66 minute read
The Green Announcement
filled and continue to be fulfilled. His Holiness(aba) quoted the Promised Messiah(as) when he stated that God Almighty sent the Holy Prophet(sa) in a time of complete darkness and imbued them with a spiritual light. God Almighty now sent Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) – who was of Persian descent – in this era of darkness and misguidance to bring faith once more to the world. His Holiness(aba) said that the Promised Messiah(as) defended Islam after it was being attacked from every direction. And it was destined for the Promised Messiah(as) to be from among the Muslim Ummah (people), in accordance with the aforementioned verses and the sayings of the Holy Prophet(sa).
His Holiness(aba) said that thousands of people witnessed the sign of the Dhus-Sineen star, the prohibiting from Hajj, the commencement of the railway system and the outbreak of the plague – all of which were prophecies of the Holy Prophet(sa). He said that the comparison between the companions of the Promised Messiah(as) and those of the Holy Prophet(sa) are very similar; for both had to endure persecution and malicious treatment. Just as the first companions were the people of God, so too are these companions of the Promised Messiah(as) for they are the people of God and He looks after such people who act righteously and remember death often.
His Holiness(aba) mentioned further fulfilled prophecies such as the new modes of transport, the eclipses in the month of Ramadan, the increase in publication of books, the increase in facilities for mankind, and the destruction of certain towns and cities due to the wrath of God. It was in this era that the Promised Messiah(as) was prophesied to appear.
His Holiness(aba) cited the Promised Messiah(as) as he claimed to be this very person who was appointed by God Almighty as a fulfilment of these prophecies, and he was informed by God of this so many times that there was no room left for any doubt about it. The Promised Messiah(as) even saw that the fulfilment of the prophecy that the camel would be forsaken would be to the extent that even a rail line would be built between Makkah and Madinah – this too has come to fulfilment over 1,300 years after the prophecy was made by the Holy Prophet(sa).
A Messiah Like Jesus(as) & the Support of God
Then, His Holiness(aba) mentioned how the Promised Messiah(as) would be like Jesus(as) as both would be rejected by their people, as they presented the pure teachings of their respective religions. He said that the people are so engrossed in the world and have little care for their faith or for the Holy Qur’an. His Holiness(aba) reminded us that we must all assess ourselves in this regard even after having accepted the Promised Messiah(as). These teachings were always to be protected by God Almighty and in this era the Promised Messiah(as) was appointed to continue this task of safeguarding the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, after they had become so misunderstood by the Muslims. His Holiness(aba) then cited the Promised Messiah(as) as he stated that he has demonstrated to the world how Islam has superiority over all other religions. But when he would present this to Muslims, they would become enraged and curse him. His Holiness(aba) said that this is still the case today. A false person would have been destroyed by all the opposition faced, but God Almighty was indeed with the Promised Messiah(as) and supporting him throughout and placing love for him in the hearts of people from all around the world. The Promised Messiah(as) said that the Muslims should show their gratitude to God for sending these blessings from the heavens and saving them at the right time instead of trying to oppose him.
The Revival of Islam & a Great Revolution
His Holiness(aba) continued quoting the Promised Messiah(as) who stated that the life of Islam lies in accepting the death of Jesus(as), and just as God Almighty spoke to the previous prophets, so too does He speak to him, but this was purely due to his subservience to the Holy Prophet(sa). He was the reflection of the Holy Prophet(sa) and from his Ummah (people), due to this that he too was sent as a prophet of God. The Promised Messiah(as) then stated that ever since he was appointed by God, a revolution was taking place before his eyes as the people were abandoning shirk (associating partners with God) they had been engrossed in, and turning to the unity of God. He said that this is reaching all people and one day they will all be one.
A Request for Prayers
His Holiness(aba) prayed that all people, especially the Muslims are enabled to understand the message and accept the Promised Messiah(as) who came to revive faith. He also said we should pray for the Ahmadis in Pakistan and Algeria where the situation continues to worsen. His Holiness(aba) prayed that all Ahmadis are protected by God Almighty, but that each and every Ahmadi must also turn to God Almighty, fulfil the rights of God and mankind, and form a special bond with Him.
(Al Islam)
100 Years Ago… – A day in Qadian: A visitor describes his experience in Qadian
The small peaceful town of Qadian lies some 11 miles north east of Batala. It has risen from a small village and owes its prosperity to the head of the Ahmadia movement. The road to Qadian is always crowded with pilgrims who come to pay their homage from all parts of the globe. They gladly undergo the discomforts of the journey and one hardly finds any travellers growing weary or complaining of the bad condition of the road. To an ordinary visitor the road is not pleasing, much less the jolting tum-tum, but a pilgrim makes his way through mountains of dust with great pleasure. What Jerusalem is to a Christian or Benares to a Hindu, that or more is Qadian to an Ahmadi. It is the stronghold of Ahmadism, the seat of Arabic learning, and the second birth place of Muhammadan philosophy. As we passed through its streets everybody greeted us with Assalumo Alaikum (peace be with you). They took us in their plain and clean houses lit up with their beaming eyes and filled with their merry laughter. As I went from one house to another, I met the same sort of people dressed in plain white clothes with their faces radiant with joy. The way in which they treat strangers impressed me so much that a single visit to Qadian has again revived in me those mid-day dreams of old ages when people used to meet as brothers. I have found the realizition of my dreams in an out-of-the-way town like Qadian that seems to me to be full of the most kind-hearted people.
Cut off from the world outside, they have a small world of their own in which they live as happily as their forefathers in the palmy days of old.
Its people cannot boast of any great monuments nor of some old relics of architecture, but they feel more proud of their simple mosques in which rings the voice of their leader.
Under the star-lit sky, the whole town sleeps in a slumber of peace. While in the distance, the never-ceasing murmur of the cities can be heard.
Its snow white domes and minarets bathed in the moon light present a contrast to our disfigured houses and temples black will the soot and clothed in the mist that hangs over the cities.
into my forgetful mind and a voice rang inside that there is one greater mission of life than to eat, sleep and be merry – to pray to the Almighty.
Through the efforts of a friend of mine, I secured an interview with His Holiness, the head of the movement, [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra)].
I always feel a great craving for the society of those who hold in their hands the destinies of their fellow creatures, whose single breath can lead them (the people) on to action. We have great kings, statesmen, generals and prophets who can mould their subjects to any shape they like. But a great religious and social reformer is nearer to God than any of the other workers. Before uplifting their subjects from misery, and degradation, the kings and generals have to wade through a sea of blood. They believe in putting mankind before their steel and powder in order to relive their people of distress.
But a social and religious reformer dreads a single drop of blood as much as a child dreads the fire. He stands against the fiery blast of the people with great fortitude and even at times has to go through great torture for the sake of truth.
So you can imagine my great pleasure in exchanging some words with such a high priest of truth and piety.
Seated on a small piece of carpet, dressed in a neat and simple dress with his head bent and eyes half closed, I saw the present leader of the movement [Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra)]. After the mutual greetings, he lifted up his majestic head and I saw the half pleasant and prophet-like face. There was a sympathetic thrill in his voice and the words gushed out like pure water from the fountain of his soul.
He was meek like a lamb, innocent as a babe but more wise than an old man of eighty. His very words brought peace with them and they healed the wounds of irreligiousness like an ointment. One cannot but appreciate the current of discipline and organization that runs through the whole system.
