Ismael – Apr-Jun 2021 (English)

ISMAEL Taleem & Tarbiyat Magazine for Waqfeen-e-Nau QUARTERLY | ISSUE #22 | APR- JUN 2021

ً َ ۡ َ َۡۡ ٌ َ ۡ ّ ‫ض خ ِلیفۃ‬ ِ ‫ِانِی جا ِعل فِی الار‬ ‘I am about to place a vicegerent in the earth,’ (Chapter 2, Verse 31)

Khilafat

“Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them;”

Hadhrat Hakeem Maulvi Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Nooruddin (ra) Mahmood Ahmad (ra) Khalifatul Masih I (1908-1914)

Khalifatul Masih II (1914-1965)

ٰ ُ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ ۡ ُ َ ٰ َ ۡ َّ ُ ّٰ َ َ َ ٰ ّ ‫وعد اللہ ال ِذین امنوا ِمنکم و ع ِملوا الص ِلح ِت‬ ۡ ‫ل َ َی ۡس َت ۡخ ِل َف َّن ُہ ۡم فِی الۡاَ ۡرض َک َما‬ ۡ‫اس َت ۡخ َل َف الَّ ِذیۡ َن ِمن‬ ِ َ ‫ق ۡب ِل ِہ ۡم‬

Hadhrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad (rh)

Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh)

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aa)

Khalifatul Masih III

Khalifatul Masih IV

Khalifatul Masih V (2003-Present)

(1965-1982)

(1982-2003)

Promised Messiah (as) states..

“So dear friends! since it is the Sunnatullah, from time immemorial, that God Almighty shows two Manifestations so that the two false joys of the opponents be put to an end, it is not possible now that God should relinquish His Sunnah of old. So do not grieve over what I have said to you; nor should your hearts be distressed. For it is essential for you to witness the second Manifestation also, and its Coming is better for you because it is everlasting the continuity of which will not end till the Day of Judgement. “

FROM THE

EDITOR In Islam, there are two main religious festivals or days of jubilations. They are called Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha respectively.

When he was about to place the knife on the neck of his beloved son, he was told to stop and to sacrifice a lamb instead.

Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of a month-long practice of fasting everyday while Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the following day of Hajj, the pilgrimage to the house of Allah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

This historic incident marked the abolition of the savage custom of human sacrifice among the ancients. Hazrat Abrahamas through his immediate and unconditional readiness, set a glaring example of total submission to the will of God which is the distilled essence of Islam.

The meaning of Eid in Arabic is “something which occurs or comes again and again”. The simple reason for the adoption of this word to denote the Islamic festivals is that we always wish these joyful occasions to happen again and again.

To imagine that the animal sacrificed is supposed to carry away the sins of the persons making the sacrifice is an entirely erroneous conception of the teachings of Islam on the subject.

The celebrations of Eid-ul-Adha are observed for three days starting from 10 Dhul-Hijjah, the 12th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. This festival is distinguished by the sacrifice of an animal, which is offered after the public prayer in congregation is over.

The sacrifice of an animal during these days is a symbol whereby a Muslim declares their willingness and determination to kill the animal within them, to sacrifice themselves, their power and all their beloved ones in order to win the eternal pleasure of their Lord. If such a person does not put in their level best to accomplish that self-abnegation after performing their sacrifice, they are in no way different from the one who kills an animal for the purpose of food.

The person who offers the sacrifice uses only a portion of the meat, while the rest is distributed among the poor, relatives, friends and neighbours.

The ritual of sacrifice on these days is observed in commemoration of the great sacrifice made by Prophet Abrahamas, along with his wife, Hagaras (Hajirah) and son Ishmaelas some 4,000 years ago.

The story is well known that Hazrat Abrahamas, in a vision, saw himself slaughtering his son Ishmaelas. Considering it a divine commandment for the test of his devotion to God, he immediately got ready to comply with it literally.

MEET THE TEAM:

The Holy Quran, the Holy scripture of Islam, has mentioned the significance of sacrifice in these remarkable words: “Neither the flesh nor the blood of your sacrifices reach God, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him”.

(Surah al-Hajj, Ch.22: V.38) A true Muslim, therefore, is he who bows his neck before Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of all the worlds. And for Him, he sacrifices the she-camel of himself and throws it down on her forehead and he does not forget his own death at any moment.

Chief Editor & Manager Luqman Ahmed Kishwar

Editorial Team Touqeer Tanvir

Assistant Manager Athar Bajwa

Design & Creativity Muhammad Adeel

English Editor Farukh Ahmed Arshad

Front Cover Muhammad Adeel

Urdu Editor Farrukh Raheel

Proofreading Dr Mahmood Ahmad

CONTACT

During these days, thousands of lambs, sheep, cows etc. are sacrificed by Muslims all over the world.

WAQF-E-NAU (CENTRAL) 22 DEER PARK ROAD, LONDON. SW19 3TL (UK) +44 (0)20 8544 7633 +44 (0)20 8544 7643 manager@ismaelmagazine.org editorenglish@ismaelmagazine.org editorurdu@ismaelmagazine.org www.waqfenauintl.org

Follow the Central Waqf-e-Nau Department on @WAQFENAUINTL @WAQFENAUINTL @WAQFENAUINTL WWW.WAQFENAUINTL.ORG

WELCOME TO

ISMAEL MAGAZINE QUARTERLY

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ISSUE # 22

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APR-JUN 2021

CONTENTS 04

Holy Quran

05

Hadith

06

Sayings of Promised Messiah (as)

07

Excerpt from the Friday Sermon

08

Introduction to the book: Blessings of Khilafat

11

The solution to IsraelPalestine issue

17

A Personal Account

20

The relationship between the Khalifa and the Jamaat

by: Abid Khan Sahib

08

Blessings of Khilafat

17

A Personal Account

The Holy Quran ﷽ ّ َ ٰٓ َ ۡ َ ُّ َ َ َ ۡ َ ُۤ َ ً َ َ َۡۡ ٌ ‫ـــی َجا ِع‬ ۡ ‫ض خ ِل ۡیفۃ ؕ قالوۡا‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ال‬ ‫ـــی‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ل‬ ِ ِ‫و ِاذ قـــال ربک ل ِلمل ِئک ِۃ ِان‬ ِ َ َ َ ّ ُ ۡ َ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ ُّ ۡ َ َ ۡ ُ َ ۡ َ َ ‫ـــاء ۚ َو ن ۡح ُن‬ ‫الدم‬ ِ ‫اتجعـــل فِیہا مـــن یف ِســـد فِیہا و یســـ ِفک‬ َ َ َ َ ۤۡ ّ َ َ َ َ ُ ّ َ ُ َ َ ۡ َ ُ ّ َ ُ ‫ـــی ا ۡعل ُم َمـــا لَا ت ۡعل ُموۡ َن‬ ِ‫ـــدس لک ؕ قال ِان‬ ِ ‫ـــبح ِبحم ِدک و نق‬ ِ ‫نس‬ And when thy Lord said to the angels: ‘I am about to place a [a]vicegerent in the earth,’ they said, ‘Wilt Thou place therein such as will cause disorder in it, and shed blood?—and We glorify Thee with Thy praise and extol Thy holiness.’ He answered, ‘I know what you know not.’

