Maryam July – Sept 2021 (English)

July - September 2021

“The

high status of women in

Islam is such that it is only through their noble efforts that the coming generations will remain attached to their faith.”

(Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba on the 6 th April 2019 at the concluding session of the UK National Waqifaat-e-Nau Ijtema)

Issue 39

In response to a question about the spiritual status that women can attain, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V(May Allah be his Helper) said:

“Other than prophethood, according to the Holy Qur’an, women can attain the spiritual rank of a Siddiq (truthful), Shaheed (martyr), Salihaat (righteous). There is a Hadith where a female companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw asked, ‘Men can attain martyrdom and they take part in battles and make great sacrifices. But those of us women who are at our homes, what is our status?’ The Holy Prophetsaw replied, ‘When you look after your homes and raise your children well and nurture the next generation and guard over the homes, you will attain the same reward as men.’”

Hazuraba further said:

“By ensuring the moral and spiritual state of their homes and living a righteous life, women can attain a truly great spiritual status. After all, they are the mothers of the prophets! Indeed, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw has said that ‘Paradise lies under the feet of the mothers’ and so the status of a woman is such that if they bring up their children in a pious way, they will prove to be the means of unlocking the doors to heaven.

What can be greater than this? Remember, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw did not state that ‘heaven lies under the feet of one’s father.’ Thus, the status of a mother in Islam is of the highest rank and consequently the status of a woman is very high. It is a rank and status that no one else can compete with – so long as a woman is firm in her faith and ensures the moral and spiritual upbringing of the next generation.”

Virtual Mulaqat with Waqifaate Nau Bangladesh, 31 January 2021 https://www.pressahmadiyya.com/press-releases/2021/02/waqf-e-nau-girls-and-womenfrom-bangladesh-have-honour-of-a-virtual-meeting-with-the-head-of-the-ahmadiyyamuslim-community/

From the Editor...

The Holy Prophet(May the peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) was sent as a Mercy for Mankind and hesaw truly championed the rights of women with the beautiful teachings of the Holy Qur’an. There are many misconceptions about the status of women in Islam, especially in the Western world. We are extremely fortunate that in this era, the Promised Messiahas has enlightened us to the true meaning and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an and equipped us with the intellectual weapons to respond to those who oppose Islam or raise queries against it.

With regards to how Ahmadi Waqifaate Nau should have pride in their religion, Hazur(May Allah be his Helper) stated in his address at the Waqifaate Nau Ijtema UK on the 6th April 2019: “As sincere Ahmadi Muslim girls and ladies, and as members of the Waqifaat-e-Nau scheme, you should never hold any form of inferiority complex about your religion. Never entertain the thought that your religion is somehow backward or out of touch with the modern world. Conversely, the more you take pride in your religion and the more you live your lives according to the teachings of Islam, the more others will respect you and this is how your honour and dignity will be established in the world.

Surely, there is no Islamic teaching that should cause any complex or apprehension to emerge in your minds.”

May Allah enable us all as Waqifaat-e-Nau, to fulfil our duties as Ahmadi Muslim women and always take pride in our religion so that we are true representatives of the Jama’at. Ameen.

In this issue of Maryam Magazine our readers can enjoy articles written by our Waqifaat-e-Nau including ‘My Jalsa Salana UK 2021 Experience’, ‘My Earliest Memories with Khilafat’, ‘Muharram: FAQs’ and ‘Waqf in the Field: Stem Cell Research’.

edi

Ahm Hi na

ENGLISH EDITOR

CHIEF EDITOR

Zanubia Ahmad ASSISTANT CHIEF EDITORS Dure Jamal Mala Nayla Muzamil

ENGLISH EDITOR Hina Ahmedi

ENGLISH SUB-EDITOR Hamooda Arif

EDITORIAL BOARD

Sabah Un Noor Tahir Hibba-Tul Mussawir Maleeha Mansur Meliha Hayat

Salma Manahil Malik Mashel Chaudhry

Samina Yasmeen Arif

Amatul Wakeel Maha Sameera Mirza Kashifa Qamar

Safina Nabeel Maham COVER DESIGN Hina Farooqi

PAGE DESIGN&SETTING Soumbal Qureshi Naeema Amjad Atiyya Wasee Naila Fowad

Hina Farooqi

Zara Tahir Ahmad PRINTED UNDER THE CENTRAL

Do you have any comments, suggestions or want your article featured in our next edition?

Email us at: chiefeditor@maryammagazine.org

OFFICE WAQF-E-NAU MANAGER

Luqman Ahmad Kishwar PRINTERS

Raqeem Press, Tilford UK

CONTENTS JULY - SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 39

03. The Holy Qur’an

24. Kids' Spread

04. Hadith

28. My Jalsa Salana UK 2021 Experience | Hamooda Arif

06. Writings of the Promised Messiahas

08. The Life and Character of the saw

34. Tarbiyyat Page 36. Waqf in the Field: Stem Cell

Seal of Prophets

Research | Mahedah Rehman

11. Book Recommendation:

40. Story: Weighing the Elephant |

Introduction to the Study of the Holy Qur’an | by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin

Illustrated by Wardah Burhan

Mahmud Ahmadra

44. A Prophecy Made by the 12. . The Delight of My Eyes: Syed Taalay Ahmed Shaheed | Amtushakoor

Promised Son, Fulfilled to the Letter

Tayyaba Ahmed

46. My Earliest Memories of Khilafat

18. Poem: Odyssey of Our Time

48. Ideal Daily Routine

20. Muharram FAQs | Naima Clarke

‫‪The Holy‬‬

‫‪Qur’an‬‬

‫ٓ‬ ‫ٓ‬ ‫قران مجید قران مجید‬

‫َّ م ُ م م َ َ م ُ م ٰ َ م َُّ م م م ُ َ م َ م م َ ُ م َ ٰ م ُ م َ ٰ م ٰ م َ َ م ُ م َ م م ٰ َ ٰ َ م ُ م ٰ َ م ٰ‬ ‫ت ِن ِتیوناۡلؤ ِوم ِنالیق ِننت ِو‬ ‫تاۡلؤ ِمن ِت والق ِنت‬ ‫اۡلنس ِل ِمویاۡلنؤ ِمون ِاۡلتس ِلومال ِق‬ ‫ِان اۡلس ِل ِمین واۡلس ِلم ِت و ِااۡلنؤ ِم ِنی‬ ‫م ٰ‬ ‫الص َبرمی َ ٰن َو ٰ ّٰ‬ ‫الص َد م ٰق ٰت َو م َ ّٰ‬ ‫الصد َق می َن ّٰ َوٰ ّٰ‬ ‫َ ّٰ م َ َ ّٰ ٰ َ َّٰو م َ ّٰ‬ ‫الص ِب ٰر ِت َوالخ ِش ِع مین‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫والصدقین والصدقت والصبرین والصبرت والخشعین ِو ِالخشعت‬ ‫َ م ُ َ َِ ِ م َ َ م ُ َ ِ َ ِ ٰ َ َ ِ مَّ ِ ُ ٓ َ َ م َ َ م َ ِ َ ّٰٓ ِ م ُ َٰ َ َ ٰ م ِ ٰ ِ َ م َ َّ ٓ ُ ُ مم ِ َ َ ُ َ ِ م ّٰٓ ٰ َ ٰم‬ ‫واۡلتص ِد ِقین واۡلتص ِدق ِت و و‬ ‫صی ِدن ِقیون و‬ ‫الصا ِئف ِمریونجہومالص ِئم ِت والح ِفظ‬ ‫الص ِئاۡلتم ِت‬ ‫الص‬ ‫ت ِفو ِظین‬ ‫ص ِدوقال ِح‬ ‫اۡلات ِئ ِم‬ ‫ّٰ‬ ‫َ م ٰ ٰ َ ّٰ م َ ّٰ َ َ م َ ً م َّ ٰ ّٰ ٰ ٰ َ َ ّٰ‬ ‫الذَک م ٰر ًت ۙ َا َع َّد ّٰ ُ‬ ‫الذ َّکرمی َّٰن ُ َ ّٰ ُ َ َ م‬ ‫� َل ُہمم‬ ‫َ‬ ‫والح ِفظ ِت والذ ِکرین � ک ِثیوراالوح ِف‬ ‫� ممک َِّثمی م ًغرا ِف ََّرو ًۃ َّوا ِجراِ‬ ‫ت ِتوۙ اع ِد ِ � لہ‬ ‫الذظ ِک ِر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ً‬ ‫ع ِظیما ۝‬ ‫َع ِظ می ًما ۝‬ ‫)‪(Surah Al-Ahzaab:36‬‬

‫( سورۃ احزاب‪) 36:‬‬

‫(‬

‫‪Translation: Surely, men who submit themselves to God and women who submit‬‬ ‫‪themselves to Him, and believing men and believing women, and obedient men‬‬ ‫‪and obedient women and truthful men and truthful women, and men steadfast in‬‬ ‫‪their‬‬ ‫‪faith‬‬ ‫‪steadfast‬‬ ‫‪women,‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪men‬‬ ‫‪are humble‬‬ ‫‪women‬‬ ‫ومنم وعرںیت اور رفامربن‬ ‫رمد اور‬ ‫ومنم‬ ‫رفامربنداراور‬ ‫املسمن وعرںیت‬ ‫رمد اور‬ ‫املسمن‬ ‫ًانیقی‬ ‫‪: who‬‬ ‫رفامربندار‬ ‫‪and‬اور‬ ‫رمد‬ ‫وعرںیت اور‬ ‫ومنم‬ ‫رمد اور‬ ‫ومنم‬ ‫وعرںیت اور‬ ‫‪and‬اور املسمن‬ ‫املسمن رمد‬ ‫‪ً :who are‬انیقی‬ ‫‪humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast‬‬ ‫‪women‬‬ ‫‪men‬‬ ‫‪guard‬‬ ‫‪their chastity and women who guard‬‬ ‫‪and‬رکےنوایلوعرںیتاوراع‬ ‫ربص‬ ‫اور‬ ‫رکےنرمد‬ ‫‪who‬واےل‬ ‫‪fast,‬رکےن‬ ‫ربص‬ ‫‪and‬اور‬ ‫وعرںیت‬ ‫یچس‬ ‫‪who‬اور‬ ‫اوررمد‬ ‫ےچس‬ ‫واےلاور‬ ‫وعرںیت‬ ‫رمد‬ ‫واےل‬ ‫اعزجی‬ ‫اور‬ ‫وعرںیت‬ ‫وایل‬ ‫رکےن‬ ‫ربص‬ ‫رمد‬ ‫وعرںیتاورےچسرمداوریچسوعرںیتاورربصرکےن‬ ‫‪their chastity, and men who remember Allah much and women who remember‬‬ ‫‪— Allah‬‬ ‫‪has‬‬ ‫‪prepared‬‬ ‫وایل‪for‬‬ ‫‪all‬‬ ‫اور‪of‬‬ ‫‪them‬‬ ‫‪forgiveness‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫‪a great‬‬ ‫‪reward.‬‬ ‫دصہقرکےنوایلوعرںیتاورروز‬ ‫رمد‬ ‫روزہواےل‬ ‫رکےن‬ ‫وایلاور‬ ‫وعرںیت‬ ‫رکےن‬ ‫اعزجی‬ ‫اور‬ ‫‪Him‬اور‬ ‫واےلاوررمد‬ ‫رےنھک‬ ‫دصہقاور‬ ‫وعرںیت‬ ‫رکےن‬ ‫دصہق‬ ‫واےلرمد‬ ‫اوردصہقرکےن‬ ‫وعرںیت‬ ‫رکےنوایل‬ ‫اوراعزجی‬

‫رترتہمج‬ ‫ہمج‬

‫رترتہمج‬ ‫ہمج‬

‫‪(English‬‬ ‫‪translation‬‬ ‫‪Hazrat‬‬ ‫) ‪Maulvi Sher Ali sahib‬‬ ‫واےل رمد اور افحتظ رکےن و‬ ‫رکےنیکوایلافحتظ‬ ‫رشاگموہں‬ ‫اوراینپ‬ ‫وعرںیت‬ ‫وایل‬ ‫افحتظرےنھک‬ ‫روزہ‬ ‫رکےناہلل وک‬ ‫وعرںیت اور‬ ‫افحتظ‬ ‫اور‬ ‫رمد‬ ‫‪by‬واےل‬ ‫رکےن‬ ‫روزہ رےنھک وایل وعرںیت اوراینپ رشاگموہں یک‬ ‫‪ra‬‬

‫وعرںیت‪،‬اہللےنانبسےکےئل‬ ‫ےئلاید‬ ‫ےکےس‬ ‫رثکت‬ ‫واےلےنرمد‬ ‫وایلایدرکےن‬ ‫رکےنےس‬ ‫رثکتےسایدرکےنواےلرمداوررثکتےسایدرثکت‬ ‫وایلرجِمیظع‬ ‫رکےناورا‬ ‫رفغمت‬ ‫اناوربس‬ ‫وعرںیت‪،‬اہلل‬

‫ایترےئکوہےئںیہ۔‬

‫ایترےئکوہےئںیہ۔‬

‫‪Hadith‬‬

‫)‪(Sayings of The Holy Prophet‬‬

‫ﷺایبنلﷺ‬ ‫دحثی‬ ‫ایبنل‬ ‫دحثی‬ ‫دحثیایبنلﷺ‬

‫)‪(May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him‬‬

‫‪Spiritual‬‬ ‫ںیم‪Status‬‬ ‫االسم‪of‬‬ ‫‪Women‬‬ ‫وعروتںاکاقمم‬ ‫االسماکںیم‬ ‫اقمم‬ ‫وعروتں‬ ‫االسمںیموعروتںاکاقمم‬