No doubt the credit is due to the leader who calmly organises all the enterprizes [sic] taken into hand by the movement. Qadian is a very busy place, even more busy than some of the most thickly populated and industrial towns of India.
From early in the morning up till late in the night, the people are busy in saying their prayers and chanting hymns in His praise. After every meal, they thank Him for every loaf of bread given to them. the young scholars who lead pure and simple lives and feast only upon the divine philosophy. The Qadatn [sic] High School is situated some three quarters of a mile from the town. It is lodged in a very imposing building with extensive lawns and well kept play-grounds. The young scholars have nature all round them and they enjoy the full advantage of the pure air and sunshine, the two great gifts of God. Attached to the school is an equally fine building with two white towers that can be seen even from a great distance. I cannot but appreciate the spirit shown by the leader and the community in the use of the school to boys belonging to other religions as well. The school at present has some 700 students on roll and the science department is quite up to date. I didn’t expect to find such a flourishing institution in an ordinary town like Qadian and my surprise was even greater when I actually saw the buildings and the working school.
The community must be congratulated on possessing such a great educational institute that is second to none in the province.
The small and most tidy little hospital is a boon to the people and its doors are always open to the helpless patients representing all religions and nationalities. The Minaratul Masih or the Tower of the Promised Messiah is of no little interest to the visitor. It stands like a white mast, over the floor of the great mosque and can be seen through the dust on the road to Qadian. It is beautifully built and highly polished with plaster and commands the whole view of the town.
Leaving aside the places of interest worth a visit an ordinary visitor is always impressed with the high order of society that he meets. There in Qadian, the ideal Herbert Spencer, the great poet, has been realized – that of plain living and high thinking. I for one can never forget the hospitality shown to me by the heads of different departments and they are always pleased to help a stranger who wants to have an insight into their faith and work. The help which the community is rendering to the poor is by no means small. Its langer khanas are always full of poor people who are fed and clothed so that they may pray to God with a contented and pure heart. The work which the community is doing is very useful and beneficial and the next generation shall look upon their leaders with gratitude and love.
(Transcribed by Al Hakam from the original in The Review of Religions [English], March 1921)
THE GREEN ANNOUNCEMENT
Some extracts explaining and answering the objections on the Prophecy of the Promised Reformer form the book of the Promised Messiah ‘’The Green Announcement’’ in his own words
(Compiled by: Luqman Ahmed Kishwar Sahib, Head of the Central Waqf-e-Nau Department, London)
The Promised Messiah (as) writes:
The reader should remember that some of my opponents have written disparaging articles about the demise of my son in their newspapers and other publications. They say that he was the same child about whom I had claimed, in my announcements of 20th February 1886, 8th April 1886, and 7th August 1887, that he would become a man of glory and greatness and wealth, and nations would be blessed through him, and some of them even concocted a revelation* to the effect that the boy would marry the daughters of kings. The reader should understand that those who have raised these objections have either been misled or they wish to mislead others. The fact is that no one can cite a single word from any of my announcements published before the child’s birth in August 1887, and which have been cited by Lekh Ram of Peshawar in support of his own assertion, in which I claimed that this particular boy, who is now deceased, would be the Promised Reformer and blessed with a long life. On the other hand, I clearly stated in my announcements of 8th April 1886, and in that of 7th August 1887—which was issued on the day of Bashir’s birth with reference to the former announcement—that Divine revelation had not yet disclosed to me whether this particular boy was the Promised Reformer who was to be blessed with a long life, or whether he would be born afterwards. I am amazed that though Lekh Ram was driven by his prejudice to raise objections on the basis of these announcements, and made characteristic use of foul and abusive language in doing so, he did not bother even to read the announcements carefully, which would have saved him the embarrassment of this hasty action. It is unfortunate that the pundits who sermonize in bazaars and preach that shunning falsehood and adopting the truth are the principles of the Arya faith, do nothing to stop these habitual liars from uttering such falsehood. It is indeed unfortunate that these principles are always preached but never practised.
The Promised Messiah (as) explains:
The slanderer referred to here is none other than Lekh Ram of Peshawar, who has referenced all the three above-mentioned announcements in an announcement of his own in order to further his claim, and has acted dishonestly throughout. For instance, in quoting the announcement of 8th April 1886, he only alludes to the passage in which I said that a boy would be born soon within the nine-month period of a pregnancy, but he fails to mention the next sentence in which I said that hitherto it was not clear whether this was the [promised] boy or whether he would be born at a later date within the stipulated nine-year period. He omitted this part intentionally, for it contradicted his assertion and falsified the basis of his false surmise. His other injustice is that, in his announcement, he fails to acknowledge the announcement previously issued by the Aryas and printed at Chashma Nur Press in Amritsar, in which they acknowledged that it was not clear from any of my three announcements whether the deceased boy was the Promised Reformer or whether he was to come afterwards. This announcement was in itself enough to falsify Lekh Ram’s contention, and I invite the reader to once again read this announcement which, for all prac-
tical purposes, had better been entitled, ‘God loves not the deceivers.’
The Promised Messiah (as) writes:
The long and short of it is that the above mentioned statements of 8th April 1886 and 7th August 1887 are completely silent on what qualities the child would possess. They both testify that the matter was still unclear in the light of Divine revelation.
The Promised Messiah (as) explains:
The announcement of 8th April 1886, was as follows; “A boy will be born very soon, within the nine-month period of a pregnancy and no longer than that. It has, however, not been made clear to me whether this is the [promised] boy or whether he will be born later within the stipulated nine-year period.” See the announcement of 8th April 1886, printed at Chashma-eFaid Qadri Press, Batala. The text of the announcement of 7th August 1887, is as follows: “Readers! I give you the good news that the boy whose birth I had prophesized in the announcement of 8th April 1886 came into this world on 16th Zil-Qa‘ad, or 7th August.” See the announcement of 7th August 1887, printed at Victoria Press, Lahore. Now, is there even a hint in any of the three announcements—which Lekh Ram of Peshawar has so eagerly quoted—that the deceased boy would be the Promised Reformer and blessed with a long life? Think and reflect!
The Promised Messiah (as) writes:
Many eminent Prophets and Messengers have made errors in interpreting some of their visions and prophecies,* but it did not surprise or alienate their clear-minded and enlightened companions who saw that the error lay not in the substance of the revelations or visions but only in their interpretation.
The Promised Messiah (as) explains:
The Torah clearly shows that Moses (as) made errors in understanding and communicating some of his prophecies, and the promises of instant victory and freedom that had been made to the Israelites were not fulfilled in exactly the same manner. Therefore, when the Israelites saw things happening contrary to their expectations, they became extremely frustrated and, overcome by their chronic impatience, said, “O Moses and Aaron! Would that God treat you as you have treated us?” It would seem that these impatient people had given in to despair because Moses’ words had led them to believe that they would soon be free, but this did not happen and some difficulties intervened which they had not been told about in clear terms. All this happened because Moses (as) himself had not been given any clear information about the intervening difficulties and the length of their trials, and it was his own inference that the ignoble Pharaoh would soon be defeated through manifest signs. But God, in accordance with His eternal practice towards all His Prophets, and in order to try Moses (as) in the early stages of his mission, and to fill him with the awe of His Istighna, kept these intervening difficulties hidden from him. If all the coming trials and afflictions had been revealed to him beforehand, he would have been reassured and his resolve would have been strengthened. But in that case he would not have been overawed by the ordeals by means of which God had intended to raise his and his followers’ spiritual status and make them recipients of Divine reward in the hereafter. In the same way, Jesus’ disciples had believed that the promises of worldly success and prosperity that the Messiah (as) had made to them would be fulfilled very easily and in a short time. Some of the glad tidings the Messiah (as) gave them even seemed to imply that he would soon establish a great kingdom, and some of his disciples even began collecting weapons in anticipation. The Messiah (as) also spoke of his second coming in a manner which suggested that the disciples and their contemporaries would still be alive when he returned to the world in glory, and it seems that Jesus (as) was himself inclined towards this view which he impressed upon his disciples, but, as it turned out, his interpretation was wrong and he had made an error of judgement.