(Chapter 2, Verse 31)

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‫‪Sayings of the Holy‬‬ ‫)‪Prophet (saw‬‬ ‫َ ّٰ ّ‬ ‫ا ٰلل ُھ َم‬ ‫َ ّ ّ‬ ‫الل ُھ َم‬

‫َّ‬ ‫ّ َ‬ ‫ّ ّ‬ ‫َّ َ‬ ‫َص ِ ّل َع ٰلی ُم َح َم ٍد َو َع ٰٓلی ٰا ِل ُم َح َم ٍد ک َما َصل ْی َت َع ٰٓلی ِا ْبرَا ِھ ْی َم َو َع ٰٓلی ٰا ِل ِا ْبرَا ِھ ْی َم ِان ّک‬ ‫َ ْ َ ٰ ُ َ َّ َّ َ ٰٓ ٰ ُ َ َّ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َ ٰٓ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ ٰٓ ٰ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ‬ ‫بارِک علی محم ٍد وعلی ا ِل محم ٍد کما بارکت علی ِابرا ِھیم وعلی ا ِل ِابرا ِھیم ِانک‬

‫َح ِم ْی ٌد‬ ‫َح ِم ْی ٌد‬

‫َ‬ ‫ّم ِج ْید‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ّم ِج ْید‬

‫َ َّ‬ ‫ْ َ ْ ُ َ َّ‬ ‫ُ َ​َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َع ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ـد اللـ ِہ ب ِـن مسـعو ٍد ٔان رسـول اللـ ِہ صلـی اللـہ علیـ ِہ‬ ‫ـن َع ْب ِ‬ ‫َ َ َّ َ َ َ َ ْ َ َّ‬ ‫ْ َ ْ َ ْ َ َ َ ْ َ ُ ُ ْ َ َ َّ َ َ ً‬ ‫ـت ٔا کثر ھـم علی صلاۃ‬ ‫ـاس ِبی یـوم ال ِقیام ِ‬ ‫وسـلم قال ٔاولی الن ِ‬

‫‪Hazrat Abdullah (ra) Bin Mas‘ud narrates that the‬‬ ‫‪Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘‘On the Day of Judgement,‬‬ ‫‪the closest to me will be those who invoke Allah’s‬‬ ‫’’‪blessings upon me most frequently.‬‬ ‫)‪(Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith # 484‬‬

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The Promise of the Establishment of Khilafat So dear friends! since it is the Sunnatullah, from time immemorial, that God Almighty shows two Manifestations so that the two false joys of the opponents be put to an end, it is not possible now that God should relinquish His Sunnah of old. So do not grieve over what I have said to you; nor should your hearts be distressed.

For it is essential for you to witness the second Manifestation also, and its Coming is better for you because it is everlasting the continuity of which will not end till the Day of Judgement.

And that second Manifestation cannot come unless I depart. But when I depart, God will send that second Manifestation for you which shall always stay with you just as promised by God in Brahin-e-Ahmadiyya. And this promise is not for my person. Rather the promise is with reference to you, as God [addressing me] says: I shall make this Jama‘at who are your followers, prevail over others till the Day of Judgment.

(The Will, Page 7)

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Unconditional Obedience to Khilafat The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said that an Imam is like a shield. Indeed, safety is behind the shield alone. And being behind the shield means perfect obedience. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said that whoever obeyed his amir obeyed him and whoever disobeyed his amir, disobeyed him.

The Holy Qur’an also commands obedience in several places and it is indeed the secret for communal success and is a point that members of the Jama’at need to understand a great deal.

(Friday Sermon delivered on 6th June, 2014)

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Introduction to the Book:

BLESSINGS OF KHILAFAT Written by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) Originally published in Al Hakam 21st May 2021

The book, Blessings of Khilafat, consists of addresses of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) during the first Jalsa Salana of his Khilafat in 1914.

Huzoor (ra) gives a detailed account of the events ensuing the demise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) and his election to the august office of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. Huzoor (ra) explains various matters such as the functions of Khilafat and also sheds light on various misunderstandings about Khilafat.

Huzoor (ra) talks about the dire consequences of abandoning the robe of Khilafat and various important issues facing the Jamaat.

Huzoor (ra) also explains the objectives of human life, attaining nearness to Allah, seven ranks of spiritual development and many more important subjects linked to Islam and man’s spiritual and moral progress.

This speech was delivered at a time when the Jamaat was facing serious challenges. When Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) passed away, some people, under the leadership of Maulvi Muhammad Ali and Khawaja Kamaluddin, began to challenge and undermine the institution of Khilafat.

(To further read on this subject, see A‘ina-eSadaqat,or The Truth About the Split, by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad [ra].)

Below is an extract taken from Hazrat Muslehe-Maud’s (ra) first speech during Jalsa Salana 1914. Readers are further encouraged to read the full book, which is accessible on alislam.org

In the extract provided below, Huzoor (ra) explains some important themes relating to Khilafat:

Functions of Khilafat “The issue of Khilafat is not a complex one. In my speech on 12 April 1914 [the speech has been published under the title: Mansab-eKhilafat] I had explained with reference to a verse from the Holy Quran what the function of a Khalifa is.

“The word ‘Khalifa’ means someone who succeeds another and continues the work of his predecessor. To understand the function of a successor, one has to look at the function of the predecessor. God has explained the work of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as follows:

َ ۡ ۡ َ َ ٰ ۡ ُ ُ ُ ّ َ ُ َ ۡ ْ ّ َ ُ َ ٰ ٰۡ ْ َ َ ۡ ُ ۡ َ ‫ال ِحك َمۃ‬‭‫و‬‭ ‬ ‬‫ال ِكتب‬‭‫ویع ِلمھ ‬م‬‭‫علی ِھم ای ِت ٖہ و یزک ِی ِھ ‬م‬‭‬‫‬‬‬‬‬یتلوا‬

“[‘… who recites to them His Signs, and purifies them and teaches them the Book and Wisdom…’] That is, he should: 1. Recite the verses of God to the people 2. Purify them 3. Teach them the book 4. Impart wisdom to them “I also explained that these four tasks of a prophet cannot be performed by any ‘anjuman’. They can be performed only by the person whom God Himself appoints after the prophet, and who is entitled as a Khalifa. I do

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not wish to go into details about this subject right now. For the time being, I will take up a few key accusations against me and answer them. I will also explain why I did not give up my courage and determination and remained steadfast in my stance.

“Some people criticise me by saying that I should have shown a big heart and declined the office of Khilafat. Someone who talks like this considers Khilafat to be a source of great pleasure and happiness; what he does not know is that Khilafat has no worldly comforts and pleasures.

“I will now explain why, having gathered all my courage and bravery, I took up this task; what exactly it was which, upon seeing the community divided into two, gave me the heart to stay steadfast and whose hand it was that always supported me to stick to one point of view and not the other. Right now, people have come here from all sides, but there was a time when just a handful of them were initiated into the Jamaat.

“The question is, why, for the sake of unity among the members of the Jamaat, did I not retreat from my position and let this socalled unity stay intact? To answer this, today I would like to explain what has always kept me strong and resolute in my stance. But before I speak on that, I would like to touch on a few other things.

Misunderstandings about Khilafat “Does a Khalifa have to be divinely appointed or a ruler?

“One objection made in this regard by some people is that only a person who is either a king or is directly appointed by God can be a Khalifa. Such people ask me, ‘Who are you?

Are you a king?’ I say, ‘No.’ ‘Have you been directly appointed by God?’ I say, ‘No.’ ‘How can you be the Khalifa then?’ they ask me.

“They imagine that it is compulsory for the Khalifa to be either a king or directly appointed by God. In fact, those who raise this objection have not pondered over the word ‘Khalifa’ at all. Their point of view in this regard is no different than that of a person who goes to the shop of a tailor and finds that a young trainee is addressing his master as ‘Khalifa’. Having heard this, he comes out of the shop and proclaims that ‘Khalifa’ is a title to be used only for a tailor.

“Similar is the condition of a person who, having visited a school, finds that students use the title of ‘Khalifa’ for their monitor [in the past, ‘Khalifa’ was the title used for the student who monitored a class] and then proclaims that a Khalifa is only he who monitors a class of schoolboys.

“Hence, one who does not monitor the students cannot be a Khalifa because to his

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poor intellect, being a Khalifa is conditional upon monitoring some students.

“Similar is the case of a person who, having observed that God made a Khalifa and ordered the angels to prostrate before him, starts inferring that Khalifa can only be he to whom the angels are ordered to prostrate.