‫ْ ٰ ُ ْ ْ ٰ َّ ُ ْ َّ ُ ْ َّ َّ َّ ُ ْ ْ ْ َّ ْ ْ ْ ْ َّ ُ ْ ْ َّ ُ‬ ‫صلرىس َّو ُِل‬ ‫تري ُية ِز‪،‬يد اْلنصا ِرية‪،‬‬ ‫اْلاءن ِبن‬ ‫اء ِبْونسِل‬ ‫�أ ْسعلمي ِه‬ ‫ہللاي ِهصول َّى‬ ‫تمي ِأزيد‬ ‫سلم‬ ‫ص ِا‬ ‫� علْ ِ‬ ‫وفد ْت ِا ٰلی ر ُس ْو ِفلدت ِ‬ ‫ہللا ِالی َّ‬ ‫س ْم ْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫وفدت ْ ِالی رسو ْ ِل ِْ ُ‬ ‫اْلنص َّا ِرية‪،‬‬ ‫� ْعل ُي ِه وسلم ُ أ ْسم ُاء ِبن ِت ي ِز ْيد ْ ُ‬ ‫ہللا صلى ْ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ہللا ِإليك‪ِ ،‬إن ہللا‬ ‫الننس ِاء‬ ‫النانسا ِاءو ِاإلِْفيدة‬ ‫ت ِ‪:‬م ِبيأ ِبیاي أر ُنس ْتو وأ ِم ِي‬ ‫فقال ْت‪ِ :‬بأ ِبي ْأفنقتال ُوأ‬ ‫ك‪ِ ،‬إ ِ‬ ‫ہللا‪،‬ی انارسو ْاو ِفد ُة ِ‬ ‫ہللا‪ِ ،‬‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ہللا‬ ‫النَّ ًس ِاء َّ ِإلي ْك ْ‪ِ ،‬إ‬ ‫فق َّالت‪ِ َّ:‬بأ ِبي أن‬ ‫ہللا‪َّ ،‬ا ًنا و َّ‬ ‫ص ٌ‬ ‫النا ِفسد ْاءة ک ِ‬ ‫تووجأ ِ َّمليب یعاث ركسِإلوىلالر ِ‬ ‫صنالن ٌ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ات‬ ‫س‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫إ‬ ‫‪،‬‬ ‫ة‬ ‫اف‬ ‫و‬ ‫ال‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ز‬ ‫ع‬ ‫ات ِاء م ْح ُ ور‬ ‫ح‬ ‫م‬ ‫اء‬ ‫س‬ ‫الن‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ع‬ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫إ‬ ‫‪،‬‬ ‫ة‬ ‫اف‬ ‫ک‬ ‫اء‬ ‫س‬ ‫الن‬ ‫و‬ ‫ال‬ ‫ج‬ ‫الر‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ِإ‬ ‫ع َّزوج َّل بعثك‬ ‫ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ َّ ِ ً ِ َّ ِ ْ ِ‬ ‫ِ​ِ ِ ْ ُ ِ‬ ‫وراتٌ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫الن‬ ‫ج ٌ ِال ُو‬ ‫الر‬ ‫ع ْزو ُجل ب ٌعثك ِ​ِإ ْلى‬ ‫س ِاء ُم ْحصَّ ُور‬ ‫النس ُ ِاء ُکُاف ُةُ‪ِ ْ ،‬إ ْنا م ُع ْشر َّ ُ ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫الرج ِال‬ ‫َلإن ُتك ْ أمومَل ِعدكشمر‪ِ ،‬إن‬ ‫ح ِب‬ ‫اعد‬ ‫ورب ُياتو ِت ُ‪،‬ك ْقم‪،‬و ِو‬ ‫صد‬ ‫اع‬ ‫م ْق ُصور ٌات‪ ،‬قموق ِ‬ ‫اميَلو ُِتتك أ ْم‪،‬وَل ِود ُحك ْمِام‪َّ ِ ،‬‬ ‫الركجم ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫المعشر ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫الرج ْ ِال ْ ْ‬ ‫اع ُ ْ ُد ْبيو ِ ْتكم‪ ْ ،‬و ُح ِامَل ْ ُت ُ أوَل ِ ْدكم‪ِ ،‬إن ُك ُم ْ م ْعش ْر ِْ‬ ‫ورات ْ‪ ،‬ق ُو ْ‬ ‫مُق ْ‬ ‫صُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ودح ِالججب ْنعا ِئد ِز ْ‪،‬الوح ِالج‪،‬ح ِج بعد الح ِج‪،‬‬ ‫اتِع‪ ،‬و ُال‬ ‫اعج ِم‬ ‫النجا ِمبال‬ ‫ضلجتم ِمععو ْلي‬ ‫شهو ْ ِال‬ ‫اتن‪،‬ا ِئو ِز‪،‬‬ ‫اعال ِج‬ ‫ضلُت ْم علْينا ِفب ْ ِال‬ ‫ش ُهجم ِ‬ ‫ود ْ‬ ‫ُف ِ ْ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ات‪ ،‬وشه‬ ‫ف ِضْلتم ُعلي ْنا ِبال ْجم ِْع ُوال ْجماع ِ ْ‬ ‫ود َّ الج َّنا ِئ ِز‪َّ ،‬وال َّح ِج ُب َّ ْعد ال َّح ِج‪ُ ،‬‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ہللان اعزحود ُجک ْلم‪ِ ،‬إوذ ِإانخارحجدکم ِإذا خرج‬ ‫اد‬ ‫ك ِبال‬ ‫و أ ْفض ُل ِم ْن ذو ِلأف‬ ‫ہللا ِفعي َّزوس ِبج َّ ِل‬ ‫ضال ِلجه ِم ِادن ِفذيِل س‬ ‫يل‪ ،‬و ِإ َّ ِ‬ ‫كْ‬ ‫يلجه ِ ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫و أف ًّضل ْ ِم ُنْ ذ ِل ًك ًّ ْال ِ ُْجه ُ ِاد ْ ِف ًي ًس ِب‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫يل ُ ْ‬ ‫ہللا ُ ًع ْزو ْجل‪ُ ْ ،‬و ِ ْإن ُا ْحد ْک ُم ْ ِإُذ ْا خ ْ ْرج ُ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫جاھك ْدام أْحو ِفَلد ُظكن ْام لوكأ ْموأالوُكَل ْدم‪،‬كموغوأْزلمناوالكم‪ ،‬وغزلنا‬ ‫جاھتً ِدماراحأ ِفو ْظمنا لِ ُ‬ ‫ح ًّاجا أْو ُم ْعت ِم ًحرااجأْاوأُمو معِ‬ ‫جاھ ْد ُا ْح ِف ُظ ُناْ ل ْك ٰ ُم أو َْل ُد ْ ُك ْم ْ​ْوأ ٰم ْوال ْكْم ْ‪ ،‬و ْغز َّلنا ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫حاجا ُأ ْو مع َّت ْ ِم ْرا ْأوُ ْم ُ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫النخ ِْیبُّ ِ ُّريفالتفت الن ِب ُّي‬ ‫ال‬ ‫و‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ذ‬ ‫ھ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ف‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ك‬ ‫ار‬ ‫ش‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫‪،‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫ك‬ ‫د‬ ‫َل‬ ‫و‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ن‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ر‬ ‫و‬ ‫‪،‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫ک‬ ‫اب‬ ‫و‬ ‫ث‬ ‫أ‬ ‫اْل‬ ‫ْأثو اب ُک ْم‪ ،‬و َّربْينا أْوَلد ُك ْم‪ ،‬افُنش ِ ُ‬ ‫ارك ُ ْ ِف ْي ٰھذا ْ ِاْل ْج ِر ِو ْال ْخی ِرف ْالتف ِت َّ‬ ‫الن ِ ُبي‬ ‫أثو َّابک َّم ُ‪ ،‬ورب ْينا أ َّوَل َّد َّك ُم‪ ،‬ا ْفن ْش ِار َّككم ِف ْي ھ ْذا ُ اْلج ُ ِر َّو ْالخی ِر ُفالتف ُت‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ال ْ‪ْ:‬م "ه ْل س ِم ْعت ْم‬ ‫ال‪:‬ك ِل ِه‬ ‫صُك ِحل ِهاب ِ‪،‬ه ُثِبَّموجق ِه ِه‬ ‫صلى‬ ‫"ه ْ‪ْ ،‬لث َّمس ِمق ْ ْعُت‬ ‫� ِإلعىل أي ِهْصوحس ِابل ِهم ِبإلو ْىج ِأه ِه‬ ‫سلم‬ ‫� علْي ِهصلوى َّ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ال‪" :‬هل ُ س ِم ُعتم‬ ‫ص ْلى � ْ علي ِه ْ ُّوسل ْم ِْإلى أ ْص ُّح ْ ِاب ْ ِه ِب‬ ‫سونجم ِه ِْنه مك ِلْ ِ‬ ‫وا‪ ،:‬يا ر ُ‬ ‫سهينأه‪،‬لاتثه؟امففقيق أُال ْ‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ہللا‪،‬‬ ‫و‬ ‫س‬ ‫ال‬ ‫ق‬ ‫ف‬ ‫؟‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ‫ين‬ ‫د‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫ہللا‬ ‫و‬ ‫س‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ي‬ ‫وا‪:‬‬ ‫د‬ ‫ر‬ ‫م‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ي‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ساأل ْحة ِاسمنرأ ٍ ِةم ْقن م‬ ‫م ْسالة ِا ْمرأ ٍة قم ُّط‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ط ْأسأحل ِته ِ ِ ْ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ُ ِ ِ ِ‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫مسالة َّ ِامرأَّ ٍة ق ْط ًأح ْ َّسن َّ ِم‬ ‫نم ً ْ‬ ‫سأ ْل ِتها ِفي أم ِر ِ ْد ِْينها؟ فق َّال ُّوا‪ْ :‬يا َّ رس َّو ُل َّ‬ ‫ہللا‪،‬ص َّلى َّ ُ‬ ‫� عليهْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫النبع ُّيل ِيهْ‬ ‫صلفىت‬ ‫ي ِإلامىرأ ِمْةث ِتهلت ِهدذي ِا‪،‬إلفى ْالِمتث ِفلتهذَّالن ِا‪،‬بُّيفال َّت‬ ‫ما ظنَّنا أ َّن ْاممارأ ًةظ ْنتهنتا ِدأن‬ ‫ِ‬ ‫�ِ ْ ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫َّ‬ ‫ت ُالنْ ِبي‬ ‫ما َّظننا ْأن امرأة َّ تهت ِْ ْدي ِ ْإلىُّ ِمث ِ ْل ْ ْه ُذا‪ْ ْ،‬ف ُّالتف ْ‬ ‫صيلىم ْن�خ ْلعفلي ِ‬ ‫ك َّهمن النساء أنَّ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫خلوأفع ِل‬ ‫سلم ِإ ْليها‪ ،‬فوقسل‬ ‫ال‪:‬م ِإ"ا ْلفيهھ ِا‪،‬مْیف ُّأقيھا‬ ‫النس ِاء ِأ َّن ِ ِ ِ‬ ‫ال‪ْ :‬اْل ْ ِ"ارأ ُفةھ! ِموأی ْأع ِيل ِھماياْلم ْرأنة! ْ‬ ‫ك ِم ِمن ِ‬ ‫و َّ‬ ‫النس ِاء أن‬ ‫ال‪"ِ :‬ا ْفھ ُّ ِمی أ ْي ْ ْھا ا ُْل ٰرأ ْة! و ُأع ِل ْ ِمي ُم ٰن خ‬ ‫و ُس ْلم ِإليه ُّا‪ ،‬ف ْق‬ ‫كل ُكفل ِهك‪ِ ".‬من ِ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬ ‫اْلعر ِأدِةُل ِلٰذزِل ِج‬ ‫ُح ْسن تب ُّع ِل ْاْل ْحرأ ِسة ِنل ْتزب ِعج ِهلا ی‬ ‫ك ُهكا ِلیهع‪"ِ .‬دل ذ ِل ِ‬ ‫ْ‬ ‫جلده‪".5‬‬ ‫ك ك ِل‬ ‫اْلعرفةل ذل‬ ‫دالغابةفیاجلدی‪5‬ع ِد‬ ‫جه‬ ‫حسُ(ا ُسن تبع ِل‬ ‫دالغابةفی اْلرأ ِ‬ ‫اْلعرفةةُ(ا ُ ِسلزو ِ‬ ‫معرفةالصحاب)جلد ‪ 2‬صفحہ ‪) 726‬‬ ‫اَلستیعاب فی‬ ‫صفحہ ‪399‬‬ ‫الصحابة‬ ‫جلد ‪ 2‬صفحہ ‪726‬‬ ‫معرفةالصحاب‬ ‫اَلستیعاب فی‬ ‫صفحہ ِ‪399‬‬ ‫الصحابة‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫(ا ُسدالغابةفی اْلعرفة الصحابة جلد ‪ 5‬صفحہ ‪399‬اَلستیعاب فی معرفةالصحاب جلد ‪ 2‬صفحہ ‪) 726‬‬

‫آںیئیکامندنئہنبرکآںیئ‬ ‫وعروتں‬ ‫امندنئہںیم‬ ‫وعروتںیکیکدختم‬ ‫ہیلع وملس‬ ‫آرضحنتیلص‬ ‫ااصنری‬ ‫آرضحنتزیدی‬ ‫ااصنریاامسءتنب‬ ‫ہمج‪:‬زیدیاکیدہعف‬ ‫رتہمج‬ ‫نبرک‬ ‫دختماہللںیم‬ ‫ہیلعوملسیک‬ ‫یلصاہلل‬ ‫ہمج‪ :‬اکیدہعفاامسءرتتنب‬ ‫رترتہمج‬ ‫ہمج‪ :‬اکیدہعفاامسءتنبزیدیااصنریآرضحنتیلصاہللہیلعوملسیکدختمںیموعروتں یکامندنئہنبرکآںیئ‬ ‫رترتہمج‬

Translation: An Ansar woman Asma Bint Yazid came to the Holy Prophetsaw and said: ‘May my parents be sacrificed for you! I have come to you as a representative of Muslim women. May my life be sacrificed for you! Women of the east and the west all agree with my view that Allah the Exalted has sent you with the truth for men and women and for us to accept you and also accept the God Who sent you. We women have been confined to homes. We facilitate the fulfilment of their [men’s] wishes and look after their offspring. You men have the advantage over us of attending Friday Prayers, congregational prayers, visiting the ailing, attending funerals and going to Hajj. Above all you also go to Jihad. When any of you goes to Hajj, Umra or Jihad, we look after your property, spin cotton for garments and nurture your children.