Another amazing thing mentioned in the Bible is that close to four hundred Prophets made a prophecy about the victory of an Israelite King, but it was not fulfilled and the King was met with defeat. See I Kings 22:19. In my case, however, none of the prophecies that I have made on the basis of revelation have turned out to be wrong. Divine revelation had clearly foretold the birth of two boys, and also that some of my children would die in infancy. See the announcements of 20th February 1886 and 10th July 1888. In accordance with the first prophecy, a child was born and he soon died. The second child, whom the revelation refers to as Bashir the Second, and also as Mahmood, has not been born till today, 1st December 1888. But, in accordance with God’s promise, he will most certainly be born within the time stipulated in the prophecy. Heavens and earth
may pass, but the word of God can never be averted. Fools laugh at His revelations and ridicule His holy tidings because the end is hidden from their eyes.
The Promised Messiah (as) writes:
These trials, which appear with the ferocity of a roaring lion and cause darkness to descend all around, come upon God’s chosen servants in order to raise them to the highest levels of acceptance and to open for them the finer dimensions of Divine knowledge. This has always been God’s practice towards His servants, and it is substantiated by the entreaties made by David (as) in the Psalms, by the Gospel’s account of Jesus’ heartrending supplications during his time of trials, and by the humble supplications of the Holy Prophet (sa) that are recorded in the Holy Quran and the Traditions.
The Promised Messiah (as) explains:
One of the supplications which David made during his time of trials, and are recorded in the Psalms, is: ”Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire where there is no standing. I am weary of my crying: mine eyes fail. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head. Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake. They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards. Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour. I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none.” (Psalms 69) The Gospels also contain an account of how the Messiah (as) prayed and supplicated during his night of trial, and how he remained awake all night and was overwhelmed by grief and anguish as if in the throes of death. All night he cried and beseeched his Lord to let the cup that he was destined to drink pass from him. But, despite his many prostrations, his prayer was not heard, because prayers that are offered during trials are not accepted. We should also not forget the sufferings endured by our lord and master, pride of the Messengers, and seal of the Prophets, Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, during his times of trial. At one such time, he prayed, “My Lord! I complain to you of my weakness and confess my helplessness at your threshold. My humble state is known to you. I am ready to bear every hardship until you are pleased with me, and I have no strength other than you.” The Promised Messiah (as) writes:
Now, for the benefit of the people, let me also mention that the death of Bashir Ahmad was not wholly unexpected. Prior to his demise, God made it known to me, through His revelation, that the boy had served his purpose* and would soon pass away. In fact, the revelation I received on the very day of his birth hinted, in a very subtle way, at his death and at the fact that he would become a source of great trial for the people.
He (as) explains:
There are two important means through which God sends down His grace and showers His spiritual blessings: (i) He tests people through trials and tribulations, and then opens the doors of His mercy and forgiveness to those who show forbearance and remain steadfast in the face of these trials. He says: (Al-Baqarah, 2:156-158) i.e., It is Our practice that We cause the believers to pass through great trials and tribulations, and We bestow Our grace and mercy to those who persevere and We open for them the paths of progress. (ii) The second means by which God’s grace is manifested is that He sends His Messengers, Prophets, Imams, Saints and Khulafa, so that people may find the right path through their teachings, and attain salvation by following their example. Now, through my progeny, God has willed to use both these means for manifesting His grace. First of all He sent Bashir so that He may bring glad-tidings to those believers who remain steadfast and may fulfil the connotation of his name Bashir [Bearer of Glad-tidings]. For the thousands of believers who, merely for the sake of Allah, shared the sorrow of his death, Bashir became a forerunner and an intercessor from God, and he brought them many hidden blessings. Divine revelation also made it clear that the Bashir who passed away did not come without a purpose, and that his death brought a new life to those who, solely for the sake of Allah, mourned his death and remained steadfast throughout this ordeal. In this manner Bashir became an intercessor for thousands of righteous and steadfast people; and the death of this innocent one, who came and went away, will atone for the sins of all such believers. In order to manifest the second method for bestowing His grace, God will send the second Bashir, as prophesized in the announcement of 10th July 1888, issued prior to the death of the first Bashir, in which God revealed to me that He will give me another Bashir who will be called Mahmood
and will possess great resolve. [Allah creates what He wills]. God also revealed to me that the prophecy of 20th February 1886 pointed to the birth of two virtuous sons. Up to the words, “blessed is he who comes from heaven”, the revelation refers to Bashir the First, who was a source of spiritual blessings, and thereafter the revelation refers to Bashir the Second.
