The White Dove

2011-12-25T14:06:00.000+00:00

Every person who comes in this world has to leave it one day. This is the law of nature. The Holy Qur’an mentions the subject of: ‘Every soul shall taste of death…’ (3:186) in many places and in different ways thus drawing attention that man should be mindful of passing away from this world. This helps in keeping one mindful of God. God has informed us that with the exception of His Being everything that exists in the entire cosmos will perish. Life after death is the real and enduring life and by obeying God’s commandments in this world one can be a recipient of blessings in the Hereafter while disobedience can also make one liable of chastisement. Fortunate are those among us who give precedence to the Hereafter over this life, who are ever on the lookout to please God and spend most of their lives in trying to please their Beloved God. They excel in giving precedence to faith over worldly matters to such an extent that they have no interest other than to serve religion. They fulfil the dues of others because this is one of God’s commandments. They honour their pledges for the pleasure of God and for this they do not care about any impediment along the way. For them there is only one objective no matter what they are going through; be it time of adversity or ease, illness or good health. Their objective is to be able to fulfil the covenant made to God and honour the trust that is given to them. These are the kind of people about whom the Holy Qur’an states: ‘And of men there is he who would sell himself to seek the pleasure of Allah…’ (2:208). Their faces exude serenity at all times as if they are a personification of Nafse Mutmainnah (soul at peace).

An elder of ours who possessed such qualities and was certainly a great asset of the Community recently passed away. His name was Syed Abdul Hayi Shah sahib. Inna lillahi wa inna illaihi raji’oon. May God grant him a place near His dear ones and may God through His grace alone make good this loss of the Community and may God create numerous others like him so that the convoy of Ahmadiyyat can carry onwards and upwards towards its destination.

Shah sahib was born in June 1932 in Kashmir. He came to Qadian and later, at the partition of the subcontinent he went to Pakistan. His mother remained in Kashmir and he was separated from her for forty years. He endured this separation for the sake of faith. His grandfather was Syed Muhammad Hussein Shah who was from Srinagar, Kashmir. One of his sons, Syed Abdul Mannan Shah sahib took his Bai’at at a young age and accepted Ahmadiyyat and spent his life in humility. History of Ahmadiyyat records about Syed Abdul Hayi Shah sahib that he devoted his life (Waqfe Zindagi) in 1945 and joined Madrassa Ahmadiyya. After the partition of India he re-joined Jamia Ahmadiyya and passed the exam of Maulwi Fazil and stood first in the Punjab University. He passed the exam of Shahid in 1955, later he gained MA with distinction in Arabic. He gave lengthy service to Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya. He served as the editor of monthly AnsarUllah for a few years and was the printer of the journals Khalid and Tasheez al Azhan for twelve to thirteen years, he was the manager and printer of Zia ul Islam press and president of Al Fazl board. He was the first managing director of MTA Pakistan. He was also director of Fazl e Umer foundation and Tahir foundation. He was the Nazir e Isha’at and was also the acting Nazir e Ala and Ameer muqami. He reviewed the Kashmiri language translation of the Holy Qur’an and supervised the computerisation of Ruhani Khaza’in. He made indexes and wrote forewords for several books. He was enabled to render many services as regards the translation of the Holy Qur’an by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) as well as publication of his lectures on homeopathy.

He was a simple-natured, forbearing, ingenious and quiet person who spoke measuredly. He researched matters thoroughly and then gave his opinion. He tried to fulfil the tasks given by the Khalifa of the time in optimum time. He guided his team in preparation of books and other publication matters and gave sound advice. Nazir e Isha’at needs to have experience of printing and he was knowledgeable about the printing apparatus and had a lot of technical know-how and gave specific and substantial guidance.

Al Fazl reports that although Abdul Hayi Shah sahib decided to devote his life in 1945 he did not fill in the required paperwork until 1950. He passed his matriculation exam while he was a student at the Jamia. He gained 1^stposition in the district in his Maulwi exam. His first Jama’at appointment was in 1956 and he served in various departments. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) appointed him Nazir e Isaha’at. He rendered services for the Darul Qur’an series of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him), often staying up till 3am with his team to finish work. He would not rest until he faxed the required material to London. He also provided academic assistance with Friday sermons. He was a member of the compilation team of the Quranic translation as well as the homeopathy book of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) and discharged of this duty very well. He was enabled to serve in the publication of Quranic translations in Punjabi, Sindhi, Pushto and Saraiki. In 1997, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) paid tribute to him in a Friday sermon and said: ‘I have observed this quality in Syed Abdul Hayi sahib that when a specific matter is explained to him, even if he does not have personal knowledge of it, he looks for people who do. It has never happened that I have given him instruction about a book and he has not prepared exactly what was asked for. With the grace of Allah he has deep insight and studies everything in minute detail.’

Hudhur said when Hudhur told him in 2008 that Ruhani Khaza’in should be computerised, Shah sahib accomplished the task with great hard work. Apart from many other distinctive features of the computerised set, one is that it is exactly in accordance with the previous editions so that references can be looked up easily. The new set also has some essays and Arabic poems of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) which were omitted in earlier editions. Acknowledging the services of others, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote in an introduction to his Urdu Quranic translation: ‘A team of scholars have continually worked with me here in London on the translation of the Holy Qur’an that is being presented here. Similarly, a team of scholars in the centre Rabwah worked under the direction of Syed Abdul Hayi sahib (Nazir e Isha’at). Having reviewed the translation, they assisted me with their valuable advice and opinions. If I did not have the collective help of all of them, it would not have been possible for me to carry out this task on my own.’ In 1997 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote to Syed Abdul Hayi sahib about the publication of the Mahzarnama (The Memorandum) which was presented in the National Assembly of the country. He wrote: ‘The publication of Mahzarnama is very good. MashaAllah you work very hard and with flair.’ In another letter Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote to Syed sahib: ‘Your report has been received. MashaAllah, you are working prolifically and are very productive. With the grace of Allah you are the only Nazir who does not ever need reminding about entrusted tasks…’ Hudhur explained that such commendation increased Syed Abdul Hayi sahib’s humility and he worked harder still.

In the time of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) the ten volumes of Malfuzat were changed into five volumes. All the Quranic references were incorporated in the five volumes, where required new headings were included and new indexes were formulated. When Syed Abdul Hayi sahib came for Jalsa earlier this year, Hudhur Aqdas asked him to restore the ten volumes. Hudhur said he feels that smaller volumes are easier to read and this was the reason why he recommended returning to ten volumes. These books [Malfuzat] are comprised of pronouncements of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and can be read while travelling or relaxing and it is more convenient to read smaller volumes. Syed Abdul Hayi sahib promptly replied that he would start work on ten volumes straight away. Hudhur said there was not even a hint of hesitation on his part in context of all the hard work that had been put in by him on altering the ten volumes into five. He also prepared a most comprehensive index for the ten volumes of ‘Tafseer e Kabeer’, a treasure of a commentary of the Holy Qur’an by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him). Syed Abdul Hayi sahib served as member of many committees and he also had the honour of serving imprisonment in the cause of God.

Recalling his first meeting with Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III (may Allah have mercy on him) after he was given some important responsibilities, Syed Abdul Hayi sahib said that he was in deep awe and due to nervousness his hands shook. Seeing this Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III (may Allah have mercy on him) said, ‘there is no need to be nervous. You should get to understand the work fully from me and then undertake it with complete diligence.’ Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III (may Allah have mercy on him) then took Syed Abdul Hayi sahib’s hand in his hand which eased him. He said Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III (may Allah have mercy on him) did not readily take one in his trust but once he did, he would show complete affection, guidance and pardon. Hudhur explained it was common for editors and publishers in Pakistan to have arrest warrants issued in their names. As such, an arrest warrant was issued for Syed Abdul Hayi sahib. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III (may Allah have mercy on him) convened a meeting with him and lawyers. After the meeting Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III (may Allah have mercy on him) sent one of his sons to Abdul Hayi sahib with the message that he should not worry. The son told him that after the meeting Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III (may Allah have mercy on him) had prayed and God made him utter the words: ‘He [God] never lets His pious people go to waste.’ Hudhur said indeed a most grave case had been hatched up against Abdul Hayi sahib but the matter was finished in a few days. Hudhur explained that God’s disclosure to Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III (may Allah have mercy on him) is also a testimony that in God’s eyes Syed Abdul Hayi sahib was a pious person who remained in God’s refuge. At a later time though, God enabled him to be imprisoned in His cause. This came to pass over the publication of a particular line in a pamphlet for which the scribe of the pamphlet and Abdul Hayi sahib were taken to court and imprisoned.

Syed Abdul Hayi sahib related that in early days the allowance Waqfe Zindagi devotees received was meagre and it was difficult to make ends meet. Once his father-in-law said to him that he was also highly educated from a worldly perspective, perhaps he should find his livelihood in that sector. Syed sahib replied, ‘I have made two pacts; one of marriage with your daughter and the other of devoting my life with God. Tell me, which pact shall I break?’ He later added, ‘how can I break the second pact while keeping the first?’ His father-in-law did not broach the subject again. Syed Abdul Hayi sahib related that later on, God blessed him immensely throughout his life. Hudhur said his father-in-law had only had the thought temporarily, borne of human frailty but after Shah sahib’s response he did not say anything.

Syed Abdul Hayi sahib was extremely kind and considerate with those who worked for him. His accountant of 15 years recalls that with the exception of one instance, he did not remember any occasion when Syed sahib had been angry. Once his office sent some books to another office without his permission and Syed sahib was extremely annoyed at this and because of this the accountant did not go into his office for two days. After two days Shah sahib called him to his office and smiled and offered him some biscuits.

Another of his helper/worker Muhammad Iqbal sahib writes that he worked for Shah sahib for twenty years and throughout he treated him like a son. His demeanour was dervish-like. If he helped any of his workers no one knew about it. He used to help his workers at the time of their children’s weddings.

Amer sahib of Arabic Desk writes about Shah sahib’s extensive knowledge. During translation work on Ruhani Khaza’in, at times he needed guidance and instructions from Abdul Hayi sahib which he gave each time in a cheerful manner. His reply would be well-reasoned, satisfying, affectionate and replete with courtesy.

Mubasher Ayaz sahib writes that once Abdul Hayi sahib came to Jamia to give away prizes and was introduced in the following manner: people work in different ways, there are those who work with one hand and clap with the other, meaning they work but are always promoting what they do. Then there are those who clap with both hands, that is, they do not do any work and simply publicise. Then there are those who work with both hands and they are not concerned if anyone sees their work or praises them. And Syed Abdul Hayi Shah sahib was such a person. Hudhur explained that this was 100% correct. Hudhur saw him working quietly, regardless of ill health. Hudhur said his feet would be swollen and Hudhur would ask him did it not hurt and he would say that he was so engrossed in work that he did not feel anything. Hudhur said he spoke little; Hudhur observed that he did not say much even in the Anjuman meetings, but when he did, it was of substance.

Mubasher Ayaz sahib also writes that he worked as Shah sahib’s deputy and found him a dervish-like person who was extremely hard-working. He would start work as soon as he arrived at the office and did everything himself. He would be unaware when it was closing time and everyone had gone home, he would be sitting working away. There was not even a hint of hypocrisy in him, although he worked extremely hard, he always remained cheerful. He used Jama’at funds with utmost caution and care.

A murrabi sahib writes that during work on Ruhani Khaza’in he realised how much belief Shah sahib had in the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). In the narrative of the court case of Henry Martin Clark the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has always referred to the judge as Douglas. However, in Ruhani Khaza’in vol. 15, in the book ‘Teryaqul Qoloob’, page 349 he refers to him as J. R. Drummond. Various departments were approached about this and they deemed this to be an error in scribing. Shah sahib was of the opinion that such a big error could not be, therefore he did not refer to it in a footnote and left it as it was. When work was been done on Ruhani Khaza’in vol. 18, ‘Nuzul ul Masih’, it was found that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) writes on page 578 that Abdul Hameed was arrested again after two and a half years and he gave the same testimony. This proved that the different name of the judge was from the second sitting of the case.

The librarian sahib of Khilafat Library, Rabwah writes that Shah sahib did all his work in spite of ill health. Once he needed to work on all the volumes of Braheen e Ahmadiyya that Hudhur had asked for and rather than have them send over, he came in person to the library to access them. In spite of having difficulty when walking he went and checked all the books himself. He said he did not want any of the older editions to be damaged in any way.

Ahmad Naeem sahib of our Arabic Desk writes that preparing index of Tafseer e Kabeer required immense diligence and attention to detail in the pre-computer days which Shah sahib prepared with great assiduousness. There are a few printing errors in the current edition of Ruhani Khaza’in. Whenever this was pointed out to him he would acknowledge most graciously and wherever he had an explanation to give he would give it. Hudhur explained that he had proof-read the manuscripts most diligently but it is human that mistakes remain. He was very sad about the mistakes that remained in the beautiful print.

A murrabi sahib, Kaleem Ahmad Tahir writes that in eleven years he always found Shah sahib busy in work. He was a quiet person who did everything with the utmost of responsibility. It was astonishing that he worked so hard at his senior age. During the work on Ruhani Khaza’in, he personally proof read each word.

Hudhur said in short he was an academic person who worked extremely hard. He would recall the early times when there were no unnecessary facilities. He recounted how a ceiling fan was operated with the help of a rope. Once Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) sent Shah sahib with a message to occupied Kashmir. He could not find any transport in Rawalpindi, so he started walking to Kashmir because he wanted to fulfil the instruction of the Khalifa of the time in optimum time. Shah sahib had fostered a girl whom he brought up like his own children. He arranged her marriage with a murrabi sahib. He was very kind and considerate with his family and did everything with simplicity. He was very mindful of preserving a child’s self-respect and did the finest Tarbiyyat of his children. He was a model of steadfastness and never complained about his pain, be it ill health or any other problem. His patience was exemplary; he bore the news of the passing away of his mother with resoluteness. He was most hospitable. At Jalsa when guests arrived from Kashmir to stay at his house he would move into a store room with his family and offer them the entire house.

In later years he regularly visited his children most of whom live abroad. His son Ahmad Yahya sahib is the chairman of Humanity First. His family would insist that he stayed with them and his answer would be that he had devoted his entire life, not a short while. During his last illness he had to go to hospital five times and each time he asked when he would be able to return to office. Two days before passing away he was again taken to hospital. He asked for his papers to be brought over and he sat up in bed working.

Hudhur said each time a fax was sent to him from here he would send a hand written reply although he had difficulty writing. He hand wrote his last letter to Hudhur although his hand would shake due to weakness, but he took time over writing. On 14 December he remained in office till 11.30am. It was his wish to pass away in his office. While in hospital he said it was his wish to do the correction work on all the mistakes in Ruhani Khaza’in, but he did not get the chance to do that.

A murrabi sahib from Nazarat e Isha’at writes that on 17 December Shah sahib saw a dream in which his [deceased] wife asked him had he not obtained a ticket yet? He said no he had no. But a little later he told her in the dream that he had obtained a ticket and had also got a boarding pass. On the day of passing Shah sahib called his son Imran over and murmured to him that his flight had come. The son did not hear him properly and leaned forward to listen carefully but Shah sahib passed away.