O’ Prophet of Allah! Are we still not equally deserving of reward along with men?’

The Holy Prophetsaw turned his blessed countenance towards the Companions and said: ‘Has any of you ever heard anyone express themselves as finely as this woman regarding an issue of faith?’

The Companions submitted: ‘O Prophet of Allah! We never thought that a woman would have such (deep) thinking.’

The Holy Prophetsaw turned to her and said: ‘O woman, return and inform every woman that for a woman to be a good wife, to be compliant to her husband and to carry on according to his wishes is equal to all the virtues of men.’

(Hadeeqatus Saliheen, Edition 1, Hadith no. 370) [Domestic Issues and Their Solutions, Selection of Extracts from Pronouncements of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba, Pg. 215-216]

Writings of the as Promised Messiah RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM

Kind Treatment of Women The Holy Prophetsaw is the perfect example for us in every aspect of life. Study his life and see how he conducted himself in relation to women. In my esteem, a man who stands up against a woman is a coward and not a man. If you study the life of the Holy Prophetsaw you will find that he was so gracious that, despite his station of dignity, he would stop even for an old woman and would not move on until she permitted him to do so.

[Malfuzat, vol. 4, p. 44, 1984 edition] [Essence of Islam Volume III, p.311-312]

Islam and the Rights of Women No other religion has safeguarded the rights of women as Islam has done. It lays down the injunction so succinctly:

َّ ُ ْ َ َ ‫َو ُل َّن ِمثل ال ِذ ْی َعل ْی ِھ َّن‬

‘Just as men have rights upon women, so do women have rights upon men.’1 It is said of some people that they treat their wives like shoes and require them to perform the lowliest of services. They abuse them and despise them and enforce the injunction regarding the veil with such harshness, as to virtually bury them alive.

The relationship between a husband and wife should be like two true and sincere friends. After all, it is the wife who is the primary witness of a man’s high moral qualities and his relationship with God Almighty. If his relationship with his wife is not good, how can he be at peace with God? The Holy Prophetsaw has said:

َ ُ َ ُ َ ‫خ ْی ُ� ْک خ ْی ُ� ْک ِل ْھ ِ ٖل‬ ‘The best among you is he who is best towards his wife.’

[Malfuzat, vol. 5, pp. 417-418]

[Essence of Islam Volume III, p.322-323]

1

Surah Al-Baqarah:229

THE LIFE AND CHARACTER of the Seal of Prophets (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him)

‫ت‬

‫یھب‬

‫وعنذ‬ ‫ات‬

‫ورسا‬ ‫ل یھب‬ ‫احلظ‬ ‫وکوعنذ‬ ‫کی‬ ‫دورسا‬ ‫ںیہن‬ ‫یم احلظ‬ ‫وگای وہ‬ ‫اک اکی‬ ‫س یک‬ ‫ںیہن‬ ‫ے‬ ‫وگای وہ‬ ‫السم‬ ‫س یک‬ ‫ےک‬ ‫رے‬ ‫اسکیں‬ ‫االسم‬ ‫م‬ ‫نےک‬

‫رِِّّ‬

‫اسکیں‬

‫۔م‬

‫َ‬ ‫ےسِّ‬ ‫ِّکرِّ‬

‫وہای‬

‫تخ‬ ‫ںیم ےس‬

‫دوہای‬

‫رتخ‬

‫ےہ‪ :‬م‬

‫اتےہ‪ :‬م‬

‫ینعی ’’سج رطح اخودنوں ےک ضعب وقحق ویبویں ےک ذہم ںیہ‬ ‫ایسرطحویبویںےکضعبوقحقاخودنوںےکذہمیھبںیہ۔‘‘ م‬ ‫م‬ ‫ذہمےک‬ ‫دارویں‬ ‫وقحقاور ذہم‬ ‫ضعبوقحق‬ ‫ےہ ہک‬ ‫رطحاک بلطم‬ ‫سجآتی‬ ‫رقآین‬ ‫اس‬ ‫ںیہ‬ ‫ویبویں ےک‬ ‫اخودنوںہیےک‬ ‫ینعی ’’‬ ‫‪for the various rights of husbands so too have‬‬ ‫اعمہلم ںیم ایمں ویبی ربارب ںیہ ہک ھچک اپدنبایں اخودن ےک ذہم‬ ‫‪husbands‬م‬ ‫‪been‬ذہمیھبںیہ۔‘‘‬ ‫اخودنوںےک‬ ‫‪responsible‬وقحق‬ ‫رطحویبویںےکضعب‬ ‫‪made‬‬ ‫‪the‬ایس‪for‬‬ ‫‪various‬‬ ‫”‪of wives.‬‬ ‫‪rights‬یئگ ںیہ اور‬ ‫ذہم اگلدی‬ ‫اگلدی یئگ ںیہ اور ھچک اپدنبایں‪2‬ویبی ےک‬ ‫اس رقآین آتی اک بلطم ہی ےہ ہک وقحق اور ذہم دارویں ےک‬ ‫‪The meaning‬‬ ‫قلعتم‪this‬‬ ‫‪Qur’anic‬‬ ‫‪verse‬‬ ‫‪is that‬‬ ‫‪in the‬‬ ‫وپےھچ‪of‬اجںیئےگ۔ م‬ ‫دارویںےک‬ ‫اینپذہم‬ ‫دوونںاینپ‬ ‫‪matter‬‬ ‫‪of rights‬‬ ‫‪husband‬‬ ‫اخودن ےک ذہم‬ ‫‪and‬اپدنبایں‬ ‫‪responsibilities,‬ہک ھچک‬ ‫ںیم ایمں ویبی ربارب ںیہ‬ ‫اعمہلم‬ ‫‪and wife are equal. As such, husbands have‬‬ ‫رگم وچہکنااظتنیم احلظ ےسرھگولی زدنیگ یکابگڈور رہب احلاکی‬ ‫‪ made‬ںیہ اور‬ ‫‪responsible‬اگلدی یئگ‬ ‫اپدنبایں ویبی ےک ذہم‬ ‫ںیہ اور ھچک‬ ‫اگلدی یئگ‬ ‫‪been‬‬ ‫‪for certain‬‬ ‫‪obligations‬‬ ‫‪while‬‬ ‫‪have‬‬ ‫‪been‬‬ ‫‪made‬‬ ‫‪wives‬رشفی‬ ‫ےسرقآن‬ ‫‪also‬تہج‬ ‫ےئلاس‬ ‫ےہاس‬ ‫‪responsible‬رضوری‬ ‫اہھتںیمرینہ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ےگ۔‬ ‫اجںیئ‬ ‫وپےھچ‬ ‫قلعتم‬ ‫ےک‬ ‫دارویں‬ ‫اینپاینپ‬ ‫‪be‬دوونں‬ ‫ذہم ‪for certain obligations, and‬‬ ‫‪both‬‬ ‫‪shall‬‬ ‫رفاماتےہ‪ :‬م‬ ‫‪questioned about their responsibilities.‬‬ ‫رھگولی زدنیگ َیکابگ َڈور َرہب َّاحلَاکی‬ ‫ےس َ َ‬ ‫وچہکن ُ َ‬ ‫ااظتنیم ُاحلظ ْ َ‬ ‫َرگم َ‬

‫الرِّجالِّق ِّومونِّع ِّلیِّالنسآِّءِّب ِّماِّفضلِّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫َْ َ‬ ‫ہللا َِّب ْع َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫نِّ‬ ‫ض ُھ ْمِّ َع ِّلیِّ َب ْعضِِّّ َّوِّب َمآِّانف ُق ْواِّم ْ ِّ‬

‫‪However, administratively speaking, since the‬‬ ‫رقآنرشفی‬ ‫ےئلاستہج‬ ‫ےہاس‬ ‫رضوری‬ ‫اہھت‪in‬ںیمرینہ‬ ‫‪control‬‬ ‫ےس ‪of‬‬ ‫‪domestic‬‬ ‫‪affairs‬‬ ‫‪must‬‬ ‫‪remain‬‬ ‫‪one‬‬ ‫‪hand, for this reason, the Holy Qur’an states in‬‬ ‫رفاماتےہ‪ :‬م‬ ‫‪this regard:‬‬

‫َ َا ْم َ َو ُالھ َ ْمِّ ُطِّ ْ َف َا َ َ‬ ‫تِّمِّا۔ِّ َِّف َّ‬ ‫ِّلصیلِّ ٰحالن ُت َس ِّٰقآن ِّٰءتِّب َ‬ ‫ضلَِّ‬ ‫الرِّجالِّق ِّومونِّعلِّ‬ ‫ٰ‬ ‫َْ َ‬ ‫ہللا َِّب ْع َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫نِّ‬ ‫ض ُھ ْمِّ َع ِّلیِّ َب ْعضِِّّ َّوِّب َمآِّانف ُق ْواِّم ْ ِّ‬

‫ینعی’’ رھگولیزدنیگںیمرمدوںوکوعروتںرپاریماور رگنانراھک‬

‫َ‬

‫اعتٰیلط َ‬ ‫وقی ٰ ُ ٰ ٰ‬ ‫تلیضفاطع‬ ‫رمدوںوک‬ ‫رطفی‬ ‫تِّ۔ِّ‬ ‫ںیمتِّقنت‬ ‫ِّلصلٰح‬ ‫ےنفا‬ ‫دخاھ ْمِّ ِّ‬ ‫ویکہکن َوال‬ ‫ایگےہ ا ْم‬

‫ایہن رپ‬ ‫‪affairs‬داری یھب‬ ‫ارخااجت یک ذہم‬ ‫وعروتں ےک‬ ‫یک ےہ اور‬ ‫‪“In‬‬ ‫‪domestic‬‬ ‫‪men have‬‬ ‫رھپ‪been‬‬ ‫‪appointed‬‬ ‫اور رگنانراھک‬ ‫‪guardians‬اریم‬ ‫رمدوںوکوعروتںرپ‬ ‫رھگولیزدنیگ‬ ‫ینعی’’‬ ‫‪leaders‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫ںیم‪over‬‬ ‫‪women,‬‬ ‫‪because‬‬ ‫رانہ‬ ‫رفامربندار‬ ‫اک‬ ‫اخودنوں‬ ‫اےنپ‬ ‫رہباحل‬ ‫وک‬ ‫ویبویں‬ ‫کین‬ ‫سپ‬ ‫ےہ۔‬ ‫‪God the Exalted has granted men superiority‬‬ ‫‪natural‬اطع‬ ‫رمدوںوکتلیضف‬ ‫وقیںیم‬ ‫رطفی‬ ‫اعتٰیلےن‬ ‫ایگےہویکہکن‬ ‫‪ٰ And‬‬ ‫‪in‬‬ ‫;‪faculties‬‬ ‫‪then‬‬ ‫دخا‪the‬‬ ‫‪responsibility‬‬ ‫اچےئہ۔‘‘ م‬ ‫‪of providing for the expenses of women has‬‬ ‫یک ےہ اور رھپ وعروتں ےک ارخااجت یک ذہم داری یھب ایہن رپ‬ ‫‪also been placed upon them. Either way,‬‬ ‫وہےئآرضحنت م‬ ‫رطفرےتھک‬ ‫‪obedient‬وکاکی‬ ‫نکیلاسااظتنیمرفق‬ ‫‪virtuous‬‬ ‫‪should‬‬ ‫‪remain‬‬ ‫‪their‬‬ ‫‪wives‬رفامربندار رانہ‬ ‫اخودنوں اک‬ ‫رہباحل اےنپ‬ ‫ےہ۔‪to‬سپ کین ویبویں وک‬ ‫‪husbands.”3‬‬ ‫ہیلعموملس ویبویں ےکاسھتولسک رکےن ےک م‬ ‫یلصاہلل‬ ‫اچےئہ۔‘‘‬

‫‪However, putting this administrative difference‬‬ ‫‪aside, with relevance to the treatment of wives‬‬ ‫قلعتمرفامےتںیہ‪ :‬م‬ ‫رےتھک وہےئ‬ ‫نکیلاسااظتنیم رفقوک اکیرطف ‪saw‬‬ ‫آرضحنت م‪the‬‬ ‫‪Holy Prophet‬‬ ‫‪stated:‬‬

‫َُْ ُ ْ َُْ ُ ْ َ ْ َ َ​َ َْ ُ‬ ‫ےک ْممِِّّ‬ ‫رکےن ُرِّک‬ ‫ولسکناِّخی‬ ‫اسھتہِِّّوِّا‬ ‫ویبویںمےکِّ​ِلِّھل‬ ‫وملسخِّیرِّک‬ ‫ِّکمِّ‬ ‫یلصخی‬ ‫اہللرہیلع‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِل ْھل ِّْی‬ ‫قلعتمرفامےتںیہ‪ :‬م‬

‫‪“The best among you in the sight of God is he‬‬ ‫‪who is best in the treatment of his family; And‬‬ ‫‪by the grace of God, I am the best among you‬‬

‫َ​َ َ ُ‬ ‫َُْ ُ ْ َ ُ َ‬ ‫خ ْی ُرِّک ْمِّ​ِل ِّْھلہِِّّ َوِّاناِّخ ْی ُرِّک ِّْمِّ‬ ‫خیرِّکمِّ ِّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِل ْھل ِّْی‬