Otherwise, he concludes that no other person can be a Khalifa.

“Similar is the situation of the person who observes that the Khulafa of the Holy Prophet (sa) had kingdoms and sovereign governments, and therefore concludes that only a person who has a kingdom can be a Khalifa and no other person should be addressed as Khalifa, for being a Khalifa requires one to have a kingdom.

“Those who say this are absolutely unaware of what the word Khalifa stands for. In fact, the word signifies the one who is called someone’s successor and who should succeed his predecessor’s work for all practical purposes.

“If someone is a tailor, then the person doing the same work after him is his Khalifa, and if a student takes up the task of conducting a class in the absence of his teacher, that student will be called the Khalifa of the teacher.

“Likewise, one who succeeds the work of a prophet is a Khalifa of that prophet. If God grants kingdom to His prophet, his Khalifa will also be entitled to it and God will surely vouchsafe the kingdom upon him. But if the prophet happens to be without a kingdom, from where will it come for his Khalifa?

‘Because God had granted both the worldly and spiritual kingdoms to the Holy Prophet (sa), his Khulafa too were granted both of these bounties. But now, as God has not vouchsafed a worldly kingdom upon the Promised Messiah (as), with whom should his Khalifa fight to have one? Those who raise this objection have not duly reflected upon the word ‘Khalifa’.

“Would not such a person be considered a fool who, having seen people here wearing turbans, caps and clothes, should note down with him that human beings are only classified as those who wear turbans, caps

and clothes of a specific type? Then when he goes out and finds that people are not dressed as he had thought they should be, he starts proclaiming that the people he saw were not human beings since human beings have a specific dress code? What do you think of such a person? He is definitely a credulous fool.

“Similarly, if someone, having seen the Khulafa of certain prophets, concludes that Khulafa can only be of a particular kind and none other, can his statement be acceptable to any sane person? No, never! Such a person should rather ponder over the word ‘Khalifa’ and reflect upon its meanings.

“In this age, too, people have misunderstood the word ‘Khalifa’ on account of their being ignorant of the Arabic language. According to the Arabic language, Khalifa is he: 1. Who succeeds someone 2. Who is succeeded by someone 3. Who issues commands and orders and gets them executed “In addition to this, Khulafa are of two types.

The first type are those who succeed someone after his death. Second are those who work as subordinates to someone during his lifetime; for example, a viceroy who serves as Khalifa to the king.

“Now, should someone say that since the viceroy has nothing to do with religion, he cannot be a Khalifa to the king, he would certainly be in error because the king of whom the viceroy happens to be a Khalifa is possessed of only a worldly government. The viceroy is a Khalifa to the king only in matters related to the worldly government and not in matters of religion.

“This is a clear-cut argument which some people have failed to understand, or perhaps they simply do not want to understand it.”

(Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) , Blessings of Khilafat, pp. 9-12)

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The Ahmadiyya Khilafat’s call for Muslim unity: The solution to Israel-Palestine issue Written by: Ata-ul-Haye Nasir Originaly published in Al Hakam, 21st May 2021

F

ollowing the life of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Khulafa of Islam Ahmadiyyat have always urged Muslims to unite for the victory and protection of Muslim countries, people and Islam as a whole. The need for this unity is being felt more than ever today and cries for a khilafat have been seen by all even during the current crisis in Palestine.

With recent atrocities against the Palestinians, it is a shame that Muslim countries are not united so as to speak up for them. We don’t see any practical efforts on their part to tackle the issue either.

The OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) deemed it sufficient to merely “condemn” Israel’s brutal aggression against the Palestinian people, in an emergency meeting on 16 May 2021.

Pakistan – whose first foreign minister, Hazrat Sir Zafrulla Khan (ra) strived hard for the Palestinian cause in the United Nations – has now sufficed on merely passing a resolution of condemnation in its parliament.

The current conflict has exposed the differences among the Muslims states. “For the first time in the many clashes between the two foes, regional unity over who is to

blame and what should be done to stop the fighting has splintered”, reported The Guardian on 17 May 2021.

Some Muslim majority countries, such as Turkey and Iran, have spoken against Israel’s atrocities, but the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan, “which all recently normalised ties with Israel, now find themselves balancing their new relationships against citizens who have been vocal in their anger at Israel’s violence” reported The Guardian.

Historically, the Ahmadiyya Khilafat actually urged Muslims to unite for the protection of Muslim majority lands, especially Palestine.

In February 1939, when the British government organised a conference of the Arab countries in relation to the issue of Palestine, Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddin Shams (ra), an Ahmadi missionary, invited the viceroy of Mecca and representatives of Palestine, Iraq and Yemen to a dinner party in which 200 guests participated, including Prince Faisal and many other dignitaries.

Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih II (ra) sent a telegram which was read out in both English and Arabic. Huzoor (ra) said: “Extend welcome on my behalf to His Royal

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Highness, Amir Faisal, and delegations of the Palestine Conference and tell them that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is fully in their support and prays that Allah the Almighty may grant them success.” (Al Fazl, 16 March 1939, p. 2) While commentating on verses 22 to 26 of Surah Saad, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) stated: “The Holy Quran has stated a prophecy in these verses, which is a similitude and a divine vision in regard to the Latter Days.

In this, God Almighty has said that those belonging to the progeny of David (as), or his followers (who are both Jews and Christians) will possess 99 per cent of the world’s power, and on the opposite, the followers of the Holy Prophet (sa) would only have 1 per cent. Even then, they [Jews and Christians] would conspire to occupy the remaining 1 per cent [from the Muslims] as well.

“The Holy Quran mentions the word khifalat […] The European people use the term, ‘Mandate’ for those countries which they have occupied after the recent war [World War II], and the meaning of ‘mandate’ is kifalat [authority]. Nowadays, the same word is being used for Palestine.

So, in these verses, it has been told that Christians and Jews would demand from the Muslims to ‘hand over Palestine to us as well’. Now, President [Harry] Truman [of the USA] is sending telegrams that Jews should be allowed to settle in Palestine […].”

Huzoor (ra) raised a pertinent question as to why countries such as America, Australia and England were not ready to let the Jews settle in their respective countries, despite having large areas [of land] in comparison to the area of Palestine. (Al Fazl, 31 October 1945, p. 2) In 1946, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra), saw a vision in which he was foretold by Allah the Almighty that a delicate time was coming for Islam and Muslims needed to unite for tackling that issue. He wrote an article, title Al-Inzaar (The Warning), wherein he mentioned his vision in detail and advised the Muslims in this regard. He stated: “This divine dream has called our attention to the matter that a very delicate time is coming for Islam, and Muslims need to be

united in worldly and political matters. And each person should prioritise unity above all other matters because the salvation of Muslims lies in this [unity]. This is a very difficult thing, not an easy one […]

“While narrating this divine dream, I advise each Ahmadi that they should call the attention of the Muslims in their respective circles that ‘your division will cause your destruction’. At this juncture, you [Muslims] should forget about yourselves, your thoughts and your parties and should strive to unite everyone who claims to be a Muslim for the protection of Islam, and should ignore all differences […]

“I believe that even now, if the Muslims gather for unity, instead of emphasising the differences, then the future of Islam will not remain dark.” (Al Fazl, 28 August 1946, p. 3) Then, during his Friday Sermon of 30 August 1946, he instructed the Jamaat to especially pray for the Muslim world. He stated: “The circumstances faced by the Muslims nowadays are very bleak. The identity of the Muslims in places such as India, Palestine, Egypt, Indonesia is in severe danger […] So, all members [of the Jamaat] should especially pray in these days. The other Muslims [non-Ahmadis] should also be urged to start praying, as there is no other remedy for the Muslims. Until the Muslims do not step aside from worldliness and the pursuit of luxury and unite for offering all types of sacrifices […] success is impossible.” (Al Fazl, 10 September 1946, p. 2) Two years later, when Israel was established on 14 May 1948, conspiracies regarding Palestine emerged openly and at that time, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) tried to awaken the Muslim ummah. He wrote a masterpiece, titled Al-Kufru Millatun Wahidah and called on all Muslims to unite as one.