The Promised Messiah (as) writes:
The fact that some ulema have reached this appalling state and consider these spiritual blessings to be impossible or doubtful is not because they have any personal experience in this regard. In fact, they are not even inclined to go through such an experience and have never allowed themselves any opportunity to form an opinion based on a comprehensive analysis, nor do they wish to do so. Their suspicions are based, not on any of their own investigation, but only on the objections my prejudiced opponents have levelled against my two prophecies. He (as) explains:
These are the objections: In my announcement of 8th April 1886, I published the prophecy that a boy would be born to me, but I also wrote in unambiguous terms that the boy may either be born from the current pregnancy or a future one. However, in order to expose the inherent evil and injustice of my opponents, God gave me a girl from the first pregnancy and a boy from the next, and the essence of my prophecy was thus fulfilled. But the opponents, in keeping with their eternal practice, adopted a mischievous attitude and argued why a boy had not been born from the first pregnancy. I told them that no such stipulation was mentioned in the prophecy, rather it had been stated that the boy may be born from the next pregnancy, and this prophecy was unequivocally fulfilled. Such criticism is, in fact, a kind of deception which no right-minded person will accept. The second objection made by my opponents was that the boy, whose birth had been prophesied in the announcement of 8th April 1886, died in infancy. I have already answered this objection in detail, and the bottom line is that I never wrote in any of my announcement that the deceased boy would be blessed with a long life and would become the Promised Reformer. On the contrary, the announcement of 20th February 1886 contains the prophecy that some of my boys will die in infancy. Consider, therefore, whether the demise of this child has fulfilled this prophecy or not. In fact, most of the revelations that I published pointed to his demise. The announcement of 20th February 1886, for instance, contained the words, “A beautiful and pure boy comes as your guest,” which clearly show that the boy would die young, because a guest is one who comes only to leave after a few days and not one who comes to stay permanently and bids farewell to others. The same announcement also contained the words, “He is completely free from rijz (sin)”, and these also testify to his early demise. No one should be misled into thinking that this part of the prophecy is about the Promised Reformer, for Divine revelation has made it amply clear that it relates to the deceased child. The prophecy about the Promised Reformer begins with the words, “He has with him the Grace of God, and it will be manifested with his coming.” The Promised Reformer has been named Fadl, and Mahmood, and Bashir, the Second, and also Fadl-e-‘Umar. The coming of the Promised Reformer had to be deferred until this Bashir was born and was taken back from us, because all future events had been placed under his feet. Bashir, the First, who has passed away, was in fact a forerunner for Bashir, the Second, and this is why they were both mentioned together in the same prophecy. Let fair-minded people judge whether I have made any serious error in interpreting these prophecies. It is true that I spoke of some excellent inherent qualities of the deceased child on the basis of revelations, and I still do, but it is unanimously substantiated by all religions that children do possess diverse qualities regardless of whether they die in infancy or live to an advanced age. No sage or scholar can deny this and there is no room for any reasonable person to be misled on this account. As for the ignorant, they have always been misled, as, for instance, were the children of Israel on account of Moses’ prophecies. He had said that a great punishment would come upon the Pharaoh, but they saw no such thing happening, and it seemed that they were being punished instead, for they were now being forced to toil for the whole day while previously they had worked half the time. What manner of liberation was this [they asked]! The fact was that the hard labour was only meant as trial for them, and it was the Pharaoh who was destined to be defeated, but those ignorant and hasty people, seeing that their unrealistic expectations were not quick to materialize, began criticizing Moses (as) and harbouring doubts about him. They said, “Moses and Aaron! Would that God treat you as you have treated us.” The ignorance and haste shown by Judas Iscariot also deserves attention, for he, too, misunderstood the Messiah’s prophecies. He had been led to think that Jesus would become king and would bestow high offices upon his disciples, but when this did not happen and none of the prophecies was fulfilled, and the disciples instead faced poverty and depravation, he decided that it would be better to fill his belly by siding with Jesus’ enemies. This proved to be the means of his downfall, for the Messiah’s prophecies were ultimately fulfilled. Has any Prophet ever been defeated by the attacks of foolish and naïve people? If not, why should we fear that this will happen now, and why should we bring God’s holy mission to a halt? Let it be remembered, once and for all, that all those who call themselves Muslims and profess the Kalima [Oneness of God], but are quick to harbour doubts and suspicions in their hearts, will be dishonoured and disgraced just like the ignorant Jews and like Judas Iscariot. Reflect, O men of wisdom.
The Promised Son - Divine Destiny
by: Sahil Munir Sahib - Liverpool
It is truly Allah Almighty’s mercy and love for his creation that he sent his prophets only to bring mankind out from the darkness into the light. These prophets not only guided mankind but also prepared them for the latter days as in those days the long-awaited Messiah would appear. And so, it happened that God also fulfilled this promise in the person of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (as) God had told to him that he was the Messiah who had been promised to the world. His claim was supported by the Holy Quran, sayings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), and prophecies mentioned in previous holy scriptures. He has revealed to the world that he had been raised in the spirit of past prophets and announced that he was the Messiah for Christians, Mahdi for Muslims, Krishna for Hindus, Buddha for Buddhists and a counterpart of all the previous prophets. He was the promised reformer who had to come for the latter days.
His claim to be the Messiah and Mahdi brought a storm of opposition from his enemies. The clerics among the Muslims issued decrees, proclaiming him as an infidel. Muslims, Christians, Hindus and others joined hands to prove that his movement is false and fabricated by man. They used similar tactics as used by the opponents of the Holy Prophet (sa).
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: Alas for My servants, there comes not a Messenger to them but they mock at him’. (Holy Qur’an 36:31) own child and even more. However, being a prophet, all his desire were for the benefit for his people and of those who followed him. Therefore, on the 22nd January 1886 he went to a town called Hoshiarpur where he spent 40 days solely for the remembrance of Allah Almighty. During that period, he received various prophecies and one of those prophecies was about a Promised Son who has yet to be born. The prophecy described in great detail the characteristics that the child would have and how magnificent he would be and that he would a great spiritual warrior for the religion of Islam. This prophecy about the Promised Son was not only a sign that God’s support is with the Promised Messiah (as) but also an indication for the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (as) and also that the whole world will soon witness the might of this prophecy.
On April 8th, 1886 the Promised Messiah (as) announced that this son will be born within the next nine years. However, a few days after this announcement he was blessed with a daughter and his adversaries began alleging that his prophecy was proven false. Again, in August 1887 a son was born to him but passed away in infancy, and instead of concealing a father for the loss of his son they did the opposite, which is not in the nature a true believer, and started mocking him again and alleged that the prophecy was falsified. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) pointed out that this son was the ‘guest’ that was promised, and that the prophecy concerning the Promised Son began from the passage that he will be accompanied by grace (Fazl) which shall arrive with him.
Despite all the mockery the Promised Messiah (as) faced, his heart was still filled with love for his own kinsmen, as the love of a prophet is like the love of a mother for her
The Promised Messiah (as) wrote in his book “The Green Announcement”:
“It is true that in my announcement of 20th February 1886 the above mentioned qualities were attributed to a future child, in general terms and without being very specific, but nowhere did I write that these qualities applied to the particular boy who would be born on 7th August 1887. In fact, the announcement does not even specify the time or date of the child’s birth. It is, therefore, the height of obstinacy and dishonesty to say that the announcements specified the deceased child as the bearer of these qualities. I have all those announcements in my possession, and I believe most of my readers have them also; if they can read them again, they will be able to better judge for themselves. “
The Promised Messiah (as) never doubted the truthfulness of this prophecy and he was sure that it will surely be fulfilled soon. He explained that prophets are human beings as well and therefore are able to misunderstand certain prophecies as there are many examples in the bible, but he was sure that he understood this prophecy very well. The Promised Messiah (as) published an announcement stating: “If the boy is not born now then he may be born on another day and God Almighty will not end the last day of the duration stated in the prophecy until the boy is born and God fulfills his promise.”
And so, on January 12th, 1889, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) another son was born, who would later become the son who was prophesied to the Promised Messiah (as) by God. Mirza Mahmud Ahmad had a very difficult childhood as he went through various illnesses which was one reason why he could not gain secular knowledge from school. It is strange to hear that the Promised Son would not have any worldly knowledge but through Divine Destiny he would become that knowledgeable that even his enemies would fear to challenge him. Though he did not achieve much education from school, it was the Imam of the time who taught him and God himself would become his teacher. He would develop a great love for the service of Islam Ahmadiyya and would become a role model for both young and elderly people in his very young age. On the demise of his father, the Promised Messiah (as), he was standing next to his grave when he vowed: “Even if all the people leave you and I am left alone I would stand by you and would face all opposition to and onslaughts on your Mission.” And so, every aspect of his life would be according to that vow. In his young age he had established many schemes like the “Anjuman Tashheezul Azhaan” or the “Anjuman Ansarullah”. In 1913 the famous newsletter of the community “Al-Fazl” had been published.