‫مرد وعورت میں حقوقیکمساوات‬

‫رھپ اسموات یک ثحب ںیم رمد وعرت یک اسموات اک وسال یھب‬ ‫تہباتیمہراتھکےہ۔ینعیاہجںآجلکاکیہقبطوعرتوکوعنذ‬

‫اےنپمی‬ ‫م‬ ‫اپٔوںں حق‬ ‫‪and‬ردوجیتویکع‬ ‫یکمساوات‬ ‫وق‬ ‫ورت‬ ‫‪Equality‬‬ ‫‪of‬ےہوتواہںدورسا‬ ‫‪Rights‬اچاتہ‬ ‫‪Between‬ےکےچینرانھک‬ ‫‪Man‬رطح‬ ‫ابہلل‬ ‫‪Woman‬‬

‫ااظتنیم یھب‬ ‫اسمواتوہاک وسال‬ ‫وعرت یک‬ ‫دےنیرمد‬ ‫آزادیںیم‬ ‫ایسییک ثحب‬ ‫اسموات‬ ‫رھپ‬ ‫احلظ‬ ‫ےہ ہک وگای‬ ‫رپ الت وہا‬ ‫ہقبط اےس‬ ‫‪Subsequently, in the discussion of equality,‬‬ ‫وعنذ‬ ‫اورہقبط‬ ‫اکی‬ ‫رگناینینعیےساہجں‬ ‫راتھکیکےہ۔‬ ‫اتیمہ‬ ‫وعرتاکوکاکی‬ ‫رھپ ویرپ‬ ‫آجیئگلکےہ‬ ‫ابرہ وہ‬ ‫اخودن‬ ‫تہبیھب‬ ‫ےس‬

‫‪a very critical question is that of the equality‬‬ ‫‪between‬‬ ‫‪man‬‬ ‫‪woman.‬ےچین‪and‬‬ ‫رطح ‪In‬‬ ‫‪other‬‬ ‫‪words,‬‬ ‫دورسا‬ ‫رکےتوتواہں‬ ‫ےہ‬ ‫اچاتہ‬ ‫رانھک‬ ‫ےک‬ ‫اپٔوں‬ ‫اےنپ‬ ‫وجیتیک‬ ‫ابہلل‬ ‫ںیہن‬ ‫وہےئ‬ ‫وسنمب‬ ‫یھب‬ ‫میلعت‬ ‫ہی‬ ‫رطف‬ ‫یک‬ ‫االسم‬ ‫ہقبط وت‬ ‫‪today, where one class God-forbid, wishes‬‬ ‫‪to‬‬ ‫‪keep‬‬ ‫‪below‬‬ ‫‪feet‬‬ ‫احلظ‬ ‫ااظتنیم‬ ‫ہک وگای‬ ‫‪suppressed‬وکےہ‬ ‫وہا‬ ‫دےنی رپ‬ ‫آزادی‬ ‫‪their‬ایسی‬ ‫اےس‬ ‫ہقبط‬ ‫وگای وہ‬ ‫‪women‬وہرکات۔‬ ‫ںیہن‬ ‫میلست‬ ‫روحالتکت‬ ‫وعرت ںیم‬ ‫االسم‬ ‫رشامات ہک‬ ‫‪like a shoe, another class is bent on giving‬‬ ‫اکی‬ ‫رھپ‬ ‫ےہ‬ ‫‪freedom‬وہ‬ ‫اکیابرہ‬ ‫رگنایناکےس‬ ‫یھب‬ ‫‪are‬ےس‬ ‫‪women‬‬ ‫‪much‬‬ ‫یک‪as‬‬ ‫نیشم‪if‬‬ ‫‪they‬‬ ‫ویرپ اکاس یک‬ ‫‪so‬زدنیگ‬ ‫اور یک‬ ‫سج‬ ‫اجونریئگےہ‬ ‫رطح‬ ‫اخودنیک‬ ‫رصف‬ ‫‪beyond even the watch of their husbands‬‬ ‫ںیہن‬ ‫وہےئ‬ ‫وسنمب‪of‬رکےت‬ ‫ےہیھب‬ ‫میلعت‬ ‫االسم یک‬ ‫ہقبط‬ ‫‪in‬‬ ‫‪matters‬‬ ‫‪administration.‬‬ ‫‪Furthermore,‬‬ ‫اسرے‬ ‫رشفی ان‬ ‫رقآن‬ ‫رگم‬ ‫رطفوہہیاجیت‬ ‫اسھت متخ‬ ‫ومتوتےک‬ ‫‪a group in Europe does not even shy away‬‬ ‫وہ‬ ‫رکات۔وتوگای‬ ‫بسںیہن‬ ‫انچہچنمیلست‬ ‫کت وک‬ ‫رفاماتروح‬ ‫ںیم‬ ‫رشامات ہک‬ ‫االسم‬ ‫ےس ےلہپ‬ ‫ےہ۔‬ ‫رتددی‬ ‫االسمیک‬ ‫ایخالت‬ ‫ابلط‬ ‫‪from‬‬ ‫‪attributing‬‬ ‫‪to‬‬ ‫‪Islam‬‬ ‫وعرت‪the‬‬ ‫‪belief‬‬ ‫‪that‬‬ ‫‪Islam‬‬ ‫‪does not even accept that a woman has a soul.‬‬ ‫یک‬ ‫سج یک‬ ‫اجونر ےہ‬ ‫نیشمےہیکہکرطح اک‬ ‫رصف‬ ‫اسےک‬ ‫زدنیگ‪is‬ان‬ ‫دجودہج‪to‬اور‬ ‫اامعلیک‬ ‫اکی‪is‬اےنپ‬ ‫وعرت‬ ‫میلعتداتی‬ ‫‪That‬‬ ‫‪say that‬‬ ‫‪she‬‬ ‫رمد‪only‬‬ ‫‪a machine,‬‬ ‫‪the‬ہی ‪in‬‬ ‫‪likeness‬‬ ‫رقآن ‪of an‬‬ ‫‪animal,‬‬ ‫‪whose‬‬ ‫اسھت‪life‬‬ ‫‪comes‬‬ ‫‪to an‬‬ ‫اسرے‬ ‫رشفیاکان‬ ‫ےہ‬ ‫متخ‬ ‫ےک‬ ‫ومت‬ ‫‪upon‬اسکیں‬ ‫ہجیتن‬ ‫اامعل‬ ‫اوررگمبس‬ ‫اجیتںیہ‬ ‫ںیموہربارب‬ ‫وصحل‬ ‫‪Qur’an‬ےک‬ ‫اتنجئ‬ ‫‪end‬‬ ‫ےک ‪her‬‬ ‫‪death.‬‬ ‫‪However,‬‬ ‫‪the‬‬ ‫‪Holy‬‬ ‫‪refutes‬‬ ‫‪all‬‬ ‫‪these‬‬ ‫‪false‬‬ ‫ابلط‪First‬‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫االسم‬ ‫ےلہپ وت‬ ‫اعتٰیلےس‬ ‫انچہچندخابس‬ ‫‪ideologies.‬ےہ۔‬ ‫رفامات‬ ‫رتددی‬ ‫ایخالت یک‬ ‫م‬ ‫ےہ۔‬ ‫رفامات‬ ‫ںیم‬ ‫رشفی‬ ‫رقآن‬ ‫انچہچن‬ ‫ےہ۔‬ ‫واال‬ ‫ےنلکن‬ ‫‪foremost, Islam teaches that in the effort and‬‬ ‫‪striving‬‬ ‫‪good‬‬ ‫‪deeds‬‬ ‫رمد‪and‬‬ ‫‪in the‬‬ ‫‪for‬اورانےک‬ ‫دجودہج‬ ‫اامعلیک‬ ‫وعرتاےنپ‬ ‫‪acquisition‬ےہہک‬ ‫ہیمیلعتداتی‬ ‫;‪of their results, man and woman are equal‬‬ ‫‪ that‬اسکیں‬ ‫‪ the‬اک ہجیتن‬ ‫‪results‬اامعل‬ ‫اور بس ےک‬ ‫وصحل ںیم ربارب‬ ‫‪are‬اتنجئ ےک‬ ‫‪and‬‬ ‫ںیہ‪of‬‬ ‫‪everyone’s‬‬ ‫‪deeds‬‬ ‫ج‬ ‫ج‬ ‫‪equivalent. Therefore,‬‬ ‫‪God the Exalted states‬‬ ‫رشفیںیم مِّ‬ ‫م‬ ‫ےہ۔‬ ‫رفامات‬ ‫اعتٰیل‬ ‫دخا‬ ‫ےنلکنواالےہ۔انچہچنرقآن‬ ‫‪in the Holy Qur’an:‬‬

‫َ ْ َ ُ‬ ‫َ​َ‬ ‫ُ‬ ‫ِّلِّاضِّ ِّْی ُع َِّع َم َل َِّعاِّملِِّّم ْنک ْمِّم ْنِِّّذ ِّکرِِّّ‬ ‫انِّی ِّ‬ ‫َْ ُْ ٰ َ ْ ُ ُ‬ ‫ن َِّب ِّْعضِِّّ ِّ ِّ‬ ‫ضک ْمِّم ْ ِّ‬ ‫اوِّا ِّنثیِّ ِّبع‬ ‫َ َ ُ‬

‫ُْ‬

‫ْ َ​َ‬

‫ےس‬ ‫وہںِّمںیمنِّمتِّذںیمِّکرِِّّ‬ ‫امکلنک ْم‬ ‫اخقل ولِِّّم‬ ‫اہمترا َِّعاِّم‬ ‫ولوگ ْ!ِّی ُعںیم َِّعوجَم َل‬ ‫اےاضِّ‬ ‫ِّلِّ‬ ‫ینعیِّن ْ’’ی ِّ‬ ‫ا‬

‫یسک َ‬ ‫واےلَ ْےک ُ ُ‬ ‫لمع ُ ْ ٰ‬ ‫وخاہ وہرمدوہای‬ ‫اضعئںیہنرکات‬ ‫لمعوک‬ ‫رکےن‬ ‫نمِّ َِّب ِّْعضِِّّجِّ ِّ‬ ‫ضک ْمِّم ْ ِّ‬ ‫ا ْوِّا ِّنثیِّجِّبع‬ ‫وعرت ویکہکن مت بس اکی یہ لسن ےک ےصحاور اکی یہ درتخ‬ ‫‪“O Ye People! I Who am your Creator and‬‬ ‫‪Master‬‬ ‫امکل ‪not‬‬ ‫‪suffer‬‬ ‫‪any‬‬ ‫‪worker‬‬ ‫‪do‬مت ںیم ےس‬ ‫وہں ںیم‬ ‫‪the‬اخقل و‬ ‫‪work‬اہمترا‬ ‫‪of‬مںیم وج‬ ‫ولوگ !‬ ‫اے‬ ‫ینعی ’’‬ ‫وہ۔‘‘‬ ‫اشںیخ‬ ‫یک‬ ‫‪from among you, whether male or female, for‬‬ ‫رمدوہای‬ ‫وخاہ وہ‬ ‫ںیہنرکات‬ ‫‪race‬اضعئ‬ ‫‪and‬لمعوک‬ ‫واےلےک‬ ‫‪of‬یسکلمع‬ ‫‪you‬‬ ‫‪are‬‬ ‫‪a part‬‬ ‫‪of one‬‬ ‫رکےن‪the‬‬ ‫‪branches‬‬ ‫‪1‬‬ ‫م‬ ‫”‪one tree.‬‬

‫وعرت ویکہکن مت بس اکی یہ لسن ےک ےصحاور اکی یہ درتخ‬ ‫‪relevance‬‬ ‫ےک‪to the‬‬ ‫‪specific‬‬ ‫‪ Moreover,‬م‬ ‫‪with‬اعتٰیلرفاماتےہ‪:‬‬ ‫قلعتماہلل‬ ‫وصخمصوقحقےک‬ ‫اشںیخویبی‬ ‫‪rights‬اخودن‬ ‫اور‬ ‫وہ۔‘‘ م‬ ‫یک‬ ‫‪of husband and wife, Allah the Exalted states:‬‬

‫م‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ َّ‬ ‫نِِّّ‬ ‫َول ُھ َّنِّمث ُلِّالذ ْی َِّعل ْیھ َّ ِّ‬

‫‪as wives have been made responsible‬‬ ‫‪ “Just‬م‬ ‫رفاماتےہ‪:‬‬ ‫ماوراخودنویبیےکوصخمصوقحقےکقلعتماہللاعتٰیل‬

‫َ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ْ َّ‬ ‫نِِّّ‬ ‫َول ُھ َّنِّمث ُلِّالذ ْی َِّعل ْیھ َّ ِّ‬ ‫م‬

‫م‬

‫ینعی‬

‫ایس‬ ‫م‬ ‫اس‬ ‫ینعی‬ ‫اعم‬ ‫ایس‬ ‫اگلد‬ ‫اس‬ ‫دوون‬

‫اعم‬ ‫رگم‬ ‫اگلد‬ ‫اہھت‬ ‫دوون‬ ‫رفام‬

‫رگم‬

‫اہھتہللا‬

‫رفام‬

‫ینعیہللا‬

‫ایگ‬

‫یک‬ ‫ینعی‬ ‫ےہ‬

‫ایگ‬ ‫اچےئہ‬ ‫یک‬ ‫نکیل‬ ‫ےہ‬ ‫یلص‬ ‫اچےئہ‬

‫قلعتم‬ ‫نکیل‬

‫یلص‬

‫قلعتم‬

‫ینعی’’متںیمےسدخاےکزندکیرتہبنیصخشوہےہوجاےنپالہ‬ ‫ےکاسھتنسحولسکرکےنںیمبسےسرتہب ےہاوردخاےک‬ ‫لضف ےس ںیم مت بس ںیم اینپ ویبویں ےک اسھت رتہب ولسک‬ ‫رکےنواالوہں۔‘‘ م‬