Hudhur said this servant of the Community was devoted to the Community till the last and gave it precedence over everything else. He acquired religious knowledge and he also put it in practice. He always tried to honour dues of God and dues of mankind. Hudhur said when he was Nazir e Ala Hudhur found Shah sahib to be perfectly obedient and after God granted Hudhur the mantle of Khilafat, his sincerity and loyalty increased to a great degree as is the due of the office of Khilafat. He understood the essence of Bai’at and honoured it. May God elevate his status and may He continue to grant Khilafat e Ahmadiyya such dedicated devotees.

Hudhur announced that he would lead funeral Prayer in absentia of Shah sahib as well as of few others whose names are as follows:

Imatiaz Begum sahiba, sister Zainab Waseem, Amatul Rahman sahiba, Syedda Waseema sahiba, Mian Abdul Quyyum sahib, Muhammad Mustapha sahib, Nazir Ahmad sahib and Fateh Muhammad sahib. May God elevate the status of all the deceased and may He grant steadfastness to the bereaved and keep them firm on virtues and may they serve the Community with sincerity.

2011-12-25T13:59:00.002+00:00

If God does not need anything the why did He create anything? If God does not need our services/worship then why did He create Jinn and Man to serve Him? If all other things worship God by living and following their instinct, why does God require man to do otherwise?

AMC Faith Matters show covers following topics in this show: Destiny, Life Insurance, Purdah, Cinema,Contraception, Persecution of Messiah

Phenomenon of Natural Disasters and Divine Punishment

2011-11-03T07:04:00.000+00:00

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

January 27^th, 2006

Citing verse 118 of Surah Hud (11:118) Huzur^aba delivered his Friday Sermon on the phenomenon of Natural Disasters and Divine Punishment.
Huzur^aba said recently huge natural calamities have taken place during the time of Jalsa Salana Qadian; the 2003 earthquake in Iran and the tsunami of 2004. Furthermore Huzur^aba mentioned the October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. Huzur^aba briefly touched upon the heavy destruction caused by this earthquake and the depravation the victims are enduring in the chaotic aftermath exasperated by the severe cold weather conditions where survival has become a challenge. Huzur^aba mentioned Humanity First’s continued aid efforts here and said that it was our obligation to serve humankind.
Huzur^aba said many ask him if these were Divine punishments then why were the innocent killed in these disasters? He said the Promised Messiah^as has expounded this matter but before citing his writings Huzur^aba wished to give a few references of the outlook of Pakistan religious scholars in the wake of the October 2005 earthquake, all collected from newspapers.
A Dr. Mufti Qadri wrote that the earthquake was an admonitory sign for the masses and the rulers; for the masses because although they professed Shahada their deeds brought it in bad repute. It was a moment for concern for the religious scholars in light of the current sectarian violence which has reached an extent that people of some sects are killing people of the other sects. A Salahudin Yusuf Sahib wrote that it was time to reform; that when kufr (non-belief) exceeds limits Allah sends a deterrent. Explaining the death of innocents he quoted a hadith that when Allah’s chastisement comes everyone is destroyed but on the Day of Judgment the reckoning will be according to each person’s intentions. He wrote that this calamity was not a sign of the advent of Jesus^as.
A Hafiz Idrees Sahib wrote quoting a hadith that time when bounty of war will be made personal property and there will be an increase in the number of singing women and the sounds from the mosques will grow louder that is when people will face earthquakes. He wrote that this earthquake was a consequence of ‘our negligence’ and had nothing to do with the advent of Jesus^as that it was a warning to turn to our Master.
Huzur^aba said although his comments were accurate his inference was flawed.
A Ropri Sahib wrote that when a body of people exceeds in disobedience then they are Divinely punished. Professor Abdur Rahman Ludhianawi wrote that this was a warning to reform. He said that the tsunami had also struck where people had exceeded limits. He said although the earthquake was a sign about, it could not be considered definitive as regards the advent of Jesus^as. A Hafiz Raza Sahib wrote that the earthquake was a warning for the Muslims to turn to the Master. He said the Holy Qur’an mentions accounts of earlier nations who were destroyed. He said the sign of the advent of Imam Mahdi (the Messiah) is that evil will be prevalent, therefore the earthquake could be considered a sign; however his advent will be when evil will exceed limits! Huzur^aba remarked so the limits have not exceeded yet! A Hafiz Abdul Mannan wrote that the earthquake was a consequence of negligence and a lesson in the fact that when Allah decrees there is no respite.
Huzur^aba said all these people acknowledge that this calamity came because there were and still are wrongdoings; however it is not enough to merely acknowledge. The advent of the Messiah has taken place and it is the command of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) to accept him, there have been heavenly signs to substantiate his coming, so what is it they await now? Since 1905, when the big earthquake took place in Kangra, India during the lifetime of the Promised Messiah^as, these signs are repeatedly appearing and are therefore a warning for each Muslim as well as non-Muslim.
Huzur^aba said in the past 1,100 years there had been eleven massive (death toll exceeding 50,000) earthquakes, yet since 1905 thirteen such earthquakes have occurred. Huzur^aba said he noticed the perspective with which the Western world welcomed the new millennium was purely materialistic and hedonistic while God was totally forgotten. Huzur^aba said in the last hundred years (from 1900 to 2000) the distress caused by man-made disasters was immense; in wars spread across 35 countries ninety five million people lost their lives.
This century so far major disasters have taken place, among them the Iran earthquake, the tsunami, the Pakistan earthquake and the havoc created by hurricane Katrina in USA.
Huzur^aba said the advent of the Holy Prophet^saw was for the entire world and his Messiah was also for the whole world and that is why these disasters are spread all over. Huzur^aba said it was our duty to tell everyone that prevention from these disasters is in recognising God.
Huzur^aba read a couple of further relevant excerpts from Pakistani newspapers dating 1992 one quoting verse 11 of Surah Al Qamar (54:11), Huzur^aba said that in this age there is only one person who prayed to Allah for help in this way and since 1905 Divine signs have been manifesting themselves. Huzur^aba said these preaching religious scholars should do some soul-searching as to where they stand.
With reference to the Promised Messiah’s^as writings elucidating why innocent lives are also lost in disasters Huzur^aba related the famine of Mecca when the poor lost their lives and the wicked Abu Jahl survived saying that the chastisement is only for the wrongdoer, the innocent are martyrs and they have glad-tidings. Referring to San-Francisco earthquakes occurring in his times the Promised Messiah said he did not consider that those occurred because of the rejection of his truth but that the denial of his truth has been a cause of the earthquakes, because Allah states in the Holy Qur’an that the punishment of disaster does not befall people unless a prophet has been sent to them (26:209). Huzur^aba said the religious scholars he had quoted earlier who denied that the earthquake was a sign of the advent of the Messiah were surely not accepting this Quranic verse.
The Promised Messiah^as said the victims of the San Francisco earthquakes were killed due to their past sins however, this was a sign of his advent, as he had written in Braheen e Ahmadiyya that many earthquakes will take place in his time and this will be a sign of his truth. In short it is the way of Allah that when His prophets are rejected disasters occur and all and sundry lose lives in that God’s sense of honour is aroused, however, the big culprit’s time comes in the end.
Huzur^aba said that unless the people of this world accepted the message of the Promised Messiah^as they will not be saved.
Huzur^aba prayed that may we keep our hearts pure and take God’s message to others and may by means of the prayers of the Promised Messiah^as we and our generations to come maintain the distinction through which the difference between us and others is evident.

Defending the Honour of the Holy Prophet (sa)

2011-11-03T07:02:00.000+00:00

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

February 24^th, 2006

Huzur^aba began his Friday Sermon by citing verse 57 of Surah Al Ahzab (33:57) and said that he would continue with the subject he has been giving a discourse on for the past few weeks. Speaking of some European countries and media’s current ploy at hurting the feelings of Muslims in the name of freedom of speech and the response of the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference) Huzur^aba praised the reaction. OIC have maintained that these countries will be pressurised to apologise and to legislate against offending prophets of God in the name of freedom of speech and that if they did not abstain from this then there could be no guarantee for world peace. Huzur^aba prayed that may they be enabled to actually make decisions like this for world peace.
Huzur^aba mentioned the retaliatory attempt by an Iranian newspaper to arrange a contest of cartoons with reference to the Holocaust. Huzur^aba said although this is not an Islamic way, the Western countries, who exceed all limits in vulgarity in the name of freedom of speech have taken an exception to this; the Danish newspaper at the centre of the controversy has announced that it would certainly not participate in this ‘tasteless’ contest and will uphold their ‘standards’. Huzur^aba also referred to the recent sentence to imprisonment for 3 years for a British historian (David Irving) in Austria for expressing some views on Holocaust 17 years ago.
Huzur^aba said certainly they do not tolerate it for themselves.
However, Huzur^aba said, could it be that the brazenness of the West is borne out of the pathetic state of the Muslim world? They are all too aware that despite the recent boycotts imposed these Muslim countries will revert to the West. Huzur^aba said these are simply fleeting reactions.
Huzur^aba mentioned the recent desecration of the holy shrine in Iraq, the increasing sectarian violence, and remarked that has anyone stopped and looked into the possibility that it could be the enemy’s mischief?
Huzur^aba also commented on the situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh where Muslim is killing Muslim at the provocation of their leaders and said the enemies of Islam take advantage of such situations. Huzur^aba said Muslims are faced with this blight because they have accused the Messiah of falsehood and in doing so have been disobedient to the Holy Prophet^saw. This situation saddens the Ahmadis and they should pray that may the rest of the Muslims do not bring Islam in disrepute by being instrumental to the enemy.
Huzur^aba said without doubt majority of Muslims follow their erroneous leaders in this due to lack of knowledge. Huzur^aba said if we truly love the Holy Prophet^saw we should pray for the Muslim ummah in the ways that the Holy Prophet^saw has taught us.
Elucidating this with Ahadith Huzur^aba explained that prayer stops in between the earth and the heavens and unless salutations and blessings are invoked on the Holy Prophet^saw “Darood” or “Assalatu alannabi” no portion of the prayer reaches above. Referring to the Quranic verse he read at the beginning Huzur^aba said Allah Himself invokes blessings on the Holy Prophet^saw therefore this Quranic commandment is one that is an act of Allah. If one turns to Allah with complete sincerity and invokes blessings on the Holy Prophet^saw it would be a source of reformation of the ummah, a source of our own reformation as well as a means of acceptance of prayer.
Relating further Ahadith Huzur^aba said on the Day of Judgment the one closest to the Holy Prophet^saw will be one who invokes the most blessings on him and that blessings invoked with heartfelt sincerity are rewarded by Allah ten-fold in varied ways. The Holy Prophet^saw said that one who does not invoke blessings on him has no faith, that to remember Allah abundantly and to send blessings on him alleviates hardship; he enjoined to repeat the words of the Adhan when it is called and to follow this with invoking blessings on him and to seek him as a means of intercession from Allah.
The Promised Messiah^as said Assalatu alannabi is a means to achieve stability and should be said mindful of the splendour and the supreme favours of the Holy Prophet^saw and that this would result in the sweetest of consequence of acceptance of prayer. Huzur^aba said the Companions of the Holy Prophet^saw would leave aside all other prayers and would just invoke blessings on him, likewise did the companions of the Promised Messiah^as.
To those who experience no effect of Assalatu alannabi Huzur^aba said it needs to be said with complete sincerity of heart and while analysing and evaluating oneself.
In the current era, which is the age of the Messiah, it is salient to respond to what is offensive with prayer; we need to analyse ourselves and gauge the depth of our love for the Holy Prophet^saw and then if we can, should impart it to the rest of the Muslims, to follow the way that Allah and His Messenger has commanded.
Among the range of versions of Assalatu alannabi Huzur^aba cited the Promised Messiah^as as the version we say in our Salat as the most blessed and said that one should say it with utmost sincerity until one is deeply moved by a feeling of warmth and tenderness.
Huzur^aba said in light of the significance of the Assalatu alannabi he had included it in the prayers he had endorsed for the [Khilafat] Jubilee [2008].
Huzur^aba said this is the age of the latter-days about which Allah has declared in the Qur’an that Islam’s triumph will be with prayer and reasoning and none of it is possible without sending blessings on the Holy Prophet^saw.
Huzur^aba said in accepting the Promised Messiah^as a tremendous responsibility lies on our shoulders because Allah sent him to turn around the adversity that Islam had got into. In the current climate of the odious commotion about the Holy Prophet^saw indeed Allah’s angels would be invoking blessings on him and it is also our duty to infuse the very air with blessings invoked on him; this is the expression of love to maintain for the Holy Prophet and his people. May the rest of the Muslims have the sense to recognise one who came to revive the atmosphere of peace and security and in doing so elevated the station of the Holy Prophet^saw.
1400 years later in the very month of Muharram on the very same land [of Iraq] Muslims are killing Muslims; may Allah give them the sense to desist.
Huzur^aba said the intent of the ‘others’ does not look good, who know what plans are being hatched that would put Muslims through further trouble and difficulty.
May we be grateful servants of Allah that He enabled us to believe in the Imam of the age; may He enable us to obey his teachings as well and may He always keep us on the ways of His pleasure.

Honour of the Holy Prophet (sa)

2011-11-03T06:59:00.000+00:00

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

February 10^th, 2006

In his Friday Sermon Huzur^aba gave a discourse on correct channelling of the sense of honour for the Holy Prophet^saw that his followers feel and express.
Huzur^aba cited verse 108 of Surah Al Anbiya (21:108) and verses 57 & 58 of Surah Al Ahzab (33:57-58) and spoke with reference to the publication of extremely depraved and provocative depiction of the Holy Prophet^saw in Denmark and a few European countries and the reactionary anger that engulfs the Muslim world.
Huzur^aba said reaction to these publications was most natural, more so for Ahmadis who, by means of the Promised Messiah^as have a deeper understanding of the lofty station of the Prophet. However, strike and sabotage is not the way to do this.
Huzur^aba said the West has an apathetic stance towards religion and they have lost all sense of sanctity for it. Some among them are pronouncing the Muslim reaction to the offensive publications a clash between the secular Western democratic ways and Islam. However, there are also decent people among them who know how to communicate the facts; people like journalist Robert Fisk who has written that this is indeed not a matter of freedom of speech; rather for Muslims the Prophet received divine words directly from God and that Muslims live their religion whereas ‘we’ do not and while the Muslims have kept their faith alive ‘we’ have lost ours. In comparison he quoted the angry reaction to a film ‘Last Temptation of Christ’ some years ago and said that how could we expect the Muslims to remain silent at these crude cartoons.
Huzur^aba said it is unfortunate that the wrong reaction of certain Muslim leaders gives the West the chance to take political advantages; in everyday life too the attitude of some Muslims in benefiting from social security and avoiding taxes etc riles the government. The West is shrewd; it makes the most of such situations. Often they are the oppressor but the wrong reaction of the Muslim ends up making them the intimidators.
Huzur^aba said the Danish people feel threatened by the worldwide condemnation of their national flag etc and wish that their apology is accepted. Huzur^aba told of governmental plan to have a large mosque built in Copenhagen to compensate for the hurt caused to Muslims.
Huzur^aba said the majority of Muslim world is in favour of accepting the Danish apology however a handful of Muslim ‘leaders’ are taking awkward approach.
Huzur^aba said our hearts are hurt the most however our way of response is different; he said it is not far-fetched to say that mischief like this will continually be created with the objective to torment the Muslims, get them to reaction and subsequently try and put restrictions on the immigrant Muslim population. In any case, he said, our response to these matters should be in line with of the values of Islam.
Next Huzur^aba presented illustrations from the life of the Promised Messiah^as and from times of his Khalifas of shielding attacks on the Holy Prophet^saw.
From the times of the Promised Messiah^as Huzur^aba related the incidence of Abdullah Athim who had used extremely offensive language against the Holy Prophet^saw calling him ‘Dajjal’ (a deceiver, an Anti-Christ). During a debate with Abdullah Athim that lasted fifteen days, the Promised Messiah^as continually prayed privately, and after the debate was over, he told Abdullah Athim that the matter was not finished yet, that the Living God would determine who was the false party among them and if that party did not repent within 15 months, they would be punished by being thrown in ‘Hawiya’ (the nether-most hell). Abdullah Athim, was frightened on hearing this prophecy and immediately expressed his remorse and did not say any word against Islam and its Prophet^saw.
Another person in the time of the Promised Messiah^as was Lekhram who had insulted the Holy Prophet repeatedly and had used foul language against him. The Promised Messiah^as prayed and announced that the enemy of God and His prophet would die a pathetic death within six years of the prophecy; that is exactly the way it came to pass.