He stated: “The day which was prophesied by the Holy Quran and the ahadith hundreds of years ago; the day which was prophesied in the Torah and Gospels; the day which was told to be painful and dangerous for the Muslims has seemingly arrived. Jews are being inhabited in Palestine.

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“America and Russia […] seem to be on the same page. And strangely, they both were united on the Kashmir issue as well […] It is strange that the disputes of Palestine and Kashmir have emerged at the same time […]

“So, I draw the Muslims’ attention towards this matter that they should understand this delicate time and remember that today, the saying of the Holy Prophet (sa):

ٌ ّ ٌ َّ ْ ُ ْ َ ‫الكف ُر ِملة َوا ِح َدة‬ “[kufr is one nation] is being fulfilled to the letter.” (Al Fazl, 21 May 1948, p. 3) He further stated: “The Arab [world] knows that now, the Jews are considering throwing out the Arabs from the [land of] Arabia […] But do the people of Arabia have any strength [to tackle this]? Does this matter belong only to the Arab?

“Obviously, neither the Arabs have any strength for this competition, nor does this matter only belong to the Arabs.

“The question is not about Palestine; it is about Medina. The question is not about Jerusalem; it is about Mecca al-Mukarrimah itself. The question is not about Zaid [A] or Bakr [B]; it is about the honour of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa).

“The enemy has united against Islam, despite their [internal] disagreements. Will the Muslim [ummah] not unite despite the thousands of reasons for unity?” (Ibid) Then, in regard to the impact of America and Russia, he said: “The wealth of America and Russia’s plans and deceits, both are united against the poor Arabs.” (Ibid) This article had a great impact in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and other Arab countries.

Syrian radio stations aired its summary and many Arabic newspapers published its excerpts, including Al-Yaum, Al-Akhbar, AlNasr and Al-Urdan.

A famous and respected journalist of Iraq, Al-Ustadh Ali al-Khayat Affendi stated in an article in his newspaper, Al-Anbaa‘: “Foreign governments always try to spread hatred among the Muslims through slogans [of some other Muslims], and [they try to urge] some sects to stand for objecting

Ahmadis and declaring them infidels […]

A representative of a foreign country’s government, residing in Baghdad, called me for a meeting, and after appreciating my style of objection, for flattering me, asked me to start raising objections against the Qadiani Jamaat in my newspaper, in a hurtful manner, as much as possible, because this Jamaat was out of [the pale of] deen.

“This happened when, in 1948, a part of the Holy Land was divided and handed over to the Zionist government and the Israeli state was established. And in my view, the above-mentioned activity of the embassy was, in fact, the practical reaction of the two tracts, which were published by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya during the same year when Palestine was divided.

“One tract was titled ‘Hay‘atul Umami alMuttahidati wa Qararu Taqsimi Falastina’, in which those conspiracies of the Western colonial powers and Zionists were disclosed, in which it was planned to hand over the Palestinian ports to the Jews.

“The second tract was published as ‘AlKufru Millatun Wahidah’, in which the Muslims were advised to instil perfect unity.” (Akhbar Al-Anbaa‘ [Baghdad], 21 September 1954, with reference of Mujallah Al-Taqwa, September-October 1989) So, from this reference alone, we can easily understand the impact of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’s masterpiece and how he created great worry among the ranks of the antiMuslim powers.

Had the Muslim ummah acted on his advice and called for Islamic unity, Muslims would never be in a situation in which they find themselves now.

On 12 December 1948, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) delivered a lecture at Law College Lahore, titled The Status and Future of the Islamic World in Light of the Current Situation. During the lecture, he stated that the Islamic world’s future was completely safe, provided the Muslims acted upon those ways of success which the Holy Quran had prescribed for us.

Huzoor (ra) advised the Islamic countries to dispel their internal enmities and to make trade relations with each other. He added that the Holy Quran had declared tabligh

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as the best way for Islam’s progress, so the Muslims should pay attention to this. (Al Fazl, 14 December 1948, p. 2) Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) stated in his speech of 28 December 1954: “In the past, [the Muslims] had temporarily lost the occupation [of Palestine] twice as well and have lost it now too. And when we say ‘temporarily’, it necessarily means that the Muslims will again go to Palestine and will rule it. It necessarily means that the Jews will again have to leave it and it necessarily means that Allah the Almighty will enable the Muslims to defeat this whole order which is being established with the help of the UNO and America, and once again let the Muslims settle here […]

“So, I say ‘temporarily’ because there is a [Quranic] injunction ‘My righteous servants shall inherit the land’ (Ch.21: V. 106) […] So, the ‘righteous servants’ of God Almighty, the people of Muhammad Rasulullah (sa), will surely go to this country [Palestine].

Neither can America’s atomic bombs and H-bombs do anything, nor can the help of Russia do anything. This is God’s decree, which will come to pass eventually, no matter how much power the world exerts.”

(Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 25, pp. 81-80) Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh), after being elected Khalifatul Masih IV on 10 June 1982, sent a heartfelt message to Jamaate-Ahmadiyya, in which he urged everyone to pray for the Palestinian Muslims.

He stated that there was a wound in our hearts that was getting more terrifying, deeper and painful by the day, and that was a result of the inhumane atrocities being carried out by Israel against the Muslim world.

He said that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) felt this grief severely during the last few days of his life and upon the mention of these oppressions, he would become so grieved that one could see the pain in his eyes.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) instructed the Ahmadis: “So, I call the attention of all Ahmadis – men, women, elders and children – that they should supplicate to Allah with great fervour, that He may have Mercy on everyone who is associated with our master, the Holy Prophet Muhammad

(sa).” (Al Fazl, 13 June 1982) Then, during his Friday Sermon of 8 March 1985, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) stated: “Whereas the loyalty of Jamaat-eAhmadiyya to the interests of Islam and the Palestinian Muslims is concerned, it is not a hidden fact or a matter of recent times […] Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya had a deep connection with the Islamic interests of Palestine.

“Khulafa of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya cautioned the Muslims of Palestine from every danger, and kept them aware, and would present Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya for every possible help for them.

“And these matters are continuing even prior to the partition [of the Indian subcontinent]; even the Ahrari newspapers had to accept these facts. They have uttered from their mouths and written with their pens that ‘the love showed by Qadian’s Mirza Mahmud Ahmad Sahib (ra) for the people of Islam and the Islamic world, is found very less elsewhere.’

“There was a newspaper of the Ahrar, Zamzam, which was devoted to the opposition of the Jamaat […] wrote in its publication of 19 July 1942: ‘Under these circumstances […] the Imam Sahib has shown such love for Islam with reference to Egypt and the Holy Land of the Hijaz that we are greatly indebted to him and by expressing his concern, he has rightly represented the feelings of Muslims.’

“Now, look: if they [Muslims] ever found a spokesperson for the Muslims, he would be an Ahmadi. They considered the leader of Ahmadis to be the best spokesperson [of Islam].” (Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 4, pp. -224 225) Then, in his next Friday Sermon of 15 March 1985, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) stated: “Before the United Nations General Assembly made the oppressive decision to divide Palestine, who warned and cautioned the Muslim world, creating a commotion in the Arab and non-Arab countries alike? That passionate warning came from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra)!”

(Khutbat-e-Tahir, Vol. 4, p. 231) Huzoor (rh) continued by stating that Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) wrote a heart-rendering pamphlet and

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had it circulated in abundance, in which he stated: “I tell you that today, neither is America your friend, nor is Russia your friend. They have formed a mutual conspiracy against Islam. They have forgotten their own enmities due to the enmity of Islam and have united. Does the Islamic world have any sense of honour? Do they not possess the love for Islam that would allow them to forget their animosity towards each other and unite?”