‫”‪in the treatment of my wives.‬‬

‫‪4‬‬

‫اوراسابرےںیمرقآنرشفیہیاراشدرفاماتےہہک‪ :‬م‬

‫‪With relevance to this the Holy Qur’an states:‬‬

‫َ َ‬ ‫َْ‬ ‫َعاش ُر ْو ُھ َّنِّباْل ْع ُر ْوفِّجِّفا ْنِّکر ْھ ُت ُم ْو ُھ َّنِّ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫َ َْ‬ ‫َ‬ ‫ِّش ْیئِّا َّ​ِّو َِّی ْج َع َل ُ‬ ‫ِّہللاِّف ْیہِّ‬ ‫ف َع ٰس ِّیِّا ْنِّتک َر ُھ ْوا ِّ‬ ‫َ َ‬ ‫خ ْیراِّک ْثی ِّراِّ۔‬

‫‪“O Ye Muslims! Treat your wives very kindly; And‬‬ ‫‪even‬‬ ‫‪if one‬‬ ‫اینپ‪his‬‬ ‫‪wife,‬‬ ‫‪remember‬‬ ‫ولسک ایک‬ ‫‪ of‬کین‬ ‫‪you‬تہب‬ ‫‪dislikes‬اسھت‬ ‫ویبویں ےک‬ ‫املسمون!‬ ‫ینعی ’’اے‬ ‫‪still, that perhaps you dislike a thing, but God‬‬ ‫‪has‬‬ ‫‪decreed‬‬ ‫‪good‬‬ ‫‪therein,‬مت‪you‬‬ ‫رکاتوہوت‬ ‫‪abundant‬اندنسپیھب‬ ‫صخشاینپویبی وک‬ ‫‪for‬وکیئ‬ ‫ںیمےس‬ ‫رکواورارگ‬ ‫‪as far as your end is concerned.”5‬‬

‫رھپ یھب اید روھک ہک نکمم ےہ ہک مت یسک زیچ وک دنسپ ہن رکو رگم دخا‬ ‫ےناسںیماہمترےےئلااجنمےکاحلظےستہبڑبیریخدقمر‬

‫رکریھکوہ۔‘‘‬

‫‪References‬‬ ‫ل‬

‫م‬

‫نب‬ ‫‪1)786‬‬ ‫‪Al-e-‘Imran‬‬ ‫)‪(3:196‬ہحفص ‪784‬ات‬ ‫(اتکبریستاخمتا ّنبنﷺم‪،‬‬ ‫)‪2 Al-Baqarah (2:229‬‬ ‫)‪3 An-Nisa’ (4:35‬‬ ‫‪4 * Sahihul-Bukhari, Kitabun-Nikah * Sunan At-Tirmidhi,‬‬

‫وحاہلاجت‬

‫‪Kitabul-Manaqib, Babu Faḍli Azwajin-Nabiyyisa, Hadith‬‬ ‫)‪No. 3895 (Publishers‬‬ ‫)‪5 An-Nisa’ (4:20‬‬

‫‪Taken from ‘The Life & Character of the Seal of‬‬ ‫آلرمعان‪ 196‬م‬ ‫‪1‬۔ ِ‬ ‫‪Prophetssaw’ – Volume III by Hazrat Mirza Bashir‬‬ ‫‪Ahmad, M.A.ra, p.48-49.‬‬

‫‪2‬۔وسرۃارقبلہ‪ 229‬م‬ ‫‪3‬۔وسرۃااسنلٓ ء‪ 35‬م‬

‫‪4‬۔اخبریاتکبااکنلح م‬ ‫‪5‬۔وسرۃااسنلٓء‪ 20‬م‬ ‫م‬

Book Recommendation:

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF THE HOLY QUR’AN

By Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad Khalifatul Masih IIra

Waaqifeen are advised to read the book Introduction to the Study of the Holy Qur’an. This is an inspiring introduction initially written as a prologue to the English translation and commentary of the Holy Qur’an. The first section ‘General Introduction’, covers a wide range of topics concerning the need for the revelation of the Holy Qur’an in the presence of other religious books.

The second section presents an excellent and affectionate life sketch of the Holy Prophetsaw of Islam – this chapter should be read as part of the Waqf-e-Nau syllabus1. The next section highlights the validity of the Holy Qur’an in contrast to any other sacred scripture and how it has remained preserved intact, free from interference and interpolation. This section includes topics explaining the compilation of the Holy Qur’an; some prophecies in the Holy Qur’an and how these have been fulfilled. It also presents the main characteristics of the Qur’anic teachings.

Introduction to the Study of the Holy Qur’an is available to read online at www.alislam.org.2

1 2

https://www.waqfenauintl.org/age-15-21/ https://www.alislam.org/book/introduction-study-holy-quran/

The Delight of My Eyes: Syed Taalay Ahmed Shaheed – Student years Syed Taalay Ahmed at nursery

Amtushakoor Tayyaba Ahmed (Umm-e-Taalay – Mother of Taalay) (Aritcle from Al Hakam)

“Our Lord, grant us of our spouses and children the delight of [our] eyes, and make [each of] us a leader of the righteous.” (Surah al-Furqan, Ch.25: V.75) The verse above teaches us to ask for the delight of our eyes and I am sure, like myself, many Ahmadi mothers have made this request and submission to Allah the Almighty even before they became mothers.

By the grace and mercy of Allah, in Taalay’s case, he surpassed any expectations or assumptions I had regarding the fulfilment of his waqf pledge, Alhamdulillah. In the words of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih VMay Allah be his Helper: “He fulfilled the pledge he made with me and did justice to it”. (Al Hakam, 3 September 2021, www.alhakam.org/in-memory-of-a-fortunate-taalay-when-taalay-actually-meansfortunate/) Both my husband and I are extremely humbled by Taalay’s martyrdom and we are extremely grateful to Allah the Almighty for the blessing of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya on our wonderful Jama’at, Alhamdulillah.

There are two incidents in Taalay’s formative years, when he was a teenager, which I would like to share with readers of Al Hakam as I think they are not only interesting, but also inspiring in a way that can help others to confidently deal with modern-day societal challenges.

Taalay, aged four

AS A CHILD Taalay was an extremely intelligent child from a very young age. He had an excellent memory and as mentioned by beloved Hazuraba in his Friday Sermon of 3rd September, Taalay learnt a number of chapters of the Holy Qur’an from part 30 when he was only three years old.

In those days there used to be free dinosaur toys that came with breakfast cereal boxes and a new dinosaur toy would be Taalay’s reward once he had learnt a new Surah (chapter).

I remember telling my mother which chapters he had learnt and she was surprised and perhaps a little sceptical until she heard him recite them herself.

As Taalay grew older and began going to nursery, and then school, his speech and language skills seemed extraordinary. He loved to talk, play word games and rhymes. I remember a surprising conversation with him when he came back from nursery.

We lived in Abu Dhabi at the time and spoke Urdu in our home, although being from the UK, I had taught Taalay English too. However, English could be said to be more of a second language for him at the time.

One day, he returned home; again, he was around three or four. He retold me what had happened in nursery that day and that his teacher, “Miss Karen” had played a word game with him in which she would say a word and Taalay would have to find another matching word, e.g. if she said “sock”, he would say “shoe”; if she said “leg”, he would say “arm”. Taalay recited what seemed to be the whole game word-for-word and I noted that not only had he been very successful at the game with his teacher, he also seemed to remember the whole sequence.

Taalay, second row, first child on the left. Miss Karen, Taalay’s teacher, in the back row, wearing glasses

Once, in primary school, Taalay began to also show an incredible ability with numbers. In fact, in later years, I realised the fact that he could complete mathematical calculations in his head without even sometimes knowing how he did this, meaning he did not need to write or learn methods the way most students do – which actually was of detriment by the time he reached A levels as all students need to show their methods by that stage to gain marks!

Taalay at primary school, aged 10

ENGLISH MARTYR’S SIXTH FORM COLLEGE HEAD STUDENT However, it was during his time as a student at English Martyr’s Sixth Form College that he became head student and there is one remarkable incident during his time at college that I have thought about many times and would like to narrate for the benefit of readers, particularly teenage students who may experience similar challenges during their student years.

Taalay at sixth form

As those of us who do not aspire to achieve the mantle of head student in our school and college years know, becoming head student is no mean feat. It requires policy suggestions, a successful campaign and a high level of confidence and popularity, all of which Taalay was blessed with, by the grace of Allah. The role comes with a range of responsibilities, of course, and it was a few weeks later that Taalay broached the topic of the annual college party, which was a long-standing tradition that required the presence of the head student.

Taalay explained to me that the party would take place in a nightclub and although he did not desire to go there, it was his duty to attend and welcome the other students. He suggested that after he had welcomed everyone, he would return home quickly.

What happened that evening has always been a source of happiness and amazement to me.

When Taalay arrived at the nightclub, surprisingly, all the students were standing outside.

The owner of the club, although knowing the club had been booked for the night and paid for, had realised that all the students, barring four, were still 17 years old. Therefore, the nightclub (which only allowed people over the age of 18 years in) needed to get some further permissions before the sixth formers were allowed in.

Whilst everyone was outside of the nightclub, Taalay was able to greet all his friends and year-mates as head boy. Not only this, as was always his way, he light-heartedly entertained them with a few jokes etc., before returning home. It was only after Taalay had left that the rest of the year group was allowed to go into the nightclub!

This incident demonstrates how Allah the Almighty finds ways and means to save his loved ones from harmful company and the more Allah loves someone, the more He protects them, Alhamdulillah.

QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY LONDON The second incident that I wish to mention happened as Taalay began his biomedical sciences degree at Queen Mary University in London. Making new friends in a new environment provides a support system for students beginning a new independent phase of life. Such friends have an important place, providing company and support in free time and during study hours.

This was also the case for Taalay.

Having moved from his home and familiar surroundings and friendships in Hartlepool in the North East, he was now in East London, a completely unfamiliar place for him and he was glad when he made a friend (I think he was called Alan). Alan, who was a great support in many ways, however, also wished for Taalay to accompany him Taalay at sixth form on some of the get-togethers and parties that the other students were enjoying. Taalay had politely declined all such invitations. Until one occasion.

I found out what had happened one evening at the end of October 2008. Taalay rang me as he was sitting on the London Underground on the way to Southfields. He explained that as Alan had requested him so many times to accompany him to parties, finally, just to pacify him, he had agreed to go with him to a party for a short while that evening.

“Guess what, Mama!”, he happily exclaimed. “I remembered this evening that Hazuraba was having a family mulaqat and I felt a sudden desire that I must go. (Some informal meetings for the extended family would take place in Hazur’saba home at that time.) However, once I began the journey, I remembered that today, I had agreed to go to the party for a short while with Alan. Now I’ll just have to explain to him I forgot!” Taalay sounded very happy and content at this turn of events Masha’Allah.

So, this is what happened the next time Taalay had an innocent plan to go to a party!

His love for Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba prevented him from doing something that was not good for him.

Through the years that followed, these mulaqats (meetings) with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba were the highlight of Taalay’s days. Almost always, after each mulaqat, Taalay would ring his father or I and happily narrate anything Hazuraba had said to him or his family members.

As Taalay became more and more occupied with MTA work, or other Jama’at related work, or his personal in-depth research into Islam Ahmadiyyat, I learnt that Taalay’s time and attention was more and more precious. Yet after each mulaqat, sometimes, even fairly late at night, the phone would ring and Taalay’s excitement was, by the grace of Allah, irrepressible.

Taalay (on the right) in the company of Huzoor during his college-going days

There is an incident recorded about the Holy Prophetsaw when he was a youth and he set off to attend an evening gathering of the style of those times. It is likely the gathering would not have been according to the dignity of our beloved Holy Prophetsaw, so slumber overtook him and he woke up in the morning to find he had missed the event. (Tarikh alTabari, Vol. 2, p. 207, Babu Dhikri Rasulillahisaw wa Asbabihi [Darul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, 2002]) It is surely a source of delight to parents like myself reading this that the blessings bestowed by Allah the Almighty on His Chosen Holy Prophet Muhammad Rasulullahsaw are also bestowed to this day on his humble followers, particularly those that have joined the beautiful Jama’at of his Ardent Devotee, the Promised Messiahas.

May Allah continue to shower such blessings on our son in Heaven and on this wonderful and blessed community, that is Jama’at-e-Ahmadiyya. Amin.

َّ َ َ َ َّ َ ُ ٰ ٰ َ َّ َّ َ ُ ٰ َ ِّ َ َّ ُ ّٰ ٌ‫یت َع ٰیل ْ َ�اھ ْ َ� َو َع ٰیل ٰال ْ َ�اھ ْ َ� َّن َک َح ْی ٌد َّم ْید‬ َ ‫اللھم صل عیل مم ٍد وعیل ا ِل مم ٍد کا صل‬ ِ‫ِ اِ ب ِ ی ا‬ ‫ِ ِج‬ ‫اِ ب ِ ی‬ ٌ‫ّٰالل ُھ َّم َ�ر ْک َع ٰیل ُ َم َّمد َّو َع ٰیل ٰال ُ َم َّمد َ َکا َ� َر ْک َت َع ٰیل ْ َ�اھ ْ َ� َو َع ٰیل ٰال ْ َ�اھ ْ َ� َّن َک َح ْی ٌد َّم ْید‬ ِ‫ِ اِ ب ِ ی ا‬ ‫ِ ِج‬ ‫ب‬ ٍ ٍ ‫اِ ب ِ ی‬ ِ ِ‫ب‬ “Bless, O Allah, Muhammadsaw and the people of Muhammadsaw, as Thou didst bless Abrahamas and the people of Abrahamas. Thou art indeed the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.

“Prosper, O Allah, Muhammadsaw and the people of Muhammadsaw, as Thou didst prosper Abrahamas and the people of Abrahamas. Thou art indeed the Praiseworthy, the Glorious.”