In the era of Hadhrat Khalifa tul Masih II^ra, some offensive books defaming the Holy Prophet^saw were written and the Muslims took to violence in reaction. He advised them that according to the teachings of the Holy Prophet^saw the brave is not one who starts fighting, in fact the true courageous person is one who has a strong determination, and once he makes a decision he does not draw back from it. The Muslims should adopt the fear of Allah in their hearts, should propagate Islam among others, and their leaders should try to uplift them socially and financially attaining financial and cultural freedom.
In the time of Hadhrat Khalifa tul Masih IV^ra the incident of Salman Rushdi’s offensive book took place, and proper reaction/response was advised by him. Similarly, last year an article appeared in the press attacking the private family life of the Holy Prophet^saw and Huzur^aba had responded to that. Huzur^aba said that this the way for all the Ahmadis to express their protest. We do not believe in strikes, burning down building and flags. Ahmadis should write articles and letters to the media. Enlarge the circle of their contacts. Most importantly, they should imbue among themselves the beautiful character-traits of the Holy Prophet^saw. our objective cannot be achieved by destructive methods. All Ahmadis, living in all places, should ask other Muslims to join in with them. Allah sent the Holy Prophet^saw as ‘Rahmatul Lil-A’lameen’ (mercy for all mankind) We should demonstrate his benevolence and love and mercy for others and for this, Muslims have to bring a change in their attitudes. Huzur^aba gave the details of the immediate constructive and civilized response of our missionaries and Ahmadis in Denmark, where the cartoon had first appeared in a newspaper and told of their effective efforts.
Huzur^aba advised that our youth should go into journalism as much as possible to facilitate in bringing a change in the attitude of the media. However, if the Western Media does not desist from mischief, then the matter should be left in the hand of our Living God. He has the power to punish them.
Huzur^aba said that while imparting knowledge of the noble character of the Holy Prophet^saw to the rest of the world, we must ever reform our own ways and put an all out effort to demonstrate true Islamic values in our actions. There should be uniformity in what we say and what we do. Instead of burning down buildings and flags, we should ignite a fire in our hearts, ‘the fire of love for our Prophet’^saw taking the ardour of this passion to its limit, by invoking blessings and salutations on the Prophet^saw.
Huzur^aba said Allah and His angels invoke blessings in the Prophet^saw and he is certainly not in need of our blessings, however it is we ourselves who receive blessings by invoking blessings on him.
In conclusion Huzur^aba said the enemy of Islam shall never succeed and in the long run, Islam shall be triumphant and that this is destined!
Huzur^aba prayed that may Allah make us the recipient of all the blessings of Allah and may we remain engaged in fervent prayers invoking blessings on the Prophet^saw.

Friday Sermon: Prayers for Muslim Ummah and the case for Divine Khilafat (25th feb 2011)

2011-10-31T08:18:00.000+00:00

Sermon Delivered by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad ^at Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Hudhur gave a discourse on the current situation in the Muslim world and the need for Divinely-guided Khilafat.

Hudhur said today he wished to draw attention to prayers regarding the entire Muslim world. He said sympathy with the Muslims demands, as does the love of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that an Ahmadi, who is a true Muslim, prays for whoever associates himself with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), calls himself a Muslim and is being made a target because of being a Muslim or for the current agitation and lawlessness in Muslim countries. We accept the Imam of the age and thus it is our obligation more than any other to express our sympathy to the Muslims. In our Bai’at we pledge to have sympathy with God’s creation, thus our compassion for Muslims should be that much more. We do not have worldly power or resources with which we could help them, in particular help those few countries where the current political situation is degenerating. However, we can pray for them and for this each Ahmadi should pay attention. Those Ahmadis who reside in these countries or originate from there and have connections with the politicians there, should make them aware that rather than personal gain these politicians should think of national interests. Usually, when Muslims attain political power or come into any position of power they forget Haququl ebaad (rights of mankind). The real reason for this is lack of Taqwa (righteousness). They forget the basic commandment of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and the Book with which they are associated, that the distinguishing factor between Muslims and the others is Taqwa. Once this distinction does not remain, worldliness takes over. Although the name of Islam is made use of, but in its name Haququl ebaad and Haququllah (rights of God) are trampled on. Wealth and lust for power is given precedence over God’s commandments or in order to manage wealth and to strengthen power, foreign governments are relied on and are given priority over own countrymen and if needed, the countrymen are persecuted and transgressed against.

Greed has made some leaders so selfish that there is no comparison between what they fill their personal coffers with and how they serve humanity. News are emerging where hundreds of kilograms of gold has been stashed away, or a country’s assets have been placed in Swiss banks in personal accounts, numerous properties have been bought in foreign lands, all this while the masses are desperate for two square meals. This is not the condition in just Arab countries, in Pakistan too, situation is such that it is difficult for some to have one square meal. But the leaders run up bills of hundred of thousands when shopping abroad. Be it the leaders of Pakistan, the Middle East or North Africa; people who have been given the Book and the Sunnah which is ever-living, yet they are making a mockery of Haququl ebaad and Haququllah. They are usurping the property of their countrymen. What can be expected of such people in terms of running governments on lines of Taqwa? They can create disorder, can govern on the sway of power for a while, but they cannot be a source of peace for the masses. In such situations, reaction materialises.

Hudhur said such reaction may appear sudden, but it is not sudden. Deep within, sentiments heat up for a long time. This has become evident in some countries; in other countries it will become evident. When the eventual outpouring of lava takes place, it also scorches the powerful. As this reaction of the victims against the oppressors has no procedure, the oppressed try their utmost for freedom and when they succeed, they too take up oppression. This is why it is greatly needed that Ahmadis pray for the Muslim world before every country is engulfed in this and a long chain of oppression starts. May God give sense to both governments and the masses, enabling them to adopt Taqwa. If Muslim leaders had Taqwa they would have looked after the rights of their people. The organisation of Muslims countries would not have been an organisation in mere name, they would have helped each other. If real Taqwa was adhered to, the world of Islam would have had a standing. A large part of Asia is ruled by Muslim governments and some other parts of the world as well, but they are generally regarded as underdeveloped or developing countries. Those who have the wealth of oil are under the influence of foreign powers. The strings of the aid they provide to underdeveloped countries are in the hands of outsiders. Rather than have fear of God, they fear people. Due to their personal interests they have not invested the wealth of their countries in building industry and have made no progress in agriculture. This, in spite of the climate of most Muslim countries being conducive to growing different kinds of crops. They could bring about a revolution with the resource of oil, but their preferences are different. Muslim scientists and inventors are valued in foreign countries because they are not provided with facilities in their own countries. If they try to progress, personal, vested interests of the authorities obstruct them. Among Muslim countries, Malaysia is considered technologically advanced, but the developed world even refers to it as a developing country.

Hudhur said all this is due to an absence of Taqwa and values have changed. If progress has to be made, true values have to be recognised. The current situation is extremely worrying. The Holy Qur’an states: ‘Surely all believers are brothers…’ (49:11). Yet the news these days tell of countries like Egypt where the government did not stop at taking action against the people, rather they created divisions among people and provided arms to those supporting the government. If Muslim governments lay claim to being democratic then unless the masses turn to extreme violence, the governments should be patient. Yet, it has been in the news that hundreds of lives have been taken. They raise the claim to democracy mimicking the West but have no tolerance. If they wish to emulate democracy, they have to inculcate tolerance.

All that has been taking place recently in Egypt and Libya etc. or that which has been going on in Afghanistan and Pakistan for years through the hands of the extremist is a negation of that spirit of brotherhood which Islam commands. Today, in order to restore the name of Islam, to create peace between the masses and the leadership, Taqwa is needed and no one is interested to pay attention to this. What is needed is that everyone turns to God and reflects as to what should be done when there is a situation of: ‘Corruption has appeared on land and sea…’ (30:42).

Hudhur said the Qur’an gives its solution as did the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and that is the way to accept the Messiah and the Mahdi and take the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) greeting to him. Unless they consider this they will continue to increase in worldly greed. Taqwa is attained by connecting to God, indeed Taqwa is attained by adopting the ways shown by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Next Hudhur gave a summarised account of a piece he was sent taken from a website in which a Muslim organisation talks about a permanent solution to the current state of affairs. It sees the current struggle for freedom in some Muslim countries as positive and says that Muslims need to raise their voices against tyrants. Commenting on Western media, it says terminology used about Islam makes it appear frightening. But these people are not willing to accept the system of Khilafat. For the past ten years much has been written against Islam regarding Burqa, the Qur’an, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and the Shariah. It says that in an Islamic state Khilafat is central and that is why it is the core of our faith. It is Khilafat alone that can keep a watchful eye on the rulers and can create emancipation of all kinds. It says that this is the only way through which the Ummah can spread light in the world. It suggests that efforts should be made to establish Khilafat. Hudhur said indeed the piece correctly maintains that in order to unify Muslims and to maintain justice it is the system of Khilafat alone that can rightly guide. However, the method suggested therein that the masses should stage uprising, is wrong.

Hudhur said the indication is of the right way but Khilafat cannot be achieved through an effort of the masses. Did the Rightly Guided Khilafat establish through human effort? Indeed, it was a state of fear from which God raised Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) for Khilafat. Hudhur said Khilafat is a conferment, it is a blessing of God for the believers. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) foretold about the Rightly Guided Khilafat after him, he also foretold of a long period of oppression after which he foretold of a ray of hope which can be seen in the Quranic statement of: ‘And among others from among them who have not yet joined them…’ (62:4). He had said that the Messiah will be a non-Arab and of Persian descent, and due to his subordination to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) his station will be that of a non-law-bearing Prophet. Hadhrat Huzaifa narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: ‘Prophethood shall remain among you as long as Allah shall will. He will bring about its end and follow it with Khilafat on the precepts of prophethood for as long as He shall will and then bring about its end. A tyrannical monarchy will then follow and will remain as long as Allah shall will and then come to an end. There will follow thereafter monarchical despotism to last as long as Allah shall will and come to an end upon His decree. There will then emerge Khilafat on precept of Prophethood.’ The Holy Prophet said no more.

Hudhur explained that it is God’s mercy that comes into action for the establishment of Khilafat. How do they propose to establish Khilafat in every country, they are not even in agreement over Imamat of Salat. There is only one solution and that is to accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and then accept the Khilafat that has been in place after him. This Khilafat was not established by displaying extremist stance. This Khilafat was borne out of calling on God’s mercy. Khilafat that is granted by God’s mercy and favour will not just be a guarantee of peace for the Ummah, it will be so for the entire world, it will draw the attention of governments and the masses to their obligations respectively. The Ahmadiyya Community only presents one solution to all these disorders: in order to become Khaira Ummah (the best people) remove the fear of the world from heart, make a connection with God and accomplish your life in this world and the Hereafter. Be assured that if God wishes, He can still speak to whomsoever He wishes. This will come to pass by connecting to the Imam of the age; this alone will rectify the condition of the Muslims.

Hudhur explained that one who came with the mercy of God brought back faith from the Pleiades as foretold by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and after him Khilafat was established, also, as foretold by him. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also said that after him God will send a ‘Second Manifestation’. Ahmadis should take this message wherever they can that if stability is perceived to be in the shield/protection of Khilafat, then in accordance with the prophecy of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) such a Khilafat exists. There is no need to fire bullets for it, come and be a part of this Divine system and thus become a source of strengthening the Ummah. This alone will display true obedience to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Hudhur prayed that may God make them understand this very basic point and rather than trying here and there, they come to the way that God has taught. Meanwhile, Ahmadis should focus on prayers.

May God grant each Muslim country leadership that is sensible and has fear of God. In countries where for now it appears peaceful, the rulers seem to serving self-interests and those in the wings also seem to have the same ways. Seeing the reaction in some countries, tyrannical kings are also raising voices about rights of people. It appears that each country is now unsafe in this regard, whichever powers are working behind the scenes; those that will usher in peace or those that will create disorder. Seeing the situation, Saudi Arabia has announced further reforms. Many new powers are emerging. Some appear to be telling the world powers that now that they have experienced their erstwhile ‘allies’, they should try them. The former rulers have placed people in position who will maintain the same governmental policy. However, now that awareness has been generated in people that this is an unacceptable way, it poses the danger of religious extremists taking advantage of the situation. This could create a different set of problems. World powers will take overt as well as covert action in response to this; they will never tolerate their interests to be effected. The current internal strife in Third world Muslim countries is due to the clash of the interests of different world powers. It is the tragedy of these Muslim countries that they are pawns in the hands of the outsiders and do not look after their national interests. The proverbial mullah is devoid of Taqwa and is even more dangerous than the self-interested rulers. This is a cause for deep concern and requires prayers.

Internal and external powers are frantically trying to take control and the masses are being crushed. There was a time when it was said about Iraq that it was so developed that it appeared like a European country. It has now been reduced to ruins. The situation in Iraq has increased restlessness in Arab countries and some African countries and owing to the natural resources there, world powers now wish to have their foothold there. In short, this evident oppression appears to be taking the world towards destruction. If true Taqwa is not generated, if justice is not established then one day or the other, destruction will engulf the world and it is not inconceivable that some Muslims countries will become the trigger factor. May God give Muslim countries rulers who are just and who abide by Taqwa and who cooperate and wish for cooperation in the name of virtue, in compliance of the Quranic commandment: ‘…And help one another in righteousness and piety;’ (5:3). The apparent situation, however, does not appear thus. It appears to be a case of: ‘Corruption has appeared on land and sea…’ (30:42). We can but pray or at the most take our message to a limited number of people.

