–Khilafah (The Reality of Khilafat) Anwarul-Islam (The Light of Islam) Itmamul–Hujjah (The Final Argument)

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7 Information & Announcements Khuddam Calendar Chanda Reference Guide Important Prayers

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The Editor, Tariq Magazine Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, Baitul Futuh, 181 London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5PT Tariq Magazine is published by Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (UK), the youth organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK in Islam. Some of the views expressed by contributors may not be the representative views of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (UK), or the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK.

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1 Words of Wisdom The Holy Qur’an “And hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah and be not divided; and remember the favour of Allah which He bestowed upon you when you were enemies and He united your hearts in love, so that by His grace you became as brothers; and you were on the brink of a pit of fire and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah explain to you His commandments that you may be guided.”

The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 3, Verse 104

Hadith

Hadhrat ‘Abd al-Rahman bin ‘Awf narrated: “When we came to Medina as emigrants, Allah’s Apostle established a bond of brotherhood between me and Sad bin Ar-Rabi’.

Sad bin Ar-Rabi’ said (to me), ‘I am the richest among the Ansar, so I will give you half of my wealth and you may look at my two wives and whichever of the two you may choose I will divorce her, and when she has completed the prescribed period (before marriage) you may marry her.’ Abdur-Rahman replied, “I am not in need of all that. Is there any market-place where trade is practiced?’ He replied, “The market of Qainuqa.” Abdur-Rahman went to that market the following day and brought some dried butter–milk (yogurt) and butter, and then he continued going there regularly.

A few days later, ‘Abdur Rahman came having traces of yellow (scent) on his body.

Allah’s Apostle asked him whether he had got married. He replied in the affirmative.

The Prophet said, ‘Whom have you married?’ He replied, ‘A woman from the Ansar.’

Then the Prophet asked, ‘How much did you pay her?’ He replied, ‘(I gave her) a gold piece equal in weight to a date stone (or a date stone of gold)! The Prophet said, ‘Give a Walima (wedding banquet) even if with one sheep” Reported by: Al–Bukhari 2

Tariq Magazine September 2011

Words of Wisdom

Writings of the Promised Messiah [as]

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as] The Promised Messiah “The community of the Holy Prophet [saw] had developed such unity and spiritual oneness that through the spirit of Islamic brotherhood, they had all become like the limbs of one body. The rays of the light of Prophethood had so coloured their daily lives and their overt and covert conduct, that they had become the reflections of the Holy Prophet [saw]. This great miracle of inner change, through which rank idol worshippers became sincere worshippers of God and those who were sunk in the world every moment established such a strong relationship with God that they shed their blood like water in His cause, was the result of their spending their lives in full sincerity in the company of the true and perfect Prophet.�

Essence of Islam, Volume 1, Page 317

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2 Editorial Editorial My Dear Readers

[salam] Recent events with youths rioting across parts of our capital and other cities have left everyone shocked at the extent of the damage caused to property and businesses.

The terrible loss of three innocent young men protecting their communities has also sent shockwaves across the country but at the same time the response of their families to their loss has been courageous and an example for all.

There has been hot debate about the root causes of these troubles including various comments about youth disengagement, crime, inner city deprivation etc. Our own Prime Minister has even come out and said the events are a “wake up call for our country” whilst describing the situation as a “slow-motion moral collapse that has taken place in parts of our country these past few generations” The founder of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Hadhrat Musleh Maud [ra] Khalifatul Masih II advised us over half a century ago that “A nation cannot be reformed without first reforming its youth”. Throughout his lifetime through various discourses and speeches he laid out his vision for the youth of the community. He gave detailed advice about nurturing the youth of the movement to develop them into moral upstanding citizens.

As members of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya we owe him a debt of gratitude for laying the foundations of what is today a truly dynamic body of young men ready to serve their faith, country and nation.

Let us ensure that our actions both individual and collective serve to make society a better place; be that picking up a banana skin from the floor to prevent someone injuring themselves to ensuring those in need are assisted with our help.

Let these tragic events be a wake up call for all of us to re affirm what it means to be a member of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. Let us ensure that our actions both individual and collective serve to make society a better place; be that picking up a banana skin from the floor to prevent someone injuring themselves to ensuring those in need are assisted with our help.

I pray that Allah Almighty grants us the capacity to live up to the lofty ideals that Hadhrat Musleh Maud expected of us.

[wasalam]

Aziz Ahmad Hafiz

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Tariq Magazine September 2011

3  Islam Ahmadiyyat Summary of Friday Sermon

Summary of Friday Sermon delivered by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad [atba], the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on 30th July 2010.

Note: Alislam team takes full responsibility for any errors or miscommunication in this synopsis of the Friday Sermon

H

uzur [atba], delivered the Friday sermon on July 30, 2010 at Hadeeqatul-Mahdi, site of the 2010 annual convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of the United Kingdom.

Huzoor [atba] cited the verse: They are the ones who turn to God in repentance, who worship Him, who praise Him, who go about in the land serving Him, who bow down to God, who prostrate themselves in prayer, who enjoin good and forbid evil, and who watch the limits set by Allah. And give glad tidings to those who believe. (9:112) This verse of the Holy Qur’an applies to those believers who give precedence to their faith and conviction above all worldly affairs, and for such people are glad tidings from God Almighty.

Those who possess the characteristics outlined in this verse truly are Believers (Momineen), because these are the people who carry out their worship in the best possible way, they ask for forgiveness in the true spirit of repentance, they bow before their Lord like they are supposed to, they follow the teachings of Islam and become the role models by practicing what they preach. These are the people who attain the status of those who are the guardians of the limits set forth by Allah Almighty. May Allah Almighty enable them to progress continually in their virtues and may all the participants at the Jalsa Salana attain this virtuous status so that they may be counted among this blessed group of Believers.

Huzoor [atba] stated that many of the Jalsa participants have travelled from far flung places to be part of this auspicious occasion. He said that in the morning after Fajr prayers, het me a family that had travelled all through

the night from Europe, and among this family, were little children and women.

This journey was undertaken only to reap the blessings of Jalsa salana. Many who travel to Hadeeqa-tul-Mahdi even from the United Kingdom are undertaking some sort of travel and undergo inconvenience. God Almighty regards such a journey as one undertaken for His sake. Those who succeed in arriving at Jalsa Salana are guests of the Promised Messiah [as] who leave behind worldly aims to gain spiritual benefits.

Huzoor [atba] said that although organizational steps have been put in place for the service of all participants, however, he also said that those who come to Jalsa Salana with the intention of enriching their souls are not worried about physical comforts and luxuries.

Their attention is only focused on how to nourish their souls. If this view is kept in mind i.e. that worldly pleasures do not matter, then the weakness that may exist in the organizational matters of the hosts will not be significant and will be easily excused. Huzoor [atba] said that sometimes, people complain that some guests are being taken care of better than others. It must be remembered that organizers try their best to give great care and attention to all guests equally.

However, there are occasions where some guests are given separate service, appropriate in certain circumstances.

Huzoor [atba] drew the attention of the masses towards the true objective of their presence at the Jalsa, which is to enhance and improve their spiritual state so that they progress in their way of becoming true Momineen. Hadhrat Promised Messiah [as] always gave individual care to each and every one of his guests; however, at the occasion of Jalsa Salana, all guests were given equal treatment by the overall organization.

The emphasis was laid on the real

objectives of attending Jalsa Salana: to gain knowledge, to purify oneself and to gain nearness to God Almighty. This is the aim of attending Jalsa Salana every year.

Huzoor [atba] also directed the attention of the Jalsa participants towards the proper use of their time. During Jalsa Salana, members of a family get together from different countries of the world and this provides an opportunity of a reunion. At such occasions, these families wish to spend time with one another. It is a sign of the truth of the Promised Messiah [as] that he was successful in forming a Jamaat without borders, which is one big brotherhood that displays a unique bond of brotherhood and unity to become one nation. But Huzoor [atba] reminded that the participants should not neglect the Jalsa program. He also pointed out that those who sit in gatherings all through the night and forget that they have gathered for a specific purpose should rectify their actions. It is the distinction of a Momin to create a balance in his life. The Holy Tariq Magazine September 2011

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Islam Ahmadiyyat

Prophet [saw] has also advised that Muslims should not waste their time in idle talk. Huzoor [atba] said that there is no harm in spending time with relatives, but one should also remain mindful of the prayers and the actual purpose of attending Jalsa Salana.

Sometimes, guests also put pressure on the hosts to become part of such nightlong gatherings, which becomes very cumbersome for the hosts since they have to fulfil many other responsibilities as well. Therefore, the guests and the hosts should be aware of their principal duties during the time of Jalsa Salana.

Huzoor [atba] said that at a time when tens of thousands of people are present in a confined space, it is natural that conflicts can arise. At times, when guests complain or criticize the work of the duty holders, the duty holders react in an inappropriate manner, and conflicts which arise in some cases can last for a long period of time. Huzoor [atba] advised that in such cases, both parties should keep the spiritual atmosphere of the gathering in mind.

Guests should display patience and forbearance and the duty holders should control their emotions and passions. In such a way, difficult situations can be handled harmoniously.

Huzoor [atba] also pointed that this year, the security measures being implemented at Jalsa Salana may delay some guests arriving in cars, etc. Even

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at the time that the Friday sermon was being delivered, Huzoor [atba] said that he had received reports from the ladies marquee that there was a long delay at the security points because of the large number of bags that need to be checked. When such long delays occur, some may have to stand in the sun, some may be delayed to their relatives who are handicapped. Although the organizers are trying their best to cope with the crowds of people, Huzoor [atba] is urging all participants to display patience. Some of the younger men who have been assigned security duties should display a very solemn attitude at their position so that they do not hurt the feelings of any of the guests. Huzoor [atba] also urged the Security supervisors to be present at their posts to manage any difficulties in case they arise.

Time should not be wasted in engaging in conversations with the guests at the entrance. Huzoor [atba] again reminded that all guests are here to attain righteous objectives and that can only be attained if they practice love and show affection and tenderness towards one another. Try to overlook the minor weaknesses and pay attention to the larger objective which is the worship of God, and make this a journey which has been undertaken merely for the sake of gaining nearness to Allah. Huzoor [atba] said that all duty holders are in a way engaged in silent Tabligh (propagation of Islam). Similarly, each guest is an ambassador of Jamaat

Ahmadiyya. Those who are attending the Jalsa Salana for the first time are taking an impression away from the gathering, and largely, this impression has always been good. These guests attending Jalsa for the first time have a good impression of Islam and of Muslims. Ahmadis not only gain benefit for their individual selves, but are doing a great service to those who are present for the first time by displaying a good model of an Ahmadi Muslim, hence best virtues must always be on display, so that you become the heirs of the prayers of the Promised Messiah [as].

Huzoor [atba] said that each year, guests from overseas are reminded that they should not overstay their welcome at their hosts’ residents or at Jamaat accommodation. They should limit their stay to 2 or 3 weeks.

Jalsa organizers experience great inconvenience by those who do not follow these instructions. Those coming from overseas should remember that the accommodation which is prepared by the Jalsa organizers is a temporary dwelling and those members who offer their homes also have to get back to their routines. Government agencies keep an eye on the temporary dwellings set up by Jamaat, and need to follow the rules and regulations implemented by them. If guests need to stay beyond the allotted time, they must make their own arrangements elsewhere, and in case they decide to stay with friends or relatives,

Islam Ahmadiyyat

‌Huzoor [atba] also reminded that it is again the duty of all participants to maintain cleanliness. In addition, all participants should engage in supplication through the days of Jalsa Salana. you must obtain their permission first.

The Holy Prophet [saw] has said that one must not overstay his welcome and should not force their hosts to serve him. Such an act is equivalent to robbing a house. A Believer is one who does not give trouble to his host, but becomes a source of blessing for him. The host and the guest should form such a pleasant relationship with one another that they pray for each other and send blessings on one another and cultivate an atmosphere of peace and harmony. If we fail to utilize this opportunity to reap blessings, then we will be among the unfortunate ones.

The Holy Prophet [saw] promoted harmony and seized every occasion to spread the message of goodness and opened the ways of inculcating moral virtues in his companions, who became the beacons of light for the generations to follow. In a hadith, it has been narrated that once a companion by the name of Abu Shaikh [ra] made arrangements for a meal for 5 people including the Holy Prophet [saw], after observing signs of hunger on their faces. When the meal was prepared, he invited these people to partake of the meal, but by this time, another companion had also joined the party. At this, the Holy Prophet [saw] sought permission from the host after telling him that another companion had joined the party since the invitation had been sent out. When the host gave his permission to bring the extra person along, they all partook of the meal. This is the high standard of virtues he inculcated in his companions, so much so that they were always seeking the opportunity to fulfil the wishes of the Holy Prophet [saw]. The Holy Prophet [saw] also said that if you

visit someone, always greet them first, and if you do not hear a reply, return from that house without thinking ill of the residents. There is no benefit in complaining or pumping your ego.

Huzoor [atba] also stated that this is an auspicious occasion to promote love and brotherhood amongst one another and to promote the Islamic tradition of greeting each other with the Islamic salutation of Assalam-o-Alaikum.

Huzoor [atba] urged all the participants of Jalsa to greet one another, whether you know each other or not.

This will create an atmosphere of a truly Islamic society. The Islamic greeting is an excellent way to spread peace and love.

Huzoor [atba] said that it would be wonderful if those who have stopped talking to one another due to some disagreement end their conflict and forgive each other and become reunited in the bond of brotherhood.

Huzoor [atba] also stated an incident from the life of the Promised Messiah [as] after saying that each moment of the life of a Prophet is dedicated to Allah Almighty and each journey is undertaken for the sake of Allah. At one occasion, the Promised Messiah [as] was in Amritsar in 1893, engaged in Jang-e-Muqaddas (the Holy War – Huzoor [atba] expounded on the significance of this event, saying that this was a dialogue that took place between Christians and Muslims and the Promised Messiah [as] was representing the Muslims, and with clear evidences, he was successful in establishing the superiority of Islam). On one day, due to the excessive amounts of guests present, the organizers

somehow forgot to serve the meal to the Promised Messiah [as]. After waiting for a long time, the Promised Messiah [as] inquired about the meal, and the organizers, realizing their negligence, began to panic. At this, the Promised Messiah [as] relieved them by saying that there is no need to panic; there must be some leftovers in the kitchen, which will suffice. When they went back to the meals area, there were only some scraps of bread left behind, and the Promised Messiah [as] was served those, which he ate without any complaints. For the followers of the Promised Messiah [as] there is a message that we must practice such patience and forbearance even when things may not be going according to your own comfort. If a deficiecy is observed, try to recall the purpose of your visit here after a journey of hundreds or thousands of miles.

In the end, Huzoor [atba] reminded that it is the duty of every participant of Jalsa to keep an eye around him. If you feel there is any type of suspicious activity, please bring it to the attention of the duty holders.

Huzoor [atba] also reminded that it is again the duty of all participants to maintain cleanliness. In addition, all participants should engage in supplication through the days of Jalsa Salana. May Allah Almighty keep every Ahmadi in His protection, [ameen].

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Islam Ahmadiyyat

Objectives, Purposes and Blessings of Jalsa Salana in the Words of the Promised Messiah [as] Purpose of Jalsa Salana “The primary purpose of this Convention is to enable every sincere individual to personally experience religious benefits; They may enhance their knowledge and –due to their being blessed and enabled by Allah, The Exalted- their perception [ of Allah ] may progress. Among its secondary benefits is that this congregational meeting together will promote mutual introduction among all brothers, and it will strengthen the fraternal ties within this Community..”

Ishtihar 7 Dec. 1892, Majmoo`ah Ishtiharat Vol. I, Page 340

Not an Ordinary Convention “It is essential for all those who can afford to undertake the journey, that they must come to attend this Convention which embodies many blessed objectives. They should disregard minor inconveniences in

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the cause of Allah and His prophet (peace be upon him.). Allah yields reward to the sincere persons at every step of their way, and no labour and hardship, undertaken in His way, ever goes to waste. I re-emphasize that you must not rank this convention in the same league as other, ordinary, human assemblies. This is a phenomenon that is based purely on the Divine Help, for propagation of Islam.”