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V to his beloved Taalay \ (A persona poem) Odyssey of our time O my Lord! My Allah! What station have you brought me to?

Are lay ahead a thousand tasks, that you alone can take me through.

What shall I do? I do not know So I have trust in only You. I raised my head from humble prayer and opened my eyes to see my troops All ready to march, all steady in stance, All armed and alert, all set in groups.

I thanked my Lord, glanced proudly at them, There were men of letters, and masters of speech; Their passion, their zeal, as if on fire, And nothing beyond their ardent reach.

Doctors and nurses, and fiery orators, While many were trained as scientists; Masons and builders, teachers and students, And thousands of skills, on scrolls of lists.

I looked across, and left, and right, When hidden away I saw a nook Where stood a boy, all on his own, But in his eyes, a strange, deep look I took my troops, and started to march My time was precious, I had to proceed, I marched, I conquered, I won, I went on, As my battlefield, was the whole world indeed.

But every halt, and every break, Would bring flashbacks, of those bright eyes; So loyal they were, that they shone with love, And his wings were of a falcon, ready to rise.

It was as if he spoke, and I’d hear him say “I might be too young, I may be too frail, “But take me along, and let me fight, You’ll see me endure, and I shall not fail.”

I would march on, my troops would follow, We would progress, we would recruit, And then one day, I saw a new face Standing before me, with a firm salute The boy had grown, he was now a man His eyes were brighter, his wings full blown, “Give me my sword,” he said, “and give me my armour, I’m here my master! To lay flesh and bone.”

In the battle of morals, in a war for peace To give him the best, I looked for a weapon; The Holy Quran, being the best shield and sword I handed it over, and let him step in.

He fought in my troops, but he was distinct While all stayed ahead, he fought at the rear; He rarely was seen, but a tactic it was It was a crucial post, and he wanted to be there He clung to me like armour, he stood by me on guard Fighting by my side, but staying out of sight, I’d only give a hint, and leap he would to obey While guarding the centre, he’d fight left and right.

He cared for my future, my present, my past; Collating every moment, he walked, he flew, he drove.

As through my past he treaded, he found some memories buried But for him it was like, he’d found a treasure trove.

My long kept, bygone memories, he looked at each of them He wept, and hugged and kissed them, as if he’d hit his goal.

To save them and protect them, he lay inside the trove; And this is how we found him, his body, life and soul.

I knew you always loved me, you did not need to prove But that how much I love you, if only you could know.

This trove is now a treasure, and ought to be laid to rest, So it can always flourish, and love can ever grow.

My soldier! I must tell you, that you shall ever live!

I promise, O beloved! Your soul shall never die!

And never will you walk alone, as many more shall follow, Your heart will keep on beating, your blood shall never dry!

To pay respects shall always come, the pious, the saints and sages, And epics of eternal love, shall save you in their pages.

(An abridged English rendering of ‘Shahnama-e-Shaheed’ by Asif M Basit) https://www.alfazl.com/2021/09/08/34703/

Kids' Spread Back to School - the importance of keeping good company ‘O ye w h o b e li eve ! Fe ar A llah an d be w ith th e tr uth f u l.’ ( Hol y Qur ’an, 9: 11 9)

The new school year has started, which is an opportunity to reunite with

old friends and to also make new ones! Beloved Hazur, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba, has given us some guidance on how important it is to always

be in the company of good people. In a Friday Sermon1, Hazuraba explained:

• Humans are naturally impressed and affected by the environment they are in, even subconsciously.

• Being friends with people of high morals helps us to make positive

changes within ourselves too. We learn good things and continually correct and better ourselves!

• The Promised Messiahas said that the goodness of the people around us reaches us like a person’s fragrant perfume would spread to the people around them.

• When we are in the company of good people, we are showered with the blessings of Allah.

Hazuraba also reminded us that:

• Being in the company of immoral people has a negative effect.

• For this reason, whenever the Holy Prophetsaw was in a gathering, he used to repeatedly recite Istighfar (seek forgiveness from Allah).

• If someone takes us away from Allah, they are not a true friend and

we should keep away from them.

• Hazuraba also told us that if we are in a place where the name of Allah and his prophets is being degraded, we should leave that gathering immediately.

The Arabic word ‘Hasana’ (good) means piety, benefit, something which is

good from every aspect and which has a good result. Hazuraba mentioned in a Friday Sermon2 that good friends are indeed a ‘Hasana’ from among

the ‘Hasana’ of the world. We should always pray Allah blesses us with truthful, pious friends and makes us a good friend for others. Ameen!

References: 1. https://www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2004-06-11.html 2. https://www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/printer-friendly-summary-2013-03-08.html

How to choose good company It is important to make good choices for oneself when it comes to choosing who to spend your time with. This does not mean we should be judgemental of others; we must always be polite and respectful to everyone. However, we can choose to distance ourselves from people who could have a bad influence on us. Here is a quiz you can play to help you make the right choice!

START

Does your friend always tell the truth and encourage you to do the same?

Does your friend peer pressure you or others to do things you do not want to ?

YES

YES NO

NO Is your friend supportive of your religious beliefs and personal decisions?

NO

Does your friend speak to everyone in a respectful manner?

NO

YES

NO

Does your friend avoid gossiping and arguing with others?

YES

YES

Is your friend kind and caring to others?

NO

Keep your distance from this person!

It is best to limit your time with this person

YES

A good friend choice!

Find the word in the puzzle. Words can go in any direction.

Words can share letters as they cross over each other.

Blessings Friendship Hasana Istighfar Kindness Morals Piety Positivity Truthfulness

MY JALSA SALANA UK 2021 EXPERIENCE Hamooda Arif Jalsa Salana is an important event in the Ahmadi Muslim Community calendar. No matter what part of the world you are from, there is a Jalsa Salana held every year to bring the community together to rejuvenate faith and unity within the community.

The Promised Messiahas says:

“The primary purpose of this Convention is to enable every sincere individual to personally experience religious benefits; They may enhance their knowledge and – due to their being blessed and enabled

by Allah, The Exalted – their perception [of Allah] may progress.

Among its secondary benefits is that this congregational meeting together will promote mutual introduction among all brothers, and it will strengthen the fraternal ties within this Community.”

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

The Promised Messiahas highlighted the importance of attending Jalsa Salana:

“It is essential for all those who can afford to undertake the journey, that they must come to attend this Convention which embodies many blessed objectives. They should disregard minor inconveniences in the cause of Allah and His prophet (peace be upon him.). Allah yields reward to the sincere persons at every step of their way, and no labour and hardship, undertaken in His way, ever goes to waste.

I re-emphasize that you must not rank this convention in the same

league as other, ordinary, human assemblies. This is a phenomenon that is based purely on the Divine Help, for propagation of Islam.”

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

Jalsa Salana UK has become an International Jalsa. As Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih VMay Allah be his helper resides here, each year tens of thousands of people travel from all over the world to partake in this blessed event.

However, for over two years, the world has been greatly impacted by the Covid pandemic, which has put a halt to many worldly activities. Jamaati activities have carried on but everything had to be moved online, with meetings and events being held virtually. So, when it was announced that Jalsa Salana UK was going to be held, albeit on a much smaller scale, it was a breath of fresh air! There are over 30,000 Ahmadis in the UK, so it would have been logistically impossible to accommodate such a large attendance in the current Covid climate. So, a registration system was put in place, providing you met the age criterion and were fully vaccinated, along with other clauses, one could register to attend the event. Names were then drawn out randomly and invitations were sent out which would allow entry to Jalsa Salana UK. Members were allowed to attend 1 out of 3 days, unless they were on duty, in which case they would be allowed to attend all 3 days.

As the summer holidays had started, my husband and I, along with our two children, made the 4.5hour journey from our home in Yorkshire down to the south of the country to my parents’ house, which is a mere 15 minutes from Hadeeqatul Mahdi.

I continued to pray leading up to the Jalsa Salana weekend, ready to accept whatever the outcome may be. To the last moment, I was unsure of whether I would be able to attend Jalsa in person.

I knew that I would be ‘on duty’ but it would most probably be off-site, working from home. I was still looking forward to it, as any opportunity to be a part of this event would be a blessing.

However, my Nazima called to confirm that I would in fact be on duty on site, all 3 days of Jalsa Salana, as part of a very humble 3-member Lajna team for The Review of Religions. I was overjoyed and felt so humbled in that moment. I was not only going to be able to attend Jalsa Salana but I would be attending all 3 days! Alhamdolilah. Then suddenly, I came to the realisation – I will be able to see Hazuraba and offer prayers behind my beloved after almost 18 months. I could not contain my excitement!

JALSA SALANA UK 2021: INSPECTION The inspection Ceremony of Jalsa Salana UK was to be held on Thursday, a day before Jalsa Salana was to commence. On Thursday morning, as my mother, father, husband, brothers were getting ready to attend the inspection, I was getting ready to work from home and help out with Jalsa work for The Review of Religions website. We had been very busy and things were only going to get busier. I then received another call from my Nazima, asking me to attend the inspection ceremony! I could not believe it! I would be seeing Hazuraba a day before I initially thought!

My dear sister-in-law and sister helped with taking care of my children and in no time, I was ready to go to Hadeeqatul Mahdi. This year the checklist to ensure we were Jalsa-ready was slightly different: daily NHS lateral flow tests, Covid vaccine passport, masks, wellies, raincoat!

I arrived at Hadeeqatul Mahdi earlier than I needed to be there but I could not wait! It was a beautiful, bright sunny August day (that would soon change to torrential downpour) and a smile was permanently affixed on my face, despite my mask covering it. I stepped out of the car, welly and rain jacket-clad, obviously, and stood atop the Hadeeqatul Mahdi hill and saw 'Tent City' before me. Alhamdolilah. What a site Masha'Allah.

A series of checks followed, which included Covid test results, vaccination passports, temperature, AIMS ID, security before I was allowed through to the Lajna Jalsa Site.

Again, I stopped to take it all in. The wet mud, the erected white marquees, the banners welcoming Jalsa guests, Covid safety reminders. It was smaller than our normal Jalsa but after being deprived of this for the last two years, it was nothing short of perfect.

I took out my phone and got started on work immediately, taking videos and pictures. My duty was to report everything I could from the Lajna site for readers at home. I bumped into many familiar faces on my way to the Lajna Jalsa Gah. What I noticed was despite not being particularly close to these sisters, it was so comforting seeing them, saying salaam, talking to them, ensuring they and their families were healthy and well.

I started approaching sisters on duty and interviewing them about their roles and their emotions on being able to serve and attend Jalsa

this year. The consensus was that all of them felt fortunate and humbled by the opportunity to serve and attend this ‘special Jalsa’ and were all eagerly waiting to see Hazur-e-Aqdasaba.

Soon, Zuhr time approached and we took our places for namaz, abiding by social distancing guidelines. Suddenly, a voice was heard through the microphone. It was Hazur’saba voice! We all looked around in disbelief and shock and soon it was clear that not many Lajna knew that Hazuraba would be leading the prayers. The atmosphere within the marquee changed. Everyone was tearyeyed and a sudden silence fell in the Jalsa Gah. Hazuraba did in fact lead the Zuhr and Asr prayers. It was a truly emotional and spiritually cleansing experience. My heart felt like it had been carrying a burden for months and suddenly it felt lighter, cleaner. Each and every rakaat lead by Hazuraba served as a balm, healing us of the cruel deprivation of 18 months! I remember praying: Oh Allah, please never let me forget this moment, this feeling. During namaz, I kept thinking about the countless Ahmadis around the world, who have never had this opportunity before. Who have never even seen Hazuraba. My yearning surely did not compare to theirs! I felt overwhelmed. I prayed for them. I promised to never take the opportunity of praying behind Hazuraba for granted.

It was a huge blessing and we should count ourselves extremely fortunate to experience this. I grew up in London, around the Fazl Mosque area and our whole life revolved around the Jama’at and the mosque. We would spend so much of our time at the mosque, it was almost like an extension to our home. In that moment, after almost two years away, I felt like I was home. Our spiritual Father had united us in person, once again.

After namaz, I looked around the Lajna Jalsa Gah, without exchanging a single word, we all felt the same way. This was surely no ordinary event! And how very fortunate I was to be part of a workforce who would be hosting the guests of the Promised Messiahas from the next day. It was truly a humbling feeling. Alhamdolilah.

Soon, the Inspection ceremony commenced and Hazuraba spoke to the duty holders about their roles and responsibilities. Great emphasis was put on cleanliness and hygiene due to Covid guidelines, plus the worsening weather, which would bring with it more challenges. Hazur’saba words served as a booster, recharged us and cleared us of the rust that had been accumulating for the last 2 years. By the Grace of God, we were ready to host the guests of the Promised Messiahas at Jalsa Salana UK. JALSA SALANA UK 2021: DAY 1 Day 1 started on a sunny note, which made trudging through the soft mud all the more fun in Hadeeqatul Mahdi. Each and every volunteer and attendee had a smile on their face, and although it was covered by their mask, it was evident through the sparkle in their eyes.

During the Friday sermon Hazuraba reminded attendees and duty holders of their responsibilities during Jalsa Salana. The Juma prayers, were again, an emotional affair. Those that were not on duty and did not attend the inspection the day before, experienced the same spiritually uplifting feeling of offering prayers behind their beloved Imam. It had clearly been a long few months for everyone!

This was followed by the flag hoisting ceremony by Hazuraba which marked the official inauguration of Jalsa Salana UK. Lunch followed and I can say for sure, alu gosht had been sorely missed and each attendee enjoyed every morsel of the langar of the Promised Messiahas. Alhamdolilah.