On the 14th March 1914 he was elected the 2nd Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Movement and so the golden era of the Ahmadiyya community came to emerge. During his leadership the community also spread outside the subcontinent as Hadhrat Musleh Maoud (ra) also travelled to countries outside India to present the message of true Islam. Through him the glory of Islam returned to the West as many missions were established in Europe and America. He became a living encyclopedia of the Holy Qur’an and would share the knowledge and wisdom God had granted him about the Holy Qur’an with the world. That knowledge became a weapon for him and challenged those clerics who mocked him because of not finishing his education in his childhood. In 1944, when he announced himself to be the “Musleh Maud” (Promised Reformer) he challenged the enemies of Islam Ahmadiyya, as he said: “I do claim now again that even if thousands of scholars assembled to compete with me in writing commentaries of Qur’an, yet the world would accept and acknowledge that my commentary was unique in wisdom of divine truths in depth.” Eminent Muslim leaders and opponents like Maulvi Zafar Ali Khan who was the Editor of “Daily Zamindar” would warn his colleges by saying: “Listen with your ears wide open, you and your accomplices could never compete with Mirza Mahmood till resurrection. Mirza Mahmood has Quran with him, and a deep knowledge of Quran, what have you got? … You have never read the Quran in dream.” [Ek Khofnak Saazish, by Moulvi Mazher Ali Azhar, pg. 196]
Every aspect of the life of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) is proof that he is the Promised Son and that his character traits enfolded according to the prophecy. It is truly Allah Almighty’s blessing that he has bestowed upon the community by sending such saints who will lead us to glory.
UK Waqf-e-Nau students revitalised after virtual Mulaqat
by: Musharraf Ahmed, Muawin Sadr for Waqf-e-Nau, MKA UK
Following a successful mulaqat of Waqf-e-Nau UK university students, a report of which is being given in this issue of Ismael, the participants felt extremely motivated.
Below are some of their impressions following this blessed audience:
Hamad Muin Ahmad said:
Muhammad Abdul Wasay said:
Mudassar Zafri said:
Aqib Javed Rashid said:
Covid Patient
by: Muhammad Ansar Mehmood
What if God told you You only had 20 minutes to live? All the people that did you wrong, Would you finally forgive? Would you be panicking, Hoping you could somehow stay longer Did the Lord’s will on Earth, And that’s what made you stronger
Would you be upset? Would you be confused? Would you be content or convinced That this was bad news... Would you be alarmed? Would you be elated, or would you be Full of regret because of All the time that you’ve wasted?
Why don’t we talk about the dead? Until our last breath. We don’t feel prepared. That makes us scared. Finality and uncertainty Death can be frightening, even for people of faith. Attending funerals, Seeing headlines, numerals places. About a relevant tragedy, That let the family tragically. Or having a health scare, No one can prepare for the rare death, Not even health care can cure death. putting a too-bright spotlight on death.
Be Serviceable for humanity Help people with constant thirst. Humanity for first. Love for all hated for none. Be that one and everyone Will become like you. You are hydrated Some are Dehydrated. Donate your time, Full-time or part-time You are comfy, Some can’t be comfy. Help people, Then your death deserve some peacefulness. Be charitable Consider death is inevitable
You see, life is full of questions. Some are underrated. Like, what if you got to Heaven, Would you be shocked that you made it? Life is full of questions... Some are understated…
Concentrate on your studies and pay attention to prayers: UK Waqf-e-Nau University students get thorough direction from Huzoor-e-Anwar (aba)
On 28 February 2021, Waqf-e-Nau university The first question was by Hamaad Muin Ahmad students from Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Sahib, a medical student, who wanted to know UK were given the opportunity to meet with what medical students could do to ensure they Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) in a virtual meet- became the best doctors for the Jamaat. In reing. sponse, Huzoor (aba) said: The students were situated in the Baitul Futuh “A medical student should study – whether Mosque, London and a live stream connected Waqf-e-Nau or not. If you do not study, you them with Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) in Is- will not get the degree. That is why – whether a lamabad, UK. medical student or a student of any other field The meeting started with the waqifeen-e-nau – you should concentrate on your studies; secpresenting a portion of the Holy Quran, a ha- ondly, pay great attention towards prayers, imdith, an extract from the writings of the Prom- prove your connection with Allah and offer your ised Messiah (as) and an Urdu poem written by five daily prayers at their prescribed times. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra). “If an atheist studies and works hard, then even if he doesn’t believe in God Almighty, it doesn’t A short video presentation was then shown matter; Allah the Almighty will give him the reto Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba), showcasing ward for studying. However, an Ahmadi Muslim highlights of the MKA Waqf-e-Nau Virtual Re- who claims to believe in Islam, believe in Allah treat 2021, which took place on 27 February. and believe that Allah the Almighty helps them, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aba) then opened the must, along with their studies, prove they have floor for the Waqf-e-Nau students to ask what a connection with Allah too. they wished. “This is why when an Ahmadi couples their hard ISMAEL MAGAZINE | 22
work with prayers, they will achieve success. Do not think that ‘an atheist has received success, therefore I will also be successful’; there is a difference between the two and you have to bear in mind this difference; it is a very subtle difference, which you must keep in mind and if you keep it in mind, you will be able to develop a connection with Allah the Almighty and pay attention to studies. As a result, you will be able to achieve your targets.” Hamaad Sahib’s second question was what specialisation Huzoor (aba) recommended for Waqf-e-Nau doctors to pursue. Huzoor (aba) answered by saying: “We need all types of specialists. So if you are going to Africa, we need general surgeons there. If we send you to Pakistan, Rabwah, then we need cardiologists – interventional cardiologists or simple cardiologists. It depends on various factors, which is why every waqif-e-nau who is becoming a doctor should write back – when they complete their degree – to seek guidance again as to what specialisation they should pursue. “It is not a general principle – we cannot say that all the waqifeen-e-nau should go into this field or that field. It depends on where there are requirements, what is needed and what each person’s interests are; I guide each person accordingly.” Huzoor (aba) then asked Hamaad Sahib what his interests were in terms of specialisation, to which he replied that he had an interest in cardiology and ENT but was unsure what to go into. Huzoor (aba) recommended that he pursue cardiology, to which Hamaad Sahib expressed his gratitude. Another student, Muhammad Abdul Wasay Sahib, spoke next. As he began asking his question, Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) desired to see his face and asked him to remove his mask temporarily so that he could recognise him. With great love and affection, Huzoor (aba) said, “It has been a long time since I have seen your faces”. Muhammad Abdul Wasay Sahib said he was studying architecture and was in his final year. He wanted to know whether Huzoor (aba) recommended for him to pursue an apprenticeship scheme after his studies. In response, Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) said: “Yes, after completing your education, you should enter an apprenticeship – do an apprenticeship for two to three years, gain experience and then do waqf. If you ask me, come after at least receiving training for three years, after gaining experience and working in a good company so that your vision broadens.” Muhammad Abdul Wasay Sahib thanked Huzoor (aba) for the guidance. Next, Mudasar Zafri Sahib asked Huzoor (aba) whether it was necessary for a Waqifeen-e-Nau to reconfirm their waqf at the age of 15. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aba) responded by saying: “Yes, it is necessary because if you do not, then how will we know if you want to continue or not? “There is no force. Your parents dedicated you, but the Jamaat cannot enforce this, that because they did the waqf, you must work for the Jamaat. Here, you are given an option, your mind is now mature – it is an option for you, whether you want to continue your waqf or not.” Huzoor (aba) highlighted that it was necessary for waqifeen-e-nau to tell the centre if they wished to continue so that the data could be accurate with regard to those continuing their waqf and those who wish to follow other pursuits. Huzoor (aba) said: “We should not have any kind of deceptive data. If you [a Waqf-e-Nau] do not give us information, then our data will be wrong and we will not be able to plan properly. The Jamaat needs to plan too, right? … If we don’t even know who wants to continue their waqf and who does not, then our planning will be inaccurate.”