Ishtihar 7 Dec. 1892, Majmoo`ah Ishtiharat Vol. I, Page 341

Prayer “I conclude with the prayer that everyone who travels for [attending] this Convention that is for the sake of Allah: May Allah, the Exalted, be with him, reward him in abundant measure, have mercy on him, ease up for him his circumstances of hardship and anxiety and eliminate his anguish and grief. May He grant him freedom from

every single hardship and lay open for him the ways of [achieving] his cherished goals, and raise him up, on the day of Judgment, among those of His servants who are the recipients of His blessings and Mercy. May He be their Guardian in their absence until after their journey comes to an end. O Allah!

O Sublime One and Bestower of bounties, the Ever Merciful and One Who Resolves all problems, do grant all these prayers, and grant us Victory over our opponents with scintillating signs, because You alone have all the prowess and power. Ameen! Ameen!!”

Ishtihar 7 Dec. 1892, Majmoo`ah Ishtiharat Vol. I, Page 342

Etiquette of attending jalsa salana The Promised Messiah [as] has prayed for all participants of the Jalsa—past, present and future—in the following words:

Islam Ahmadiyyat “I pray to God that He be with all those who are coming to attend the Jalsa. May God grant them great rewards, may He show Mercy on them and remove their hardships and sorrows. May He let them have what they desire and raise them on the Day of Resurrection along with those to whom He has shown Mercy and His Grace.

‘O God, O You who are the great Granter, the Benevolent and Merciful, the Remover of hardships, do listen to all these my prayers and grant us victory over our opponents with great glaring signs, for You have the power to do whatever You like. Ameen.’ “

image of the Jama’at to outsiders, especially our neighbours.

• Be courteous to fellow attendees of the Jalsa.

• Cooperate with Khuddam on duty to help you park in appropriate spaces.

• Show respect to your elders and act in a kind manner to those younger than you.

• Register as soon as you come to Jalsa and put on your name badge.

• Notify security about any suspicious characters not wearing a badge.

• Offer Salaat in congregation at designated times.

• Not waste time in idle gossip but spend their spare time in remembering Allah.

• Wear Islamic clothing. Men and women should cover their heads.

• Observe proper mosque etiquette when in the prayer area.

• Women must observe Purdah and men must observe “Ghaz-e-Basr” (lowering of the eyes).

• Listen quietly during recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

• Men should not crowd near the women’s entrance.

Members should utilize this opportunity to renew their personal faith and spirituality, meet and establish friendship with other members of the community, welcome new members into the fold of the community and remember those who have passed away in the previous year and pray for them.

• Not disturb others by talking among yourselves during the formal sessions.

• Families should fix their meeting points beforehand to avoid crowding in these areas.

Jalsa participants should:

• Not waste food and keep the dining area clean.

Ishteharat, Vol.1 p.342 - December 7, 1892 This is no ordinary gathering. There are many benefits of the Jalsa to the participants.

• Pray for safe travel of all members to and from Jalsa • Try to portray the true and beautiful

• Attend Jalsa sessions in marquees at proper times.

• Not visit the dining tent or stalls during formal sessions.

• Keep the bathrooms clean and report any non-functional bathrooms ASAP.

• Make sure that children as well as teenagers are at their best behaviour.

• Mothers should come prepared and bring formula, supplies and diapers etc for their infants.

• Constantly pray for the success of the Jalsa.

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The Impact of Alcohol on Society

Islam Ahmadiyyat

By Adam Walker

T

he effects of alcohol are being witnessed more and more on the streets of the developed world through anti-social behaviour and poor health.

The United Kingdom is starting to count the costs of the effects of this Drug upon its society.

Given that Islam banned alcoholic beverages some 1400 years ago, the author takes a broader look at the effects of alcohol and alcoholism upon society, and whether there are lessons to be learned from the Islamic stance.

The Present Day Scenario

On the 19th September 2003 in Britain, the British Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit on alcohol harm reduction produced an interim report on the situation as it exists in the United Kingdom. It points out that 40% of men’s drinking sessions now technically qualify as binge drinking.

It is responsible for a range of alcohol — related problems. It is linked to up to 22,000 premature deaths each year and is costing the country up to £20 billion a year. An increasing number of young persons, some below the age of 16 years are drinking well above the safe limits.

Up to 1.3 million children in the UK are affected by parental alcohol problems.

This is bringing with it health risks and a range of other social problems. Not least of these problems is the nuisance and disorder that is all too often a feature of the UK town and city centres (especially in the evenings or weekends).

Pre Islamic Arab Civilisation

About fourteen centuries ago, the Arabian Peninsula was inhabited by a race that was removed from the civilisation of the time because of the terrain and desert of its land. Hence they lived a free, fierce and nomadic lifestyle. They were illiterate and barbarian and worshipped many gods and idols. They had no moral values. They gambled and had fun of all sorts in their carnivals and feasts.

Drinking alcohol was an important part of their daily routine. Their binge drinking habits were well established and are documented in history. This led to many fights among the drinking factions, sometimes leading to wars and loss of life between different tribes.

Alcohol consumption played a pivotal role in their social life. It is stated that Arabs started drinking in the mornings and had some more around lunchtime as a top up. They then rested for a while during the midday heat and had another top up drink before sunset.

Further drinking continued after sunset and during the night. It appears that they must have remained continually intoxicated and this would have led to a lot of ill health and disease.

The Qur’anic Teachings

More than fourteen centuries ago the Qur’an, the Muslim scripture, was revealed to Prophet Muhammad [saw] in Arabia over a period of twenty-three years. He lived in Makkah during the first thirteen of these years of his ministry and in Madinah during the last ten years. The Islamic teachings were, therefore, revealed bit by bit over this period of time. The Qur’an contains detailed guidance not only about spiritual matters relating to human life but also regarding physical and moral values. The guidance regarding the consumption of alcohol is contained in two different verses of the Qur’an both of which were revealed after the Prophet’s migration to Madinah and are quoted as follows: They ask thee concerning wine and the game of hazard. Say: ‘In both there is great sin and also some advantages for men; but their sin is greater than their advantage.’

(Ch.2: v.220) O ye who believe! Intoxicants and the games of chance and idols and divining arrows are only an abomination of Satan’s handiwork. So shun each one of them that you may prosper.

(Ch.5: v.91)

The Revolution

The Arab Muslims were part of the same society and before these verses were revealed consumed alcohol like their other non-believing counterparts. It is stated that when this message about inhibition was conveyed, a drinking party was in progress in a street of Madinah.

On hearing the news, the companions of the Holy Prophet [saw] immediately destroyed all of the liquor even before confirming the reported prohibition and stopped drinking and became teetotalers from then on. All practising Muslims henceforth consider the drinking of alcohol a sin. All the areas of the world where such people live are dry areas and thirst for liquid refreshment is heightened. This indeed is an amazing revolution.

Discussion

If we ponder carefully on these events, we can get to the bottom of this change.

Alcohol is a habit-forming drug that causes dependence and its withdrawal may be associated with dangerous side effects. So the question is what brought about this sudden change in the Muslim society. It appears that the strong moral qualities, firm determination and a strong faith in the truth of the Qur’anic message brought about this change very abruptly in the first place and continues now to this day among those who follow these teachings. There are a lot of benefits that follow as a result.

Conclusion

Is there a lesson to be learnt from this example? Is there a message that can be conveyed to the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit and to the public at large in the UK and further afield?

This is worth a thought especially at a time when the festive season around Christmas and the New Year, well known for alcohol abuse, has just had its latest chapter.

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Islam Ahmadiyyat

Who is an Ahmadi?

By Adam Walker

Our beloved Holy Prophet [saw] was sent by Almighty God to deliver to mankind a message which contained the spiritual guidance necessary to purify humanity of immorality and shirk (i.e., associating partners with Almighty God).

This beautiful message, carried by the most beautiful of creation, is as accessible to us today as it was to the Prophet’s noble Sahabah (Companions) fifteen hundred years ago. The key difference between us and the Sahabah, however, is not related to accessibility, but regarding our understanding of the Holy Qur’an.

While the Sahabah witnessed, first hand, the Holy Prophet’s practical and oral interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, the Muslim Community of today relies upon, to a great extent, the practical and oral interpretations of a great number of legal and theological scholars conducted over the past fifteen hundred years. Such jurists and theologians were, to be sure, pure in their intentions, but the fact still remains that some were right in their interpretation and others were wrong; the result of which is that the spectacles through which we view the Holy Qur’an are less clear today than they were a thousand years ago.

Proof of a lack of understanding can be clearly observed in the false and offensive interpretations and applications of Islam that the world has been subjected to over the past hundred years or so; a century which has witnessed a surge of many radicalised Muslims who manipulated the Islamic sources to justify the indiscriminate killing of Muslims, nonMuslims, women, children, and, in the most vile example of this backwardness, Ahmadi Muslims only because they pronounce the kalima (i.e., the testimony that there is none worthy of worship except Allah). Conversely, the past century has witnessed ultra-liberal interpretations of Islam which carry the objective of converting Islam into nothing more than a name!

In the midst of this intellectual anarchy, Almighty Allah sent Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as], the promised al-Imam al-Mahdi and Messiah, to

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demystify our collective vision of the Holy Qur’an and revive the pure Muhammadan understanding of Islam that was enjoyed by the Sahabah.

An Ahmadi, therefore, is a Muslim; a person who, with his every shred of existence, endeavours to fulfil the purpose for which he was created, namely, to wholly submit himself to the will his Lord. Any person wishing to attach themselves to Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as] must give his all to meet this tall order and nothing less.

I know a great number of the people who will read this article, some are towering figures of spiritual excellence, others are of good intention, but trying to find their way, and a third group of people who would appear to have little desire to fulfil their obligations as Ahmadi Muslims.

The greatest challenge I face, therefore, in communicating to us all, my dear brothers, what the traits of an Ahmadi Muslim are is not in describing what an Ahmadi Muslim actually is, or ought to be, because we already know that, don’t we; the real challenge is how can my words charge each of us with a sense of

responsibility and accountability for that knowledge. I choose, therefore, not to present you with pages of inspirational quotations about the lofty spiritual status of an Ahmadi, as I am sure that the pages before and after this article sufficiently achieve this. I begin, instead, with three simple, yet quite profound, statements of the Promised Messiah [as], which read: “He who is too unfortunate to see God in this world will also fall into darkness on the Day of Judgement, as He says: ‘Whoso is blind in this world will be blind in the hereafter (17:73)’”.

Essence of Islam, Volume 4, Page 163 “God has sent me so that I should bestow sight upon the blind who have been sightless, not just for a few years, but for over nineteen hundred years!”

Essence of Islam, Volume 4, Page 43 “A Warner came into the world and the world did not accept him, but God will accept him and will establish his truth with powerful assaults.”

Essence of Islam, Volume 4, Page 115

Islam Ahmadiyyat These are words which demand our considered and deep reflection. So I ask you to take just five minutes, five short minutes away from work, study, laptops, televisions, computer games, admiring your nice belongings, or listening to music, to just consider these statements and the current position of your life in relation to them. My intention here is not to patronise you, for these words apply as much to me, if not more so, than to any of you; and so I am also going to take five minutes away from my laptop to consider my own situation.

And so, with an intense desire to prick the consciences of the readers, I again stress upon each of us that to be an Ahmadi is to take responsibility for our lives and obligations as Ahmadi Muslims. We must rise above our selfish desires and actively search for any and every opportunity to please Almighty God with our hearts, tongues, and hands. To fall short of this is to reduce ourselves to no more than being Ahmadi Muslims by name; it is to disregard the great Warner, who Almighty God sent to us in the great personage of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as], and to wonder blindly and ignorantly upon the earth as if we cared not one bit that Almighty God is our Lord and Sees our every action. The lowly person who finds himself in such a state, God forbid, should know that his blindness in this world could well be the cause of his blindness in the hereafter.

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as], upon the blessed pattern of the Holy Prophet [saw], reminded us of the power of repentance (taubah), seeking the forgiveness of Almighty Allah (istighfar), and then looking forward to a brighter and more hopeful future. To be an Ahmadi, therefore, is also to recognise that the thanb (sin) of man cannot exceed the ocean that is Almighty God’s Rahmah (Mercy). Each person should, therefore, realise that his Lord has presented him with an opportunity to turn his back on ignorance and become a valuable person, a spiritual person, a godly person. In this regard Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as] wrote: “We have found the true light with which all curtains of darkness are lifted and the heart grows cold to everything beside Allah.

This is the only way whereby man emerges from the passions of the self and its darkness,

just as a serpent emerges from its skin.”

Essence of Islam, Volume 4, Page 164 I say, therefore, to all those reading this article that we must, in order to be worthy Ahmadi Muslims, treat each new hour as if it contained those goodly deeds capable of granting us a place in heaven. We must never feel that we are unworthy, or treat our past sins, no matter how big or small, as if they were so grave that no amount of good deeds could save us. Regarding taubah, the Promised Messiah [as] wrote: “Taubah (Repentance) means that a person should discard a vice with the resolve that thereafter, even if he is thrown into the fire, he would not commit that vice. When man turns towards God Almighty with such sincerity and firm resolve, then God, who is Benevolent and Merciful, forgives him that particular sin. It is one of the high Divine attributes that God accepts repentance and saves a sinner from ruin.”

Essence of Islam, Volume 2, Page 235 And regarding istighfar, he wrote: ‘This is the true atonement which is the remedy of a natural sin. Allah the Exalted refers to it in the verse: ‘’Whoso does some evil or wrongs his soul in any way, and then asks forgiveness (yastaghfir) of Allah with remorse, will find Allah Most Forgiving, Ever Merciful.’’

Essence of Islam, Volume 2, Page 238 This verse which is so profound and full of wisdom means that as stumbling and sinning are the characteristics of defective souls, which are manifested by them, there are corresponding to them the eternal attributes of God which are mercy and forgiveness and He is inherently Forgiving and Merciful. His forgiveness is not casual but is His eternal attribute which He loves and which He desires to exercise on deserving people.

Whenever a person turns to God in remorse and repentance’ In conclusion, I must emphasise the need for us to act. We are the followers of a quite beautiful and miraculous religion which offers us an optimistic and bright future. For those who are righteous, let today and every day that follows be

better than tomorrow; and for those who feel they are weak in their faith, let yesterday mark the last day of weakness and today the dawn of a new revitalised and God fearing person. As Ahmadi Muslims we must treasure Islam and ensure that we do all that we can to become spiritual in our deeds and words.

Let us become exemplary individuals, children, husbands, parents, brothers, contributers to a blessed community and in our thirst to share with others this great treasure that Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as] has polished and placed in our hands. I pray that each of us is filled with such love for Islam, that we become tinged with the intense love for Islam Ahmadiyya as witnessed in the following sentences of one who was wholly in love with Almighty God and his Prophet: “What has roused my sympathy is that I have discovered a gold mine and have been informed of a deposit of precious stones. In this mine I have been fortunate enough to find a shining and priceless diamond. Its value is so great that if I were to divide its price among the whole of mankind, each of them would become wealthier than the person who owns the largest amount of gold and silver in the world. What is that diamond? It is the True God, and to acquire Him means to recognize Him, to believe in Him truly, to establish the relationship of true love with Him, and to receive true blessings from Him. Having found such great wealth, it would be a great wrong that I should deprive mankind of it and that they should die of hunger while I live in luxury. This I will not do. My heart burns at the contemplation of their poverty and hunger. My soul is in travail at the perception of their darkness and privation. I desire that their houses should be filled with heavenly wealth and that they should acquire so many jewels of truth and certainty that they should be filled to their capacity. And I love mankind the most.

I have no personal enmity with anyone; I am the enemy only of their misconduct and of the wrongs they commit and of their disobedience and rebellion. Out of my eager love for mankind, I offer them the treasure that I have received, which is the key to all the treasures and bounties of Paradise.”