The highlight of the day was Hazur’saba inaugural address, in which Hazuraba spoke about how one can achieve the true purpose of Jalsa, which in essence is: to quench our spiritual thirst. Hazuraba said we should tread the path of righteousness and shun worldliness, attain nearness to God, suppress anger, develop brotherhood, adopt humility and establish truthfulness, to bring about a pure change within ourselves. (https://www.reviewofreligions. org/33207/address-at-the-inaugural-session-ofjalsa-salana-uk-2021-righteousness-and-mutuallove-fulfilling-the-true-purpose-of-jalsa-officialsummary/) The notorious British weather deserves a mention, for it rained and rained, and although it presented many challenges, the workers and attendees remained resolute.

JALSA SALANA UK 2021: DAY 2 For the Lajna, the second day of Jalsa Salana is very special, as Hazuraba graces the Lajna marquee to deliver his address. Naturally, there was a larger attendance of women on this day. I spoke to a few mothers who told us about their childcare arrangements for the day. Families and friends came to each other’s aid. Fathers stepped up to the challenge of keeping the kids entertained for the day and grandparents happily obliged too.

Many women spoke about the preparations they had made for their families before making their journey to Hadeeqatul Mahdi - a meal was cooked, activities had been planned and children were reassured that ‘don’t worry, Mama will be back soon’.

During the break, several women could be found in a quiet corner of the marquee or outside, calling in to check on the children, comforting those that were struggling to be apart from them, with promises being made of sweet treats if Jalsa proceedings were listened to, if namaz was offered and if they were behaving well.

Several women commented that though it was a blessing to be attending Jalsa Salana, as it felt strange without their children.

And then there were our volunteers, who arrived early every morning and worked into the late hours of the night, leaving their children and homes, to serve the guests of the Promised Messiahas. Their dedication is a true embodiment of the Lajna pledge ‘I shall always be ready to sacrifice my life, property, time and children for the cause of faith’. May Allah the Almighty accept their efforts and reward them abundantly. Ameen.

Hazur’saba address at the Lajna Gah was on the topic of the rights and responsibilities of men and women. Hazuraba said how important it was to open our spiritual eyes in a time of worldliness.

Hazuraba spoke about the rights given to women in Islam, marriage in Islam, rights owed to one’s family, treating women with justice and the spiritual rank of women.

To think that so many worldly activities came to a halt last year due to the pandemic, yet the work of Jama’at-e-Ahmadiyya did not stop. In fact, the Community continues to prosper and grow.

Hazur’saba address at the third session of Jalsa Salana UK, spoke about the progress of the Jama’at.

With the Grace of God, new Jama’ats were established, mosques were built, books were published, audiobooks were recorded, websites were launched and apps were made available, to mention a few.

125, 221 souls from across the globe joined the fold of Islam Ahmadiyya in the last year too, despite restrictions for Tabligh due to Covid. Alhamdolilah! (https://www.reviewofreligions.org/33317/address-at-the-third-session-of-jalsa-salana-uk-2021extraordinary-progress-for-the-ahmadiyya-muslim-community-throughout-the-year-officialsummary/) JALSA SALANA UK 2021: DAY 3 For many, the highlight of Jalsa Salana UK is the Bai’at ceremony – where one reaffirms their allegiance to Khalifatul Masih. Although there was no Bai’at ceremony this year, each prayer behind Hazuraba served as a spiritual cleanse, purifying our souls.

Hazur’saba concluding address was a continuation from the concluding address of Jalsa Salana UK 2019. It was as if there had been no gaps.

During this address, Hazuraba spoke about fulfilling the rights of others. Hazuraba reminded us that until we are grateful to our fellow people, we cannot be grateful to God. Hazuraba went on to highlight the rights of friends, of the sick, taking care of orphans, rights of oaths and the rights of others during wartime. Hazuraba mentioned that if these rights are upheld, then true peace and harmony can be established in the world. (https://www.reviewofreligions.org/33449/address-at-the-finalsession-of-jalsa-salana-uk-2021-fulfilling-the-rights-of-others-official-summary/)

The three blessed days passed by so quickly, each day brimming with faith-inspiring and spiritually uplifting speeches. God’s Grace had made this event a true success, and it was evident for all to see.

Through the hard physical labour put in by hundreds on site to erect ‘Tent City’, to the offices brimming with paperwork that ensured the logistics of the event, to the thousands of workers that spent endless hours leading up to this weekend to ensure the guests of the Promised Messiahas were well looked after in all capacities, and most importantly in the faces and smiles of those volunteers, who continued to troop on despite the challenges presented to them by Covid restrictions. Even the notorious British weather could not wipe the smile off their faces. Clad in wellies and raincoats, all working together like clockwork, to make this blessed event a success in all respects. As though angels had descended amongst them to ensure everything was executed perfectly.

What kept them going? They worked for the sake of Allah the Almighty and under direct guidance of His chosen one, the Caliph of the time, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba.

May Allah the Almighty end this pandemic so our Jalsas and events can return to their full grandeur, Ameen.

Tarbiyyat Page Taken from the concluding address by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V(May Allah be his Helper) at theNational Waqifaat-e-Nau Ijtema UK on the 24th February 2018.

THE HIGH STATUS OF WOMEN IN

ISLAM AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF WAQIFAAT-E-NAU “In the establishment and development of any nation or community, the women play a fundamental and vital role, as the responsibility for the training of the future generations lies in the hands of mothers. They are the nation builders. Amongst you there are many Waqifaat-e-Nau who are now yourselves mothers, or are at an age where you will soon be married, Insha’Allah. Even the younger ones present will in a few years reach a similar age, Insha’Allah and so they too will one day take up the mantle of training the coming generations. Thus, you must all understand your responsibilities.” → Take pride in the fact that your primary duty is to raise the standards of the future generations, by setting the very highest standards for them to learn from and follow. → It is your task to guide your children in a way that they understand their faith and come to live their lives according to the true teachings of Islam. This is a great responsibility and challenge for all of you because you are the ones who can facilitate and unlock the doors to a spiritual revolution in society. → Undoubtedly, it is essential for all Ahmadi Muslims to set a pious example for their children, however it is particularly important for you, members of the Waqf-e-Nau scheme or Waqifaat-e-Nau, to set the highest standards, because your parents pledged your lives for the sake of your faith and upon reaching maturity, you have voluntarily renewed that pledge. → Therefore, it is essential that you live your lives according to the commands of Allah and follow the teachings of the Holy Prophetsaw at all times. Seek to replicate those levels of faith and morals that were displayed by the early Muslim women in the time of the Holy Prophetsaw.

→ Throughout his life, the Promised Messiahas shined an incandescent light upon our faith, illuminating the path towards Allah the Almighty. Hence, it should not be that whilst growing up in the Western world, you start to adopt those habits or beliefs that are contrary to the teachings of Islam. → By all means, adopt those things that are good in society, but never forget that our true guiding light is, and always will be, the Holy Qur’an and that our true role model is the Holy Prophetsaw of Islam. → Rather than following the superficial glamour of the world, or being influenced by modern trends that come and go, we must follow and heed the everlasting and timeless teachings of the Holy Qur’an. → Muslim women have no need to campaign or advocate for their rights, rather all they need is to understand their faith so that they fully comprehend the rights that Islam has granted them. Only then will they be in a position to utilise those rights for their benefit and progress. → Allah the Almighty has Himself established the rights of women and so it is essential that you read the Holy Qur’an and its commentaries and you study the Hadith and the books of the Promised Messiahas. By doing so, you will gain knowledge of your faith and it will remove any lingering traces of an inferiority complex, or a belief that Muslim women have been deprived in any way. → It is not just enough to understand your rights, but at this time, in this era, it is up to Ahmadi Muslims to educate and inform other people and other communities about what Islam has given them. You should let the world know that you do not aspire to follow the ways of today’s so-called developed and progressive people and nor do you have any need to demand your rights. You are already the recipients of all that you need and desire. Rather than following the world, you, as members of Waqf-e-Nau, are the people who have voluntarily presented yourselves for a lifetime of service to your faith so that you can guide the world. → It is incumbent upon you to manifest and proclaim the beautiful teachings of Islam at every opportunity.

WAQF IN THE FIELD: STEM CELL RESEARCH

Mahedah Rehman

My name is Mahedah Rehman Raja, and by the Grace of Allah, I am Waqfe Nau. This has been in the forefront of my mind during my whole life, especially throughout the times when I even contemplated on giving up on whatever course of action I was doing. This is because, whatever work, education, or opportunities I have sought, are not for my own personal benefit, but are so that I can be a good Waqf and servant of Allah. Without a reason of doubt the most important and vital tool in my arsenal has been and always will be the prayers and guidance of Beloved Hazur-e-Aqdasaba, as he has been the driving force and inspiration for my education, career and service.

How I ended up in my current field?

I am currently a PhD student, studying stem cells. However, if I was to go back to my 13 years old self, and tell her this, she would not believe it. The reason being, that I remember, standing outside one of my science lessons and vowing that once the compulsory sciences were over at GCSEs, I would never walk into a science lab again. Such was my disdain for the sciences. However, Hazuraba must have seen something in me. Possibly because, during a few Waqfe Nau classes with Hazuraba, I had presented various sciencerelated topics, including a research article on grumpiness and a review of one part of the exhibit on the Golden Ages in Islam at the Science Museum.

Thus, when we went to a family Mulaqat with Hazuraba, to request prayers for my GSCEs, Hazuraba immediately said to me, “Mahedah, you are good at science, you will do Medicine!”

At that moment, I was left speechless. Here was our beloved Khalifatul Masihaba, who believed in me, more so than I did myself, and as stunned as I was, I was compelled to agree with Hazuraba and began focussing on my studies, in particular the sciences.

Now that I had an aim, I was adamant to stay focussed, so that I could make Hazuraba and my parents proud. I worked hard to gain exceptional GCSE results for which I also obtained an award from Hazuraba at Jalsa Salana UK. However, when I did my A-levels, my grades dipped. Furthermore, having done work experience at a hospital, I was very disheartened and felt like I did not fit in as a medic. This worried me, as it meant that I had somewhat already failed as a Waqfe Nau. During this time, I wrote to Hazuraba on multiple occasions, and Hazuraba would always benevolently reply with prayers for academic success, and advice to stay punctual in my daily prayers. With this in mind, I decided to do a degree in Biomedical Sciences at St George’s University. Being at St George’s, also allowed me to regularly go to Masjid Fazl and Baitul Futuh. In the second year of my studies, I was also given an opportunity by a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Scientist Association in the United States, to do an internship at the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital Research centre. Here, it became apparent to me that Medicine does not require me to become a medic, but that this is a vast field and that I may be better off in a different career.

INTERNSHIP After this experience, I again wrote to Hazuraba. I detailed to him my experience, and how after the end of my degree I wanted advice and guidance on what the best course of action would be. It was at this time, that Hazuraba encouraged me to “pursue a PhD”.

Thus, numerous applications later, and with the help of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Research Association, I was not only able to secure a PhD position at King’s College London but was also awarded a studentship for four years.

For me, this was nothing short of a miracle. I was an average student at best and had heard how people with years of work experience and expertise struggled to find projects, supervisors, and funding, so much so, that many people eventually give up.

Hence, I was overwhelmed. Not only was I amongst the youngest in my cohort but outside of the knowledge of my degree, I had very little expertise amongst my peers.

I spent the first year at King’s College doing another Masters, in which I tried my hand at many different projects. When it came to choosing my final project for the next three years, I went back to Hazuraba.

This time in a family Mulaqat, I requested Hazur’saba guidance on what I should do. I told him the potential topics that were available for me to choose. It was at this time, that Hazuraba prioritised them for me, he initially said that I should try and do stem cell research. And from that point onwards, that was the project on which I started working on, and am still working on today. One peculiar thing for me that Hazuraba mentioned in the Mulaqat at the time was, that as I was getting married now, I should ask my husband’s opinion first. These words of Hazuraba stayed with me for quite some time. I realised, they were in line with Hazur’saba guidance to Waqfe Nau girls, in which he has said time and time again in classes as well as in his sermons, that beyond our studies and careers, our Waqf inculcates that we work towards having pious and righteous families too.

Affiliation with the Jama’at From an early age, it was ingrained in me that I was a Waqfe Nau, and my time would and should be dedicated to my faith and the community. Thus, from an early age, I would be sure to attend regular prayers at the mosque as well as attend local Nasirat and Waqfe nau classes, and classes with Hazuraba.

With the spirit instilled in me from these, and having seen my family members also serve the Jama’at, I was exceptionally motivated to also partake in these blessings.

Hence, from the beginning of my time at university I also became a part of the MTA International Lajna Subtitling team. This was a new department, and thus gave me ample opportunity to learn numerous skills and find what suited me. I remember I enjoyed going to volunteer so much, that I would often go to the office after a full day of lectures at university. In one instance, I had been unable to volunteer for a while due to a hectic exam schedule, so right after my final exam I went directly to Baitul Futuh to subtitle a program that was airing soon. I found it to be a great way to divert my mind from how I did, as well as meet girls who had now become friends, and pray in congregation.

SUBTITLING

Being part of this team has increased my confidence immensely. When I began subtitling, the program that we worked on was the Friday Sermon, which needed to be subtitled in English once the official translation was provided to us. However, soon the team expanded to include more languages. My mother always says that any education that you receive, never goes to waste. I felt this was very true as I would help with subtitling the Friday Sermon and eventually other programs in Spanish, even though I only had studied it at GCSEs. Beyond that though, when needed Allah Almighty had enabled me to help with languages, that I did not know at all. These included Arabic, Persian and German. Furthermore, as a Subtitler of many years I was able to train numerous girls, even having been part of a team of people who were sent by Hazuraba to Germany to train the team there. This filled me with pride, as I was able to pass on what I had learnt to more people, so that a greater number of people could benefit from this blessing.

AMWSA & AMRA

Another aspect of my career, which very seamlessly integrated into my life and studies was my election as the President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Student’s Association – AMWSA. This was a wholly different responsibility to have. Not only was I representing the student Lajna body, but I was expected to cater for students and take part in Tabligh.