Nauman Ahmad Sahib asked Huzoor (aba) if waqifeen-e-zindagi [life devotees] could pursue part-time jobs. Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) replied by saying: “If you have done waqf and you are serving as a regular waqif-e-zindagi in the Jamaat, then you will have to seek permission. If you are permitted to work outside, as a part-time employee, you can continue. Otherwise, if you are not permitted to do it, then you cannot. Normally we do not allow waqifeen-e-zindagi to work outside. In certain, special cases, we give permission, but it is not a general principle.” Nauman Mubarak Sahib asked if waqifeen-e-nau could work in the business sector. Huzoor (aba) replied by explaining that when a waqf conveys their qualifications to the Jamaatt and if the Jamaat is not in need of that qualification for the time being, then permission can be sought from the Jamaat to do one’s own work or set up a business and in such cases, permission is given. Talking about business, Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) emphasised that a business should not be started by taking a large loan from the
bank, getting bankrupt by wasting that loan and then spending one’s whole life paying off the debt. Abdul Bari Mughal Sahib asked Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) whether a waqif-e-nau, who is studying and also has a responsibility in the Jamaat, should prioritise their studies or Jamaat work. Huzoor (aba) answered by saying: “If they are studying, or in university, then they should see if they can, along with their studies, do justice to their [Jamaat] responsibility or not. If they cannot do justice to such a responsibility, they should tell the [Jamaat] authorities that at the moment, especially during the exam period, ‘I cannot give my full time as I am going through exams’. Then at such a time, concentrate on your studies.” Huzoor (aba) said that after exams, on weekends or during any such spare time, one should give time to the Jamaat, instead of wasting it. But for someone to use the excuse that they are not studying due to Jamaat work, is wrong. Huzoor (aba) said to give precedence to studies and to serve the Jamaat in any spare time. However, when studies are finished, a waqif-e-nau should write to the Jamaat and say, “I am ready to serve the Jamaat now.” Huzoor (aba) said, “Then, without any greed, fulfil your waqf too.” Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) emphasised that whenever a waqif-e-nau finishes their studies, they should inform the Jamaat and seek further guidance on whether to find work or whether the Jamaat requires them. Huzoor (aba) said that those waqifeen-e-nau who are working outside the Jamaat’s system should give more time to serving the Jamaat compared to other Khuddam and Ahmadis, for example, they should help more in Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya etc. Majid Ahmad Bhatti Sahib said that graduates were currently finding it difficult to find jobs and asked Huzoor (aba) if there were any prayers to secure a job. In response, Huzoor (aba) said: “Offer your five daily prayers and pray, while in sajda, ‘O Allah, ease things for us’. Apart from this, there is no other prayer. The greatest of prayers are the five daily prayers. Allah the Almighty did not say to offer such and such prayer, only then would He accept it. Allah the Almighty has said to offer the five daily prayers, fulfil your obligations and offer your prayers alongside them; [once this has been achieved] then He will accept them.” Mashood Ahmad Sahib asked what sacrifices Waqifeen-e-Nau could give to the Jamaat and how one could ensure those sacrifices were accepted. Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) asked Mashood Sahib what he was studying and whether he was born in the UK. Mashood Sahib said he was studying English literature and was born in Oxford, England. Huzoor (aba) then answered his question by saying: “Any good deed done for the sake of Allah the Almighty is accepted by Him. Anything you are doing to please Allah the Almighty, for the sake of Allah, He will accept it. Allah even says that ‘if you put a morsel of food in the mouth of your wife, to gain My pleasure, then that will be considered your sacrifice too’ and will please Allah the Almighty. So, Allah’s mercy is to this extent.” Huzoor (aba) further said: “Whatever you are doing to achieve the love of Allah and for the sake of Allah, [then] Allah will accept it and consider it as your sacrifice for Him.” A question regarding civil service was asked and what Huzoor (aba) had meant when he said waqifeen-e-nau should pursue careers in the civil service. Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) explained that it was up to the central Waqf-e-Nau department to explain to waqifeen what civil service meant. Huzoor (aba) said civil service included public service, from the local council level to the prime minister’s secretariat level – all these offices fall under civil service. Discussing the benefits of civil service, Huzoor
(aba) said: “Your exposure with politicians is increased and one is acquainted with the country’s policies. As a result, one can benefit the Jamaat and Ahmadis. A good talented public servant is then kept as an advisor too. Then, for the benefit of the country, acting with absolute justice, he can properly advise his superiors and he can work honestly in the public and carry out justice wherever there is a defect. “This is why I said public service starts from the council level up to the prime minister’s house level – the secretariat level.” Aside from this, Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) said that while waqifeen-e-nau could go into the army or police and that it was important to work with law-enforcement agencies, he explained that his advice for Waqf-e-Nau to go into civil service did not mean the army or police etc.; rather, it meant public service, as civil service and public service are the same thing. Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) then asked about some of the demographics of Waqf-eNau students who were present. Huzoor (aba) asked the medical students more about what they wanted to specialise in and addressing engineering students, Huzoor (aba) said to gain a few years’ experience and then write back to the Jamaat to serve. Hearing one Waqf-e-Nau student, Aqib Javed Rashid Sahib, say he is pursuing a PhD in cyber security, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aba) remarked, with a smile: “Masha-Allah, this is very good. These days, in Pakistan, the cyber security people are constantly after us.” Huzoor (aba) said that if Ahmadis watch MTA in Pakistan, the cyber security people come after them; if they browse or use the alislam.org website in any way, the cyber security people immediately arrest them. Huzoor (aba) said, “If [Ahmadis] mention Allah or His Prophet (sa), they are immediately arrested in Pakistan.” Talking to Aqib Javid Rashid Sahib, with a smile, Huzoor (aba) said: “If you are doing a PhD, then find an antidote to what they are doing too.” The student responded by saying “Yes, Huzoor; insha-Allah.” Huzoor (aba) then asked Aqib Javid Sahib more about his work and research. During the discussion, Huzoor (aba) asked about the likelihood for a virus to enter a device even after a software update. Aqib Sahib responded by saying that currently, it was very difficult to put a percentage on this chance as there was always room for viruses to enter devices. He said the current research on this, to his knowledge, was scarce and no one really could predict the possibility of malware and viruses after software updates. Huzoor (aba) lovingly remarked, “An Ahmadi scholar should solve difficult problems – solve this. Do some research on this and then tell me.” Aqib Javaid Sahib responded by saying he would definitely do so, God willing. Before the conclusion of the mulaqat, Daud Ahmad Khan Sahib asked Huzoor (aba) a question. When he stood up, Huzoor (aba) asked him to show his face and commented: “Have you all attended my classes before? You have all grown up and now have beautiful beards, maybe that is why I cannot recognise you all. And it has been a long time too, right? Since a [waqf-e-nau] class … I was not able to meet you either [due to the widespread pandemic]. I am looking at your faces and you have grown, maybe some have even married. Anyhow, you all look good masha-Allah, but I cannot recognise your faces – maybe if I look at some childhood pictures of you all, I will recognise you.” The love and affection Huzoor (aba) has for waqifeen-e-nau becomes manifest from this remark. Since their childhood, Huzoor (aba) has been graciously giving them advice at every step of their upbringing and education. Indeed, this remark by Huzoor (aba) is in need of no further comment but prayers only. Daud Ahmad Khan Sahib asked whether Waqfe-Nau students studying live sciences such as physics, chemistry and biology, should pursue teaching or research. Huzoor (aba) replied: “We need people in all fields. Ahmadi scholars should go into research too, especially those studying physics. And those studying biology will do biomedical science and then they can go into research. If a student of biology or chemistry does not get into medicine, then they can go into biomedical sciences. A chemistry student should also go into research. “And those who cannot do research – not everyone can get into research as each person has their own calibre and talent – then their second preference should be teaching. The first preference should be research and the second, teaching. “However, from waqifeen-e-nau, we need teachers in every field too. But a certain percentage …” Hazrat Amirul Momineen (aba) said good Ah-
madi teachers could also help schools in the UK as, through this, they could display their high morals along with imparting knowledge. On teaching as a profession, Huzoor (aba) said: “The more Ahmadi teachers teach in schools, the more moral training will take place of the children in those schools – whether those children are Christians, Buddhists, atheists or Ahmadis … Wherever an Ahmadi [teacher] is, apart from their subject, they will be giving moral training to children too. That is why teaching is a very good profession.” With this, the meeting came to an end and before conveying Salam, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aba) prayed, “May Allah be the Protector and Helper of everyone.”