Essence of Islam, Volume 4, Page 165–166

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Islam Ahmadiyyat

The Life and Character of the Seal of the Prophets [saw]

Fourth part of the English rendering of Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad’s [ra] magnus opus, “Seerat Khatamun Nabiyyin”, an outstanding biography on the life of the Founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad [saw].

Translated from Urdu by Ayyaz Mahmood Khan

By Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad [ra]

— part iv —

Service of Zaid bin Harithah [ra]

Hakim bin Hizam, the nephew of Hadhrat Khadijah [ra], was a merchant who constantly moved about with various trade caravans. Once he purchased a few slaves during a trade expedition and gave one of them as a gift to Hadhrat Khadijah [ra]. The name of the slave gifted to Hadhrat Khadijah [ra] was Zaid bin Harithah [ra]. In actuality, Zaid [ra] belonged to a free family, but during a plunder he was taken captive and was forcefully enslaved.

Khadijah [ra] found Zaid [ra] to be wise and intelligent, so she entrusted him to Muhammad [saw].

It was always the practice of the Holy Prophet [saw] that he would treat his servants and slaves with immense love, like his own kith and kin. Hence, Muhammad [saw] was affectionate to Zaid [ra]. Since Zaid [ra] possessed a sincere heart, he also developed love for Muhammad [saw]. Meanwhile, Zaid’s [ra] father Harith and paternal uncle Ka‘b came to Makkah whilst looking for him. Both of them presented themselves before the Holy

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Prophet [saw], and with great humility requested the freedom of Zaid [ra], so that he may return home with them. Muhammad [saw] responded; “Absolutely! If Zaid wishes to leave with you, I delightedly give him permission to do so.” At this, Zaid was called upon and was asked by Muhammad [saw], “Zaid, Do you recognise these people?”

“Yes,” responded Zaid [ra], “they are my father and paternal uncle.” Muhammad [saw] said, “They have come to take you. If you wish to leave with them, I gladly give you permission to do so.”

“I shall not leave you on any account,” answered Zaid [ra], “To me, you are far dearer than my own uncle or father.”

Zaid’s [ra] father reacted with great anger and grief, “What? Do you give preference to a life of slavery over that of freedom?” “Yes,” responded Zaid [ra], “for I have witnessed such virtues in him that I can now give preference to none above him.”

When Muhammad [saw] heard this response he immediately stood up and took Zaid [ra] to the Ka‘bah. There he announced in a loud voice, “O People!

Be witness to the fact that as of this day

I free Zaid [ra] and make him my son.

He shall be my heir and I shall be his.”

When Zaid’s [ra] uncle and father observed this sight, they were astounded.

They happily left Zaid with Muhammad [saw]. Since then, Zaid bin Harithah [ra] became known as Zaid bin Muhammad [ra].1 However, after the Hijrah, God revealed a commandment that it was unlawful to take an adopted child as an actual son.2 Upon this, Zaid [ra] was once again given his original name, Zaid bin Harithah. Nonetheless, the loving conduct of the ever-loyal Muhammad [saw] remained unaltered with this ever-sincere servant. Instead, that love increased day by day. After the demise of Zaid [ra], the Holy Prophet [saw] extended the same graciousness and love to his son Usamah bin Zaid [ra], who was born of Ummi Aiman [ra], a servant of the Prophet [saw].

In addition to the honourable distinctions of Zaid, one is that among all the companions of the Prophet [saw], only his name is specifically mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.3

Islam Ahmadiyyat

‘Ali bin Abi Talib taken into the Care of Muhammad [saw]

Abu Talib was a very respectable man.

However, he suffered from poverty and his subsistence was only provided by grave hardship. Abu Talib was the victim of great suffering, particularly due to the drought in Makkah in those days. When Muhammad [saw] noticed the anguish of his paternal uncle Abu Talib, he approached his uncle ‘Abbas and proposed: “Your brother Abu Talib lives in a state of difficulty. Would not it be worthy, if from his sons you took one to your home and I brought one to my home?”

‘Abbas agreed to this proposal and both of them went to Abu Talib and offered this proposal. Among his children, Abu Talib dearly loved his son ‘Aqil; hence he said, “Leave ‘Aqil with me and if you wish take the others into your care.” Therefore, Ja‘far was taken into the guardianship of ‘Abbas and ‘Ali [ra] was taken by Muhammad [saw]. Hadhrat ‘Ali [ra] was approximately six to seven years of age and from that day he remained in the blessed custody of Muhammad [saw].4

Emergence of Dawn

Muhammad [saw] had now reached the mature age of 40 years. The time had come for the light of dawn to manifest itself upon the Eastern horizon. Muhammad [saw] never intermingled with the general society of Makkah, for he was one who desired solitude. During this time, his disposition was such that he would remain in seclusion longing for Allah the Exalted, diligently occupied in his remembrance day and night. At a distance of three miles from Makkah towards Mina, to the left is the mountain of Hira, wherein is a cave, famously known as the Cave of Hira. During this time, it was the general practice of Muhammad [saw] to retreat to this cave where he would occupy himself in deep meditation with remembrance of God. He would normally take sufficient food with him and would not return to Makkah for many days. Sometimes, Hadhrat Khadijah [ra] also accompanied him. It is this very time period which has been referred to as ‘the era of the search for truth’ in the Noble Qur’an.

Therefore, God Almighty states:

“And He found thee wandering in search for Him and guided thee unto Himself.”5 It was during this time that Muhammad [saw] experienced the commencement of righteous and true dreams that are reported to have lasted for a period of six months.6 It was in effect the elementary stage of the prophethood of the Holy Prophet [saw]. Therefore, Hadhrat ‘A’ishah [ra] narrates: “The commencement of (Divine) Revelation to Allah’s Messenger [saw] was in the form of righteous (true) dreams which he would see during his sleep. Every dream came true like bright daylight. During that time, solitude and seclusion had become very dear to him. He used to go to the cave of Hira where he would worship (Allah alone) and continuously engaged himself in worship for many nights. Then he would come back and take more food with him. Upon its exhaustion he would return to Khadijah [ra] and take his food again. He was still in this state when suddenly the truth from God descended upon him. At that time he was in the cave of Hira.”7

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Islam Ahmadiyyat

A Glance at the Early Life of Muhammad [saw] A Scarcity of Narrations Now the first era of the life of the Holy Prophet [saw] has come to an end.

Yet a sense of contentment is missing and the heart does not let the hand stop writing. It appears as if the events of the first 40 years of the life of the Holy Prophet [saw] are not preserved with such detail as were the events of the latter era. This is but natural because the way he was looked upon in the time of his prophethood, was missing in that first period. Nevertheless, had early historians exerted more attention on the period of his life prior to prophethood and had sought events with greater diligence and effort, many additional details could have been found. However, the information currently available, as compared to other previous prophets, is vast.

This information is sufficient evidence of the magnificently holy and pure life of the Holy Prophet [saw] prior to his divine appointment.

Illiteracy of the Holy Prophet [saw] Readers have probably noted that in this forty-year lifespan, no allusion has been made to the education of the Holy Prophet [saw]. In actuality, the level of education in Arabia was very low, and in this regard, there was little difference between the nobles and commoners. As a matter of fact, even influential chieftains were generally as uneducated and illiterate as the common people. There is no doubt that educated individuals were present here and there throughout the country. Such people were found more in Makkah as compared to other places. However, it is proven that the Holy Prophet [saw] was completely illiterate and uneducated.8 It seems that the illiteracy of the Holy Prophet [saw] was the Will of God, so that the grandeur of his scholarly miracle could be further magnified. Along with this, we learn that many letters and treaties, etc. were often prepared before the Holy Prophet [saw] and were continually observed by him during the period of his prophethood. As a result, he developed a recognition of letters to some extent, later on in his life. This becomes evident from one Hadith, that on the occasion of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, whilst the treaty was being prepared, the Holy

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Prophet [saw] crossed the words “Rusulullah” [“Messenger of Allah”]9 by his own hand and wrote ‘Ibn ‘Abdullah’ in its place after the infidels objected to it.10 It is quite possible that the use of the root word in the Hadith about that occasion, meaning “to write”, could also imply “to get written.” This is because, sometimes, “writing” and “to get written” is denoted by the same word in general conversation. In this case, the meaning (of the word ) would be that the portion of the treaty which the Holy Prophet [saw] crossed, was crossed by his own hand, but whatever was written afterwards was written by his scribe.

In any case, whichever meaning is accepted, it does not affect the illiteracy of the Holy Prophet [saw].

Circle of Friends

Prior to his prophethood, the circle of friends of the Holy Prophet [saw] seems to have been quite limited. This is because the Holy Prophet [saw] was one to prefer seclusion from the beginning and never intermingled with the common society of Makkah during any part of his life. However, there were a few individuals with whom the Prophet [saw] possessed a relationship of friendship. The most distinctive among them was Hadhrat Abu Bakr [ra], also known as ‘Abdullah bin Abi Quhafah, who belonged to a noble family of the Quraish. On account of his nobility and aptitude, his people looked upon him with great reverence. Next to him was Hakim bin Hizam [ra] who was the nephew of Hadhrat Khadijah [ra]. He was a man of an exceptionally decent nature. In the beginning, he did not accept Islam, yet he held feelings of sincerity and love for the Holy Prophet [saw]. Ultimately, his natural propensity drew him to Islam. The Holy Prophet [saw] also had good relations with Zaid bin ‘Amr. He was a close relative of Hadhrat ‘Umar [ra] and was among those who had abandoned polytheism even in the time of the Jahiliyyah [ignorance]. He attributed himself to the Abrahamic religion, but passed away prior to the advent of Islam.

The Prophet [saw]’s Religion Prior to his Commission

Since Islam with its detailed injunctions was revealed later, no one can claim or has ever asserted that the Holy Prophet [saw] was a follower of Islamic injunctions prior to its revelation. Howev-

er, it is evidently proven from history that the Holy Prophet [saw] in conformity to his pure nature, always refrained from the filthy rituals of the Arab society and never practised idolatry. Therefore, during the time of his prophethood, the Holy Prophet [saw] used to say to Hadhrat ‘A’ishah [ra], “I have never eaten from the sacrificial offerings made to idols”.11 Hadhrat Ali [ra] relates in a narration, that someone once said to the Holy Prophet [saw], “O Messenger of Allah, have you ever worshipped idols?” The Prophet [saw] replied, “No.” Then the people inquired, “Have you ever consumed alcohol?” The Prophet [saw] responded, “No.” Then he said, “I have always detested these things, but prior to Islam, I had no knowledge of religious law or faith”.12

The Prophet [saw]’s Virtues and Manners

It has already been mentioned that prior to his advent, the Prophet [saw] was known by the title of Al-Amin among the Quraish. This is conclusive evidence of his trustworthiness, honesty and high morals. Such was the level of his honesty in speech that even a bitter enemy of the likes of Abu Jahl, once addressed the Holy Prophet [saw], during the time of prophethood, saying: “O Muhammad! We do not consider you to be a liar but we consider that which you have brought to be a lie.”13 Abu Sufyan was presented before Heraclius, King of Rome. Heraclius questioned him about the Holy Prophet [saw]: “Prior to his claim have you ever seen this man lie?”

At that time, Abu Sufyan was at war with the Holy Prophet [saw], but upon this question, he was unable to give any answer other than ‘La’, meaning “No.”14 Umaiyyah bin Khalf was a vehement enemy of the Holy Prophet [saw], but when Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh informed him of the prophecy of his death made by the Holy Prophet [saw], he lost all his senses, and anxiously mentioned this to his wife, saying: “By God, when Muhammad speaks, he does not lie.”15

Islam Ahmadiyyat Then, Al-Nadr bin Al-Harith was among the fervent enemies of Islam, but when he heard someone say that (God forbid) “Muhammad is a liar,” he said at once: “Muhammad was a child among you and he was the most virtuous of all. He was the most honest in speech and the most trustworthy – and this remained your view of him until you observed his hair turning grey and he reached his old age, and he brought to you that which he brought. Then you began to say that he is a magician and a liar. By God, he is not a liar nor is he a magician.”16 By this statement Al-Nadr bin Al-Harith meant the same as Abu Jahl, that is to say “We do not consider Muhammad to be a liar, but consider the religion he has brought to be a lie.”

When the Holy Prophet [saw] began the propagation of Islam and gathered the Quraish upon a hillock and said to them: “If I tell you that a large army is gathered behind this hillock ready to launch an assault against you, will you believe me?”

Even though this apparently seemed impossible, everyone responded:

Endnotes 1 * Usdul-Ghabah, Vol.2, pp.141-142, Zaidubnu Harithah [ra], Darul-Fikr, Beirut (2003)

* As-Siratun-Nabawiyyah, By Ibn Hisham, Babu Islami Zaidibni Harithah [ra] Thaniyyan, p.188, Darul-Kutubil-‘Ilmayyah, Beirut, (2001)

2 Surah Al-Ahzab, Ch.33:V.5 3 Surah Al-Ahzab, Ch.33:V.38 4 * As-Siratun-Nabawiyyah, by Ibn Hisham, Babu Dhikri Anna ‘Aliyyabna Abi Talibin Awwalu Dhakarin Aslama, p.187, DarulKutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, (2001)

* Usdul-Ghabah, Vol.3, pp.588, ‘Aliyyubnu Abi Talib [ra], DarulFikr, Beirut (2003)

5 Surah Al-Duha, Ch.93:V.8 6 Sharhu ‘Allamatiz-Zarqani ‘alal-Mawahibil-Ladunniyyah, Vol.1, pp. 386, Babu Mab‘athin-Nabi [saw], Darul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, First Edition (1996) 7 Sahih Bukhari, Kitabu Bad’il-Wahyi, Babu Bad’il-Wahyi, Hadith No. 3 8 Surah Al-Araf, Ch.7:V.159, Surah Al-Ankabut, Ch.29:V.49 9 Messenger of Allah (publisher) 10 Sahih Bukhari, Kitabus-sulh, Babu Kaifa Yuktabu Hadha Ma Salaha Fulan bin Fulan, Hadith No.2699

“ Yes, we shall believe you, for we have always found you truthful.”17

11 As-Siratul-Halbiyyah, Vol.1, p.180, Babu Ma Hafizahullahu Ta‘ala Bihi Fi Sigharihisa Min Amril-Jahiliyyah, Darul-Kutub (2002)

The Holy Prophet [saw] responded:

12 As-Siratul-Halbiyyah, Vol.1, p.182, Babu Ma Hafizahullahu Ta‘ala Bihi Fi Sigharihisa Min Amril-Jahiliyyah, Darul-Kutub (2002)

“Then I tell you this – the chastisement of God approaches, from which you should save yourselves.”

13 Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Kitabut-Tafsir, Babu Wa Minal-An‘ami, Hadith No.3064

All these testimonies came from the most vehement of enemies. No testimony is required from the believers because their acceptance is in itself a powerful testimony. However, at this moment, I cannot rest without including the testimony of the wife of the Holy Prophet [saw], Hadrat Khadijah [ra].

When the angel of God first came to the Prophet [saw] with revelation and the Holy Prophet [saw] apprehensively said to Khadijah [ra], “I fear for myself,” Khadijah [ra], who was intimately aware of his life, spontaneously said the following words:

15 Sahih Bukhari, Kitabul-Manaqib, Babu ‘Alamatin-Nubuwwati FilIslam, Hadith No.3632

“Nay! Nay! By God, Allah shall never dishonour you. You treat your kith and kin with love, and are truthful, and mitigate the burdens of others. You have brought together lost virtues within yourself, and you are hospitable, and you assist others in the way of truth.”18

14 Sahih Bukhari, Kitabu Bad’il-Wahyi, Bab No. 6, Hadith No. 7

16 * As-Shifa’, by Qadi ‘Ayad, Part 1, p. 90, Babuth-Thani Fi Takmilillahi Ta‘ala Lahul-Mahasina Khalqan Wa Khuluqan Faslun Wa Amma ‘Adluhu [saw], Darul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, (2002)

* As-Siratun-Nabawiyyah, By Ibni Hisham, Babu Ma Dara Baina Rasulillahi [saw] Wa Baina Ru’usa’i Quraishin Wa Tafsiril-Kahf, p. 224, Darul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, (2001)

17 Sahih Bukhari, Kitabut-Tafsir, Babu Wa Minash-Shu‘ara’i, Hadith No.4770

* Sahih Muslim, Kitabul-Iman, Babu Wandhir ‘Ashiratakal-Aqrabin, Hadith No. 508

18 Sahih Bukhari, Kitabu Bad’il-Wahyi, Bab No.3, Hadith No.3

This testimony is of that venerable lady who by day and night, whilst sitting and standing, eating and drinking, while semiconscious and awake, observed the Holy Prophet [saw].