Hudhur said recently a Bengali professor sahib came to see him and posed the question that if Ahmadis were to be in the majority, what was the guarantee that they would not oppress others. Hudhur told him that a majority that is borne out of winning hearts and minds, that gives a message of love, indeed spreads love, which keeps Taqwa and God’s pleasure in view cooperates in virtuous matters as well as takes cooperation in virtuous matters. The system of rightly-guided Khilafat is based on giving rights to people not appropriating their rights. Due to human failing, wrong decisions can be made, but if there is Taqwa, things are put right. In spite of being persecuted, Ahmadis are anxious at the current state of affairs in the Muslim world and write to Hudhur about it. Hudhur said we are to be concerned and sympathetic to the Muslim world regardless of anything and should pray for them, InshaAllah we will continue to do so. Those Ahmadis who live in the Arab countries and have some influence should tell Muslim politicians and leaders that if they do not take heed and do not try their utmost to establish justice and Taqwa and do not take themselves out of the mullah’s snare, are not vigilant of the extremists, it is entirely possible that in the name of religion, the proverbial mullah will try to take full control of the government in some countries. This could bring such drastic results to the fore which could push the masses further into darkness. In the name of religion, one sect will continue to persecute another sect and world powers will thus have a licence to intervene in the name of peace-keeping. This would lead to further chaos, there will be loss of lives, loss of property and directly or indirectly a possibility of being chained into subjugation will come to pass. Above all, as mentioned before, a wide-ranging war could engulf the world. May God have mercy and give sense to the Muslim Ummah and their rulers, may they inculcate fear of God in hearts.

A beautiful article by founder of Ahmadiyya Community

2011-06-19T08:27:00.002+00:00

How to be Free from Sin

In this article, I intend to show that the remarkable material progress of the current age has been more than counterbalanced by its deplorable spiritual decline, to the extent that the souls of men have lost their ability even to grasp obvious truths. It is apparent from a close study of humanity that a hidden and formidable force is pulling it downwards, and man is swiftly being dragged into a pit which is termed Asfalus Safilin [the lowest of the low]. Such a complete change has come over the intellects of men, that they have come to admire and praise things which are abhorrent and detestable to the spiritual eye. Every soul feels itself being dragged downwards by a force, which, through its devastating influence, has already caused a whole world to fall into decline. Pure truths are laughed at and ridiculed, and complete submission to God is looked upon as an absurdity. Every soul is drawn towards the world as if constrained by some hidden force.

As I have often stated before, attraction forms the basis for everything that happens in the world, and the side which possesses greater conviction is able attract others towards itself. There is every truth in the principle that a force can only be counteracted by another more powerful than itself. It is impossible for this world, which is being pulled downwards by the force of base attractions, to rise up again, unless an opposing force appears from heaven to reinforce people’s faith, and to show them that there is more substantial and lasting joy in submission to the commandments of God than in the fulfillment of carnal passions, and to convince them that transgression is worse than death. This heavenly light of conviction is granted to man through the 'Sun', i.e., the Imam of his age, and failure to recognize him amounts to dying a death of ignorance. The person who thinks he has no need of this true source of light is deluded, for he sets himself against the immutable laws of God. Human eyes, even though they possess a light of their own, cannot see without the sun. The sun is the source of the light which descends from heaven and illuminates the earth, and without it our eyes are as good as blind. He who attains conviction through this heavenly light is drawn towards piety, and it is natural for a struggle to ensue between the two attractions, one pulling him towards virtue and the other towards vice, one towards the East and the other towards

the West. The clash is all the more ferocious when the two attractions are at their peak—as they are during times of tremendous material advancement. As the earth undergoes

phenomenal progress, rest assured that spiritual preparations are also being made and an attraction has been formed in heaven to counter the earthly one. The days when neglect and evil reign supreme upon the earth are terrifying, because they have been marked for the spiritual battle foretold by the Prophets in the form of various metaphors. Some people describe it as the final battle between the Angels of heaven and the Satans of the earth, which will culminate in the end of the world; others naively think that it will be a physical battle, fought with swords and guns. The latter are completely mistaken, for they naïvely interpret a spiritual battle to mean a physical one.

In short, a fierce clash between the darkness of the earth and the light of heaven is imminent, as foretold by all the Prophets, from Adam to the Holy Prophet. The commander of the one side is called 'the Concealer of the truth', while that of the other is known as 'the Revealer of the truth'. The one who comes from heaven in the company

of angels is the manifestation of [the Angel] Michael, and the one who is raised from the earth with the powers of darkness is the manifestation of Satan.

When we observe the well-armed legions of the earth busy in their preparations, having already accomplished a great deal, we are led to believe that the kingdom of heaven is not unmindful of its preparations either. The heavenly dominion is averse to show and ostentation and it accomplishes a great deal without anyone knowing about it. People finally become aware of it when there appears a light in heaven and a white minaret on earth; the heavenly light then falls upon the minaret and illuminates the whole world.

This last sentence requires some explanation. Although God’s spiritual order is in complete harmony with the physical one, it does, at times, display singular features that

are not easily discernable in the physical order. For example, when an earthly attraction is formed, it results in the formation of a heavenly attraction, even though the two are opposed to one another. And it stands to reason that when these two attractions reach their pinnacle in the final days of the world, they must confront one another, for neither

can gain supremacy without destroying the other. When two sides are equal in power and glory, they inevitably clash. Not only has this been foretold in all the books of the Prophets, but reason also demands that when two powerful and opposing attractions come into collision, one of them must vanquish the other or both must be annihilated.

In keeping with the description found in the books of the Prophets, it so happened that when a thousand years had passed after Jesus(as)—the period in which, according to the

prophecies, Satan had remained in shackles—an evil force began to assert itself upon the earth. This was the time when Islam began to decline in respect of its noble principles;

its spiritual progress came to a halt, and its worldly conquests ceased. Islam was born in an age when Satan lay bound in chains—and so it must have been, for this is what all the Prophets, as far back as John the divine, had foretold—and its downfall began when Satan was released after 1000 A.D., and Islam ceased to progress any further. Thereafter, all kinds of satanic activities took root and the tree of evil began to grow upon the earth, until some of its branches pervaded the East, some reached the farthest settlements of the West, and some spread over the North and South. Just as external evens have shown the

period of Satan’s imprisonment to be a thousand years, the period of his freedom is also a thousand years, as foretold by the Prophets, and it comes to an end at the turn of the fourteenth century of the Hijra. These thousand years are to be reckoned according to the divine or lunar calendar, for it is according to this system that the Jews and Muslims have been taught to determine the time of [the fulfilment of] prophecies. Calculations based on the solar calendar are an innovation of man and go against the purport of the sacred writings.

These, in short, are the final days of Satan’s respite, indeed they have already passed, for nineteen years have already elapsed since the turn of the Hijra century which marked

the end of Satan’s period of freedom. He, however, does not wish to be stripped of his power, and a struggle between the two forces is inevitable. This was ordained from the beginning, and God’s word can never be false.

Another testimony which shows that these are the days [of the final battle], is that the sixth millennium since the birth of Adam, in which the second Adam was supposed

to appear, has also passed. Since the sixth day is the day of the birth of Adam and, according to the scriptures, a day symbolizes a thousand years, we have to accept that

the second Adam has already appeared in keeping with God’s promises, even though he has not yet been fully recognized. We also have to believe that the place God has appointed for his advent is in the East and not in the West. Since Adam was given an abode in a garden towards the East (Genesis 2:8), the second Adam must also appear in an Eastern country in order to maintain his similarity to the first. Muslims and Christians are both equally obligated to accept this, unless of course they are inclined towards disbelief.

Thus, there should be no difficulty in understanding the truth, for it is quite apparent that this is the time for the final battle between light and darkness. The forces of darkness are exerting their utmost power, and it is futile to think that they can now be subjugated by any other means except through the light that descends directly from heaven.

Darkness has completely pervaded the world and the flickering lamp of righteousness is about to die out. Customary belief, traditional knowledge and superficial prayers can no longer bring back its faded light. Can the blind lead the blind? Can darkness dispel darkness? No! A new minaret has to be built on the earth which rises above the lowly dwellings, so that the heavenly lamp may be placed on it, and the whole world may be illuminated by its light. How can light reach distant places unless it is placed somewhere high?

What does the minaret symbolize? It represents the holy, pure and resolute soul, which is given to that perfect man who is worthy of heavenly light, and this meaning is inherent

in the word 'minaret' itself. The loftiness of the minaret signifies the high resolve of such a man, its strength signifies the fortitude which he shows at times of trial, and its pristine whiteness represents his innocence, which must ultimately be established. And when all this has taken place i.e., when his truthfulness has been established with arguments, and his fortitude, steadfastness, patience and perseverance has become apparent like a shining minaret, the period of his first advent—which was marked by trials and tribulations—comes to an end, and the time is now ripe for him to appear in glory. Spirituality, which is imbued with Divine glory, descends upon him who is like a minaret, and invests him with Divine powers by God’s permission. All this happens in his second advent, and this is exactly the manner in which the Promised Messiah was supposed to appear. The Traditions prevalent among the Muslims which speak, for instance, of his descent near a minaret, are only meant to signify that his advent will be a glorious one and that he will be accompanied by Divine power. Heaven holds him back until the time God has appointed for his advent, but this does not mean that he was not [physically] present on

the earth before that.

It is also a Divine practice that He uses physical illustrations to explain some spiritual matters. The Temple in Baitul Muqaddas [Jerusalem], and the Ka‘bah in Mecca, for example, serve as symbols of Divine manifestation. It is in this context that the Islamic Shariah speaks of the Promised Messiah’s descent on, or near a minaret, in a country which lies to the East of Damascus—just as Adam was given a dwelling in the East. There is no harm if a physical minaret is also built before his glorious advent; it is, in fact, mentioned in the Hadith literature that a minaret shall be built before the advent of the Promised Messiah, and it will serve as a sign of his glorious appearance.

The Promised Messiah is to appear in two phases. The first will be unremarkable, accompanied by all kinds of tribulations. This will be followed by a period of glory,

before which a minaret must be built to comply with the Tradition which says that the physical minaret will be a reflection of the spiritual one.

The world will not recognize him before his glorious advent, for he will not be of the world, nor will it love him, for it does not love God from Whom he will have come. He must face trials and persecution, and aspersions must be cast upon him; indeed, Islamic prophecies foretell that the Promised Messiah will initially be rejected, and ignorant

people will make mischief against him. They will attack him unjustly and think that they have acted piously, and others shall torment him and consider their actions pleasing to God. Thus will he be subjected to every kind of tribulation, until the time of his glorious advent which has been preordained by God. People with willing hearts will then reflect: 'What kind of an impostor is this who cannot be subjugated? Why does God help him instead of us?' An angel of God will thereupon descend upon their hearts and admonish them: 'Is it necessary that all the prophecies found in your Traditions should be fulfilled,

and is this what hinders you [from accepting the Promised Messiah]? Is it not possible that these prophecies may be prone to error or misinterpretation, and is it not permissible

to view some of them as metaphorical? Were the Jews not deprived of faith and fortune because they waited in vain for the literal fulfilment of all their prophecies according to their own understanding? Considering that it is the same God, and His ways are the same, is it not possible that you are being tried in the same way?' Their hearts will ultimately incline towards the truth, just as in [the times of] the past [Prophets].

It would be a mistake to declare that in this age physical wars should be waged in order to spread faith and piety. The sword, rather than revealing the beauties and excellences

of the truth, conceals them and shrouds them in ambiguity. Those who hold such beliefs are foes, not friends, of Islam. They are mean-natured and lack moral fibre, their hearts are cloaked in uncertainty, they are gullible and ignorant, and they provide the opponents of Islam with the opportunity to object that the progress of Islam depends upon the sword. This belief is detrimental to Islam. No religion has to resort to force when it is capable of establishing its truth through rational arguments, undisputed testimonies, and heavenly signs. On the other hand, no further argument is required to falsify a religion

which does not possess these qualities and turns to the sword to compensate for its own weakness. Such a religion is in effect slain by its own sword.

Critics wrongfully object that if Jihad is considered unlawful in this day and age, why was it practised in the early days of Islam? These people do not seem to be aware that Islam rejects the use of force to spread religion under any circumstances. The Holy Quran categorically says: 'There is no compulsion in religion.' The sword was raised [by the early Muslims] because the savages of Arabia, who had lost all sense of morality and human values, had become the sworn enemies of Islam. When the Unity of God and the truth of Islam was shown to them through unequivocal arguments, and it was impressed upon their minds that idolatry was wrong and against the dignity of man, they were unable to counter these arguments. The sensible among them, therefore, inclined

towards Islam resulting in the separation of brothers from brothers and sons from their fathers. At this point the idolaters were reduced to severely punishing those who became Muslims as a means of preserving their false religion and dissuading people from Islam. These crimes were perpetrated by the Chiefs of Mecca, Abu Jahl being one of them.

Those who are acquainted with the early history of Islam are no doubt aware of the cruelty and barbarity that was perpetrated by the opponents in Mecca, and the number of

innocent people who were killed as a result. But this did not deter people from embracing Islam. Even those of limited intelligence could see that its teachings were far more rational and convincing than those of the idol worshippers. When the opponents saw the futility of their efforts, they decided that the only solution was to assassinate the Holy Prophet (sa), but God rescued him from their hands and led him to Medina in safety. The Meccans, however, persisted in their evil designs, and continued their efforts to kill him even in Medina. Under these circumstances, the Muslims had to defend themselves and to avenge those who attacked them unjustly. The Islamic wars were not fought to spread the faith but only to protect the lives of the Muslims. Can any reasonable person believe that Islam was unable to prove the Oneness of God before the idolaters—who worshipped stone idols and other inanimate objects, and were engrossed in all kinds of vice—and had to resort to the sword for this reason? God forbid! These allegations are groundless and those who make them, do a grave injustice to Islam by concealing the truth.

The Maulawis have played their part in perpetrating this injustice, but the Christian clerics are no less guilty, for they too have impressed these thoughts in the minds of the

Muslims by highlighting the edicts of foolish Maulawis. When Muslims hear their own Maulawis issuing edicts in favour of Jihad, and hear the Christian clerics—who are also eminent scholars—raising the same objection against Islam, they fall prey to the concept that Islam encourages this kind of Jihad. Both these positions have given rise to these unfounded objections against Islam.