(Reported by Al Hakam)
Inspirational accounts of Pioneering live devotees of Ahmadiyyat
Compiled by Farukh Ahmed Arshad
When the Holy Prophetﷺ declared his prophethood to the people of Arabia, they turned against him. Those who were once his dear friends became thirsty for his blood, so much so that the set a bounty for his capture. On the other hand there were some who supported him and stood by his side like in the battle of Badr. There were some who despite having the basic necessities of life, opted to go on preaching campaigns. This was merely because of the level of trust that they had in God Almighty, that whatever should happen to them, God would not waste their faith. One of the heart-breaking incidents found in the history of Islam is of Hazrat Imran (ra), his whole family was martyred in front of his eyes but he did not let go of the trust in God, as a result the Holy Prophetﷺ gave him the tidings that his family are in paradise. The dedication of life at that time required the person to lay his life down for the spread of Islam through defensive wars and other confrontations but as time elapsed there was a change of the nature of dedication. Once the Holy Prophet ﷺ assigned companions to teach some people of a certain tribe the Holy Quran, for which seventy Hufaaz (those who memorised the entire Qur’an) were appointed. They had no idea of what the future held for them. They put their lives forward for the pleasure of God almighty. Later there was a conflict and many were martyred. The meaning of dedicating one’s life in accordance to the custom of the Ahmadiyya Community is to serve the Community whilst leaving all worldly desires and to take the service of the Community as the prime objective while keeping only the pleasure of God Almighty in prospect. After dedication, there remains no room for self-desires or preferences, rather the life of the devotee become the property of the Community to use where ever the need may be of the propagation of the Community . The very first devotee of his time is the person who declares in the words of the Holy Prophetﷺ that:
Say, ‘My Prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. The Holy Qur’an 6:163
The first life devotee in accordance to the above is Hazrat Hakeem Maulavi Nooruddin Sahib (ra), who upon receiving a note from Batala that, ‘Come and tend to a patient’ he replied that: ‘I am no longer the owner of my decisions, rather without the permission of the Promised Messiah (as), I cannot leave my position.’ Therefore the person acquired the permission from the Promised Messiah to accompany Maulavi Sahib ra with him to Batala which was graciously granted. Later on another occasion it has been reported that Hazrat Maulavi Nooruddin Sahib (ra) said that: ‘After coming to Qadian I never thought of my home town and to Qadian as my final destination.’ On occasions he would return to Qadian the same day despite the weather, time or conditions of the journey. In September 1907 the Promised Messiah (as) initiated the ‘Life devotee’ campaign, which had 13 personal sign up for it in the early stages. On mentioning the qualities of ‘Life devotes’ Hazoor (as) said: ‘They should be content and wealth should not bother them, when the Holy Prophetﷺ sent someone for a Tabligh campaign, the appointee would prepare himself instantly for the task without demanding any allowance for the journey nor making an excuse of longlines from their families. This work can only be undertaken by such a person who dedicates himself for Allah Almighty. God helps the righteous people from Himself, they take on a life of hardship for His sake.’
Expanding further on the qualities of life devotees the Promised Messiah (as) stated that: ‘they should be those who are patient and steadfast. There should be no negative enthusiasm in their nature. They should have the power to answer all hate speech with love. If they feel at risk of being tricked or deceived then they should leave such company or environment. They should keep doing their appointed tasks quietly and willingly’. These are some of the mentioned qualities that the life devotees of this era should always keep in mind and act in accordance with to be counted as the successful. In the next part of this writing, some faith inspiring incidents of early life devotees are laid out which categorically shows that they all show the qualities which were expected of a true life devotee. Firstly we begin with the account of Respected Mubarak Ahmad Nazir Sahib, Missionary of Canada. On relating an interesting incident of his father at the time when he was of eleven years of age reports that: ‘My father, Al Hajj Maulavi Nazir Ahmad Ali Sahib (ra) was a pioneering Missionary of Islam Ahmadiyyat. In 1945 I accompanied my father to Sierra Leone, West Africa on a ship through a perilous journey. It took about three months from Qadian (India) to go to Sierra Leone and during this time I became seriously ill because of that long journey. I remember when we were about to board the ship, every passenger had to be checked by a doctor to make sure that he is fit to travel. When I went for my check up, the doctor looked at me and to my temperature and assessed me and evaluated my condition and he told my father (Maulavi Nazir Ahmad Ali Sahib [ra] ) ‘This boy I cannot carry… because he is at the point of death and in our ship we don’t have a cold storage room. I will only carry him under one condition that you sign on this paper that if he dies on the way, you will allow us to throw him overboard.’ I remember my mother, I was the only son, and she started crying and said ‘Let’s take another ship.’ My father said ‘Don’t worry about him! Nothing is going to happen.’ He said ‘I don’t know when I will get another ship, I’m a Missionary, and I’ve been assigned a duty by His Holiness.’ I faintly remember he held my hand and he asked the doctor ‘Where do I have to sign?’ and whilst signing he jokingly or quiet sternly also said ‘if he dies throw him into the sea, but nothing will happen to him!’ Mubarak Nazir Sahib ends on the note that the eleven year old child now is Alhamdu Lillah eighty five years old now. This incident goes expresses that if you put your trust on God’s hand for His cause then He will also help you in your trials and tribulations, the fact of the matter is you shouldn’t lose hope on the first sign of hopelessness. Next we will read the account of such a Missionary that when he under took the journey he faced imprisonment and torture for days on end. This Missionary was in the person of Respected Zahoor Hussain Sahib (ra) of Bukhara. When he travelled to Russia he faced trial and prosecution. He reports that whilst in prison he saw the second Khalifa in a vision and he scolded him saying that: ‘I have sent you to preach and you are quiet.’ Upon this he felt ashamed, and started to learn Russian with some of the inmates who knew the Persian language. He later was freed and returned to India. The lesson which is to be learnt here is that regardless of any circumstances, one should not get hopeless, rather he should make out of what he is confronted with. Like in this example of imprisonment where learning a language was the last thing anyone could have thought of, but Zahoor Sahib took this time and made use of it and learnt by talking to others and not worrying about what would happen to him in that state. Only he who trusts in God, holds such a calibre of faith to carry out these tasks in any tribulation. A similar incident to the above is found when, on February 15, 1920, Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib (ra), arrived at the port of Philadelphia by ship from London as the first Missionary. As soon as he arrived, the immigration officer interviewed him and asked the reason for his arrival. He said that he had come to this region as a preacher of Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam. At that time, it was not customary to obtain a visa before coming to the United States. The immigration officer who admitted them was allowed to enter, but sometimes someone was barred from entering and sent back on the same plane. A long interview was conducted with Hazrat Mufti Sahib in which he was also asked if he also believes in polygamy like other Muslims. Hazrat Mufti Sahib replied with full confidence that yes I have the same belief as my dear master Hazrat Jibrail (ra), has been revealed to Muhammad (sa), the Messenger of God, in our Holy Book, the Holy Qur’an. The immigration officer asked, “Will you also preach this polygamy here?” The Mufti replied, “Of course I will.” “You know, it’s against our law,” the immigration officer said. To this Hazrat Mufti Sahib (ra) replied that we Ahmadi Muslims do not do anything against the