Huzoor (rh) added that when that decision of dividing Palestine was passed, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) wrote another article, describing the steps Muslims needed to take to help them in winning the lost battle again. (Ibid) During his Friday Sermon of 11 January 1991, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) instructed Ahmadis to especially pray that Allah may guide the Muslim world. He stated that the Muslim countries should keep in mind the interests of the Muslim ummah as a whole, instead of only protecting their own interests. He added that if the Arab countries did not remove their internal differences, then there would be no peace in this territory and eventually, Israel would emerge as a bigger power than ever before, and no Arab Muslim power could ever think to act against Israel. (Khutbat-e-

Tahir, Vol. 10, pp. 33-32) Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V (aba) has also called the attention of the Muslim Ummah towards unity and regularly advised them that for removal of the ongoing miseries, Muslims must unite and face the opponents of Islam as a united front by forgetting all internal disputes.

During his Friday Sermon of 23 November 2012, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) said: “[…] Israel’s attack on the Palestinians is due to the differences and disunity among the Muslims. There is no Islamic country where all moral values are not being violated due to the religious or political differences, or where horrific stories of oppression against each other are not being created. As a result, in one way or another, we are witnessing oppression [by the Muslims] against each other […] It is my desire that Muslims come to their senses and be united.” (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 10, p. 719) Then, during his Friday Sermon of 25 July 2014, Huzoor (aba) stated that the Muslim countries did not have unity and consensus.

The governments were oppressing their peoples. Not only was there a lack of unity, but there was also widespread oppression.

Huzoor (aba) added that the result of this lack of unity and consensus was that non-Muslims also had the courage to do

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whatever they wanted against the Muslims and that was why Israel was now brutally killing innocent Palestinians. If there was unity among Muslims, then there would have been no such oppression. (Khutbat-eMasroor, Vol. 12, pp. 454-453) Recently, during his Eid-ul-Fitr Sermon of 14 May 2021, Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V (aba) instructed Ahmadis to pray especially for Palestinians who are suffering a great deal. He said: “Today, we must sincerely pray for the Palestinian people who are currently being subjected to grave cruelties. In recent days, when they went to pray in the Al Aqsa Mosque, they were brutally attacked and beaten by state authorities. Similarly, they are being forced out of Sheikh Jarrah, a small neighbourhood, which is their own land.”

He continued: “The [Israeli] police are using tear gas and bullets and now airstrikes have started.

They say they are targeting their enemies and militants but in reality, horrific and unjust cruelties are taking place and innocent civilians are being attacked. There have also been media reports that the Israeli police have denied wounded people access to medical aid and treatment.”

He added: “May Allah have mercy on the oppressed and may He bring the oppressors to justice

[…] May the Palestinian people find leaders who can guide them in the right way.

“Certainly, Muslim countries should come together and play their role to protect the Palestinians and other Muslims who are being oppressed in the world. However, the Muslim world is divided and there is a complete lack of unity amongst the Muslim nations.

“Certainly, in this instance, the Muslim countries have failed to show the reaction they ought to have. They have given weak statements, whereas if they had all come together and given a united statement, it would have had a far greater impact and carried much more weight.”

So, the Muslim ummah needs to understand the dire need of unity so that they can better their situation. But for this, there is only one way and that is accepting the Imam of the age – the Promised Messiah (as) – and his Khilafat.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aba) is the leader who can lead the Muslim ummah towards betterment and victories. May Allah the Almighty guide the Muslim ummah. Amin.

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A Personal Account

By Abid Khan Sahib 13th January 2021

Introduction The past year has proven unlike any other in living memory. Covid-19 has disrupted our lives and caused pain and misery all around the world.

During the summer of 2020, it appeared, all too briefly, that things were improving. Yet, as I write these words in the first week of January 2021, the virus shows little sign of abating.

It has been over a month since the UK became the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine, at which point, I asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) if it meant that Islamabad might soon re-open.

In reply, Huzoor said: “It will remain closed until the authorities officially declare that it is safe for society to reopen as normal. We will not take any undue risks, rather it is necessary to be cautious. Just because the vaccine has come does not mean everything will be ok in a few weeks, it will take some time.”

Though Islamabad remains closed for now and though our Jalsas and Ijtemas have been cancelled during the course of the past year, the progress of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has continued to go from strength to strength under the guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba).

Every moment of Huzoor’s life continues to be spent in the service of Islam and in ensuring that the mission of the Promised Messiah (as) continues to be fulfilled.

Though the pandemic has raged and suspended life as we have known it, with the help of modern technology, the relationship between the Khalifa-Waqt and the members of the Jamaat worldwide remains as strong as ever.

In June, I wrote a diary about the early days of the pandemic. Now, in this second part, I will seek to share certain incidents and memories of the latter part of 2020 in relation to the guidance I have personally received from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba).

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A New Chapter Opens During a Mulaqat in mid-July I mentioned to Huzoor that an Ahmadi friend had asked if it was possible for family Mulaqats to resume in the near future.

Huzoor’s desk, at exactly the same place where people who had Mulaqats in Huzoor’s office would normally be seated.

A chair was placed to the side of Huzoor’s desk and as I entered, Huzoor said: ‫ٹ‬ ‫”�ی رکیس اہمترے ی‬ “‫ل ےہ۔ �ب� ی�ھ اجؤ۔‬

Upon this, Huzoor said:

That:

“It is not possible for family Mulaqats to resume yet but in a few weeks, I am going to start online meetings with those delegations from abroad that were due to come to the UK in March and April but were unable to do so because of Covid. When these meetings start you should attend.”

I was intrigued by the prospect and extremely grateful that Huzoor had instructed me to attend. Since the first national lockdown in the UK in March, I had been travelling to Islamabad weekly and so I was happy I would be able to attend more frequently. Even more than that, it occurred to me that if the initial online meetings went well, it could be something that continued and expanded in the future. It could enable many more people to have the blessed opportunity to directly meet and interact with Huzoor.

“This chair is for you. You may sit down.”

After several weeks of anticipation, the first virtual meeting took place late afternoon on 15 August 2020 with over 220 members of Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya from Canada.

As I entered Huzoor’s office, a large television screen was positioned directly opposite

Munir Odeh sahib (Director Production, MTA International) placed before Huzoor a remote control to adjust the volume if needed. With that, he asked Huzoor if they were permitted to connect the video-call and Huzoor signalled his approval.

Almost instantly, the Canadian Atfal, who were gathered at the Baitul Islam Mosque in Peace Village stood as one and, upon seeing them, Huzoor smiled.

The moment Huzoor said “Assalamo Alaikum” was a genuinely spine tingling moment.

A minute or two later, Munir Odeh sahib and Munir Javed sahib (Private Secretary) both left Huzoor’s office and I felt truly privileged to remain at Huzoor’s side during what felt a truly historic moment for our Jamaat. It genuinely felt like history was being written in front of our eyes.

As I watched Huzoor preside the meeting and personally call upon the various children to come forward and ask questions, I kept

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thinking of the prospect of Ahmadis from all nations and continents potentially having the chance to meet Huzoor through the medium of modern technology.

(Read the whole diary by visiting online: https://www.pressahmadiyya.com/personalaccounts/01/2021/covid-19-part2-/)

Most of all, I thought of the Ahmadis in Pakistan, especially those who have not the means to travel, that perhaps they would have now have increased hope of meeting Huzoor.

At the same time, I prayed that Huzoor felt comfortable and at ease. There were a few moments where Huzoor did not hear the questions of some of the Atfal but that was more to do with their strong Canadian accents, rather than any technical issue. At those occasional moments, I was able to clarify the questions to Huzoor.