Had the Christian clergy not adopted this course, and had they honestly and truthfully admitted that the edicts of the Maulawis are based on sheer ignorance, and that the circumstances which had necessitated the Jihad during the early days of Islam are not present in this age, the very notion of this kind of Jihad would have disappeared from

the world. But they failed to understand this, being guided more by their passions than their reason.... continued

Friday Sermon: Obedience to the State (Delivered by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on 1st April 2011)

2011-04-08T22:36:00.001+00:00

Hudhur gave a discourse on
‘ obedience to the state’ in his Friday
Sermon today. Hudhur said he wished
to reiterate today what he had
mentioned a few weeks ago as
regards a Tehreek for prayer for the
world of Islam. He had asked Ahmadis
to pray that may God grant sense to
the Muslim leaders so that the Muslim
countries are saved from defeat. In
addition, the message to the masses
was to avoid falling prey to the
extremists or the outsiders. Hudhur
said, with God ’s grace, Ahmadis have
understood that prayer alone is the
real ‘weapon’ and they do not
participate in violent protests.
However, at times the thought of how
much patience must one demonstrate
towards wrong polices of a tyrant
emerges in minds. It is wondered in
some African countries as what should
be the reaction to such leaders, for
example as in the current situation in
the Ivory Coast. How much should
Ahmadis participate in the radical
reaction by the public or against the
anti-governmental rallies. Hudhur said
even some educated people did not
understand the spirit of Hudhur ’s
message. At times, they wish to have a
definitive answer whether they can
participate in a mission to forcefully
take their rights and also how much
oppression they should endure.
Hudhur had organised a meeting with
the Arab Desk where he had
explained to Haani Tahir sahib
regarding the Arabic-speaking African
nations and had explained in detail as
to what should be the deportment of
Ahmadis in the current situation.
Hudhur had also directed that his
instructions should be sent to the
relevant countries in writing for better
understanding. However, judging
from some letters and questions, it
appears that some do not understand
the view point of the Ahmadiyya
Community in this regard; view point
that is based on the Qur ’an Ahadith
and the pronouncements of the
Promised Messiah (on whom be
peace). Thus, Hudhur felt the need to
explain further in order to allay all
doubts.
Hudhur said the Qur’an states, and this
part of the verse is recited every
Friday: ‘Allah…forbids indecency,
and manifest evil, and
transgression ’. (16:91). The Promised
Messiah (on whom be peace) has
explained the Arabic word Bagh ’i
(transgression) as signifying
excessive rainfall that spoils crops.
Hudhur explained this means one
who diminishes rightful dues or one
who exceeds in rightful dues. God
forbids from both; neither the ruler,
nor the masses should either diminish
or exceed in this regard, if they do,
they break the boundaries set by God.
Hudhur said as these day it is the
masses who are taking severe action
against governments, Hudhur would
address the matter correspondingly.
Ahadith inform us that even if the
leader is in the wrong, the masses are
enjoined to be patient.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be on him) said; ‘After me you
will see injustice, rights suppressed
and others given preference over you.
You will see matters that you will
disapprove of ’. When asked what was
the commandment in such
circumstances, the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be on him) replied,
‘ pay their [leaders] rights to them and
ask God for your rights.’ The Holy
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah
be on him) also said: ‘Whoever
disapproves of something done by his
ruler should be patient, for whoever
disobeys the ruler even as little as the
span of a hand will die a death of
ignorance. ’ A man came to the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be on
him) and complained that he had
appointed so and so as a ruler and
had not appointed him, to which the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah
be on him) replied: ‘After me you will
see others given preference over you
but you should be patient till the Day
of Judgment. ’ Once the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be on him) was
asked how people should react if
unjust rulers are imposed on them. He
declined to answer, he was asked
again, and again he declined. When he
was asked the third time, he replied
that even in such a situation the ruler
should be obeyed. He would be
accountable for the responsibility
given to him while the subjects would
be accountable for the responsibility
laid on them. Once the Holy Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be on
him) took Bai ’at, after which he said
once someone is made a ruler he
should not be quarrelled with unless
he does Kufr (disbelief) publically and
for this they [they people] have a
proof from God.
Hudhur explained that the above
explains that rioting against the
government is against the Shariah.
Hudhur said Wahhabi school of
thought and others with extreme view
infer from this Hadith that if the Kufr of
a leader becomes apparent, his
leadership should be snatched. They
issue severely binding Fatwa (edict)
that those who do not acknowledge
as Kaffir people whom they have
decreed as Kaffir, are also Kaffir.
Hudhur said the Hadith mentions
obedience and does not refer to
rebellion/ transgression.
Hudhur said in our Community there is
one instance of ‘disobedience’ to the
state. This is in Pakistan where we are
told not to call ourselves Muslims, not
to read the Qur ’an, not to say the
Kalima, not to offer the Islamic
salutation of Salaam etc. This is a
religious matter for us and we have no
need to obey in this. Indeed, we do
not rebel and abide by all the other
laws of the land. Hudhur quoted Imam
Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on
him) in further elucidation of the
Hadith. He had said that Kufr here
signifies sin, adding that if something
wrong is detected in the government,
the matter should be raised in a
truthful manner, but there should be
no transgression, even if those
governing are oppressive tyrants.
Hudhur said contrary to this today
‘ both sides’ are in conflict and Muslim
is killing Muslim.
Hudhur cited the following Hadith:
‘ The example of those who abide by
God’s regulations (Hudud) and those
who violate them is like that of some
people who drew lots for their places
on a boat. As a result, some of them
sat in the upper deck and others in the
lower deck. When those in the lower
deck needed water, they had to go up
to bring the water which
inconvenienced the people there. One
person from the lower deck started
making a hole in the base of the boat.
People from the upper deck asked him
what he was doing, he replied, ‘when
I go upstairs to get water, you are
inconvenienced, and I cannot do
without water. ’ Thus, if those on the
upper deck stop him they will save
him and themselves from drowning. If
they leave him to make a hole in the
base of the boat, they will kill him as
well as themselves. ’ Hudhur said some
people infer from this Hadith that if
those who do evil are stopped by
force it is not correct, it creates
disorder. Hudhur said if we
understand this to signify rebellion
against the state, then it is contrary to
the words of the Holy Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be on him). The
Hadith means that it is warrantable to
stop rioting; however, this is not
applicable where the state is
concerned. The Holy Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be on him)
could not have said something
contrary to the Qur ’an. He had said: ‘If
you see something you disapprove
of , you should alter it with your hand,
if you do not have the strength for
this, do so with your speech and if you
do not have the strength for this, then
do so in your heart, and that is the
least of faith’. Hudhur said Imam
Mullah Ali Qari explained this Hadith as
follows: the directive to ‘alter with your
hand’ is for rulers, the directive to do
so with ‘speech’ is for Ulema (religious
scholars) and the directive to dislike
something censorious with one ’s
heart is for the believing masses.
Hudhur said this is a fine explanation
of the Hadith and as regards the earlier
Hadith about the boat, only those who
are in authority have the right to
prohibit others. If everyone starts
prohibiting each other, disorder
would ensue. And the Qur ’an tells us:
‘…and Allah loves not
disorder.’ (2:206) and as mentioned
earlier: ‘Allah…forbids indecency,
and manifest evil, and
transgression ’.
Hudhur said we have the example of
Prophets of God and their obedience
to the state. Hadith informs us that
124,000 Prophets came to the world.
The Qur ’an mentions 20 to 25
Prophets and none among them said
anything against the ruler of the state
in worldly matters or even took out
rallies with their followers. In terms of
religious beliefs all Prophets openly
refuted the beliefs of the rulers of their
regions and fully disseminated true
beliefs. Hadhrat Yusuf ’s (on whom be
peace) example is often cited in this
regard. The Qur ’an states: ‘We
narrate unto you the most beautiful
narration by revealing to you this
Qur ’an, while before this, you were
of those who were unaware’. (12:4).
Hudhur said Surah Yusuf consists of
the narrative of Hadhrat Yusuf ’s (on
whom be peace) life and the summary
of it is that he was a treasury minister
in the government of the pagan king
of Egypt, a Pharaoh. Had the king
thought that Hadhrat Yusuf (on whom
be peace) was not loyal to him and
was compliant in, God forbid, a
hypocritical way, he would have never
made him a minister. It is indeed
disrespectful to even entertain such an
idea about Hadhrat Yusuf (on whom
be peace). God states in the Qur ’an:
‘Thus did We plan for Joseph. He
could not have taken his brother
under the King ’s law unless Allah
had so willed…’ (12:77). The law of
the king of Egypt did not allow
Hadhrat Yusuf (on whom be peace) to
keep his brother there. Thus, God so
willed that he put the king ’s drinking-
cup in his brother’s luggage and upon
search that is where it was found. This
demonstrates that Hadhrat Yusuf (on
whom be peace) was loyal to the laws
of the pagan and idolatrous king of
Egypt but he did not abide by him in
religious matters. God states in the
Qur’an: ‘O ye who believe! obey
Allah, and obey His Messenger and
those who are in authority over
you. And if you differ in anything
among yourselves, refer it to Allah
and His Messenger if you are
believers in Allah and the Last Day.
That is best and most commendable
in the end ’. (4:60).In explanation of
this verse, the Promised Messiah said it
enjoins to obey God, the Prophet and
your ruler. He also said, ‘O Muslims, if
you have any mutual disagreement,
entrust the matter to God and His
Prophet for judgement. If you believe
in the Day of Judgement, take this
course, for this is the most excellent
interpretation ’. Hudhur explained that
the judgement of God and His Prophet,
as mentioned earlier, is not to rebel, no
matter what sort of worldly situation is
faced.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be
peace) said: ‘The Holy Qur’an states
‘obey Allah, and obey His
Messenger and those who are in
authority over you. ’ Therein is a clear
directive to obey ‘those who are in
authority over you’. If someone says
that the government is not included in
this, it is their clear mistake. Whatever a
government does within Shariah is
included in this regard ’. He said, ‘if the
ruler is oppressive do not criticise him,
rather, reform yourself. God will
replace him or will make him pious.
Any trouble that befalls does so due to
one ’s own bad deeds…my advice is
this alone that you become a model of
virtue in every way. Do not usurp the
rights of God and do not usurp the
rights of mankind. ’
Explaining the same verse Hadhrat
Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be
pleased with him) said that some
Muslims erroneously infer that this
verse is only about Muslim rulers. He
said this was against the rules of the
Qur’an and here the significance is not
of a co-religionist. God addresses
disbelievers in the Qur ’an: ’ …did not
Messengers come to you from
among yourselves …’ (6:131)Thus it
is not essential that the inference is of
co-religionists. The directive is to obey
those who rule one ’s country. If there
is a disagreement with the state, it
should be entrusted to God and His
Prophet. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II
(may Allah be pleased with him) said
the narrative of Hadhrat Yusuf (on
whom be peace) in the Holy Qur ’an
testifies that it is essential to obey the
ruler no matter what his religion.
Hudhur said in situations where there
is disagreement with the ruler and the
masses, regardless of religion, the
directive of the Holy Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be on him) is: ‘I
enjoin you to have God’s Taqwa and
make obedience your way even if a
black slave is your ruler. Those who
will survive me will experience great
disagreement among people. In such
time, I enjoin you to practice my way
and after me, the way of my Rightly
Guided Khulafa. Hold on firmly to this
way and just as something is held on
tightly with teeth, hold onto this way
and do not ever abandon the path
that is mine or that of my Rightly
Guided Khulafa ’.
Hudhur explained a ruler should be
obeyed even if he is unjust and
prayers should be made to God for his
reformation. Ahmadis should
remember the conditions of their
Bai ’at. The second condition is:
‘That he/she shall keep away from
falsehood, fornication, adultery,
trespasses of the eye, debauchery,
dissipation, cruelty, dishonesty,
mischief and rebellion; and will not
permit himself/herself to be carried
away by passions, however strong
they might be’.
And the fourth condition is:
That under the impulse of any
passions, he/she shall cause no harm
whatsoever to the creatures of Allah in
general, and Muslims in particular,
neither by his/her tongue nor by his/
her hands nor by any other means ’.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be
peace) said that destruction of peace is
worse than killing. He said that to
participate in strikes etc. in colleges
and universities is against our
teaching and it is like participating in
rebellion. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I
(may Allah be pleased with him) said it
is essential for Muslims to obey God,
His Messenger and those are in
authority over them. He said if one
who is in authority does something
against God’s command or that of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah
be on him) then one should not obey
him or alternatively one should
migrate.
Hudhur said some question the rally
Hadhrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be
pleased with him) organised in favour
of people of Kashmir and deem it to be
a matter on par with rebellion.
However, this action was to give the
people of Kashmir their rights and did
not entail any rioting. Here, attention
was drawn towards the usurpation of
property of the people of Kashmir
where all the income was taken by the
Raja. When Hadhrat Musleh Maud (may
Allah be pleased with him) was asked
what should be the stance of Ahmadis
about the strike action of 1929, he
said they should not participate in it
but could participate in rallies as the
government had allowed that. He was
told that if Ahmadi shops remained
open they were beaten to shut them.
He instructed that the police should be
informed, if they were willing to
provide protection, the shops may be
opened, otherwise not. He said, ‘strike
action causes loss both to the
customer and the shopkeeper. We can
never cooperate with those who
counsel breaking the law because it is
against our religion. No matter how
badly Ahmadis are persecuted, the law
of Shariah and the law of the land
cannot be broken ’.
Hudhur said he had cited verse 2:206
in part earlier, the complete verse
reads: ‘And when he is in authority,
he runs about in the land to create
disorder in it and destroy the crops
and the progeny of man; and Allah
loves not disorder. ’ (2:206). He
explained that this verse is warning
unjust rulers. The Qur ’an does not only
direct the masses, it also enjoins the
rulers, telling them not to be arrogant
about their power and not be unjust.
Hudhur said in the current state of
affairs the same story can be heard
across the board, that national
revenues have been plundered and
the masses deprived of their rights.
How unfortunate that those whom
God has informed about it all are the
ones who are committing these
wrongdoings. Those in authority have
a great responsibility over their public
and by not honouring that these
rulers are creating disorder and God
greatly disapproves of disorder.
Muslim leaders should follow in the
footsteps of the examples that are
there for them; Hadhrat Umer (may
Allah be pleased with him) ruled in a
manner that had people [not just
Muslims] distraught during Christian
rule, wishing for Muslim rule to return.
What is needed is Taqwa, which is
non-existent among the Muslims
today; both the rulers as well as the
masses. The clear instruction for
Ahmadis is to protect themselves from
this disorder and pray most sincerely;
God will one day listen to sincere
prayers. And if their rulers are unjust,
they will be rescued from them. In
future, the changes that are afoot may
bring peace on a temporary basis but
it will not be permanent. When power
is gained through transgression or
through revolutions, after a period of
time, tyrannical rule returns. Therefore,
also pray that may God never impose a
tyrant over us. May God make the
Muslim world recognise their rights
and obligations and thus present the
beautiful teaching of Islam to the
world.
Next Hudhur announced a few funeral
Prayers in absentia that he would lead
after Friday Prayers. These were of:
Amtul Wadood sahiba, wife of Syed
Abdul Hai Shah sahib, Nazir Isha ’at
Anjuman Ahmadiyya Rabwah who
passed away in Rabwah a few days
ago. She was 72 years old. A devout
Ahmadi, she was the mother of
Ahmad Yahya sahib, chairman of
Humanity First.
Muhammad Saeed Ashraf sahib who
passed away in Lahore after a road
accident. He was taken to hospital but
passed away after a few minutes of
arriving there.
Naeema Begum sahiba, passed away
in Ohio, USA. She was the daughter of
Dr, Hashmatullah Khan, special
physician of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih
II . She had a very sincere connection
with Khilafat from the time of 2nd
Khilafat till the present day.
Naeem Ahmad Waseem sahib passed
away on March 6 in USA. He used to
perform security tasks with Hadhrat
Khalifatul III prior to his Khilafat era.
He was a sincere Ahmadi and had
served Ansar USA. A few months ago
he had suffered a heart attack. The
first thing after regaining
consciousness that he talked about
was to ask for an update on chanda
collection for mosque.
Hudhur prayed that may God elevate
the station of the deceased and may
their virtues endure in their children.