law, but these laws are made by human beings and they are made by mutual understanding and they also change. On this the immigration officer said to Hazrat Mufti Sahib (ra) that we cannot admit you to America because you spread your teachings and change our environment and style. You will try to change your life and you can make a mess in America, so go back by the ship you came from. Hazrat Mufti Sahib (ra) politely asked the immigration officer what other option is there for me. The immigration officer said you would be arrested and brought before a judge and they will prosecute you for refusing to obey the officer. Hazrat Mufti Sahib (ra) replied, “I accept this second option.” He was arrested that same evening and sent to prison. Hazrat Mufti Sahib (ra) waited for the trial in the jail and the time was spent in the preaching of other prisoners about Islam and he sent the whole report to Hazrat Musleh Ma’ud (ra). Almost every day he would write a letter to Huzoor (ra) and send the reports of the preaching by post. During this time in prison, according to some reports, he had converted seventeen people and according to some twenty-two people to Ahmadiyyat during the voyage. When Mufti Sahib (ra) was brought before the judge, the judge was very impressed with his personality and the way he dressed and after an interesting conversation, the judge allowed Hazrat Mufti Sahib (ra) to enter the United States legally. Meanwhile, Hazrat Mufti Sahib (ra) also received enthusiastic replies through letters from Hazrat Musleh Ma’ud (ra), in which he replied that no power in the world can stop you from entering the United States. Henceforth, he established the first mission in Philadelphia. This was again the level of trust and honesty with God Almighty that led to him entering a land legally where preaching was against the law. He not only preached but converted people before even stepping on the soil on USA legally.
The last account in this piece of writing is the account of a Missionary who travled to Spain, due to the lack of financial resources of the community Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) requested many of the missionaries who were then stationed in Europe, to return home. Zafar Sahib, having read the message from the caliph, wrote back to him requesting permission to continue to work, but as a self-financed missionary. After receiving permission from the caliph, Zafar Sahib worked as a street vendor selling homemade perfumes, primarily in El Rastro, an openair market in Madrid. He often used his stalls as opportunity to introduce the Islamic faith. For example, he reportedly used to chant, “Huelan esta fragancia tan agradable, sin embargo esta fragancia no durará mucho tiempo entre vosotros, pero yo conozco un aroma que es permanente y eterno. Si lo desean, pueden tomar mi tarjeta y contactarme”
“La Comunidad Ahmadía en España” (in Spanish). Retrieved August 2, 2015
Meaning that: the pleasant fragrance that I am selling does not last long, but there is a scent that is permanent and eternal, i.e. Islamic teachings. Under the rule of Francisco Franco, non-Catholic missionary work was banned and as a result Zafar Sahib faced several arrests by the state police. Often his perfume stall was subject to vandalism from members of the general public. In spite of this he managed to publish a number of books into Spanish during the Franco era. In this article we have learned what the true essence of devotion means and what it takes to fulfil it. We have studied several key pioneering Missionaries and how they stepped outside their comfort zones to spread the teaching of the true Islam. They have set the bars for many to follow and achieve. They have laid out the guide posts in which we can shape our lives and try to become devotees of the same calibre.
May Allah bless these souls and enable us to tread on their footsteps. Ameen.
Muslim Fasting
(Adapted from The Review of Religions, Jan.1930, Vol. XXVIX)
O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous. (Ch.2:V.184)
In the above verse, Muslims are told in the first place that fasting is not a new institution. It is not a new burden laid upon them; it is a very old institution and all those nations that have passed before them and among whom prophets appeared were commanded to observe fasts. Secondly, they are told that they should not look upon fasting as a useless burden; it is meant for their good and the chief advantage they will derive from it will be that they will learn to be pious.
How does fasting lead to piety? In order to understand this, we must see what a keeper of fasts is required to do. He is required to restrain himself from the indulgence of his appetites from the break of dawn till sunset, for one whole month. He may have plenty of good things to eat and drink, but in obedience to the command of God, he will not touch them during these fasting times.
Now, when he has practised the avoidance of what is otherwise lawful for him, merely to seek the pleasure of God, it becomes easier for him to avoid those things that his divine Master has declared to be unlawful. When, for instance, during his fasts, he did not taste the food which he had earned by lawful means and he practised this abstinence for one full month, how could he be expected to taste a food which had not been so earned? Thus it is that fasting leads to piety.
Again, it is not only from the indulgence of his appetites that a Muslim is required to abstain during his fast; he is also required to abstain from all kinds of false words and false actions. “If you don’t abstain from evil words and evil deeds,” said the Holy Prophet (sa), “God has no need of your abstaining from food and drink.” For the acceptance of fasts, it is essential that the person who fasts should also abstain from all sorts of evil words and evil deeds.
Similarly, said the Holy Prophet(sa), “When you are fasting, abuse not anybody nor quarrel with any; and if any person quarrels with you, turn away from him, saying, “I cannot quarrel with you, for I am observing a fast.” Mark how fasting is meant to teach a Muslim not only to lead an innocent and spotless life, but also to live as a peace-loving citizen.
Again, not only is a keeper of fasts required to eschew all forms of evil, but he is also exhorted to practise charity. The Holy Prophet(sa), says a tradition, “was the most liberal of men, but in the month of Ramadan he was more liberal than a gale.”
Thus, fasting is a sort of drill a Muslim is made to undergo that it may become easy for him not only to abstain from all kinds of evil and to live peacefully as a law-abiding citizen, but also to do good to his fellow-beings.
Fasting serves another purpose also. The rich and the well-to-do are enjoined by Islam to help their less fortunate brethren; and fasting is designed to prepare them for this purpose. By fasting they are enabled to realise the trouble and the pain which the poor and the indigent have to suffer on account of their poverty. It often happens that the poor have nothing to eat, and have to remain without food for days. But the rich who have had no occasion to experience starvation cannot fully realise the distress of the starving poor. Fasting, however, provides that occasion. While keeping fast, they have to go without food and drink from the break of dawn till sunset; and feeling thereby the pinch of hunger and thirst they come to know what the sufferings of the poor and the indigent really mean. Thus feelings of sympathy for the poor are engendered in their minds and they are made to love the poor all the more.