O Allah bless Muhammad [saw] and grant him peace and prosperity. [ameen]

Serialisation continues in the next edition with Chapter VI—‘Commencement of Prophethood’ Tariq Magazine September 2011

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4 News & Events Is God Dead? An AMSA Event at UCL Report by Dr Tauseef Khan, Mohtamim Amoor–e–Tulbah

T

he Ahmadiyya Muslim Student Association University College London (UCL) organised a session on the topic of 'Is God Dead?' on Tuesday 22 March 2011.

Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib, the Imam of the London Mosque, was invited to deliver the talk followed by a question and answer session. The talk was held in the large Cruciform lecture theatre in the Cruciform Building.

Before the event a publicity campaign was run by the students of AMSA. A total of 80 posters were put all across the University. All relevant student societies and academics were sent email, and personal contacts were also invited. The Ahmadi students in nearby Universities also invited their friends for this talk.

On the day of the talk, a leafleting campaign was run by two students in the Quad of UCL. Around 40 students were invited this way.

The students started arriving fifteen minutes before the talk.

Imam Sahib was introduced by the President of AMSA UCL, Taha Nasser Sahib. Imam Sahib started his talk at 7 pm on the topic of 'Is God Dead?'. He said that as the subject is vast he will not focus on existence of God but on the question of the topic itself, that some people think that God was alive but now is dead! That He created the Universe but now is aloof and has nothing to do with the affairs of the world.

Imam Sahib first explained the concept of God as is understood in Islam. He said that Allah can be recognised by His attributes and all of these are everlasting.

Imam Sahib then gave numerous examples from life of the Holy Prophet [saw] of how by helping the Holy Prophet [saw] and his mission at

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every step Allah showed that He was alive. From the miraculous escape from Makkah to the battle of Badr, from success of a lonely voice to become the voice articulate of the whole Arabia — Allah's help was evident without doubt.

Imam Sahib then turned the attention of the audience to the recent past and current time when Allah is still showing His signs and proving to His righteous followers that He is alive and is not dead.

Imam Sahib gave examples from the life of a single person living in a remote village of India who was chosen by God to become the Promised Messiah . This person was Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as] of Qadian. He was helped in every step, his prayers were accepted in abundance and many a times he would say that his truth depended upon how things would turn out as God had revealed to him. Imam Sahib explained that as promised to him by Allah, his community now flourishes in 198 countries with over 160 million followers.

Imam Sahib finished the talk by saying that we can clearly see that God is alive and not dead. The talk was followed by a forty-five minute question & answer session in which students asked many questions about the talk, the plan of God for this world, and man's purpose in this life. Imam Sahib eloquently answered all the questions.

At the end the students took literature and stayed back to discuss questions and exchange details with Imam Sahib and other Ahmadis present. The students thoroughly enjoyed the lecture and we pray that they are guided to the right path.

There were 31 non-Ahmadi guests, the total attendance was 57.

News & Events

MKA UK Football — The Story So Far

By Shazil Lone

F

ootball has long been inherent to the DNA of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, but has gone through many metamorphoses and improvements as each year has passed.

As we head towards the 2011 National Football Tournament — to be held on 11th June at QPR’s Training Ground, Sipson Lane, Harlington we take a look back at the 15 years of rich history created since the National Football Tournament began and the legacy of what is at stake for those competing to be crowned the Champions of the 2011 Tournament.

This year’s event will be held, as already mentioned, at QPR’s training ground on Premiership-Standard grass and 3G surfaces, this follows on from last year’s event at Bath University and the year prior where the Manchester City Academy was the venue. But football in MKA UK was not played in such high

profile places, initially it was played as an indoor game at venues such as Upbury Manor School, Kent where Ijtema’at were held prior to Islamabad being purchased. From the mid 80s onwards football was played in Islamabad, on less than perfect pitches that more resembled a bobbly minefield with pitch lines painted with a lota! But this still didn’t stop regions producing the class of player like Shahin Mirza of Gillingham (a Rio Ferdinand-esque defender and sweeper), Rizwan Butt of London region (a strutting defender with a galloping Roberto Carlos style attacking streak) and Nissar Orchard (a gritty midfield general). This ilk of player also travelled to victoriously represent MKA UK in European Ijtema’at held in Holland and Germany.

This period of the late 80s and early 90s was one where Ijtema football was mainly dominated by Gillingham (latterly East region), London and Middlesex regions.

This period also saw the emergence of further talented younger players, some more surprising than others, like Ahmer Ahmedi (originally of Gillingham and then latterly of Baitul Futuh region) was a dazzling attacking dribbler and goal-scorer, Nasir Khawaja (current Mohtamim Atfal) a devastatingly clinical striker, whose style mixed Drogbaesque brutish strength with an unerring Romario coolness in front of goal, even Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, (as he is now known) was then the Mohtamim Sehat-e-Jismani, but also a fine shotstopping keeper.

It was in 1996 that the inaugural National Football Tournament was held and Hertfordshire region were the proud hosts for the first 4 years of the tournament, under the chairmanship of Abdul Quddus Sahib of Watford.

Fazl Mosque region were crowned champions the first two years of the Tournament beating perennial runnersTariq Magazine September 2011

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News & Events up (ala Holland), the North West region, who were led by their own talismanic playmaker Naeem Hussain.

Fazl Mosque also added an Ijtema title for good measure in ‘97 and losing the other in the final of the ‘96 ijtema, watched by our beloved Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV [rh], to a spirited and athletic South region team dominated

by Lambeth Jama’at players like Mustafa Anno and the Addo brothers, Rahim and Rahman.

Hertfordshire, a relatively minnow region in size, did however in their final year of hosting the Tournament, pick up a popular home victory in ‘98, whose team included the first of a new fitter, combative style of box to box midfield player in Saqib Samad.

In that same year the London regions were split from being Fazl Mosque and London into 2 new regions, Baitul Futuh and Muqami. This then pitted former London teammates against each other and of these regions it was Baitul Futuh that hit the ground running and by stats produced to-date the most successful Khuddam team.

Teams were becoming markedly more organised, with co-ordinated kits and some more flamboyant players venturing into wearing coloured boots other than the traditional black! Baitul Futuh led this organised revolution, meshing a strong team ethos, a solid defence marshalled by Tahir Ahmed, an all-action man-marker and fluid cutting strike-force of Ahmer Ahmedi, Raashid Khan and captain Shazil Lone. Winning 4 out of their first 6 Ijtema’at and reaching 3 football tournament finals, winning eventually in 2000. Their main challengers around this time were a dogged North East team led by Waqas Anwar and Hadi Malik, that finally broke the domination of the southern regions winning the Ijtema in 1999 and football Tournament in 2001.

2004 saw the turn of the East region era, the second most successful of recent times, winning a hat-trick of consecutive Ijtema titles from 2004–07 and National Tournament wins in 2003 and 2006.

This team was superbly dictated by the midfield general, Faraz Sethi (who was on the Division 1 books of Gillingham until the age of 18) dominating the midfield with an iron fist and showing great footballing nous, ably aided by defender Aneel Tahir, to keep their team

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compact and impregnable.

Following the East era, noteworthy mentions are, Islamabad Region who managed to put their name on the national titles, doing the Ijtema and National Tournament double in 2007.

Middlesex then picked up their sole Ijtema title in recent times in 2008.

These sides were characterised by a hard working team unit, as fitness levels increased markedly, and there were as the cliché goes “no easy matches in football anymore” or minnows around.

The football Tournament was revamped in 2009 and moved from traditional 11-a-side to the quicker and more technical game of 7-a-side. This saw a record number of 20+ teams enter and coincided with the emergence of the Midlands region from relative obscurity.

Spearheaded by quick forward Ahmed Obeng, Midlands did the double of Ijtema and the National Tournament in 2009 and then impressively followed this up by reaching both finals again in 2010 to defend their titles.

But 2010 brought a mixture of old and new, as Baitun Noor led by the talents (and no doubt prayers) of Jamia players like Dibbah took the National Tournament title on penalties in Bath, while Baitul Futuh re-emerged to claim the Ijtema title with a tight 1-0 victory over Midlands.

So, as the football field of dreams are once again approaching this year and following the recent London-wide Qiadat IFL league, it will be interesting to see which region emerges as champions at QPR’s grounds.

Will IFL Qiadat champions Tooting Bec help spur on Baitun Noor to retain their title or will IFL runners-

up Hounslow North help put the host region Middlesex back on the honours board? The London regions have seen another split, so Baitul Futuh has now been split into 3 further regions, namely Baitul Futuh, Masroor region and Tahir region. So there will be two new regions debuting at this year’s Tournament.

Looking back over all the various dominant teams that have made a niche for themselves in the history of MKA UK football, there have been many changes in the game, from half time cups of tea and samosas to today’s Lucozade fluid replacement drinks and energy bars, from part-time players wearing Clarks shoes to the norm now where each team has a co-ordinated rainbow array of boot colours and kits. But the common characteristic of all the successful teams, from any era, were those willing to bind together and focus on fighting FOR each other, rather than focusing on fighting against the opposition.

When searching which players to pick, the tactics, the right formation - whether it be the Arsenal passing game, the wing play of Man Utd or the up and under of Bolton - its the winning team spirit that is the magic ingredient that teams practicing and training up and down the country will be looking to unearth.

That will form the platform from which players and one team will stand up to be counted, execute THAT crucial tackle, pass or shot and emerge victorious and try to make their mark and start a new footballing dynasty for their region to be proud of.

On behalf of the Sehat-e-Jismani department, we look forward to seeing all footballers from up and down the country to try and make THIER mark at the National Football Tournament 2011.

News & Events

Muqami Events Blood Donation Session

Ta’leem–Tarbiyyat Seminar

On 19 May 2011 Muqami Region held its fifth blood donation session at Fazl Mosque. The session itself was held in Mahmood Hall.

Programme Plan

Report by Farooq Aftab (Mohtamim Muqami)

Though this event was hosted by Muqami Region this session was organised by Mosque Qiadat.

Report by Dr. Muhammad Waseem Zahid (Nazim Ta’leem Muqami)

Given the current Tarbiyyati issues faced by Khuddam & Atfal it was felt that a Ta’leem/Tarbiyyat Discussion Forum be held in an open and informal environment where relevant issues could be discussed. Given the importance, both Mohtamimeen Ta’leem and Tarbiyyat confirmed their attendance.

The Region has now built an excellent relationship with the National Blood Service (NBS) who provided promotional material in the form of posters and banners and ensured that all the local people in Southfields were made aware of the session through the local newspaper, as well as local mail-shots.

Communication with Qaideen

Our Khuddam are now slowly but surely getting used to the appointment system to the surprise of the NBS!

With a robust attendance campaign in place, all Qaideen had confirmed that as least 20% of their Tajneed would attend which was encouraging. Given the shortage of space in Fazl Mosque, the attendance was limited to 100 Khuddam.

The session timings were 2:00pm to 4:45pm and 5:30pm to 8:00pm. Again. this session was open to the general public and the NBS had a regular group of donors from Wandsworth who were also invited.

As usual, the lunch was served to the NBS staff in Sarai Khidmat which they thoroughly enjoyed!

The first session started well with a steady stream of donors.

Alhamdulillah before the end of the first session approximately 40 people were bled.

The maximum target for the whole session was 72 people to make the session worthwhile.

The second session was going to be the busiest with all appointments pretty much pre-booked.

By the end of the session more than 100 people had been registered with 96 people bled. This was tremendous achievement and well exceeded our target.

What was more impressive was that nearly half the number of donors where from the local community.

By the Grace of Allah the event was a great success.

Mosque Qiadat must be commended for their excellent organisation and getting maximum donors to attend.

The next session will be held after Eid.

All Qaideen were immediately informed by telephone and face to face contact beforehand and requested to make sure we had a good Khuddam attendance at this event.

Attendance check

Chief Guests

Mohtamim Ta’leem, Hafiz Ijaz Sahib and Mohtamim Tarbiyyat, Nomaan Raja Sahib were Chief Guests in this event.

Programme & Attendance

A very interesting and interactive discussion took place on various topics such as “How can we improve our values and live a better and more comfortable life as Ahmadis in this society?”, “Difficulties facing youngsters in society and how can they overcome them?”, as well as drugs, marriages and homosexuality to name a few. The discussion led by both Mohtamimeen in tandem was flowing and interactive so much so that we had to continue going for an extra 30 minutes. The event started after Isha around 8:30 pm and finished just after 10:00 pm. Though attendance was set to be limited to 100, by the Grace of Allah 120 Khuddam and 30 Atfal attended.

Feedback

Feedback was very encouraging with all those present enjoying the event and asking for similar events to be held again. Some comments were “very interesting and full of motivation”…“We really need such kind of Seminars to improve confidence”…

“We need some more discussion forums to touch social problems”.

Refreshment

Refreshments were served after the event during which time discussions were still taking place between small groups of Khuddam!

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News & Events

Closing Address by Sadr Majlis at the 2011 Charity Challenge

I begin in the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful.

Honoured Guests, my dear brothers Khuddam and Atfal, [salam] Peace be on you all and so may the Mercy of God and His Blessings Welcome, to the closing session of our annual youth organised Charity event.

We are now in our third decade of organising such events from humble beginnings back in the mid 1980s, where we raised a few thousand pounds from around hundred people to the event it is today, where we are favoured and fortunate to have such a distinguished guests in such venerable surroundings coming to support us in our cause.

The MKA10K is now a standard feature in our Youth Association’s calendar and over the past few years we have upped the tempo and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for noble causes. This year is no less as we are expecting to achieve a record sum, by our standards, when we have our cheque presentation ceremony for the main beneficiaries later this year.

One of the key features of our charity event is that it is completely run by volunteers and that 100% of the money raised goes directly to the charities that we are supporting. The running costs are borne by our membership contributions,

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with this event being one of many that the MKA Association hosts throughout the year.

I would like to share with you why we, as an organisation, are holding this particular event. Contrary to the images portrayed by some elements of the media that figures like Osama Bin Laden represent Islam, the actual essence of Islam is that of peace, freedom, loyalty and respect. Our organisation has been striving to spread this message across the UK through different means. One of our fund raising events late last year was to assist the British legion in their Poppy Appeal. We raised over £20,000 for them and quietly surprised some members of the public that Muslim youth were collecting for this appeal, something that is not normally associated with us. So much so that I received an email from a member of the EDL, thanking us for our efforts and how this particular collection changed the preconceived perception held by him and his colleagues.

For the sake of those present who are not familiar with Islam, there are a number of things that are central to our belief: Firstly, we have the articles of Faith, and these are the principles of our belief: • To believe in the Unity of God • To believe in His Angels • To believe in all His revealed Books

which includes the Old Testament, the New Testament • To believe in all His Prophets, so this includes Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, peace be upon them all • To believe in the Last Day and in the Afterlife • And To believe in Divine Decree, meaning, God’s Will To help us practice our faith, we have the Pillars of Islam. These are: • To believe in one God and that the Prophet Muhammad [saw] is His Messenger • To be regular in one’s prayers to God • To give a portion of ones wealth to the needy • To fast during the prescribed month of fasting • To perform the pilgrimage to Mecca in one’s lifetime In addition to this, our community following the advent of the awaited Messiah, as briefly described in the short film seen earlier, has prescribed 10 conditions of initiation. These are easily available for anyone’s reference but I would like to highlight the 9th condition in particular, which is:

News & Events

“…to keep oneself occupied in the service of God’s creatures for God’s sake only; and shall endeavour to benefit mankind to the best of one’s God-given abilities and powers” We are told to develop compassion for God’s creatures, with the understanding that it is something more than just a good deed, but rather an act of benevolence, meaning, not to expect a return for your favours.