Compelling Beauty of the Holy Qur'an (Friday Sermon Delivered by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on MAR 25th )

2011-04-01T15:33:00.002+00:00

Hudhur recited the following verses of
the Holy Qur ’an at the start of his
Friday Sermon today: ‘We have
explained the truth in this Qur’an in
the various ways that they may be
admonished, but it only increases
them in aversion. ’ (17:42) and ‘And
We are gradually revealing of the
Qur ’an that which is a healing and a
mercy to the believers; but it only
adds to the loss of the wrongdoers.’
(17:83).
Hudhur said time and again, the
rancour and malice of the detractors of
Islam against Islam, the Holy Qur ’an
and the Holy Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be on him) surfaces.
It was reported recently that in some
Muslim countries extreme reaction is
being demonstrated. This is regarding
the ill-natured American priest, who
was verbally abusive about the Holy
Qur ’an in September 2010 and had
talked of burning it, but had desisted
at the time due to some pressure.
However, two days ago, he committed
this foul act. He justified it by calling on
a [so-called] ‘jury’ of 12 people in
which a Muslim Imam represented
Islam. However, after 6 hours the jury
decided that the Holy Qur ’an, God
forbid, promotes violence and this was
cited as the reason why they burnt it.
Hudhur said they act as both the
perpetrator and the judge themselves.
This particular priest does not have
any standing in the USA. His
congregation numbers in a few
hundred. He has committed this
terrible act for cheap publicity which
the media is fanning simply to increase
their own circulation. Analysts are
saying that in spite of media reporting
it, the news item has not attracted
attention. Council on American-Islamic
Relations was asked to comment on
this but they declined, saying they did
not wish to give the man seeking his
fifteen minutes of fame any more
publicity.
Hudhur said such dreadful acts have
always been committed against Islam
and even if they are perpetrated
publically or privately, they are hurtful
to a true believer. However, the
reaction should not be to put a price
on the person’s head, as some have
done, or take out demonstrations and
cause damage to one ’s own country.
The correct reaction to such matters
should be to present such a picture of
the Qur ’an through one’s word and
deed that the world itself condemns
the perpetrator.
Giving example of acknowledgement
of the excellence of the Holy Qur ’an by
non- Muslims, Hudhur said that in his
book ‘History of the Intellectual
Development of Europe’ John William
Draper writes that it is an erroneous
concept that the advancement of the
Arabs was with the use of force. He
wrote that force cannot alter one ’s
conscience. He wrote that the Qur’an
articulates its objective in an excellent
manner.
Explaining the Quranic verses recited
at the start, Hudhur said the Holy
Qur ’an has drawn a clear picture of
these people. They are similar to the
pagans of Arabia. Such people have
always been around and will continue
to be around who, in spite of
elucidation of every aspect of the Holy
Qur ’an, they will continue to raise
objections. Rather than open their
eyes, the elucidation drives them away
from this beautiful teaching. As the
verses expound: ‘…increases them in
aversion…’ whereas for the believers
it is: ‘… a healing and a mercy…’.
Hudhur explained that one’s view is in
accordance to one’s nature, some will
always have a jaundiced view. The
Qur ’an states in its very beginning that
it is a ‘…guidance for the
righteous…’ (2:3). Its beautiful
teaching, which is superior to all the
earlier teachings will only be evident
to those who have Taqwa
(righteousness) and it will give
guidance to those who have fear of
God. We are not concerned that their
disrespectful stance will, God forbid,
harm the Qur ’an. God has taken the
responsibility of safeguarding it
Himself. The above verse 17:83 calls
the Qur ’an ‘a mercy’ and indeed it will
always facilitate mercy. If the verse
17:83 is linked with the one before it,
the message is that of glad-tiding for
believers: ‘Truth has come and
falsehood has vanished away…’
(17:82)
The honour of the Qur’an cannot be
maintained by putting price on heads
and wrongful demonstrations. A true
believer proves the superiority of the
Qur ’an by practicing its beautiful
teaching. When this teaching will
become evident to the world, God’s
decree will manifest to be a mercy for
believers and a balm for injured
hearts. The triumph of the Qur ’an will
be a triumph of the believers. Hudhur
said, we as the followers of the
Promised Messiah (on whom be
peace) are not particularly concerned
with the vulgar antics of these people.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be
peace) was sent to once again spread
the message of the Holy Qur ’an. It
states: ‘Whatever is in the heavens
and whatever is in the earth
glorifies Allah, the Sovereign, the
Holy, the Mighty, the Wise. He it is
Who has raised among the
Unlettered people a Messenger
from among themselves who
recites unto them His Signs, and
purifies them, and teaches them the
Book and wisdom, although they
had been, before, in manifest
misguidance; And among others
from among them who have not
yet joined them. He is the Mighty,
the Wise. ’ (62:2-4).
Hudhur said in the first phase, God
sent the Holy Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be on him) who,
with this teaching, brought a
revolutionary change in the extremely
deteriorated condition the world was
in. He purified those who were
ignorant and would get blood-thirsty
like animals on trifle matters with this
teaching. From the animal-like state
these people became human, and
then became knowledgeable humans
and ultimately became godly people.
In the current age, God ’s mercy and
grace sent the ardent devotee of the
Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be on him) to recite the Qur ’an
and guide and thus increase people in
faith. He gave us awareness of this
Divine Book and explained how it is a
healing and a mercy for us. He told us
about the hidden pearls of wisdom of
the teaching of the final Shariah. Thus
was God’s favour on believers, fulfilled
in the person of the Promised Messiah
(on whom be peace) as prophesised
by the Holy Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be on him). Hudhur
read an extract from the writings of
the Promised Messiah (on whom be
peace) to further expound this. He
wrote:
‘The claim of the Christian missionaries
that the Qur’an does not set forth
anything new on the Unity of God and
on Divine commandments which is not
contained in the Torah, is altogether
false. An ignorant person reading the
Torah might fall into the error that it
sets forth the Unity of God, and
directions with regard to worship, and
the rights of mankind, and that there is
nothing new which has been set out
in the Qur ’an, but only a person who
has not pondered the Word of God
would fall into this error.
There is a great part of matters Divine
that finds no mention in the Torah; for
instance, it does not mention the finer
stages of the Unity of God. The Qur ’an
discloses that the Unity of God does
not mean merely that we should not
worship idols, or human beings, or
animals, or the elements, or heavenly
bodies or satans, but that the Unity of
God has three stages.
The first stage of the Unity of God is
for the common people who desire to
be delivered from the wrath of God
Almighty.
The second stage is for those who
desire to be closer to God than the
common people.
The third stage is for those special
ones who desire to achieve closeness
to perfection.
The first stage is that no one should be
worshipped except God, and that one
should refrain from the worship of
everything that is limited and created,
whether it is on the earth or in heaven.
The second stage of the Unity of God is
that in one's own affairs and in the
affairs of others, God Almighty should
be regarded as the true force and that
means should not be so emphasised
as to become associates of God. For
instance, to say that had it not been for
X one would have suffered a certain
loss, or that if it had not been for Y,
one would have been ruined, would
amount to shirk, if by such
pronouncements it is meant that X and
Y truly possess some power. The third
stage of the Unity of God is to exclude
the desires of one's ego from one's
love of God Almighty and to devote
oneself entirely to His Greatness. Such
Unity of God is not to be found in the
Torah. Also there is no mention of
salvation or hell in the Torah, except
some slight indications here and there.
In the same way, there is no detailed
mention in the Torah of the perfect
attributes of God Almighty. Had the
Torah contained any Surah like the
one in the Holy Qur’an: ‘Say, ‘He is
Allah, the One; Allah, the Independent
and Besought of all. He begets not, nor
is He begotten; And there is none like
unto Him. ’ (112:2-5) then perhaps the
Christians might have refrained from
the worship of a creature. Also the
Torah has not set forth the degrees of
rights but the Qur ’an has set forth this
teaching also in perfection. For
instance, it says: ‘Verily, Allah
requires you to abide by justice,
and to treat with grace, and give
like the giving of kin to kin; (16:91)
Allah enjoins equity, benevolence and
graciousness between kindred. This
means that our sympathy with
mankind should be prompted by
natural eagerness and not by any
motive of seeking acknowledgement,
as for instance, a mother has
sympathy for her child. The Torah also
fails to establish the existence of God
and His Unity and His perfect attributes
on the basis of reason, but the Holy
Qur ’an has established all these
doctrines and the need of revelation
and Prophethood with arguments
based on reason, and by stating
everything in a philosophic way, has
made it easy for seekers after truth to
appreciate it. These arguments are put
forth in such an excellent manner in
the Holy Qur ’an that it is not within
anyone's power, for instance, to put
forth any argument on the existence
of God which is not contained in the
Qur ’an. A strong argument in support
of the need of the Holy Qur’an is that
all the previous Books beginning with
the Torah and ending with the Gospel
are addressed to a particular people,
namely, the children of Israel and state
in clear words that the directions
contained in them are not for the
general benefit, and are limited to the
children of Israel. But the Holy Qur ’an
aims at the reform of the whole world
and is not addressed to any particular
people but states plainly that it has
been revealed for the benefit of the
whole of mankind and that the reform
of everyone is its purpose. ’ [‘Kitab ul
Bariyyah’, Essence of Islam, Vol. I,
pp.468 – 471]
Hudhur said this is but a glimpse of
what the Promised Messiah (on whom
be peace) explained about the
superiority of the Qur ’an. Ahmadis are
fortunate, indeed can be called
fortunate only when they try and
adopt this teaching and show the
luminous teaching to the world about
which they raise objections. Then
alone will we be rightfully counted
among the latter-ones.
Hudhur said in one of his sermons he
had cited the German Jama ’at as an
example of holding exhibitions in
various venues, including church halls,
on the Holy Qur ’an that had had
positive results. Hudhur said his
inference was that Jama ’ats in other
countries too should hold such
exhibitions; however, this was not
done. If an exhibition had been
organised in USA, media, which is
drawn to Islam these days would have
referred to us along with referring to
this bigoted man. Although the US
Jama ’at has extensively worked on
the peace leaflets and has held
seminars, and has worked well, which
has been covered by the media, but
exhibitions have not been organised
as they should have been. A believer ’s
task is to keep an eye on every front.
Media as well as the public will be
drawn if exhibitions are organised in
hired halls, in USA as well as other
countries. Due to the negative
impression people have formed about
mosques they have reservations
about coming to events there. So, if
halls are hired and proper exhibitions
are held with posters and banners
depicting the teachings of the Qur ’an
and copies of the Holy Qur’an with
translation beautifully displayed. Due
to the attention to Islam, some people
are writing in positive light as well,
often they report accurately about our
Jama ’at. God knows what their
intention is but we should take
advantage of this. Although we set up
stalls and participate in general
exhibitions but those are not covered
by the media. If we organise separate
exhibitions they will nevertheless
have impact.
Hudhur said our detractors talk a lot
about Jihad and ‘Qitaal’ but do not
mention what are the conditions
under which fighting is allowed in
Islam. These are ploys of Dajjal
(antichrist) that are manoeuvred by
certain people from time to time to
harm Islam. A definitive antidote of
this is required and for a definitive
antidote continuous effort is required.
The Ahmadiyya Community alone can
truly pay the dues of this.
The extract from the writings of the
Promised Messiah (on whom be
peace) informs us of the significance
of the teachings of the Qur ’an and
indeed no other book has given as
much emphasis as the Qur ’an does on
justice. It states: ‘Allah forbids you
not, respecting those who have not
fought against you on account of
your religion, and who have not
driven you forth from your homes,
that you be kind to them and act
equitably towards them; surely
Allah loves those who are
equitable. ’ (60:9). It also states: ‘O ye
who believe! be steadfast in the
cause of Allah, bearing witness in
equity; and let not a people ’s
enmity incite you to act otherwise
than with justice. Be always just,
that is nearer to righteousness. And
fear Allah. Surely, Allah is aware of
what you do. ’ (5:9). The Qur’an also
states: ‘And worship Allah and
associate naught with Him, and
show kindness to parents, and to
kindred, and orphans, and the
needy, and to the neighbour that is
a kinsman and the neighbour that is
a stranger, and the companion by
your side, and the wayfarer, and
those whom your right hands
possess. Surely, Allah loves not the
proud and the boastful, ’ (4:37).
Hudhur explained that the verse 60:9
commands to extend virtue to those
who do not bear enmity. The verse 5:9
enjoins to be just and fair even to the
enemy and not to respond to his foul
act with a foul act. The verse 4:37
commands good treatment of
everyone, from one ’s parents to every
human being, so that peace is
established in the world. Such is the
supremely excellent teaching of Islam
which is the guarantee of peace in the
world, as opposed to the step taken
by the bigoted priest. Whenever we
see wrong reaction as regards Islam,
the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be on him) and the Holy
Qur ’an, our task is to first correct our
own practices and then spread the
teachings of Islam in the world.
Next Hudhur mentioned a scholarly
elder of the Community who was a
Hafiz of the Holy Qur ’an. He was also a
scholar in worldly knowledge and
was a renowned academic of
astronomy. His name was Hafiz Saleh
Muhammad Alladin sahib who passed
away recently. Inna lillahe wa inna
illaihe raji ’oon. He was the sadr of
Anjuman Ahmadiyya Qadian for the
past four years. He had an MSc in
Physics and a PhD in Astrophysics
from an American university. He had
many qualities and had published
more than fifty research papers and
had received many awards. Yet he was
most humble. Dynamics of galaxies
and lunar and solar eclipses were his
favourite subjects. His research work
was always inspired by the Holy
Qur ’an and he did this most skilfully.
He wrote many books and served the
Community in different capacities.
After retirement he came to live in
Qadian. He had a deep connection
with God. His wife related that once at
Karachi airport, customs unfairly held
some of their electronic items which
was very worrisome. A short while
later he disappeared. When he
returned his wife asked him where he
had gone. He replied that given the
situation, he had thought of offering
Salat and added a positive note that
they should now get their items back.
By this time, the customs staff had
changed and those on duty
apologised to them and returned their
equipment.
His wife’s sister, Dr. Nusrat Jehan has
related (He was the son-in-law of
Maulwi Abdul Maalik Khan sahib) that
when he was 36 years old, Sheikh
Yaqub Ali Arfani sahib told him that he
had had a dream in which Hafiz Saleh
sahib is sitting on the chair of Hadhrat
Khalifatul Masih I (may Allah be
pleased with him). He had thought this
as a most implausible thing. Later,
when after the passing away of
Sahibzada Mirza Waseem Ahmadi
sahib, Hudhur appointed him the sadr
of Anjuman Ahmadiyya, he read in
‘ Tareekh e Ahmadiyyat’ that Hadhrat
Khalifatul Masih I (may Allah be
pleased with him) was the first sadr of
Anjuman Ahmadiyya. He had a great
bond with the Holy Qur ’an and taught
himself to be a Hafiz. He would go in
the basement of the house and
memorise the Qur ’an. Later, seeing his
enthusiasm, his parents organised a
teacher to help him. He had perfect
obedience to Khilafat, had a most loyal
devotion and a special connection
with the dervishes of Qadian. He
observed Tahajjud regularly and in
Jalsa days lead Tahajjud Prayer. Once
while attending a marriage ceremony
of a relative, owing to his worldly
standing, he was asked to read the
Nikah. He did not take to this kindly
and said that while a murrabi sahib
was present it was not right for him to
read the Nikah. After the pledge of
Khilafat centenary 2008, his stance
towards Tabligh changed dramatically
and he was always engaged in it. He
especially had an email account made
for this purpose. He continually did
research work on solar and lunar
eclipses. After his Anjuman work, he
would go to a murrabi sahib to do this
research on a computer. He was
deeply interested in observing the
stars and the moon. He was among
‘ Ulil Albab’ [men of understanding, as
in 3:191]. Next Hudhur related about
his grandfather who had first accepted
Ahmadiyyat in the family after reading
‘ Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam’.
Hafiz Saleh sahib had an extremely
humble disposition. His son has
related that he once wore a red shirt
while at Delhi train station. In India the
train porters wear red shirts. A family
mistook him for a porter and asked
him to carry their luggage. He
complied. When the family wanted to
remunerate him for the service he
explained that he was not a porter
and had helped them because they
had asked. The family was most
embarrassed. Hudhur said he had
come for Jalsa Salana [UK] in 2003
while not feeling very well and
although the transport arrangement
from the airport was not up to scratch
and the accommodation was also not
quite adequate but he did not
complain at all. May God keep his
children firm on virtue and be their
Helper and Protector.
Hudhur announced another funeral
Prayer in absentia, that of Col. (r)
Muhammad Saeed sahib. He was
currently residing in Canada and
passed away on the airplane en route
Pakistan. He had served as an
honourary murrabi in Vancouver,
Calgary. In addition he had served as
Gen. Sec. in Canada, also as president
of Qadha Board as well as secretary
Wasaya. He also worked on
Ahmadiyya Gazette and as co-
ordinator for Waqfe Nau and took part
in the project of French translation of
the Qur ’an in Quebec. When Hadhrat
Khalifatul Masih (may Allah have mercy
on him) announced Baiyutul Hamd
project, he expressed the wish to pay
100,000 on behalf of his family. But he
left for Canada. So, during the building
of the mosque Baitul Salam there, he
donated 100,000 dollars on behalf of
his family. He also donated generously
towards publication of the Quran in
two translations. May God elevate his
station and be the Helper and
Protector of his children.