The highlight of that first meeting, for me at least, was when, in response to a question about when he would next visit Canada, Huzoor said: “Through the means of this meeting, I feel as though I am in Canada. I can see the Mosque and the exact spot where I was interviewed by a Canadian journalist. I can see the hall where many of you are sitting. It is as if I am with you!”

It was the moment where I thought that this was something that would Insha’Allah continue in the future and be a means of strengthening the bond of mutual love between Khalifa-Waqt and Ahmadi Muslims around the world.

Nonetheless, as the meeting concluded, Munir Odeh sahib and I waited with bated breaths for Huzoor’s own reaction and we both felt a surge of relief and joy when Huzoor indicated his approval after the meeting ended.

I mentioned immediately that we would like to show some parts of the meeting on MTA in ‘This Week with Huzoor’ so that Ahmadis around the world could benefit and also see for themselves how the virtual Mulaqat had transpired.

Upon this, Huzoor graciously said: “Yes, you can show it. It will be a good thing.”

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”The relationship between the Khalifa and the Jamaat” Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sweden requested Sahibzada Mirza Waqas Ahmad Sahib to address the concluding session of their Khilafat Day Jalsa on 30 May 2021. The English translation of this faith-inspiring talk by him is given below.

Originally published in Al-Hakam on 4th July 2021

I

have been asked to speak on the topic of “The relationship between the Khalifa and the Jamaat”. Every Ahmadi is not only a witness to this connection but also feels it first-hand, but it is the Khulafa who feel and witness this unique connection. Since all Khulafa of the Promised Messiah have described this otherwise indescribable connection that bonds the Jamaat and Khilafat together, what better to present it in their own words?

I will, therefore, present before you the very own words of Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyyat in this regard, starting with an excerpt from a Friday Sermon of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aa), which he delivered last year in the month of May. About a week before this sermon, Huzoor (aa) had faced an injury by tripping over; this fall had left bruises and hurt on Huzoor’s face and other parts of the body.

This incident brought with it an extraordinary expression of the Jamaat’s love, devotion and concern for Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aa).

In the sermon that followed this incident, Huzoor (aa) expressed his gratitude for the Jamaat; the following excerpt is from that sermon:

“First of all, I would like to thank all those Ahmadis who expressed their extraordinary feelings on my falling and getting hurt, and prayed fervently. May Allah reward in the best possible way and promote you in your devotion and sincerity. In this day and age, complying with Allah’s command and only for His sake, this mutual affection and especially that for the Khalifatul Masih is unique to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. This twoway love, where it is hard to tell who loves the other more, is divinely established. At times it appears as though the love of the members of the Jamaat for the Khalifa is at a maximum level, but it is indeed a mutual love. As I just mentioned, such an example is not to be found in worldly relationships. I adore this saying of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III(rh) that ‘The Khalifa of the time and the Jamaat are two names for the same entity’.

“It is the acceptance of your prayers that by the grace of Allah, the deep wounds healed much quicker than expected. My doctor said that facial bruises usually heal faster, but that they would heal so rapidly, is beyond what I had expected. I told him that treatments aside, it is the prayers of Ahmadis that are of actual importance. I too had a few weeks’ timeframe in mind, but Allah bestowed his

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mercy and the bruises cleared in a matter of seven or eight days only.

“This mercy of Allah the Almighty can only be acquired through prayers […]

“I remember that once I had severe pain in my shoulder and arm; even moving my hand was painful and I would have to support it with my other hand. The specialist doctor who examined it said that the pain could last from six weeks to three or four months.

But when he examined me after a few days, ninety-percent of the pain had gone. Seeing him surprised, I told him that when hundreds of thousands of people are supplicating, Allah the Almighty shows his mercy.

“On hearing this, the English doctor said that he is a Christian and from a practising family and also believes in prayers; he said that this only could happen through supplication.

“So, it is Allah’s mercy that we should always beseech as we bow before Him; especially in the current circumstances, bowing before Allah the Almighty is the need of the time.”

The above excerpt was from the present day. After the demise of the Promised Messiah (as), the institution of Khilafat was established. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) once got hurt by falling off his horse. The

concern and love that the Jamaat expressed at that time were also exceptional.

Reading through the reports from that time, one could feel that the reporter might have written in an exaggerated manner. On the contrary, those of us who live closer to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aa) and witness this love of the Jamaat for the Khalifa, we feel that the reporters probably missed a lot of details; the love and sincerity seem to be under-reported in fact.

I will give a brief account of the accident where Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) got hurt.

On Friday, 18 November 1910, as Huzoor (ra) rode back to his residence from the mansion of Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan Sahib, he fell off the horse that he was riding and was injured. This fall was a great shock for the whole Jamaat and left everyone traumatised.

As the news got out, members of the Jamaat travelled to visit their beloved master. Letters started pouring in from all parts of the country, enquiring about Huzoor’s health.

Every member of the Jamaat, young and old, devoted themselves to prayers. Request for prayers was officially issued and those who had asked to be informed directly by post were sent postal updates. The love and devotion of the Jamaat for Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (ra) on that occasion was exemplary.

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Hazrat Mir Hussain Qureshi, a companion of the Promised Messiah (as), supplicated to God that “Oh Allah, the needs of Hazrat Noah’s (as) time were quite limited, but the demands of this age are not hidden from You. Please accept our supplications and grant Huzoor (ra) the lifetime of Hazrat Noah (as).”

This is one example of how the members of the Jamaat expressed their love for Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) at that time.

By the grace of Allah, this expression of love and devotion continues, generation after generation, to this day.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aa) has repeatedly said, and has recently said again in his latest Friday Sermon, that this mutual bond of the Jamaat and the Khalifatul Masih is a manifestation of Allah’s testimony; just as is His favour for the Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya.

Those outside the Jamaat see this manifestation but choose to live in denial.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra), upon seeing the Jamaat’s response, said: “It is satisfying to see that in these days of my illness, the Jamaat has turned to Allah”.

I must mention here that when Huzoor (aa) got injured last year, whenever I got the chance to inform Huzoor (aa) about the messages of love and prayers from the members of the Jamaat, he too said that such accidents enable the Jamaat to turn to Allah and pray to him.

Coming back to the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra), he wrote a message back to the Jamaat where he said: “This test that has befallen me has brought with it a wave of Allah’s mercy and compassion. Allah has laid bare before me the condition of the hearts whose love I much require. There are some whose cordial state with the Jamaat and myself, I wasn’t aware of, but the way they have been at my service around the clock is proof of their sincerity.”

The reaction of the Jamaat on receiving the news of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I’s accident was recorded in Al Hakam by Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani: “When the news of the incident reached the Jamaat, men and women arrived in crowds.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) said that tell the women that ‘I am fine; I am neither anxious nor scared. Tell them to head back home and leave behind their names so I may pray for them.’

“Without a hint of my religious attachment or exaggeration, I state that the fact that these devotees of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) i.e. the men who are raised to sainthood and Khilafat only remember their Jamaat even in the time of pain and anguish. Even in his state of illness, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) consistently said, ‘I shall pray for you’.”

I would cite here another example from the present Khilafat. Immediately after Huzoor

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(aa) got injured and while the doctor was cleansing the wounds and bruises, Huzoor (aa) was continuously worried about how worried the Jamaat would be and how he would be able to deliver the Friday Sermon; praying constantly that the wounds may heal before Friday. The doctor said that the wounds might not heal by the coming Friday, or maybe even the following one. Huzoor (aa) continued to express his concern for the concern that the Jamaat would have to endure and also continued to pray that the wounds may heal before Friday.

As I said, the bruise had pretty much healed by the next Friday. So, this testimony of Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani Sahib is an absolute reality that saints and Khulafa never cease to be concerned about their Jamaat even in times of their personal pain. By the grace of Allah, we see that this concern of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih for his Jamaat continues to this day.

Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani Sahib goes on to mention how much Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) cared for his Jamaat members: “Those in service of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih possess a natural love for him. They want to see him recover to good health soon and resume the noble work of teaching the Holy Quran.”

A member of the Jamaat and his wife were expecting a baby. His wife developed a complication in labour, so he rushed to Huzoor (ra) to request him for prayer. The doorman said that he could not convey the message to Huzoor (ra) at such a late hour of the night as Huzoor (ra) must have retired.

Having heard this debate, Huzoor (ra) emerged out of the door. He prayed and handed the gentleman a date to feed his wife. Her labour went well and a healthy child was born.

When that gentleman came for the Fajr prayer, he informed Huzoor (ra) that the

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it does not listen to me. To say that they listen to me would be an understatement; there are many who are ready to sacrifice their wealth, time, honour and anything that is dear to them, only at a signal from myself.”

Describing how believers in Khilafat-eAhmadiyya are different from those who deny it, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states: “Is there any difference between you and those who denied Khilafat? Apparently, no, there isn’t! But actually, there is a great difference. For you, there is a person who has a great deal of love and compassion for you; one who takes your pain to be his own; who takes your problems to be his own; one who supplicates to God for you.

For them, there is none.

birth had happened and no complication had happened thereafter. Huzoor (ra) said to him, “Your child was born; you and your wife went to sleep peacefully; had you informed me during the night, I too would have slept in peace. I prayed all night for your wife.”

Similary, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) mentions this unique connection of love in the following words: “I can most honestly state that the love and compassion I have for my people, for being at this status that God has granted me with, cannot exist even between a father and a son or vice versa. But when I compare this compassion of mine with that of prophets, it is as if comparing a firefly with the sun; the love of prophets appear to have no bounds.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) further states: “It is by Allah’s grace that he gave in my hands the reins of such a Jamaat about which I would be most ungrateful to say that

“This one person feels for your agonies and pains and prays restlessly to God for you; for them, there is no one to do so.

“An ordinary person becomes restless if a single person close to them falls ill; can you imagine the state of a person whose thousands, rather hundreds of thousands are taken ill?

“So, you continue to enjoy your freedom, but a person who was once free like you has been taken to carry a huge burden of responsibilities.”

As Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) set out on his journey to England in 1924, he sent a message from the deck of the ship before setting sail from Mumbai. Huzoor (ra) assured his Jamaat that his prayers had always remained with the Jamaat, always will remain with the Jamaat and that he was devoted for the Jamaat in life and death.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra), in this message, gave the example of a quarrel that could happen in common households: The wife asking her husband to buy her jewellery whereas the husband finding excuses to avoid the big expense. Hazrat Musleh-eMaud (ra) says that he had, on the contrary,

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come across women who want to donate their jewellery and valuables for the Jamaat, whereas the husbands tell them to keep them safe for a time of need.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) said: “Allah has blessed our Jamaat such devotion that while worldly women run after jewellery, our women run after us to accept it as donation […]

“It surprises me immensely and I find myself saying to God, ‘O Allah, what strange ways your will has! How have You instilled such love for me in the hearts of my people?’

“If I decide to ride a horse for a journey, a few men start to walk alongside for my protection. As I come off the horse, they rush to massage my feet, thinking I must be tired.

I am left amazed when I consider that I was riding on the horse, and these men walked on foot beside my horse; their love shields this thought in their mind that I was riding the horse and they were walking, replacing it with the thought that they were riding and I had walked along.

“I insist that I am not tired and these men insist that, ‘No, you must be tired. Give us the chance to serve you’; saying so, they start to massage my feet […]

“Allah has granted me the swords that split apart any infidelity. God has gifted me with hearts that are ready to sacrifice anything at my call. Should I ask them to jump into the sea, they would be ready to do so. If I were

to ask them to jump off a cliff, they would most certainly do so. Should I ask them to jump into burning ovens, they would jump into them.”

We know it from history that people would jump onto the train that Hazrat Musleh-eMaud (ra)would be travelling in, they would run parallel to the train for as long as they could.

We witness such expression of devotion to this day. Those who have travelled with Huzoor (aa) and even those who watch Huzoor’s tours through MTA, have witnessed children and youth longingly see Huzoor’s car arrive, would even run parallel to it to catch a glimpse of Huzoor (aa), wave to him to express their love and devotion for Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aa). This love and devotion have been passed down from one generation to the next.

Going back in history, when Hazrat Muslehe-Maud (ra)was on his tour to Europe, Babu Sirajdin Sahib wrote to Huzoor (ra) the following words: “O my master! We are far from you and are helpless. Had it been possible, we would turn into dust and cling to your shoes, only to be saved from the pain of being distanced. I have not been to Qadian for four years, but at least I had the peace of mind that whenever I wanted, I could travel to see my

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master. But now, even to pass a single day is burdensome. May Allah bring Huzoor back safely, triumphant and victorious.”

Now, coming back to the present times, the last year-and-a-half has seen so many restrictions by law as well as by way of safety. People have been unable to visit Islamabad, Tilford. Similar expressions of love can be witnessed. So many people say that we would sacrifice anything in exchange for a visit to Islamabad; anything for a single prayer to be offered behind Huzoor (aa); and anything to partake in the Friday congregation with Huzoor (aa). For a huge number of people, it has been more than a year that they haven’t seen Huzoor (aa).

They vehemently express their desire to see Huzoor (aa) live once again, and their hearts ache at their helplessness.

Some people have given vent to their emotions by only driving past Islamabad, looking helplessly towards Huzoor’s office and house, praying for his wellbeing. In the given restrictions, this is the closest they could get to Huzoor (aa), and they availed this chance too even though it meant only driving past the main gates and merely glancing towards Huzoor’s abode.

Such an expression of devotion can never be out of conceit; it is a bond of true love instilled in the hearts of one generation after the other.

History has it that when an attempt was made at the life of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra), a huge wave of concern and anguish ran through the spine of the Jamaat. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) sent a message in response: “I have always loved you more than my wives and my children. I have been ready to sacrifice anyone dear and near to me in the way of Islam Ahmadiyyat. I expect you and your generations to follow suit.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) also described this bond of love between Khilafat and the Jamaat. I quote here a few: “I am aware of how the Jamaat prays for me; they pray for the success of my objectives.

When the Khalifa has to worry for their worry, they in return get even more concerned that the Khalifa is having to endure pain for them […]

“Just as an injured finger causes the whole body to become restless, and just as mental stress causes the body to feel stressed out; the same is the case with the Khalifa-e-Waqt and the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya.

“It is, therefore, wrong to see the Jamaat and the Khalifa as two different entities. By the grace of Allah, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and Imam of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya are one and the same; both combine to result in a form of unison.”

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On another occasion, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) stated: “O my brethren, who are dearer to me than my life, every bit of my being I offer to you as homage. You have, by the grace of Allah, shown such a great example of unity and stability that the angels in the heavens are proud of you. So, receive the blessings of heavenly souls.

“History will remember you and the generations to come will take pride in you for that act of uniting on the hand of this humble one and pledging to forward the mission of establishing the Oneness and the grandeur of Allah, initiated by the Promised Messiah (as); the same mission carried forward to the corners of the earth by Hazrat Musleh-eMaud through sacrificing everything dear to him; you are the ones who will keep speeding up your efforts…

“My prayers are with you and I am in great need of yours. To alleviate your burdens, and for the peace of your hearts, and for your worries to be removed, I have asked my Merciful God to show me a sign through acceptance of my prayers. I trust that Pure Being that He will not reject my supplication.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) once recalled how some Christian missionaries met Huzoor (rh) in Copenhagen. One of them asked what status Huzoor (rh) held in the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. He replied by saying: “This question is incorrect because we take Ahmadiyya Jamaat and the Imam of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat to be one and the same thing; they combine to become one. It is the responsibility of Khilafat that it should alleviate the pain of the Jamaat and for the Khalifa to pray for the Jamaat. There are occasions when the Khalifa-e-Waqt prays for you all through the night.