Our Community’s founder, the Promised Messiah [as], has written extensively on various topics. One particular passage reads:

humility, honesty, a thirst for knowledge, a desire to share knowledge with others and a constant desire to strive in the cause of God by doing good. We take comfort from the fact that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community possesses a quality in its people from which goodness flows towards others.

I will end by giving you a brief rundown of what was achieved today and a vote of thanks to all those involved.

“Compassion for God’s creation is such a thing that if man gives it up and moves away from it, he gradually becomes a beast.

This is what the humanity of man demands, and one is human only as long as one treats one’s brother with kindness, tenderness and benevolence. There should be no discrimination in this matter…you should have sympathy for all of God’s creation no matter who they are…. Those whom God has blessed should express their gratitude and should deal with His creation kindly and humanely. They should not be proud of God-given abundance, and they should not viciously trample the poor.”

After 6 months of planning, this event is finally coming to close. The registered attendance was 1,050 people, more than we have ever had at our youth charity event. The amount of money raised to date, including our various store collections on behalf of the charities and direct sponsorship for today’s run raised through cash sponsors and Just Giving is £110,000 but our efforts are not stopping here. A number of store collection are still waiting to happen and our Scotland region are planning to hold a similar yet smaller event in Glasgow later this year.

I request your prayers that we are able to raise the funds by the end of September and achieve our goal of raising in excess of £200,000 for charity, to help those who are in dire need of help.

The fundamental qualities that the youth of our community are taught from an early age in order to serve mankind or to develop a passion to serve mankind are: love for humanity, kindness in our hearts for others, a charitable disposition,

I extend my deepest gratitude to all guests and participants for being generous with their time by coming to support this event. I would particularly like to thank Councillor Bertie MacKay, the Chairman of Warwick District Council,

for his invaluable support in helping to make the MKA Charity Challenge a success. The district of Warwick and all its parishes has certainly made us feel very welcome and I hope that the future brings us even closer.

I also extend my thanks to Farooq Mirza, the Chief organiser for this event, Regional Qaid of the host Region, Fahad Ashraf and the Khuddam from Midlands Region, the president of Leamington Spa Jama’at for his fantastic help and advice, the rest of the Charity Challenge committee members, in particular Munir Odeh for assisting on the MTA collaboration and Shiraz Sethi for liaising with the main charities.

All the workers, those seen out on the route and those that were not seen but tucked away in the kitchens or back office, dealing with all the letters and paperwork. The regional qaideen and local qaideen for coaxing and motivating Khuddam and Atfal to raise money and gather here today.

My thanks and my heartfelt gratitude to you all and I wish you a safe journey home.

Jazakallah Ahsanal Jazah May God reward you with the best of rewards.

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News & Events

Islamabad Holy Qur’an Exhibition Report by Naseer Shams (Regional Qaid Islamabad)

H

adhrat Ameerul Mumineen Khalifatul Masih Al-Khamis [atba] in his Friday Sermon delivered on 25th March 2011 instructed the Jama’at to hold exhibitions about the Holy Qur'an so that the world is made aware of its beautiful teachings. To act upon this instruction of Huzur Aqdas [atba], an exhibition was arranged in the lecture theatres concourse of the University of Surrey, Guildford on 11th May 2011. The event was arranged with the cooperation of Regional Qaid Islamabad (Naseer Shams Sahib), local president Aldershot Jama’at (Luqman Chaudhry Sahib), Regional Amir Islamabad (Ahsan Ahmedi Sahib), and Regional Missionary Islamabad (Mubarik Basra Sahib).

The planning of this event began by contacting the conferences office at Surrey University to seek permission to arrange an exhibition on various translations of the Holy Qur'an which our Jama’at has produced. It was highlighted that since university students come from all around the globe, the ability to see a translation of the Holy Qur'an in their native language would be of interest to them. The URL of the Jama’at’s official website (www.alislam. org) was also sent to them to give them the opportunity to learn more about our Jama’at. The authorities in the University happily provided the permission to hold this exhibition without any charge.

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The National Secretary Ishaat (Arshad Ahmedi Sahib) was contacted to provide 35 translations of the Holy Qur'an (including English Braille for the blind), 10 copies of the Selected Verses of the Holy Qur'an, and 5 copies of the English translation by Hadhrat Maulawi Sher Ali Sahib [ra]. Several posters about Qur'anic teachings were also made available for display.

The turnout at the exhibition was quite positive. Hundreds of students went through the exhibition during the day, with around 40 actively visiting the stands, taking a look at various translations and posters. Three copies of the English translation were given out on the day and we received requests for an additional six translations (see below) which will be sent to them.

To advertise the event a flyer and poster was prepared. Posters were displayed at various places of gathering in the University one day before the event and leaflets were handed out as students were leaving University. Leaflets were also distributed on the morning of the event when people were coming to the University at main pedestrian entrances.

One day before the event, leaflets were also dropped in student courts of residence in their pigeon holes. In total, about 1,000 leaflets were distributed.

The Holy Qur’an translations requested by students:

The exhibition ran from 09:30am to 4.30pm in the afternoon. Below is a list of the translations that were displayed: Chinese, Russian, Gujarati, Greek, Kannada, Hausa, Japanese, Marathi, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Malasian, Manipuri, Assames, Kikuyu, Oriya, Tagalog, Danish, Czech, Dutch, Portuguese, Tamil, Vietnamese, Nepali, Telugu, Korean, Hindi, Igbo, Italian, Bosnian, German, Maori, Creole, Urdu, Uzbek, English, Braille (English).

Portuguese, 2 request Spanish, 1 request Russian, 1 request Dutch, 1 request Yoruba, 1 request We also distributed about 10 copies of the Selected Verses of the Holy Qur'an in English, as well as a number of “Love For All Hatred For None” campaign leaflets.

Alhamdulillah, the exhibition was a success and we hope and pray that those that took advantage of the information on display and who engaged in conversation with our exhibition team will benefit by seeing and appreciating the true and beautiful teachings of The Holy Qur’an.

News & Events

North East Regional Tarbiyyat Seminar with Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib Report by Mohammad Zafarullah (Ex Regional Qaid North East)

T

he event was organised by the Khuddamul Ahmadiyya North East Region, who decided to host the event at Baitus Samad, mission house of the Huddersfield South Qiadat and agreed that the theme of the event should be Haququllah and Haququl Ibad.

The programme began on 30th January 2011 with congregational Zuhr and Asr Salaat led by Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib, after which everyone was told that they are free to pose any question at the appropriate time and if they did not feel comfortable verbally asking they were free to write them down. Paper and pens were distributed to everyone including Lajna.

The main event as always started with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Mukaber Ahmed. This was followed by an introduction to the occasion and a brief glimpse into Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib’s background

by Regional Qaid Sahib of the time, Mohammad Zafrullah. The stage was then given to Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib who spent the next 30 minutes talking on the subject of Haququllah and Haququl Ibad but highlighted the fact these two areas are vast subjects and cannot be exhausted in just a few hours. He then decided to choose a specific aspect to talk about in each section of the Seminar.

In relation to Haququllah which roughly translates to “responsibilities towards Allah”, Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib focused on the foundation which was the performance of Salaat and emphasised its importance and that concentration and focus are vital ingredients in its implementation if one truly wants to achieve spiritual union with God Almighty. Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib also mentioned the act of physically purifying oneself before Salaat (Ablution) is also very important

as it mentally and spiritually prepares an individual for their communion with Allah, if conducted in the correct way, i.e. without ablution there is no Salaat.

Furthermore, as Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib concluded this subject, he again re-emphasised that this foundation stone (Salaat) has to be solid if any other task is to be implemented in the way of Allah (responsibilities) implying that this is the first responsibility that needs to be discharged as a Muslim.

In relation to Haququl Ibad (responsibilities towards humanity), Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib touched on the relationship between parents and their children, and treatment of one’s wife. Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib quoted various sayings of the Holy Prophet [saw] around these two subjects to reinforce that responsibilities towards fellow man should actually start from home starting with the parents and that the relationship between parents and children should revolve around respect and love for each other. He added that parents must realise that children are a blessing from Allah and for parents to display their gratitude in receiving it they must take care of their upbringing and never neglect their responsibilities.

Likewise children must show the utmost respect towards their parents and should look after them when they are physically able to do so.

for anyone to ask a question and Alhamdulillah a total of 40 questions were asked which mainly revolved around Salaat and family relationships.

Unfortunately there were 25 questions remaining to be asked but due to time restrictions could not be presented.

Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib however did comment that he found the Q&A session very useful and it was unfortunate that all questions could not be covered.

Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib then followed the above with a quick glance into how a husband should discharge his responsibilities towards his spouse and repeatedly quoted a saying of the Holy Prophet [saw] “The best among you is he who treats his wife well” implying the importance of this relationship.

Next on the agenda was a presentation for the previous Regional Qaid North East, Yousaf Aftab Sahib led by the Regional Qaid of time, Mohammad Zafrullah who paid tribute to Yousaf Sahib’s accomplishments and dedication towards his responsibilities. A small trophy was given to Yousaf Sahib by Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib as a small token of appreciation which then followed a small speech by Yousaf who mainly described his time as a Regional Qaid as an honour and dedicated the trophy to all those who worked alongside him and recognised that his accomplishments could not have been possible without them. The main event then closed with a silent prayer led by Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib.

Straight after Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib’s brief discourse on the day’s theme the floor was opened

Maghrib and Ishaa Salaat were then performed in congregation at 5:00pm.

The total attendance was 150.

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Jalsa Salana UK 2011: Khidmat-e-Khalq

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Tariq Magazine September 2011

22nd–24th July 2011 Hadeeqatul Mahdi

Tariq Magazine September 2011

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News & Events

Student Mulaqats with Huzur Aqdas [atba] Report by Dr Tauseef Khan, Mohtamim Amoor–e–Tulbah

Day 1 5th March 2011

M

ajlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK has been most fortunate to have the Khalifa of the time within its midst. This blessing of God provides an opportunity for Khuddam to seek guidance directly from Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih [atba] both in their spiritual pursuits and in other matters that may relate to their lives, families and studies.

In the latter case, the students of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK have been most fortunate in having had regular Mulaqats with Huzur Aqdas [atba] every year.

This year a humble request was sent to Huzur Aqdas [atba] for three student Mulaqats covering three different areas of study. It was due to Huzur Aqdas’s [atba] immense grace and love for

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Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK that all the three Mulaqats were approved and dates were given. The Mulaqats were held after Asr Salaat in Mahmood Hall at Fazl Mosque.

The translation was read out by Mubariz Ahmad Ahmedi (MSc Computing & Information Systems at Queen Mary University). The translation reads as follows:

First Mulaqat

“In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. Blessed is He in Whose hand is the Kingdom, and He has power over all things; Who has created death and life that He might try you — which of you is best in deeds; and He is the Mighty, the Most Forgiving. Who has created seven heavens in harmony. No incongruity canst thou see in the creation of the Gracious God. Then look again: Seest thou any flaw? Aye, look again, and yet again, thy sight will only return unto thee confused and fatigued. And verily, We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps, and We have made them for driving away satans, and We have prepared for them the punishment of the blazing Fire.”

(Ch.67:V.1-6)

The first Student Mulaqat was held on Saturday 5th March with students belonging to the fields of Physical Sciences, Engineering, Architecture and Computer Science. A total of 37 students attended (6 PhD, 16 MSc and 15 BSc).

The Mulaqat started with the arrival of Huzur Aqdas [atba] at around 4.30 pm. In all the Mulaqats, Huzur Aqdas [atba] was accompanied by Sadr Majlis. The programme started with recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Sahir Jamil Shahid (MSci Astrophysics at Queen Mary University) reciting verses 1-6 from Chapter 67, Surah Al-Mulk.

News & Events

Day 2 6th March 2011

The recitation and translation were followed by two research presentations given by Khuddam. The first one was given by Qammar Sultan Goher, a third year PhD Student in Electrical Engineering at University of Dundee.

The presentation was on the topic of Carbon nanotubes and nano-composite materials. Qammar talked about his work on the development of new processes for nanotube production and their applications. Huzur Aqdas [atba] asked questions about the research topic after the presentation and also encouraged the students in the audience to ask questions, which resulted in a healthy discussion.

The second presentation was given by Andreas Abdur-Rahman Kafizas, a third year PhD student in Material Chemistry at University College London. The presentation was on the topic of thin

films and Andreas explained how this new kind of material is transforming glass, buildings, wind-screens and solar panels. Huzur Aqdas [atba] asked Andreas questions on the topic and if the water-repellant properties of thin films can be useful on a windscreen in torrential rain . The students also asked many questions about thin films, including if they can be made bulletproof !

After presentations the students were given an opportunity to ask Huzur Aqdas [atba] questions about their field and studies. All the students thoroughly enjoyed the Mulaqat and were glad to be in the company of Huzur Aqdas [atba].

The Mulaqat came to an end before Maghrib Salaat with Silent prayer.

The Mulaqat lasted for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Second Mulaqat

The second student Mulaqat was held on Sunday 6th March with the students belonging to Medicine, Dentistry and Biological sciences. A total of 23 students attended (2 PhD, 1 MBBS/PhD, 2 MSc, 12 MBBS/Dentistry, and 6 BSc).

The Mulaqat started with recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Syed Muhammad Taha Nasser (MBBS at University College London), reciting verses 6771 from Chapter 16, Surah Al-Nahl.

The translation was read out by Khalid Shah (MBBS/PhD at University of Nottingham).

The translation reads as follows: “And surely in the cattle too there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of what is in their bellies, from betwixt the faeces and the blood, milk pure and pleasant for those Tariq Magazine September 2011

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News & Events

Day 3 13th March 2011

who drink it. And of the fruits of the date palms and the grapes, whence you obtain intoxicating drink and wholesome food.

Verily, in that is a Sign for a people who make use of their reason. And thy Lord has inspired the bee, saying, ‘Make thou houses in the hills and in the trees and in the trellises which they build. ‘Then eat of every kind of fruit, and follow the ways of thy Lord that have been made easy for thee.’ There comes forth from their bellies a drink of varying hues. Therein is cure for men. Surely, in that is a Sign for a people who reflect. And Allah creates you, then He causes you to die; and there are some among you who are driven to the worst part of life, with the result that they know nothing after having had knowledge. Surely, Allah is AllKnowing, Powerful.”

(Ch.16:V.67-71) Afterwards Mohtamim Amoor-eTuluba, Tauseef Ahmad Khan presented an overview of the students present.

Huzur Aqdas [atba] enquired why such an overview was not given in the previous student Mulaqat the day before.

There was one research presentation given in this Mulaqat by Azhaar Ashraf,

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an MRes student in Experimental Neuroscience at Imperial College London. The presentation was on the topic of Alzheimer’s disease. Huzur Aqdas [atba] enquired about the research and gave valuable suggestions.

Huzur Aqdas [atba] opened the discussion to all students and for the next thirty minutes a healthy discussion was held on the topic. The discussion went into great detail about the possibility of using honey as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Afterwards many students asked Huzur Aqdas [atba] regarding research on honey. Huzur Aqdas [atba] said that not only honey but other produces from the honeybee like royal jelly and propolis should also be investigated.

Students also had the opportunity to ask Huzur Aqdas [atba] questions regarding academic guidance and to seek prayers. Some students sought prayers for activities upcoming at their universities under the aegis of AMSA (Ahmadiyya Muslim Student Association) and others asking for prayers to form AMSAs at their educational institute. Huzur Aqdas [atba] gave instructions that there should be a Jama’at-wide election within all AMSAs for a national AMSA

President.

In the end, Huzur Aqdas [atba] addressed each and every student individually and enquired about their studies.