I felt unprepared and too naïve for such a great responsibility. However, soon after my appointment as President, Hazuraba had a sitting with the AMWSA team. In this Mulaqat, Hazuraba graciously asked us about our concerns, and addressed each of us individually.

He also gave us so much advice and guidance, which served as a checklist for us to complete throughout my Presidency. It gave us ideas, resources and topics that needed to be addressed and were also known to the student body. This was a motivational push that inspired me and the team members, and I believe, blessed our efforts. Not only were we then able to help numerous girls, and also begin new initiatives. On a personal level, I was able to learn and gain more religious knowledge as I prepared presentations and for question-and-answer sessions, especially with regards to contemporary issues.

During this time at University, I distinctly remember that I used to try my best to also do Tabligh. My attempt was to inform lab members, supervisors and policy-makers at university about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, but also how modern science is not in contention with religion. Often at times, I would listen to Friday Sermon in the office. In one instance, my supervisor even told me that he was surprised that I would observe my faith to such an extent, whilst also studying science. At a time when my supervisor was hopeful that I may continue my master’s project beyond my degree, he also jokingly remarked that, “You should come back here and don’t just run off to the mosque.”

After this, I also served in the Lajna chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Research Association (AMRA). This felt like I had somehow made a full circle, as it was a member of Lajna AMRA who had helped me to apply for my PhD. I feel like this role is hugely a part of my Waqf as well, as it relies on my interest and career in research. In this capacity, I can help others to think about a career in research, something which is encouraged by Hazuraba as well.

I implement my research into Jama’at programs, such as presenting at Ijtemas as well as the last AMWSA student mulaqat. It is from my experience of university and research that I now often help with personal statements, project proposals, applications and thesis drafts of various Ahmadi students in relation to my areas of interest and expertise.

I believe it is the help and sacrifices of my family and other Bajis who have inspired and helped me to reach this far in the realm of education, and thus I owe it to them and the Jama’at to help other Ahmadi girls to excel beyond this, as well, in whichever way I can as part of my Waqf. Hazuraba reiterates that our education should enable the betterment of the future generations and this is what I aim to do.

Now, I am almost at the end of my PhD, and I am often asked what my next career step will be. And the honest answer is, “I do not know”. I will do whatever Hazuraba guides me to do. And I will do so happily, because I will know that there is so much blessing in it. I do know that I wish to continue to be a Waqf, and hopefully serve the Jama’at in even more capacities. I pray that Allah Almighty may enable me to do so. Ameen.

Adapted from an original tale from the Far East.

Illustrated by Wardah Burhan

There was once a time when elephants were a wonderful and mystical creature in China.

Our story involves an Emperor and a majestic elephant.

One day, a ruler came to see the Emperor of China. He brought a gift, and that gift was a real life elephant!

“This elephant is bigger than a water buffalo!”

Never in China had anyone seen anything like it. As soon as the royal guest left, it was all anyone at the court could talk about.

“Are you kidding? It’s bigger than a rhino!”

One day the Emperor said to his advisors, “I want to know how much this amazing elephant weighs. Who can tell me how to weigh it?”

“You must be joking. This elephant is bigger than TWO rhinos!”

“I can!”

“We will just put it on a scale.”

Said the first advisor, who used to be a merchant.

“Not likely.

There is no scale that could hold the weight of an elephant without breaking.”

“I can tell you!”

Said the second advisor, who used to be a tailor.

“We will measure the elephant.”

“No, even if you measured all the different parts of an elephant, you would still not know how much it weighs.”

“I can tell you!”

Said the third advisor, who used to be a baker.

“We will cut up the elephant and cook it. Then we will know.”

“We will surely NOT do that!”

Roared the Emperor.

“Is there NO ONE who can tell me how to weigh the elephant?”

“I can.”

“Son! You should be in bed.”

All eyes turned to the voice. It was the Emperor’s son!

“But I know how, and we won’t need to cook it first.”

“Very well, tell me how to weigh the elephant.”

The boy described what to do.

“You put the elephant in a big boat and take the boat out on the water. Draw a line on the side of the boat where it meets the water, at the watermark.

Then bring the boat back to shore and take the elephant off the boat.

Put rocks on the boat, one by one. When the boat sinks to the same watermark line it had when the elephant was in it, bring the boat to shore again.

Take out the rocks and weigh them, one by one.

That is how you can tell how much the elephant weighs!"

"Wonderful! Wonderful!" shouted everyone.

Wonderful!

“It will work!”

“What a clever plan!”

https://storiestogrowby.org/story/early-reader-weighing-elephant-english-stories-kids/

And the fame and wisdom of the Emperor's son travelled far and wide.

“Who knew this child would know?”

A Prophecy Made by the Promised Son, Fulfilled to the L etter

Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra established an exemplary bond with God Almighty, and would go on to be elected

HA Z RAT MI RZA BASH IR UD D IN MA HMOOD AH MAD R A

as the divinely appointed Caliph of the Community. Furthermore, in accordance with the prophecy, Islam would make

One can only gain true certainty when

great progress and great feats would be

it comes to the existence of God by

achieved during his era.

establishing a personal connection with Him, which eventually leads

On 7th January 1938, the loudspeaker

to divine converse. The more one

was installed in Masjid Aqsa, Qadian

traverses the paths towards God the

for the first time. On the same day,

more He discloses Himself to His

during the Friday Sermon, Hazrat Mirza

servant and grants knowledge of the

Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra said the

unseen. One such example is a truly

following remarkable words:

remarkable prophecy made by, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra

'That day is nigh, when an individual will

whilst living in a village of India. As

be able to lecture and teach from one

the Promised Son who was foretold by

place, captivating the entire world in

God to the Promised Messiahas, Hazrat

the process. For now, our situation does

not permit us to do so, as we do not currently have enough resources; there is an obstacle in the form of a lack of scientific advancement. However, should all these barriers be removed, and given the success Allah the Almighty is granting us at such a rapid pace, it should be understood that in the near future all these obstacles will be removed. Once this happens, it is well possible that a sermon of the Qur’an and Hadith be delivered in Qadian, and the people of Java [Island of Indonesia], America, England, France, Germany, Australia, Hungary, Arabia, Egypt, Iran and similarly all other countries would be listening to that very sermon from their respective places, through a wireless radio. What a spectacular scene this would be indeed!

It would be the dawn of a magnificent revolution, the mere thought of which fills our hearts with delight and rapture.'

(Friday Sermon 7th March 1938, Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Volume 19 , Pg.2), (Al-Fazl, 13th January 1938, Pg.2) (Courtesy of Review of Religions)

Throughout my life I have been very blessed to have many experiences with Khilafat through MTA, Classes with Hazur aba , Ijtemas and many more. Though if I think what would be my earliest memory of Khilafat, it would be one of my first Mulaqaat with beloved Hazuraba. I remember the anticipation of waiting to meet beloved Hazuraba and as I entered the room it felt surreal to be in the same room . I vividly remember beloved Hazuraba very kindly giving us chocolate, and I have always been a leftie, so when I unconsciously reached for the chocolate with my left hand, beloved Hazuraba gently moved away the chocolate which made me realise what I did.

Beloved Hazuraba patiently waited for me to reach again but with my right hand, I clearly remember the warm smile Hazuraba had given me when I reached again with my right hand.

Umimah Aleem

By the sheer grace of Allah the Almighty, there are many beautiful and cherished memories I have with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba all of which I keep safely guarded in the inner most depths of my heart. One such moment in particular took place when I was much younger, early on in beloved Hazur’saba Khilafat. At the time, the Gulshan-e-Waqf-eNau classes had newly been organised and

we were having the immense honour to sit in Hazur’s aba company and had the great blessing to build a relationship with Hazur aba . At the end of one such class, Hazur-e-Aqdasaba looked to the girls seated before him and asked as to who knows the meaning of the revelation, ‘Alaysallahu bi kaafin abduhu’, and to my great fortune I was among only a small handful of girls that shot their hands up in the air in the desperate hope of giving the correct answer. Somehow, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, I was chosen by Hazuraba to answer, to which I, summing up all my courage, said, ‘Hazuraba, it means, “Is Allah not sufficient for His servant”?’ Hazuraba, kindly replied, ‘yes, it is correct’ and followed this by so kindly asking if I was wearing the ring with this verse on it at the time! I replied that I was, to which Hazuraba beckoned me towards himself and told me to take off my ring. Taking my ring in his blessed hands, beloved Hazuraba then placed it on his little finger alongside the alaysallah ring of Hazrat Masih Maudas and then also touched it to the ‘maula bas’ ring as well. Upon seeing this I was overwhelmed with emotion at how such an important and blessed man of God could show someone like me such pure love and care, indeed not just to me, but to each and every member of our Jama’at. Alhamdolillah for this beautiful and divine gift of Khilafat!

Naima Clarke

Three years ago, I was fortunate to travel to Houston and meet our beloved Hazuraba. I was very excited because I would have a Waqfe-Nau class with Hazuraba.

When we arrived, Jummah was about to start.

The whole women’s side was filled with people. My mother and I sat down in one of the halls and listened to Hazuraba delivering the Khutba. I was delighted to hear Hazuraba in person. After Jumma prayer, there was lunch. Soon afterwards, I had to go and get ready for the Waqfe-Nau class. I was very nervous and at the same time very excited.

After a few minutes, Hazuraba had come into the room. We stood and said, ‘Assalamu Alaikum.’ When we sat down, I was in the first row directly in front of Hazuraba, and my heart was beating so fast—the class lasted about an hour. We began with Tilwaat, Nazm and listened to presentations by the Waqifaat. After all the presentations, we had time to ask questions to Hazuraba. After the question session, Hazuraba gave us chocolate and a beautiful prayer mat. We did Dua with Hazuraba and ended the class. I enjoyed Hazur’saba loving character towards all of us and how Hazuraba provided new knowledge for us to use. The next day we woke up early and went to tahajjud, and we read Fajr behind Hazuraba. During that time, we saw Hazuraba walk to his house, and it was tranquil and peaceful. We came back to the mosque later on in the day during Zuhr and watched the Ameen ceremonies with Hazuraba. I would feel exhilarated every time we saw Hazur aba go to his house.

On Saturday night, after Isha Hazuraba came into the Lajna side, my mother and I got to see Hazuraba up close. The next day. Sunday, I had an early flight back home. I was sad to be leaving Houston, but at the same time, I was very grateful that Allah Tala allowed me to travel to Houston and to sit in my first Waqfe-Nau class with Hazuraba. Overall, this

trip was a spiritual and delightful experience.

Haaniya Khan, Age-14, Los Angeles, California For me, the earliest memories of Khilafat are via TV (MTA), which we use to watch the 4th Khalifa’s Children’s class etc. I had never seen him in person. However, I knew of the importance of and value of the Khalifa.

The current Head, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba, is the first Khalifa I have met in person; I watched when he became Khalifa.

When Hazuraba visited Ghana, he visited the mission house we lived in, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to meet him during that visit, and I remember being very upset, especially when everyone else was talking about their experiences of meeting him. I never knew if I would have the chance to meet him again.

Two years after the visit, I was in London, and couldn't believe that I was having my first Mulaqat. I remember being so excited and nervous all at the same time; I could barely speak. And that feeling has never gone, each time I see Hazur aba , I feel the same eagerness to see him and be in his presence.

Being able to see the Khalifa, be it during Jalsa, Ijtemas, weddings or Mulaqats brings so much joy happiness and contentment.

When I'm going through tough times I tend to pray and also write to Hazur aba to pray for me and also advise on the best way forward.

It's always comforting during trying times, when Hazuraba then addresses us all, that then makes whatever is happening easier to cope or deal with. And it's a privilege to be able to meet the Khalifa of the time.

Fatihah Ghaffar Walker

IDEAL DAILY ROUTINE Guidance given by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba at a virtual meeting with Atfal from the Midlands of the United Kingdom on 25th April 2021. This invaluable advice can be incorporated into the daily schedules of all Waqfe Nau. Between the ages of 7-10 one should try to regulate their life by offering daily prayers.

When you are 10 years of age, then it is obligatory on you to offer five daily prayers.

SLEEP AFTER FAJR

HOLY QUR’AN

FAJR PRAYER

The best routine should be that you get up early in the morning to offer the Fajr prayer.

Recite the Holy Qur’an – even if it is one ruku or two.

HOMEWORK

SCHOOL Then get up and get yourself prepared for school, go to school and spend your day in school.

There, you should also behave well with your fellow students.

You should play outside for one hour, if there is time to play for one hour – during the summer, you can easily play for one hour. You can play football, or cricket, or hockey, or rugby, or anything you like.

OUTDOOR PLAY

When you come back from school, do your homework and also try to do some extra work, based on what you are supposed to read the next day.

That will help you to better understand the lecture of your teacher or whatever you are going to study.

If there is enough time to have a short nap, you can go to bed again and have a nap for half an hour, or if you have enough time, you can sleep for two hours.

If there is no time to offer Zuhr prayer between the closing of the school and reaching back home, then you should ask your teacher, or headteacher, to allocate some place at school to offer your Zuhr prayer there. And if the time is too short, then you can offer the Zuhr and Asr prayer together.

ZUHR/ASR PRAYERS DINNER, PRAYER AND SLEEP

BOOKS & NEWSPAPERS Then offer your Maghrib prayer; then try to read some books – either religious books or other storybooks – to increase your knowledge and also try to read the newspapers to increase your secular knowledge.

After having your dinner, offer Isha prayer, and then go to bed as early as possible so that you wake up instead of wasting your time on television, internet or tablet. So go to bed early so you will be able to get up early in the morning for Fajr prayer.

Hazuraba quoted the saying, “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”

Reference: https://www.alhakam.org/to-introduce-ahmadiyyat-to-others-you-must-first-bring-about-a-spiritual-transformationin-yourselves-uk-atfal-from-birmingham-get-guidance-in-virtual-mulaqat/