“During the 1974 episode, I think I wasn’t able to sleep for two months. Many months passed in praying. Therefore, the Khalifa-eWaqt is one who shares your sorrow and your happiness […]

“The bitterness experienced in those days by the individuals of the Jamaat would all

accumulate in my heart. There came nights when I, by the grace and blessings of Allah, continuously prayed for Ahmadis without sleeping for even a minute. I request the members of the Jamaat to remember me in prayers also. May Allah keep me in good health and may He enable me to carry out the responsibilities that he has laid upon my shoulders. Pray that the Jamaat and I are able to fulfil our duties, for I don’t see the Jamaat and myself as distinct to each other.

The Jamaat and the Imam Jamaat are two names for the same body and two angles of the same view.”

I will now present a few excerpts from the sayings of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh).

Huzoor (rh) stated: “A living miracle of the Promised Messiah (as), that encompasses all other miracles, is the establishment of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, its training and its special features that are nowhere to be found in the world […]

“Its devotional love and its adoring makes one envious. Despite there is love, but it is still envious.”

A Canadian professor who had visited Rabwah and had met Ahmadis and Jamaat’s officials, visited Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (rh) on his way back to Canada. Having met Huzoor (rh), he is reported to have said that I thought the Jamaat loved their Imam, but I have seen that their Imam loves them even more.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) said on one occasion: “The Jamaat of the Promised Messiah (as) is so adorable that not to adore it is just not possible; one is left with no choice but to love it. The one worry that makes my heart melt is that I am able to fulfil the rights of the Jamaat that has entrusted to me by the Promised Messiah (as). I desire to die in a state that Allah assures me that I have fulfilled its rights.”

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Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) once expressed this bond of mutual love in one of his couplets: “I am not distinct from you, as you are my universe; “It’s you that give meaning and soul to my life.”

Now, I will present some sayings of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aa). We have heard Huzoor (aa), on many occasions, speak about and mention his deep love for the Jamaat – at times, using expressions such as, “O my beloved Jamaat”. He has always

spoken about how much love he feels from the Jamaat too.

On one occasion, Huzoor (aa) says: “Like last year, I have been able to witness the devotion and loyal love of Ahmadis during my tour of African countries. Some such expressions can be felt but not described in words.

“In Tanzania, there is route that stretches across 600 to 700 kilometres and, owing to the poor state of the roads, is covered in no less than eight or even ten days. We travelled to a relatively bigger town of that area in a small aeroplane. Many had travelled from surrounding areas and assembled there to welcome us. Their zeal was incredible. Some of the areas there did not have the facility of MTA so it cannot be said that they had seen me and had therefore developed that zeal.

Their enthusiasm showed that they have a special love and connection with Khilafat.

“The sentiments of those who got to shake hands with me are hard to describe. For

instance, one of such people who stood in a queue, held out his hand for a handshake, but instantly became overwhelmed with emotion and started crying.

“Does this love ever exist for kings or rulers?

Or is instilled in hearts by God? […]”

“Another person, who had suffered a paralytic stroke, had travelled forty or fifty miles to meet me. His hands were deformed which he held out for a handshake […] Does

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I quote Huzoor (aa) from another occasion: “The Jamaat, by the grace of Allah is very strong; as strong as a lead ply wall. When I was recently in Africa, many people, who had never met me before, met as if they lived apart for a very long time. What would one call this? The love and joy that I saw on their faces, what would you call it? The painstaking journeys they undertook to come to me, what was it? Is this love that these inhabitants of remote areas have for Khilafat be merely for vainglory? […]

anyone undergo such trouble for a worldly cause?”

Huzoor (aa) further explains how Ahmadis who had travelled from Kenya and Uganda expressed their devotional love for Khilafat.

Reminiscing his arrival in Uganda, Huzoor (aa) once mentioned how, when his car drove out of the airport, a woman carrying her twoyear-old child, started to run with Huzoor’s car. She wanted her child to see Huzoor (aa) but the child’s gaze was distracted. She got pushed around in the crowd but didn’t give up until her child caught sight of Huzoor (aa).

Only then did she come to halt. Huzoor (aa) mentioned that the smile that emerged on the face of the child was such as if he had known Huzoor (aa) for a very long time.

Huzoor (aa) stated: “As long as such mothers will be born in the Jamaat, bringing up children who love Khilafat, then Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya is not in any danger.”

“So, what Allah instils in hearts, cannot be removed by human effort; howsoever one may try. I have seen men, women and children weep with tears; all this is out of the love for Khilafat that their hearts are laden with. The young children that run to me from here and there – crossing all security protocols – do so out of the love that Allah has instilled in their hearts; this outburst cannot result if they are asked to do so.

“The parents of such children and other onlookers visibly become overwhelmed with the same love.”

Huzoor (aa) recalls that such parents, who themselves had not been able to meet Huzoor (aa), would hug their children for they had received the love of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih. Huzoor (aa) stated: “The love and joy that this beloved Jamaat of the Promised Messiah (as) expressed, is unique to this Jamaat only. This expression of joy and love cannot be found anywhere in the world. This alone is a sufficient proof of the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (as), but only to be seen by God-fearing hearts […]

“I see this expression every day in the letters I receive. My heart is overawed with Allah’s praise by seeing how someone living hundreds of miles away has love for the Khalifa-e-Waqt merely in the way of God. The same is reciprocated at this end when these emotions run through my body like an electric current.”

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Huzoor (aa) recalls that when he was in Singapore, Ahmadis had travelled from Indonesia, Malaysia and other neighbouring regions. Some of them had accepted Ahmadis fairly recently but the love they expressed for Khilafat was incredible. For most of the Ahmadis that assembled there, the journey had been very costly. They had taken the burdens of this journey wholeheartedly and, Huzoor (aa) says, it testified the words of the Promised Messiah (as) that “These are the people of God; God alone is taking care of them”.

I would like to state here a saying of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra): “The eighth way of attaining the blessings of angels is through having a strong relation with Khalifa-e-Waqt […]

“Once the people of a prophet asked him to appoint his successor from whose advice they could continue to benefit in their worldly affairs. But when the prophet appointed a successor, the people asked what was special about him and what was in him that lacked in other people […]

“The prophet responded by saying that ‘Alright. Let me tell you what is special about him. The difference is that those who stay attached to this successor will be comforted by angels.’

“This shows that staying connected to Khulafa leads to a connection with angels […]

“What will make such people distinct is that angels will carry their hearts and reveal unto them the knowledge of previous prophets and saints. Therefore, having a relation with Khilafat leads to angels descending on hearts.”

issues. If one sees the volume of such letters that I receive daily, they would find it incredible.

“It is only Khilafat that is concerned for the problems of every Ahmadi living in all parts of the world; the Khalifa personally prays for them.

“What worldly leader is there who prays for the ill? What worldly leader remains restless for matrimonial matches of his youth? What worldly leaders remains concerned for the education of the children of his nation?

“Governments do provide schools and health facilities, but the concern for the education and health of people spread across the globe is only in the heart of the Khalifa-e-Waqt.

“There is no problem that afflicts Ahmadis – of personal nature or to do with the Jamaat – that does not leave the Khalifa-eWaqt concerned; he not only takes practical measures to alleviate these problems but also prays for them.

“The Khulafa before me and I too have always done so. There is no country in the world where my imagination does not take me; praying for the Ahmadis living there while awake or even when asleep.

“I am mentioning this as a favour. It is my duty and I pray that Allah enables me to fulfil this duty even better than ever before […]”

May Allah enable us and our generations to establish and maintain a strong relation with Khilafat.

In the end, I would like to present a saying of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aa): “What dictator has a connection with his subjects? The Khalifa, on the other hand, has a personal relation with every Ahmadi of every nation and every ethnicity. They write to me in person and state their personal

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