The Mulaqat came to an end before Maghrib Salaat with Silent prayer.

The Mulaqat lasted for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Third Mulaqat

The third student Mulaqat was held on Sunday 13th March with students from the Social Sciences and Humanities subjects. A total 44 students attended (2 PhD, 19 Masters, and 23 Bachelor students) with a mix from Business, Economics, Accounting, History, Arabic, English and Archeology.

The Mulaqat started with recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Siraj-ul-Haq Khan (PhD Arabic and Islamic Studies at University of Edinburgh) reciting verses 59-60 from Chapter 4, Surah Al-Nisa.

The translation was read out by Rizwan Safir (BA Archeology at University of Reading). The translation reads as follows:

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“Verily, Allah commands you to make over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice. And surely excellent is that with which Allah admonishes you! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. O ye who believe! obey Allah, and obey His Messenger and those who are in authority among you. And if you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you are believers in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and most commendable in the end.”

(Ch.4:V.59-60) Afterwards Mohtamim Amoor-eTuluba, Tauseef Ahmad Khan, presented an overview of the students present and also thanked Huzur Aqdas [atba] for his generosity and affection towards students.

There was one research presentation given by Qamrullah Bin Tariq Islam, a first year PhD student in Economics at the University of Glasgow. The presentation was on the topic of Economic development in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Huzur Aqdas [atba] enquired about the topic and gave many valuable suggestions.

Huzur Aqdas [atba] opened the discussion to all students which lead to a healthy discussion on the topic. Huzur Aqdas [atba] pointed out that the main problem in these countries is that they have not accepted the Imam of the Age, and rampant corruption was mainly responsible for the failing economy in Pakistan.

The discussion went into great detail about the possibility of increasing the economic development of these countries.

Huzur Aqdas [atba] gave valuable suggestions namely that these countries should focus on Agriculture as they are agri-based countries, and also on cottageindustries. Huzur Aqdas [atba] also inquired about the micro-finance project pioneered by the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and if it has resulted in any improvement in the condition of the poor.

In the latter half of the Mulaqat, students had the opportunity to ask Huzur Aqdas [atba] questions regarding academic guidance and also to seek prayers. Huzur Aqdas [atba] was very generous and answered many questions. One student doing Social

Work said that not enough students go into social work and that more emphasis should be put on this field. Huzur Aqdas [atba] replied that Mohtamim Amoor-e-Tuluba should make sure that students are encouraged towards this field.

The Mulaqat came to an end before Maghrib Salaat with Silent prayer.

The Mulaqat lasted for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Huzur Aqdas [atba] also gave permission for a photo-session at the end of all three Mulaqats. MTA studios recorded all three Mulaqats.

After each Mulaqat students offered Salaat behind Huzur Aqdas [atba] and then were treated to an excellent dinner at Sarai Khidmat.

The students were most grateful for Huzur Aqdas [atba]’s extreme kindness and affection, having benefited both spiritually and intellectually. I pray that they may continue to do so in the future also. [ameen].

Tariq Magazine September 2011

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News & Events

Women in Islam: Oppressed or Liberated? — An AMSA Event at UCL Report by Dr Tauseef Khan, Mohtamim Amoor–e–Tulbah

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Student Association University College London (UCL) organised a session on the topic of ‘Woman in Islam’ on Thursday 10 March 2011. A Lajna scholar, Maha Dabbous Sahiba was invited to deliver the talk followed by a question answer session. The talk was held in the in Darwin Building.

contacts were also invited. The Ahmadi students in nearby Universities also invited their friends for this talk.

This talk was held in the ‘One World Week’ which is an annual Charity Event in which UCL Societies hold events.

This year the One World Week focused on the topic of “Censorship”. Before the event a publicity campaign was run by the students of AMSA at UCL, Taha Nasser (President of UCLU AMSA), Tahir Nasser (Treasurer of UCLU AMSA) with help from Tauseef Khan (Mohtamim Amoor-e-Tuluba). A total of 40 posters were put all across the University. All relevant student societies and were sent emails, and personal

The students started arriving fifteen minutes before the talk.

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On the day of the talk, a leafleting campaign was run by two students at the One World Week stall area of UCL. Around 20 students were invited this way.

Maha Dabbous Sahiba was introduced by the Treasurer of AMSA UCL, Tahir Nasser Sahib. Maha Sahiba started her talk at 6.15 pm on the topic of ‘Woman in Islam: Oppressed or Liberated’.

She started by saying how women had no rights at the time of the advent of Islam, and it was Islam that gave women freedom, rights and respect in society.

The West only realised this in the past 150 years. Maha Sahiba gave a very

comprehensive overview of the status of Woman in Islam by giving relevant quotations from the Holy Qur’an. She focused greatly on the topic of spirituality and how women can achieve the same spiritual status as a men, and how they had a greater role in making sure that spiritual upbringing of the future generation is ensured. Maha Sahiba also discussed the topic of the veil, woman’s rights, polygamy and the central role of family in Islam.

The audience was enthralled by the talk which lasted for just over an hour.

Afterwards, there was a 30 minute question & answer session. Many students stayed behind to discuss this topic with the speaker.

There were a total of 21 non-Ahmadi guests, the total attendance was 40.

5 Articles Blessings and Importance of Prayer

By Wadood Ahmad Daud (Regional Qaid North East)

P

rayer is an important element of a Muslim’s daily life, a pillar of his faith and the focus of his entire existence.

The strange and unique thing about a Muslim’s Prayer is it that starts even before his birth and his whole life revolves around prayer. Muslim parents start praying even before their child is born to have righteous and obedient offspring. Those children are different than others as their journey towards the right path starts well before they could walk, talk or even open their eyes.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad [saw] have taught us how to pray and make it part of our daily life : Abu Ayub Ansari relates that a man said: Messenger of Allah, tell me that which will cause me to be admitted to Paradise and will keep me away from the Fire. He answered: Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him, observe Prayer, pay the Zakat and join the ties of kinship.

Bukhari, Kitabul Adab I remember from things as little as looking for a missing toy to as big as looking for my wife to be, my parents always taught me to pray, and I don’t ever remember being disappointed. Prayers are heard if your intentions are right. The only time when you think your prayer has not been heard is when, were you to get what you had prayed for, you would cause physical and moral harm because Allah knows what is best for you.

Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet [saw] said: The first item in respect of which a person would be called to account on the Day of Judgment will be Prayer. If that is found in order he would be successful and prosper, but if that is not in order he would be ruined and lost. In case of a shortcoming in his obligations the Lord of honour and glory

will say: Look, if among the voluntary acts of My servant there is anything that would make up his shortcoming in respect of his obligations. All his obligations would be checked up in that manner.

Just before the final exams of my first year at college, I was injured in an accident. The lower part of my body was in so much agony that I thought I was never going to be able to live a normal life. Walking was painful and it took me several weeks before I was able to walk again, all that time my mother prayed day and night for my full recovery. The intensity of her prayers was so much so that she would be praying in her room,

and I could hear her crying. And I firmly believe that today if I am leading a healthy and normal life its all because of my mother’s prayers.

Prayer doesn’t have to be in a certain language or in a certain way, it’s your intention and desire that counts, prayers of an ordinary and common person have the same importance and chances of acceptance as those of a righteous and important person. The Holy Prophet Muhammad [saw] made it clear in this hadith : “Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and Tariq Magazine September 2011

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My father tells us that they would have to eat without the promise of enough food for the next meal, but they never gave up on praying to Allah for the restoration of their lives... receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, afternoons and during the last hours of the nights.”

Bukhari It can be seen from the writings of the Promised Messiah [as] and from his daily life, how a Prophet lived his life. I quote “At times it is as if the prayer is not being accepted; there is one thing that can be done on such occasions. One should ask some very pious person to pray and then he himself should pray to God that He may hear the prayer of that pious person. It has been observed quite often that the prayer has been accepted in this way. I have experienced it myself and it has been happening in the case of many people before me, as well. It is said that once Bawa Ghulam Farid fell ill; he prayed for his recovery but the prayer was not accepted. Then he asked one of his disciples to pray for him — this disciple was a very pious person (He was either Sheikh Nizamuddin or Khawaja Qutbud Din). His prayer was also not accepted. He, then prayed to God very fervently and asked Him to raise that disciple of his to the rank where the prayers are very often accepted. Next morning he told the disciple that he had prayed for him for a higher rank. When the disciple heard this, he was very much moved and he started praying for him very fervently — so fervently that it was accepted and Bawa Ghulam Farid recovered from his illness.”

Malfoozat Vol. 9, pg. 234 My father had a book shop in Sargodha, Pakistan. During the 1974 anti-Ahmadi riots his shop was burnt, and my Father

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and his cousin had to jump from the 2nd floor to save their lives. The fire consumed the building, causing it to collapse. It being a book shop, my Father and his brothers had lost everything, and they had to leave the city without a source of income.

My father tells us that they would have to eat without the promise of enough food for the next meal, but they never gave up on praying to Allah for the restoration of their lives. Their prayers were heard and one of our relatives lent them enough money to rebuild the shop.

The business was back up and running, and within three months life was near normality. However soon after some Mullahs set the shop on fire again. This time the structure of the building was mostly wood, and it wasn’t long before it collapsed again.

This time the shock was so great that my father and his brothers were about to give up on the business and were thinking of migrating to Rabwah. They asked for permission to do so from the Khalifa of the time, Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad [ru], and Huzur [ru] instructed them to stay in the same city and pray to Allah, as He knows what’s best. Huzur [ru] also instructed the Jama’at to lend my Father Rs.3000 to restart his business, following which it wasn’t long before they were earning more money and their business expanding more than ever before.

My father believes it was all due to the prayers of Huzur [ru], and the blessings of financial help from Huzur [ru] himself that made my father’s business a success again. Miraculously, all the other book shops in the area were either closed or sold by their owners in front

of my father, while his shop is still the biggest, oldest and most successful book shop in the whole of Sargodha. However without my parents’ belief in Allah and especially Huzur [ru]’s prayers, things could have been very different.

Jabir relates that the Holy Prophet [saw] said: Giving up Prayers is tentamount to disbelief and paganism.

Muslim You can never experience what it feels like when you know your prayers are being accepted if you don’t pray to Allah.

Once you do start praying you will notice the difference in your life. Sometimes the difference is very small, but the more you pray for yourself the greater that difference will become. And believe me, there is no harm in trying.

May Allah accept our prayers and the prayers of those who want their lives to be different.

[ameen]

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A Journey of a Life Time

By Qasim Akinreti

B

y God’s grace I was opportuned to be among over 85,000 Nigerian Pilgrims who performed the Holy Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Since 1998, I have been eager to perform and cover the Hajj through the sponsorship of Voice of Nigeria. Each passing year, I remained optimistic that the opportunity will come at an appointed time by Allah. And so, November 2008, the unique opportunity came through the Nigeria Union Of Journalists slot from the Lagos state government.

Clad in green Ankara fabric, the family uniform of the Lagos state pilgrims Board, I participated fully in the orientation programmes for pilgrims at the Lagos State Pilgrims Board Office.

Old Secretariat Complex, Government Reservation Area, GRA, Ikeja.

Occasionally, I made some trips to the Hajj Camp at the Murtala International Airport, Ikeja to monitor and report airlift operations.

On December 3rd, 2008, Lagos state sponsored pilgrims were invited to the Pilgrims Board Office in Ikeja for airlift to Saudi Arabia. The journey from the Hajj Camp Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to King Abdul Azeez International Airport, Jeddah took 5 hours 30 minutes.

Alhaji Babatunde Balogun, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Amirul Hajj Lagos State, averred that state governments have fulfilled their obligations transporting pilgrims to Saudi Arabia as promised. He urged pilgrims to be of good behaviour in the Holyland.

Government Sponsored Pilgrims we were the last batch of pilgrims to be airlifted from the Lagos Zone by Medview Airlines through a lease aircraft from Europe.

The arrival of Nigerian Muslim pilgrims was celebrated with the praises of Allah across the Nigerian hostels in Mecca and Medina.

Ahead of my travel, I had been at the Airport for three weeks waiting endlessly for airlift through the National Hajj Commission.

The Euro float flight airlifted 420 pilgrims from Lagos about 18 hours before the closure of the Jeddah International Airport to traffic. I heaved a sigh of relief, tears of joy rolled down my cheek as the plane rolled to a halt. “At last Saudi Arabia, here I come”.

According to the pilgrims the federal government had lived up to its expectations and promises at the nick of time, going by the last minute flight crisis in Nigeria.

The Dome shaped edifice at the King Abdul Azeez International Airport was quite fascinating. The symbolism of white paint that covered the airport buildings was extra ordinary as peace radiated across the entire kingdom. My mind flashed back to the newly upgraded Oliver Thambo International Airport in Tariq Magazine September 2011

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Johannesburg, South Africa. The airport architecture was a master piece.

After breakfast, I changed my apparel to the white Ihram cloth as directed by the Hajj tour guide. He reminded us that the dramatic change signify the commencement of the Hajj rites. We offered two rakats (supererogatory prayers) and set for Makkah Al Munawarah, where the Hajj rites commenced.

With the air-conditioned bus, I could hardly feel the intensity of the heat as we traversed the 6-lane asphalt road from

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Jeddah to Madinah.

The hospitality of the Saudis was quite commendable. At each security point, we were offered cold bottled water called “zamzam water” and a refreshment pack to quench thirst and hunger.

The Makkah Experience

A few kilometres from Makkah, sign posts welcomed the pilgrims to Holy city, with a message “Welcome To Makkah Al Munawarah, Non Muslims are not allowed in the City”, “Avoid Crowd and stampede”. At the last security check point called “Masasa”, pilgrims were

given identification tags and led to their different hostels in the city centre.

As we were approaching the city center, I noticed changes in the topography.

Plains have gradually given way to rocky and mountainous sites. Earth Equipments were busy tearing down the rocks. To my surprise, skyscrapers dotted every nook and cranny in the city. I never knew that desert areas too are dotted with rocks and mountains. Makkah, provided a great insight.

Lagos State hostels were located in “Ree-bash”, a hilly area of the city.

Articles It was a stone throw from the Holy Mosque- “Haram”. For 4 weeks, I had to do physical exercise climbing my way through to the hostel.

At the Grand Mosque — Haram, two compulsory rites must be performed by pilgrims. Welcome Tawaf and farewell Tawaf.

I perform the welcome Tawaf, the first spiritual work running and walking round, the black square box in the center of the grand mosque 7 times and the hills of Sarfa and Marwa. Pilgrims have the choice of performing the first rite on three floors to avoid stampede. However for Sarfa and Marwa rite, pilgrims file in on a straight path.

I performed the welcome Tawaf

The Grand Mosque has 87 gates, and about 80 Close Circuit Cameras to monitor the movement of pilgrims.

The floor was laced with state of the art marble with magnificent architectural taste. Cold water containers were provided around the mosque. The floors were being mopped at 10 minutes interval for 24 hours. For all it takes, the Grand mosque was a good edifice to behold.

According to Islamic tradition, the Circular repetitions is compulsory for every pilgrim who does not have the opportunity of performing the Umrah visit to the Holy land in the last 10 days of Ramadhan.

The symbolism of these rites was offering fervent supplications to Allah for the good things of the world and the hereafter. Two green lights signify the beginning and end of the rites. Indeed the crowd was overwhelming everyday and every minute. Old and weak people were assisted to perform these obligatory rites using a wheel chair.

Accordingly, pilgrims massed on the plain of Arafat. Different prayer sessions, lectures and offering of Rakats — supererogatory prayers were enjoined for pilgrims.

I took time off to interview a cross section of Muslims all over the world on the significance of Arafat day and perform the obligatory rites.

Mina

At sunset, pilgrims proceed to Mina, shave the hair, slaughter rams for Eid and throw stones at the devil. We stayed in the camps for three days. After throwing 49 pebbles at the devil at Jamrat, the white cloth Hiram was removed. We heeded back to Makkah

Back to Base in Makkah

At Makkah, pilgrims performed another 7 rounds of walking round the Ka’ba.