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2011-03-27T12:12:00.001+00:00

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2011-03-27T12:01:00.001+00:00

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Persecution of Ahmadi community in Pakistan

2011-03-27T11:20:00.000+00:00

Pakistan's conflict with Taliban militants is always in the news. What is never reported is the persecution of ethnic minorities there. Members of the Ahmadi community say they are Muslim. But their exact beliefs make them a target. Muslims, particularly fundamentalists, say they want to wipe them out. The state is accused of standing by and letting the persecution go on. France 24's Cédric Molle-Laurençon has been to the heart of the Ahmadi community in Lahore.

By Cédric MOLLE LAURENCON

The Quran and Cosmology

2011-03-26T09:29:00.001+00:00

AT the time the Holy Quran was revealed, the human understanding of the nature of the cosmos and the movement or the stillness of the heavenly bodies was extremely primitive and obscure. This is no longer the case, as our knowledge of the universe has considerably advanced and expanded by the present age.

Some of the theories relating to the creation of the universe have been verified as facts, whereas some others are still being explored. The concept of the expanding universe belongs to the former category, and has been universally accepted by the scientific community as 'fact'. This discovery was first made by Edwin Hubble in the 1920s. Yet some thirteen centuries before this, it was clearly mentioned in the Quran:

And the heaven We built with Our own powers (aydin) and indeed We go on expanding it (musi'un).

It should be remembered that the concept of the continuous expansion of the universe is exclusive to the Quran. No other Divine scriptures even remotely hint at it. The discovery that the universe is constantly expanding is of prime significance to scientists, because it helps create a better understanding of how the universe was initially created. It clearly explains the stage by stage process of creation, in a manner which perfectly falls into step with the theory of the Big Bang. The Quran goes further and describes the entire cycle of the beginning, the end and the return again to a similar beginning. The first step of creation as related in the Quran accurately describes the event of the Big Bang in the following words:

Do not the unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were a closed-up mass (ratqan), then We clove them asunder (fataqna)? And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?

It is significant that this verse is specifically addressed to non-believers, implying perhaps, that the unveiling of the secret mentioned in this verse would be made by the non-believers, a sign for them of the truth of the Quran.

In this verse the words ratqan (closed-up mass), and fataqna (We clove them asunder), carry the basic message of the whole verse. Authentic Arabic lexicons3 give two meanings of ratqan, that have great relevance to the topic under discussion. One meaning is 'the coming together of something and the consequent infusion into a single entity' and the second meaning is 'total darkness'. Both these meanings are significantly applicable. Taken together, they offer an apt description of the singularity of a black hole.

A BLACK HOLE is a gravitationally collapsed mass of colossal size. It begins with the collapse of such massive stars as are 15 or more times the size of the sun. The immensity of their inward gravitational pull causes the stars to collapse into a much smaller size. The gravitational pull is further concentrated and results in the further collapse of the entire mass into a supernova. At this stage the basic bricks of matter such as molecules, atoms etc. begin to be crushed into a nondescript mass of energy. Thus that moment in space-time is created which is called event horizon. The inward gravitational pull of that something becomes so powerful that all forms of radiation are pulled back so that even light cannot escape. A resultant total darkness ensues which earns it the name black hole, reminding one of the word ratqan used by the Quran indicating total darkness. This is called singularity which lies beyond the event horizon.

A black hole once created grows rapidly because even distant stars begin to be pulled in with the progressive concentration of gravitational energy. It is estimated that the mass of a black hole could grow as large as a hundred million times the mass of the sun. As its gravitational field widens, more material from space is drawn in at a speed close to that of light. In 1997 there was observational evidence suggesting that in our galaxy a black hole of 2,000,000 solar masses existed. But other calculations show that in our universe there could be many black holes as big as 3,000,000,000 solar masses.4 At that concentration of gravitational pull even distant stars would stagger and lose their mooring to be devoured by a glutton of such magnitude. Thus the process of ratqan is completed resulting into that singularity which is both completely closed as well as comprising total darkness. In answer to the question as to how the universe was initially created, the two most recent theories are both Big Bang theories. They claim that it was initiated from a singularity which suddenly erupted releasing the trapped mass leading yet again into the creation of a new universe through the event horizon. This dawn of light sprouting from the event horizon is called the white hole5,6. One of the two theories relating to the expansion predicts that the universe thus created will carry on expanding forever. The other claims that the expansion of the universe will, at some time, be reversed because the inward gravitational pull will ultimately prevail. Eventually, all matter will be pulled back again to form perhaps another gigantic black hole. This latter view appears to be supported by the Quran.

Whilst speaking of the first creation of the universe, the Quran clearly describes its ending into yet another black hole, connecting the end to the beginning, thus completing the full circle of the story of cosmos. The Quran declares:

Remember the day when We shall roll up the heavens like the rolling up of written scrolls ...

The clear message of this verse is that the universe is not eternal. It speaks of a future when the heavens will be rolled up, in a manner similar to the rolling up of a scroll. Scientific descriptions illustrating the making of a black hole, very closely resemble what the Quran describes in the above verse. (See plate 1).

A mass of accretion from space falling into a black hole, as described above, would be pressed into a sheet under the enormous pressure created by the gravitational and electromagnetic forces. As the centre of the black hole is constantly revolving around itself, this sheet—as it approaches—will begin to be wrapped around it, before disappearing into the realm of the unknown at last.

The verse continues:

... As We began the first creation, so shall We repeat it; a promise binding on Us; that We shall certainly fulfil.

Following the eventual collapse of the universe into a black hole, here we have the promise of a new beginning. God will recreate the universe, as He had done before. The collapsed universe will re-emerge from its darkness and the whole process of creation will start yet again (see plate 2). This wrapping up and unfolding of the universe appears to be an ongoing phenomenon, according to the Holy Quran.

This Quranic concept of the beginning and the end of the creation is undoubtedly extraordinary. It would not have been less amazing if it had been revealed to a highly educated person of our contemporary age, but one is wonder-struck by the fact that this most advanced knowledge, regarding the perpetually repeating phenomenon of creation, was revealed more than fourteen hundred years ago to an unlettered dweller of the Arabian desert. (continue reading)

The Message of the Promised Messiah for contemporary society

2011-03-23T11:39:00.003+00:00

The Ahmadiyya Gazette, August 1995
In this day and age life has gotten
increasingly intricate and complicated
and people are looking around for
answers. Mankind as has often been
the case in the past, once again finds
itself at a crossroad. It is being forced
by changing social and global
conditions to re-evaluate its outlook
on life. If steps are not taken to
remove this confusion, it is quite
possible that the present age will in
the future, be remembered as the Age
of Unanswered Questions. In an
attempt to find some of the answers to
these questions, I would like to
introduce you to the message of the
Promised Messiah for contemporary
society.