Again prayers were offered at the turn of the green lights. At this point the full Hajj rites have been completed.

I spent two weeks in Makkah before embarking on another 6 hours journey to Madinah. Within this period return flights to Nigeria had commenced. As usual, the real test of a successful Hajj operations begun with the outbound flights.

While the private Pilgrims had an easy return journey, the state pilgrims never had it so good. Here, frustrations set in for some pilgrims and uneasiness took over the Hajj Camp at the King Abdul Azeez International Airport. For me as a Journalist, the real business of reporting takes central stage.

to Madinah.

Again, the massive structure of the Prophet’s Mosque was gorgeous. The gold plated mosque accommodates the burial site for Prophet Muhammad [saw] and his companions [ra_hum].

As part of my itinerary, I visited the mosque built to immortalize the first Black Muslim- Bilal. The weather in Madinah was quite cold, unlike Makkah.

Pilgrims had to purchase warm clothes to survive the weather.

After 5 days, the return journey to Nigeria began at 10 am local time. For 6 hours, the 30 seater bus cruised the Saudi Arabian desert from Madinah to Makkah with a sense of nostalgia.

Home Journey

On arrival at the departure lounge of King Abdul International Airport, I took time off to walk around and conduct interviews and have a chat with pilgrims from various parts of Nigeria, scheduled to take off any minute.

After waiting for three hours in the departure lounge for the return journey, I joined the others at check-in at exactly 2 am, and waited for another two hours before take off.

As we climbed the stairs to enter the plane a copy of the Holy Qur’án was handed over to all pilgrims and the flight attendants collect the Zamzam Water cans from us.

Close Shave

Here, young Arabs make brief business within the precinct of the Grand mosque, charging between 400 to 600 Riyadh. A Nigerian Journalists on our entourage describe this as Hajj with ease.

Madinah

On board, I continue to supplicate to Allah for the return trip. Barely six hours later, the pilot announced the safe arrival in Lagos, however the weather was too bad for a safe landing. Within a twinkle of an eye, the pilot voice roared back apologizing for his inability to land due to bad weather and detour to Abuja international Airport.

Mount Arafat

However, according to the tradition of Islam, it is rewarding to embark on the journey to Madinah. I seized this initiative to appreciate the sacrifice of the Holy Prophet Muhammed [saw] towards the propagation of Islam through Hijra — traveling from Makkah

For all it takes, the flight was held on for another 2 hours at Abuja. We were not allowed to disembark despite complaint of fatigue by the pilgrims. Again we all resulted to prayers for a safe landing back in Lagos. This time around, the landing was very smooth. As I left the aircraft, I went straight to the Hajj camp mosque for another round of prayers for Allah’s mercy on me after 40 days in Saudi Arabia.

On the third day, pilgrims travelled to mount Arafat. This was instructive. The Hajj rites are not completed without offering prayers from sunrise to sunset on the Plain of Arafat.

I had a good time with Nigerian pilgrims’ officials in Jeddah and Makkah and interacted with ordinary people on the streets. In fact, I had a feel of my environment to the fullest.

Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque is arguably not compulsory for pilgrims. Inability to perform the visitation does not vitiate full benefit of Holy Pilgrimage.

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Treatment of Parents – Islamic Teachings Source: www.alislam.org

A

llah says in the Holy Qur’an:

The Lord has decreed that you worship none save Him alone, and behave beneficently towards parents. If either or both of them should attain old age while you are alive, say not `ugh’ to them, nor chide them, and speak kindly to them. Lower to them the wing of humility out of tenderness and pray: Lord have mercy upon them as they brought me up when I was little. (17:25) These verses are most significant on this subject. After the unity of God, human beings should, through their attitude of love, affection, and kindness, give priority over all other things to their parents who have reached an old and difficult age.

Further, the verses speak of the situations when the behaviour of one or both of the parents becomes extremely trying and sometimes offensive. In response to that, not even a mild expression of disgust or disapproval should pass one’s lips. On the contrary they should be treated with profound respect.

Importance of Parents

(a) Hadhrat Abu Umamah [ra] narrated that once a man asked the Holy Prophet [saw] about the rights of parents upon their children.

He replied that: `The parents are the Heaven or Hell for their children.’ (b) Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Amr [ra] narrates that the Holy Prophet [saw] said: `The pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of father and displeasure of Allah lies in the displeasure of father.’ (c) Once a person came to Holy Prophet [saw] and sought his advice about taking part in Jihad with him. The Holy Prophet [saw] asked him whether his mother was alive? He answered `yes’. The Holy Prophet

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[saw] then told him `Go back home and server her as Heaven was under her feet’. (d) Hadhrat Abu Hurairah [ra] narrates: The Holy Prophet [saw] cursed the person three times whose old parents (both or one) were alive and he still did not earn Heaven (by serving them).

Rewards for Serving Parents

Holy Prophet [saw] once told a very interesting anecdote to his companions about three persons. According to him, the three persons were once traveling when heavy rains began to fall. They took shelter in a cave. Incidently, a big stone came hurtling down and blocked the opening of the cave. All the three travellers lost the hope of their survival.

One of them told the rest not to lose hope and pray to Almighty Allah, by describing the most virtuous deed of their lives, for enabling them to get out of the cave.

One of them addressing Almighty Allah, submitted that he had old parents and several small children. When he would come back home after grazing the goats he would first offer the milk to his old parents and then to his children.

Once when he came home quite late, his parents were asleep. He milked the goats as usual and taking the cup of milk went to his old parents, but did not disturb their sleep. The whole night he stood near his parents (to give them milk whenever they get up). He prayed to Allah to enable them to come out of the cave. Allah was pleased with the act of this man and the stone moved a little.

Similarly, after the other two related their tales, the stone was fully moved and they were able to come out of the cave.

Nice Behaviour with Parents

1. Once Hadhrat Abdullah-BinMasood asked the Holy Prophet

[saw] to tell him the deed liked by Almighty Allah. The Holy Prophet [saw] replied. `To offer prayers in time.’ He asked him to tell the second best. He was told `to behave nicely with parents’ 2. Conduct of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah [ra] with his mother: Once Marwan appointed Hadhrat Abu Hurairah [ra] to officiate him for some days in his absence. At that time he was in ZUL Hulaifah and his mother was living in another house at some distance from him. Whenever Abu Hurairah [ra] went out he would first come to the house of his mother and say `My dear mother peace be upon you and may Allah be merciful to you.’ The mother would reply, `My dear son, peace be upon you too and may Allah be kind and merciful to you.’ He would say, `May Allah be kind to you as you have been kind to me in my childhood.’ She would reply, `My dear son, may Allah be kind to you as you are kind to me now in my old age.’

Respect for Father

Once Hadhrat Abu Hurairah [ra] came across two persons. He asked one of them about the other. The person replied that the other one was his father. Then Hadhrat Abu Hurairah [ra] strictly advised the son never call his father by name and neither to walk ahead of him nor to take seat before the he takes the seat first in a gathering.

Behaviour with Father

Once a man complained to the Holy Prophet [saw] about his father who took his belongings whenever he liked.

The Messenger of Allah called for his father, who was a very old man, and asked him the details of the matter. The father said, `O, Messenger of Allah, a time was when my son was weak and helpless and bare handed while I had

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My Lord, have mercy on them even as they nourished me in my Childhood Sura Bani Israil, Chapter 17, Verse 25

strength and wealth. I never hesitated to give him my belongings whenever he needed them. Today I am weak and bare handed while he is rich and now he keeps his belongings from me.’ Hearing this, tears came to the eyes of the Holy Prophet [saw] and he said to the son: `You and your belongings belong to your father. You and your belongings belong to your father.’

Behaviour with Mother

1. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah [ra] relates that once a person came to the Holy Prophet [saw] and asked, `O Holy Messenger of Allah who is the most deserving person to get nice treatment from me?’ He replied, `Your mother.’ He asked, `Who next?’ To this, he got the same reply. When he repeated this question for the fourth time, he was told by the Holy Prophet [saw], `Your father.’

2. Compensation for mother: Once Hadhrat Abdulla-Bin Umar [ra] saw a Yemenite doing Tawaf of Holy Ka’aba with his mother on his back.

Seeing Hadhrat Abdullah [ra]he asked that had he not compensated for the rights of his mother? Hadhrat Abdullah [ra] replied that it was not the compensation even for a single birth pang of his mother.

3. A person came to the Holy Prophet [saw] and complained that his mother was ill-tempered. The Holy Prophet [saw] of Allah said, `She was not ill-tempered when she kept you in her womb for nine months.’

The person insisted, `Sir, I am telling you the truth that she is ill-tempered.’

The Holy Prophet [saw] said, `She was not ill-tempered when she

used to keep awake the whole night for your sake and fed you.’ The man replied, `I have recompensated all the favours of my mother.’ The Holy Prophet [saw] then asked: `How have you recompensated her?’ He replied, `I have helped her perform Hajj by putting her on my shoulders.’

After hearing this, the Holy Prophet [saw] put a question to the complainant, `Can you recompensate the painful pangs your mother bore at the time of your birth?’

Treatment of Non-Muslim Parents

Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, [ra] says her mother (who was a non-Muslim) came to her. Asma came to the Holy Prophet [saw] to ask her whether she should do her some kindness. The Holy Prophet [saw] replied, `Yes, show kindness to your mother.’ Then this following verse of the Qur’an was revealed: Allah forbids you not respecting those who have not fought against you on account of your religion, and who have not driven you out from your homes, that you be kind to them and deal equitably with them; surely Allah loves those who are equitable. (60:9)

Abusing the Parents

The Holy Prophet [saw] said: It is a grievous sin for a person to abuse his parents. Someone asked: Would a person ever abuse his parents? Yes, said the Holy Prophet [saw]. If a person abuses another’s father, his own father will be abused in return and if he abuses the other’s mother the same abuse will be returned.

Disobedience to Parents

1. Hadhrat Bakr [ra] narrates that once the Holy Prophet [saw] asked that should he not warn them against three major sins? All of them said. `Certainly, O Prophet!’ He then said. `To ascribe partners with Allah, to disobey parents’; getting up as he was reclining, he said `to tell a lie or to give false evidence’. He went on repeating his words for such a long time that we wished him to be silent.

2. Hazrat Abu Bakr [ra] narrates that Holy Prophet [saw] said, `Allah postpones the punishment for one’s sins till the day of judgement, if He so desires. But He awards the punishment for disobeying the parents during this life, before his death.’

Sauban narrates that the Holy Prophet [saw] said: There are three sins which nullify all other virtues: 1. Ascribing partners with Allah 2. Disobedience to parents 3. And fleeing from Jihad 3. Once, when the Holy Prophet [saw] was talking to his companions, a man came and addressed him: `O, Messenger of Allah! A young man is breathing his last. People are asking him recite Kalima but he is unable to do so.’ The Holy Prophet [saw] asked, `Did this man offer prayers?’ and the man said `Yes’. Then he accompanied the man to the house of the dying young Tariq Magazine September 2011

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Articles man along with others present at that time. The man was at the end of his life journey. The Messenger of Allah advised him to offer Kalima. The man replied that he was unable to do so as the words would not come out of his mouth. The Holy Prophet [saw] then called for the mother of the dying man whom he had disobeyed persistently. When his aged mother came, the Holy Prophet [saw] asked `Respected lady is he your son?’

She replied `Yes’. He then put her a question, `O Respected lady, if we threaten to throw your son in a raging fire, will you recommend him to be forgiven?’ The lady replied that she would definitely do so at that time.

The Holy Prophet [saw] then said to her, `If so, declare, making Allah and me your witness that you are now pleased with him.’ The old woman readily declared, `O Allah, you and your messenger be my witness that I am pleased with this beloved son of mine.’

his wife and her (wife’s) mother had a disagreement and were both in tears, he took his wife and led her in front of her mother where she bowed her head, her mother immediately raised her daughter’s head and embraced her. All annoyance was gone.

Debts of Parents after their Death

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Zubair [ra] never neglected the rights of his parents even after they were dead. Hadhrat Zubair [ra] was a very rich man.

Usually as soon as any rich father dies his children start clamouring for their shares from the belongings of the deceased.

But Hazrat Abdullah [ra] was not at all worried. He could have been well anxious to get his share which amounted to millions. But his only anxiety was about the debt, of his father which he wanted to repay without any exception.

Just after that the Holy Prophet [saw] turned to the dying man and asked him to recite `Kalima’. By the virtue of the forgiveness of his mother he found the words flowing out of his mouth and he recited the Kalima. Seeing this the Holy Prophet [saw] praised Almighty Allah saying `Thanks to Almighty Allah that He saved this man from the fearful fire of Hell through me.’

Consequently, he first cleared the debts of his father from the left property.

Immediately the other legal heirs started scolding him for getting their shares from the property of the deceased. But Hadhrat Abdullah [ra] strictly told them to wait for four years. During these years, he said, he will announce on the occasion of Hajj to the people to come and collect their debts, if any is due upon his departed father till not a single debt remains unpaid. Only after that he would distribute the property.

Respect for Wives’ Parents/ Friends’ Parents

Other Duties of Children after the Death of Parents

The Prophet’s own parent and grandparents had died while he was still a child. The parents of some of his wives were, however, alive and he always treated them with great consideration and respect. The occasion of the surrender of Mecca when the Holy Prophet [saw] entered the town as a victorious General, Abu Bakr [ra] brought his father (Ayesha’s grandfather) to meet him.

Holy Prophet [saw] said to Abu Bakr [ra]: `Why did you trouble your father to come to me? I would gladly have gone to him myself.’

Incident about the Promised Messiah [as]

The Promised Messiah [as] instilled in his children great respect for their mother, recalling the saying of Holy Prophet [saw] that `paradise lay under the feet of mothers’. Once when

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A man asked the Holy Prophet [saw]: `Do I owe a duty to my parents after their death?’ The Holy Prophet [saw] said: `indeed yes, in four respects: 1. that you should pray for Allah’s forgiveness for them and call down His blessings upon them,

suf-bin-Abdullah came to enquire about his health, travelling a long distance--Hadhrat Abu Darda was surprised to see him there and asked, `How did you come here?’ Hadhrat Yousuf replied `Sir, I came here only to enquire about your health, for my respected father had most friendly relations with you.’

2. Hadhrat Abdullah-bin-Umar once met a bedouin (an Arab desert tribe person) on his way to Mecca. The bedouin looked minutely at him and asked whether he was the son of Hadhrat Umar. Hadhrat Abdullah replied `yes’ and gave his turban to the bedouin and made him sit respectfully on his donkey. According to Hadhrat Ibn Dinar who was one of the cotravellers, all of us were surprised to see it. They asked Hadhrat Abdullah the reason for giving so much respect to a bedouin. Hazrat Abdullah replied that he bedouin’s father was a friend of Hazrat Umar and then quoted the Holy Prophet [saw] `Maintain the friendship of your father and do not let it be finished otherwise Almighty Allah will put off the light (noor) for you’ and `The greatest virtue is to favour the son of one’s father after gaining power to do so’.

Charity of Behalf of Dead Parents

Narrated Aisha: A man said to the Prophet. `My mother died suddenly and I thought if she had lived she would have given alms. So, if I give alms now on her behalf will she get the reward?’ The Prophet [saw] replied, `yes’.

Praise by Children for Their Dead Parents

2. that you should carry out whatever they undertook to do,

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah [ra] narrates that the Prophet [saw] said that when a person died, his period of activity was over. But there were three things which remain benefiting him even after his death.

3. that you should honour their friends,

1. Lasting act of welfare.

4. that you should strengthen the ties of kinship with those who are related to you through them. This is what you owe them after their death.’

2. His knowledge beneficial to people.

Two incidents

1. Once Hadhrat Abu Darda fell critically ill. Knowing this, Hadhrat You-

3. His/Her righteous children who pray to Allah for his/her deliverance and forgiveness.

6 Books of the Promised Messiah [as] In every issue of Tariq Magazine, we reproduce introductions to some of the Books of the Promised Messiah [as] from “An Introduction to the Hidden Treasures of Islam” compiled by Syed Hasanat Ahmad.

Sirrul–Khilafah (The Reality of Khilafat) Background The Promised Messiah [as] wrote this book to express authentic views on the centuries old differences between Sunni and Shia which often had resulted in running battles between Sunni and Shia sect on the issue of Khilafat. This book is in ornate, beautiful and high flown Arabic, this very style was in itself a challenge to contemporary Sunni and Shia clergy who questioned his command on Arabic language. Hadrat Jalal-ud-Din Shams [ra] in his introduction to the book said: “This book became necessary on account of tension existing between these two sects. The Promised Messiah [as] using cogent arguments settled the issue of Khilafat in a very fine style.”

With this book, The Promised Messiah [as] attached a leaflet. He writes: “I can say about these books that God Himself helped me to write them, I cannot call them divine revelations, but I can say with a great deal of emphasis that it was special divine assistance that made my hand write these books.”

(Sirrul-Khilafah, pp. 82, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 8, pp. 415-416).

The Book & Specimen The Promised Messiah [as] contended in this scholarly book: “It was wrong on the part of the Shia to curse Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman as they were the rightful Caliphs of Islam. They were not wrongdoers or usurpers. They were the truest of Muslims having served the Holy Prophetsa all their lives.” The Promised Messiah [as] quoted verses from the Holy Quran in support of his statement and referred to historical facts which could not be denied. It was pointed

out that in the time of the Holy Prophet (saw), those who left their homes, their friends, their property, and their goods for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, were persecuted by the disbelievers and driven out by the evildoers, but they remained steadfast, like the best and virtuous of men. It was these men who became his Successors.

These Caliphs did not fill their homes with silver and money but returned everything they acquired from the Baitul Mal. They did not make their sons their successors, like the sons of the worldly kings and those gone astray. They lived in this world under the garment of poverty and did not incline towards ease and luxury like the rulers and chiefs. How can anyone imagine that they robbed the people of their wealth through usurping and robbing? Can such a course of action be the result of keeping the company of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) who was the best of the universe?

Hadrat Jalal-ud-Din Shams [ra], in the introduction to the book on page 9, quoting from the Arabic text, indicated that the Promised Messiah [as] expressed the view that some members of the Shia community quarrel with the Sunnis in this matter and the days of this quarrel had indeed lengthened and often this bitter quarrel led them to bitter feuds and lawsuits. He was sorry about them as signs have indeed become manifest for them and conclusive evidence has come to light, but still they run away and do not reflect like those fair and just. The Promised Messiah [as] invited them to a course of action which would open their eyes. He invited them to gather in a field and entreat the Almighty Lord and invoke Allah’s curse on the liar. If then the effect of the prayer of the Promissed Messiah [as] is not evident within

Quick Facts Title: Sirrul-Khilafah (The Reality of Khilafat) Pages: 194 Volume: 8 Book Number: 4 Progressive Number: 29 Language: Arabic/Urdu Year written: 1894 Year printed: 1894 Press: Riad-e-Hind Press, Amritsar one year, he shall accept for himself any punishment and he shall affirm that they are truthful and he shall also give them Rs. 5,000 . The Promissed Messiah spoke very highly of ‘Ali towards whom he felt a personal attachment on account of a vision which he had seen. But if the Shias insisted, he said, in holding that the first three Caliphs of Islam were wrongdoers and usurpers, he must point out that ‘Ali, too, according to their beliefs, proved himself unworthy of the trust placed in him because he owed allegiance to them as true Caliphs and prayed behind them five times every day and helped them in every respect. As a true Muslim, he would never have done that, had he seen anything un-Islamic in the first three Caliphs. Then the Promised Messiah [as] explained his own mission and said that Jesus was dead and so was the Imam of the Shias whose advent they awaited. He was the Imam of the age and God had sent him. On August 14, 1894, Maulavi ‘Abdul Karim wrote a letter to Maulavi ‘Abdur Rahman Lakhuke in reply to his postcard saying that there was no limit to the period in which he could produce a book in opposition to Sirrul-Khilafah. He could take all the time he wanted, and yet, he could not produce a rejoinder.

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Books of the Promised Messiah [as]

Anwarul-Islam (The Light of Islam) Background Once fifteen months had passed after the debate that was held by the Promised Messiah [as] with Christians, the Promised Messiah [as] prophesied that ‘Abdullah Atham would die within the period, as stipulated by him: “if he did not turn to the truth and repent.” When the sun set on September 4, 1894, there was an uproar and great commotion. The stipulated period had expired and Atham was still alive. Mullahs and Christian missionaries who were always anxious to run down the Promised Messiah [as] by every means available to them felt extremely jubilant and published leaflets, delivered speeches and wrote articles declaring that Atham was still alive and the Promised Messiah’s [as] prophecy proved wrong. Atham was paraded in the streets in boisterous processions and a great fuss was raised over the matter for a time. The word of God came to the Promised Messiah [as] on the night between September 4 and 5, drawing his attention to the “qualifying words” of the prophecy and declaring that Atham had turned towards the truth. It is no doubt a fact that Atham had kept unusually quiet.

He had made no speeches against Islam, and had written no articles or books during all these months. He was extremely frightened even at the moment when the prophecy was announced. Thereafter, he had remained overwhelmed by the fear and was so much terrified at heart that he dared not even reiterate his own beliefs in public or preach against Islam, as was his wont. Not only he kept silent, but he also felt uneasy and restless. From Amritsar he moved to Ludhiana and thence to Ferozepur and from there to some other place. He became a victim of illusions and hallucinations. He was harassed, he said: “a trained reptile wanted to kill him.” He was afraid of dogs.

Strange men armed with lances and horrible spirits haunted him everywhere.

He was scared of death. His sons-in-law (one at Ludhiana and the other at Ferozepur) were influential government officials. His relatives, friends and servants

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were all around him; the whole police force was at his service to protect him.

But nothing seemed to be of any avail.

In fact, there was nothing of a physical nature that could rob him of the peace of his mind. His own imagination tortured him. He had no tranquillity and his very faith seemed to have left him.

(Life of Ahmad by A.R. Dardra, edition of 2008, pp.422-423)

The Book In this book, the Promised Messiah [as] discussed the point raised by the Christians and all those who were happy on what they called on the non-fulfilment of the prophecy of the Promised Messiah [as], he regretted that even Muslims had joined the Christians in making fun of him, especially when the debate was held by the Promised Messiah [as] to establish the superiority and the truth of the Holy Prophet [saw] and the Holy Quran over Jesus Christ and the Bible.

To convince the public that Atham had actually changed his attitude towards Islam, the Promised Messiah [as] asked him to deny it openly, and if he had not, in which case, the Promised Messiah [as] prophesied, Atham would actually be stricken with death within one year.

Otherwise, the Promised Messiah [as] promised to pay a sum of Rs 1,000 as a penalty by way of acknowledgment of his defeat. He invited Atham to declare in an open meeting under a most solemn oath that he had not turned to the truth.

He offered him Rs.2,000 but Atham did not come forward. He would not take the oath. The Promised Messiah [as] sent registered letters to Atham, Rev. Dr. Henry Martyn Clark and Imad-duDin. In answer to these letters, Dr. Clark wrote to state that Atham was not prepared to take the oath. In the next leaflet, therefore, the Promised Messiah [as] offered Rs. 2,000 and asked Atham again to come forward and swear in the name of God as witness that he had not changed his attitude.

Quick Facts Title: Anwarul-Islam (The Light of Islam) Pages: 125 Volume: 9 Book Number: 1 Progressive Number: 30 Language: Urdu Year written: 1894 Year printed: 1894 Press: Punjab Press, Sialkot

Specimen of Writing It is the eternal way of God that until a disbeliever or a denier of truth becomes so bold and daring as to create the causes of his ruin with his own hands God Almighty does not destroy him by way of punishment. When the time of his punishment approaches he generates causes on account of which the decree of his destruction is recorded. The Book of God has laid down this law from the beginning which has ever been God’s way and is unchangeable (Anwarul-Islam, p. 3, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol.9,p.3)

Impact Despite the fact that the Promised Messiah [as] issued four posters extending an open invitation with rewards totalling Rs. 4,000, Atham was so much afraid that he did not dare take the oath which the Promised Messiah [as] repeatedly asked him to take the oath, thereby confirming the fact, that during the period of 15 months he actually had turned to the truth and repented and also on what he had said against the Holy Prophet [saw] and Islam.

Books of the Promised Messiah [as]

Itmamul–Hujjah (The Final Argument) Background In 1894, a Maulavi of Amritsar, Maulavi Rusul Baba, wrote a book entitled Hayatul-Masih, in which he contended that Jesus Christ is alive and sitting in heaven. This Maulavi was among those nine bad Maulavis who had been mentioned in another book, Anjam-eAtham (End of Atham). This Maulavi issued a challenge to the Promised Messiah [as] in this pamphlet to demolish his arguments about the fact that Jesus Christ is alive.

The Book The Promised Messiah [as] wrote another of his epoch-making books, in which he demolished point by point the arguments advanced by Maulavi Rusul Baba in the book Hayatul-Masih. The Promised Messiah [as] extensively quoted from the Holy Quran, the hadith and the Sayings of the respected scholars and divines to support his contention that Jesus Christ died a natural death and did not die on the Cross and is not sitting in heaven as believed by most Muslims. Maulavi Rusul Baba had the audacity of offering a prize of Rs. 1,000 to the Promised Messiah [as] for writing a book in refutation of his own.

The Promised Messiah [as] accepted the challenge promptly and observed that he was prepared to accept Maulavi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi - his sworn enemy - as a judge in this contest and asked Maulavi Rusul Baba to deposit the money (Rs.1,000) with a third party but he failed to do so. He said that the only condition he proposed for winning this prize was that Maulavi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi and Maulavi Rusul Baba read his book from the first page to the last, and then they should take an oath at a public meeting that they believe that Jesus Christ was alive and that the book written by the Promised Messiah [as] did not convincingly demolish the arguments advanced by Maulavi Rusul Baba.

Furthermore, these Maulavis while taking an oath, should also state that

“if what I have stated is a lie, then I pray that I might die as a leper or become blind and people attending the meeting should say ‘Amin, Amin’ on this prayer. If, on the expiry of one year, neither of these people die, then the amount announced by Maulavi Rusul Baba would be refunded to him and the Promised Messiah [as] would be open to any penalty.”

Specimen of Writing Though the booklet Nurul-Haqq has been written as a challenge to the Christians who claim to be divines, Maulavi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi and those who follow in his footsteps, like Mian Rosol Baba, who have declared me a disbeliever and who reviled me, are not excluded from this challenge. The revelation received by me shows that none of the disbelievers, or of those who have declared me a disbeliever, will be able to write a refutation of the booklet Nurul-Haqq, because they are false and impostors, ignorant and stupid. (Itmamul Hujjah, p.24, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol.8, p.303) The man who in his being and his attributes and his actions and through his spiritual and holy faculties set an example of perfection, in knowledge and action and in sincerity and steadfastness, and was called the perfect man was Muhammad, peace be on him… The man who was most perfect as man and as Prophet, and came with full blessings, and who through a spiritual revival and resurrection manifested the first judgment in the world and revived the dead world, that blessed Prophet, the Seal of the Prophets, the leader of the righteous ones, the pride of the Prophets, was Muhammad, the chosen one, peace be on him. Our Lord, send down on that beloved Prophet that mercy and blessing that Thou hast not sent down on anyone since the beginning of the world. Had that grand Prophet not appeared in the world then we would have no proof of the truth of lesser Prophets like Jonah, Job, Jesus son of Mary, Malachi, John, Zakaria, etc. Though they were favourites and honoured and were beloved ones of

Quick Facts Title: Itmamul-Hujjah (The Final Argument) Pages: 42 Volume: 8 Book Number: 3 Progressive Number: 28 Language: Arabic/Urdu Year written: 1894 Year printed: 1894 Press: Gulzar Muhammadi Press, Lahore Almighty God, they are under obligation to this Prophet that they were accepted in the world as true Prophets. O Allah, send down Thy blessings on him and on his people and on his companions, all of them. Our last word is that all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds (Itmamul Hujjah, p.36, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol.8, p.308)

Impact On publication of this book, the Promised Messiah’s [as] challenge was sent by registered post to both the Maulavis (Maulavi Rusul Baba and Maulavi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi), but none had the courage to accept such an open challenge and both of them kept mum over the challenge. It is noteworthy that Maulavi Rusul Baba died on December 8, 1902, as a victim of plague in Amritsar.

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7  Information & Announcements

Khuddam Calendar

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Chanda Reference Guide

Information & Announcements

All chanda rates given below are monthly (unless otherwise stated) and are based on net income. This document is only a reference guide and some aspects may be subject to change. Latest Chanda rates as well as a Chanda Calculator are available at www.khuddam.org.uk/ finance. Various additional appeals take place from time to time as the need arises.

Table 1: Chandas payable via Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK (payable to: “MKA UK”) Chanda

Monthly Rate

Chanda Category

Additional Notes

Khuddam Chanda 1.00%

Obligatory

Year ends Aug 31 - Unemployed and low income rate is £5pm and Student rate is £3pm

Ijtema Chanda

0.25%

Obligatory

Year ends Aug 31 - Unemployed and low income rate is £1.25pm and Student rate is £0.50pm

Tariq Magazine

50p

Optional

Year ends Aug 31 - Subscription for Tariq Magazine which is mailed out periodically to subscribers

Table 2: Chandas payable via Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK (payable to: “AMA UK”) Chanda

Monthly Rate

Chanda Category

Additional Notes

Zakat

2.5%pa

Obligatory on those that qualify

Paid on capital unused over 1 year, to purify one's wealth.

Fitrana

£1.50pa

Obligatory on those that can afford

Payable on behalf of all including new born babies. Spent on poor people at the ocassion of Eid.

Chanda Aam

6.25%

Obligatory

Paid by all members with an income. Year End: June 30th.

Wasiyyat

10% - 33%

Obligatory

Paid instead of Chanda Aam. Also owed on value of assets as part of one's will. Year End: June 30th.

Jalsa Salana

0.83% (1/10th of 1 Obligatory months income pa)

Year End: June 30th

Tehrik e Jadid

1.67% (20% of 1 month paid over year)

Students Recommended: £30pa Unemployed Recommended: £50pa Khuddam Special Subscribers: £500 pa Year End: October 31st

Waqf e Jadid

No prescribed rate Optional

Atfal Recommended Rates (Mujahid): Young: £12pa, Saf-eDom: £25pa, Saf-e-Awal: £50pa Khuddam Special Subscribers: £500pa Year End: December 31st

Eid Fund

£10 per Eid

Obligatory on those that are earning

Must be paid before Eid by all earning members

Fidiyya

£60 (per Ramadhan)

Obligatory on those that can afford

Contribution required per day from those that can afford and are unable to keep fast in Ramadhan

Qurbani

£50 est (depends on country targeted)

Obligatory on those that can afford

Contribution required from those that can afford. Can vary depending on target country

Sadqa

No prescribed rate Optional

Optional

To ward off calamities & privations

Information & Announcements

Important Prayers

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK are reproducing prayers recommended by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad [atba], Khalifatul Masih V during his Friday sermon discourses in 2011. The purpose of this task is to provide everyone with these prayers so they can recite them regularly and to benefit from these prayers.

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Tariq Magazine September 2011

Information & Announcements

Tariq Magazine September 2011

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Information & Announcements

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Information & Announcements

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Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II [ra]

A nation cannot be reformed without first reforming its youth

www.khuddam.org.uk

Sep

2011 vol. 16 | issue 4

National Cricket Tournament 2nd–3rd July 2011 Scunthorpe Hosted by North East Region

Champions: Runners up:

BAITUL FUTUH Baitul Noor

Leading Wicket Taker: Leading Run Scorer: Player of the Tournament: Plate Winners:

Shahid Ahmad (Baitul Noor) Fazal Ahmad Nasir (Baitul Noor) Irfan Ahmad (Baitul Futuh) South West