The Messiah concept in itself is not a
new one. Christianity, Judaism and 72
of the 73 sects of Islam, all adhere to
the belief of the coming of the Messiah
in one form or another. What
distinguishes Ahmadiyyat, the 73rd
sect of Islam, is that while the others
still await the arrival of the Messiah,
members of this community believe
that promised Messiah has already
appeared. In fact he has already
passed away in the personage of Mirza
Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (a small
town in India). This Community does
not profess a new faith, rather it goes
back to the original source of Islam i.e.
the Quran itself, for all its doctrines and
tenets.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian
had as his spiritual mission, the removal of misdirected conventions,
falsely attributed to the faith by its
followers. It was a cleaning house sort
of mandate bestowed upon him by
God. He did not add to the faith any
new teachings of his own, he simply
strived to remove the misconceptions
which had slowly crept into its
followers over the centuries. It is a well
known fact that as a message is
passed along, it is slightly altered
during passage based upon the views
and biases of each individual
conveyor. The end result is that at the
end of the chain of conveyance the
original form and the final form of the
message are perhaps greatly varied.
The mission of the Promised Messiah
was to remove the misinformation
which had gotten tangled up in the
truth over the ages, and take Muslims
back to the original form of the faith.
The reason for belaboring this point is
that following this line of reasoning, it
becomes apparent that the message of
the Promised Messiah for
contemporary society is the message
of Islam for contemporary society. Let
us now investigate this message as
viewed through the eyes of
Ahmadiyyat, and use solely as
examples the Holy Quran and the
Prophet Muhammad (peace be on
him).
One of the most commonly levied
charges against any message is that it
is presently out of date. I would
suggest to you that such is not the
case, in this case. The prevailing social
conditions in ancient Arabia (at the
time of Muhammad SAW), closely
parallel today's modern times. The
activities of a young man in Mecca in
those days involved drinking,
gambling and sexual promiscuity. All
three of these pursuits exist today as
well. Even though gambling may have
presently been overtaken by other
social concerns, drinking and sexual
promiscuity still occupy a great area of
concern within present day society.
Ancient Arabia was also a player in the
struggle for global domination. Today
too, various countries or blocs of
countries are vying for supremacy.
In those ancient times, violence was
instigated at the slightest provocation
with vendettas crossing generational
boundaries. This parallels the present
situation of turf wars raging on for
years with rival gangs clashing with
one another over the smallest of
things.
On a slightly different plane, then too
as today, people were concerned with
the environment. This is evidenced by
the practice of the urban well to do of
those days of sending their young
ones under the care of desert dwelling
tribal people so that they may be
brought up in the fresh air of the open
desert.
The message of Islam for
contemporary society is but one part
of the whole message of Islam. It is
extremely difficult to divorce the two
and in order to gain insight into the
former, the context of the latter must
be understood. The message itself is
based upon the following three
principles: 1) The Unity of God, 2) The
Goal of Human Existence, and 3) The
Dignity and Equality of Man.
The first tenet i.e. the Unity of God is
the axis on which the teachings and
doctrines of Islam revolve. From here
proceeds the fundamental unity of the
universe, of man, and of life. Islam's
objective is to establish a balance and
bring about accord in the relationship
of man to God and to the universe
through beneficent adjustment.
The Quran emphatically rejects any
doctrine, idea or concept which may
directly or indirectly tend to associate
any other thing or being with God as
an equal or partner. In 112:25 it
states, "Say: `He is Allah. the One: Allah,
the Independent, and Besought of all.
He Begets not, nor is He begotten; and
there is none like unto Him'."
God is the sole Creator, the Quran
describes this in 39:63-64, "Allah is
the Creator of all things, and He is the
Guardian over all things. To Him
belong the keys of the heavens and
the earth."
The Quran delves into great detail on
the numerous attributes of God. For
example: He is the Creator and
Sustainer of all the worlds and leads
them stage by stage towards
perfection; He is the Gracious One, Who
has made provision for the fulfillment
of the purpose of the creation of man
and of the universe; He is the Merciful
One, Who causes beneficent results to
follow upon righteous action; and He
is the Master of the Day of Judgment,
Who alone will judge and decide
penalties and rewards.
The second tenet i.e. the Goal of
Human Existence has been a question
debated by philosophers since time
immemorial. Islam also has a view on
this issue. There was a purpose
involved in creating the universe. The
Quran states in 21:17-18, "We created
not the heavens and the earth and all
that is in between the two in play. Had
we wished to find a pastime We would
surely have found it in that which is
with Us, if at all We would have been
inclined in that way."
The purpose of the creation of the
universe is to aid man in receiving the
impress of God's attributes and
becoming a manifestation of them
within the limits of his capacities i.e. he
should become God's image.
Perhaps one distinction which can be
made between ancient and modern
times is that the time continuum for
change within the global community
has been drastically altered. The
dynamics of global events have been
shown to have tremendous
accelerative capacities as evidenced by
the fragmentation of the Soviet Union
and the crumbling of the Berlin Wall. In
the past the status quo enjoyed a
stability for much longer periods of
time whereas now the face of the
earth is continually changing. Many
people observe these large scale
changes which effect us all collectively
as members of the human race. It
becomes increasingly difficult to stem
the tide personal anxiety coupled with
global uncertainty. This is where the
outlet of prayer comes into play.
When the soul has become
overburdened and it is in need of
solace, it naturally turns to its Creator
from whom it has no secrets. This
natural urge which becomes
particularly overpowering in times of
trouble is in itself a proof of the
existence of God, and of the need and
possibility of establishing communion
with Him.
Allow me to more clearly highlight this
point. The answers to the questions,
"What is the right way" and "What is
God's way?" are most clearly begot
through fervent supplication. You see,
God himself will reveal to your heart
what is His way. The Quran mentions
in 2:187, "When my servants ask thee
concerning Me, say that I am near; that
I answer the prayer of the supplicant
when he prays to Me. So they should
respond to Me and have faith in Me,
that they may be rightly guide."
Turning now to the third tenet of the
message i.e., the Dignity and Equality
of Man, it is realized that there is a
current trend towards categorizing
individuals. This is both counter
productive and decisive. Within the
context of this message each
individual has the same potential of
achieving the highest stations of
spirituality and worldliness. The
diversities of race, color, language,
culture, wealth, etc. do not confer
either superiority or inferiority. No
single individual can claim honor or
prestige based upon membership
within a certain tribe or citizenship
within a certain country. The Quran
makes this clear and says that the true
source of honor in the sight of God is a
righteous life.
The Quran mentions in 21:108 that the
Prophet had been sent as a
manifestation of God's mercy to
mankind. For this reason Muhammad
the Prophet is held in the highest
esteem possible for a mortal, by the
adherents of this faith. However, the
Prophet took great pains to educate
his followers that he himself was just a
man like themselves.
In his final days one of the Prophet's
main concerns was that he feared lest
the Muslims should upon his death,
assign him a position higher than
other human beings, as had been
done by the followers of other
prophets. This is why during this
period of his life he kept emphasizing
over and over that he was but a man,
to whom God had vouchsafed
revelation for the guidance of mankind. Evidence of this concern was
expressed in his Final Address,
delivered in the valley of Arafat just
outside Mecca. Among other things
the Prophet commented that the
followers of the faith should live their
lives in accordance with the
commandments of God, that they
should treat women with due regard
and consideration fully observing their
rights which correspond to the rights
that men had, and finally, that all
human beings are equal whatever
their individual status and no one
could claim any priveledge or
superiority over another.
With the gravity and seriousness
expressed so far, let us take a
momentary reprieve. It is necessary
from time to time to take a look at the
lighter side of life, as evidenced by the
Prophet himself. Let us considered
some examples.
It is related that the Prophet once
challenged his wife Ayesha to a foot
race which the latter won. A year later
he challenged her to a rematch and this time he won. Afterwards he
laughed and said, "Ayesha we are
now even."
It is also related that a poor man was
once found guilty of a certain offense
and the Prophet imposed upon him a
fine in the form of a charity
distribution. Unfortunately, the man
was so poor that he did not have the
money available with which to settle
the fine. It so happened that the
Prophet just received a basket of dates
from another companion to be
distributed in charity. The Prophet
turned to the poor man and told him
to distribute the basket among the
needy. To this the man replied, "Sir, I
am aware of no one more deserving
of charity than myself." The Prophet
laughed and said, "Well then, take the
basket for yourself and that will suffice
as your penalty."
Thus in spite of the heavy burden of
responsibility which had been placed
upon the Prophet's shoulders, he still
took time out to entertain humor. It is
an invaluable tool and if more of us
started using it, our stress levels would go down both at work and at home.
Having just covered the broad aspect
of the message I would now like to
emphasize some specific aspects
which are of greater relevance today.
A great starting point for dealing with
en masse problems facing us today, is
to realize that we all brothers and
sisters. It may sound simplistic yet we
are all descendants from the same two
individuals i.e. Adam and Eve. Global
conditions contributed towards us
setting off in different directions to
occupy our own little niches within the
vast earth. We developed in isolation
from each other and somewhere
along the way, we lost sight of our
common heritage. We are all God's
children and thus are all members of
the Universal Brotherhood of Man.
Once this realization sets in, our
seemingly insurmountable differences
fall by the wayside and are replaced
instead, by a common sense of
purpose.
The present day tide of intolerance
must also be stemmed. The policy of
alienation through differentiation has
effected our way of thinking. We must
reinforce the qualities of tolerance,
patience, forgiveness, and mutual
respect particularly in the fields of
faith, and within our personal
dealings. Islam addresses these
concerns and provides suggestions
which are listed below.
In this faith even though the Unity of
God is the cornerstone, the Prophet
admonished Muslims from using harsh
language against the idols
worshipped by the Meccans for this
might incite them to blaspheming
Allah. The motto, "Do unto others as
you would have done unto you" helps
to describe the spirit of this instruction.
Within the realm of international
relations, inter-religious relations are
also of significance. It is widely
believed that since faith is such a
private matter for each individual, it
should have no role in the discussion
of social or political issues. This is an
oversight because common beliefs
may be used as effective tools in
promoting unity and accord. The
recurrent theme amongst the different
faiths of mutual understanding and
respect invites itself onto the stage of
international relations. Let us now
briefly examine what the Islamic faith
dictates in regard to other faiths and
their followers.
In 5:70 of the Quran we see, "Surely
those who have believed, and the
Jews and the Sabeans and the
Christians, whoso believes in God the
Last Day, and acts righteously, on them
shall come no harm nor shall they
grieve." Thus the faith sets a level
playing field for all faiths. Then in
2:257 we observe, "There is no
compulsion in matters of faith for
surely guidance has been made
manifest and distinct from error." The
objective of these two verses is to
achieve a reconciliation between the
followers of different faiths and
encourage a foundation of mutual
respect and honor amongst them.
Furthermore, that belief and faith are
matters of conscience, and conscience
cannot be compelled.
You will notice that in the message
there is a continuous shift in emphasis
back and forth between the intra-
individual and the inter-individual
levels. This is deliberate for it
highlights the need to ensure that
both states are in harmony. It is
necessary for a person to have inner
peace and a personal purpose. This
must be balanced however, by a
healthy outlook towards others
because he/she must constantly
interact with them. Man has often been
referred to as a social animal, the
purpose of this message is to make
him a social being. His needs must be
fulfilled on both levels for him to be
complete.
It is unfortunate indeed that the
message of Islam has been
misrepresented as being inflexible
and intolerant towards other faiths. I
would like to present one final
example which will depict the attitude
of this faith toward others. The
example involves the putting into
practice, of principles embraced by this
faith by the Prophet himself, for no
one would be better able to interpret
Islam's message better than he.
Ikramah the son of Abu Jahl, had
inflicted heavy casualties upon the
Muslims at the Battle of Uhad. He had
realized that a poorly guarded pass
was the Achilles heel of the Muslim
forces. On his command the ensuing
Meccan charge through the breach
resulted in exceedingly high Muslim
fatalities. Years later when Mecca fell to
the Muslims, Ikramah fled to the coast
but his wife approached the Prophet,
and asked him if her husband could
return to Mecca and profess his belief
in idols. The Prophet replied that faith
was a matter of conscience, and
conscience was free.
Thus at the time of the fall Mecca, in
spite of all the hardship that
Muhammad the Prophet and his
followers had endured, the years of
spiritual persecution and physical
hardship, the senseless loss of life of
his companions at Meccan hands for
the simple crime of professing their
belief in one God, all of this was laid
aside by the Prophet and forgiveness
granted to all in the Name of God.
No account of this message would be
complete without mention of the
family. The family is the basic unit of
human society. It is the training
ground for tomorrow's world. It is the
first link that a child has with this
world and thus it is essential that the
maintenance of this institution be
emphasized. The foundation is laid
through marriage and the structure
put up is the children. Parents must
ensure that the values their children
have are the ones that they
themselves have and are not ones
picked up on streets. A man and
woman's true wealth is their offspring
which in turn could become their
greatest sources of joy or sorrow,
largely depending upon the effort that
was put forth in their care. One of the
Prophet's sayings was, "The best
among you is he who treats his family
best."
Turning our attention to the last
subject in this piece: The status of
women in Islam. Due to the extensive
nature of the subject (the Quran alone
has over 40 verses dealing specifically
with women's issues), I will attempt to
give you only a general flavor of this
topic.
As already mentioned, the Prophet
heeded Muslim men to consort with
women in kindness and fully observe
their rights which correspond fully to
the rights that men had. Women were
accorded positions of dignity and
honor as prescribed by the titles of
mother, wife, daughter, sister, etc.
Their rights were recognized for the
first time in religious history in the
fields of property ownership,
inheritance, independence, child
custody, spouse approval before
marriage, and self-determination.
Someone once asked Ayesha (the
Prophet's wife) about her husband's
household behavior. She replied that
he helped in the household chores,
patched up his own clothes, mended
his shoes and was kindly and
affectionate companion. Gentlemen,
your wives will never let you forget
that example!
The Quran addresses men and their
treatment of women in 4:20 as
follows: "Consort with them in
kindness. If you dislike them, it may be
that you dislike something in which
Allah has placed much good." Thus
contrary to popular belief, men do not
have free reigns to do as they wish
and please in their treatment of
women.
It is related that a party of the Prophet
was running later during a journey.
There were women in the caravan as
well. When the camel drivers tried to
quicken the pace to make up for lost
time, the Prophet heeded them by
saying, "Mind the crystal." This
reference to women as crystal implied
that they were delicate and sensitive
and that the utmost care must be
taken in according them the dignity,
honor and position which is their
birthright.
A lot of information has been
presented in this piece, it will be up to
you to reflect upon it at your leisure. I
would like to bring this article to a
close with a few final thoughts.
It is easy to look at the trees and lose
sight of the forest and visa versa. The
message conveyed to you as member
of contemporary society has many
different facets to it. It must be kept in
mind however, that they are all parts
of the whole. The beauty of the
message of Islam lies in the fact that
the principles put forth may be
adopted anywhere in the world
irrespective of geographical location,
religious affiliation, gender, racial
background or social status. These
principles are applicable on both
personal and inter-personal levels.
They contribute towards solving
troubling individual and global issues
in a peaceful and equitable manner.
The process of change must start
within. It must be realized that faith
and belief are personal issues and
those in search of the truth must make
the journey alone. This is because no
one can impose his or her views upon
another. The views of others if not
agreed with, must be respected.
Therefore become good human
beings and you have already started
finding out the answers to your
questions.
This is the message of Islam for
contemporary society. The entire
purpose of the coming of the
Promised Messiah was to spread this
message among humanity. The
Promised Messiah himself said, "He
who makes a distinction between
Muhammad (pbuh) and I, has not
recognized me." I would ask you to
reflect upon this message, and no
matter which path you choose, may
the Light of God, which contemporary
society is so desperately seeking,
shine on you.

Claim of the Promised Messiah

2011-03-23T10:39:00.001+00:00

One notion that is put forward is that
by claiming to be a prophet, the
Promised Messiah, peace be on him,
put himself outside the pale of Islam
inasmuch as his claim was
inconsistent with the verse of the Holy
Quran which describes the Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah
be on him, as Khataman Naibiyyeen
(33:41)

It should be clearly grasped that the
Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement
has certainly not claimed to be a
prophet in accordance with the
concept of prophethood which is
entertained by some of the Muslim
divines and is commonly current
among Muslims. It is considered that a
prophet is one who brings a new law
or is not the Follower of a previous
prophet, but is a prophet in his own
right.

The Promised Messiah, peace be on
him, has clearly and emphatically
denied being such a prophet. For
instance he has said:

All prophethoods, except the
Mohammedi prophethood, are now
closed. No prophet can arise even
without a law but only one who is a
follower of the Holy Prophet. (Tajalliat
Ilahiyah p 25)

He has repeatedly announced that he
is not a law-bearing prophet and that
he is a follower of the Holy Quran. He
has disclaimed being a prophet in his
own right and his claim is confined to
being the Mahdi and the Messiah. He
affirms his being a servant of the Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him, and his follower and
that all grace bestowed upon him is
on account of his devotion to the Holy
Prophet and that he has been raised
in accordance with the prophecies
and promises of the Holy Prophet. For
instance, he has said:

It is not permissible to apply the title
prophet to anyone after the Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him, unless such a person is
also described as a follower of the
Holy Prophet, which means that he
has been bestowed all bounties on
account of his devotion to the Holy
Prophet and not directly on his own.
(Tajalliat Ilahiyyah p 9)

Again, he has said:

I cannot acquire any degree of honor
or excellence, nor any station of
exaltation or nearness to God except
through sincere and perfect
obedience to the Holy Prophet, peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him,
Whatever is bestowed upon me is by
way of reflection of, and through, the
Holy Prophet. (Izlah Auham p 138)

He has declared:

All windows opening on to
prophethood have been closed
except the window accessible to a
siddique, that is to say, the window of
complete and perfect devotion to the
Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of
Allah be on him. (Ek Ghalati Ka Izalah p 3)

Again, he has declared:

By the pure grace of God and not by
any merit of my own, I have been
bestowed a perfect portion of the
bounty which was bestowed before
me on the Prophets and Messengers
and the elect of God. It would not
have been possible for me to be
bestowed this bounty unless I had
followed my lord and master, the
pride of the prophets, the best of
mankind, Hazrat Mohammed Mustafa, peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him. Whatever I have been bestowed
has been bestowed upon me on
account of this obedience. I know
through my true and perfect
knowledge that no human being can
approach God or acquire perfect
understanding of the Divine except
through following the Holy Prophet,
peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him. (Haqeeqatul Wahi p 62)

Again, he has declared:

God, Who was aware of the secret of
the heart of the Holy Prophet,exalted
him above all the Prophets and all
mankind who were before him or
might come after him and granted
him all his objectives in his lifetime. He
is the fountainhead of all grace and
anyone who claims any excellence
without confessing his obligation to
him is not a human being but is
progeny of Satan, for the key of every
excellence has been bestowed upon
him and the treasure of all
understanding has been granted to
him. He who does not achieve
through him is deprived forever. What
am I and what is my reality? I would
be ungrateful if I were not to confess
that I have discovered the true Unity
of God only through the Holy Prophet,
and have been bestowed the
understanding of God only through
this perfect Prophet and through his
light. (Haqeeqatul Wahi p 115)

It is thus clear beyond doubt that the
Promised Messiah, peace be on him,
did not consider himself a prophet in
his own right, but believed that God
Almighty had bestowed upon him the
title of prophet for the purpose of
establishing the perfect law brought
by the Holy Prophet, in his capacity as
his follower and servant and that he
was not given any new law.

Only a day before his death he made
the following public declaration:

The charge leveled against me that I
claim to be a prophet who has no
connection with Islam and that I
consider myself a prophet in my own
right, who has no need of following
the Holy Quran, and that I have
proclaimed my own credo, and have
established a new qibla, and declare
the Islamic law as abrogated, and go
outside the following of and
obedience to the Holy Prophet, peace
and blessings of Allah be on him, is
wholly false. I consider such a claim of
prophethood as amounting to
disbelief. Not only today but in every
one of my books I have affirmed that
I lay no claim to any such
prophethood and that this is a false
allegation against me. The only
reason that I call myself a prophet is
that I am honored with the converse
of God Almighty and that He speaks
to me frequently and responds to me
and discloses much of the unseen to
me and communicates to me the
mysteries of the future such that are
not disclosed to anyone unless he
enjoys special nearness to God. It is
on account of the multiplicity of these
experiences that I have been made a
prophet. (Akhbare Aam 26 May
1908)

He has stated:

Had I not been a follower of the Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him, and had not obeyed
him, then even if my good deeds had
reached the tops of mountains, I
would not have been honored with
the converse of God inasmuch as all
prophethoods except the
Muhammadi prophethood have come
to an and.(Tajalliat Ilahiyah p 24)

The type of prophethood claimed by
the Promised Messiah(as), is mentioned in the ahadees and
in the writings of righteous Muslim
divines of the past. The Holy Prophet,
peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him, has described the Promised
Reformer who would appear among
the Muslims as Allah's prophet and
has repeated this four times (Muslim).

According to the bulk of Muslims
today, Jesus, who, according to them
is alive in heaven with his earthly
body, will come back again for the
reform of Muslims. Assuming for a
moment that this concept is justified,
the question arises whether during
his second advent he would be a
prophet or not, for it is an accepted
doctrine that a prophet is never
deprived of his prophethood. If by his
advent the Seal of Prophethood of the
Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him, would not be
broken, then how is it broken by the
claim of the Promised Messiah, peace
be on him, that he is a prophet by
way of reflection of the Holy Prophet'

Indeed, the advent of Jesus who was
a prophet in Israel for the purpose of
the reform of the Muslims is a
humiliation for the Muslims and is
contrary to the purport of the verse
that describes the Holy Prophet as
Khataman Nabiyeen (33:41). In this
context, the Promised Messiah has
observed:

If it is asked that the Holy Prophet,
peace and blessings of Allah be on
him, being Khataman Nabiyeen, how
can any other prophet arise after him,
the answer is that without a doubt no
new or old prophet can come after
the Holy Prophet as you believe that
Jesus, being a prophet, would come
in the latter days. Your doctrine is that
for forty years Jesus would continue
to be a prophet and a recipient of
divine revelation, a period that by far
exceeds the period of the
prophethood of the Holy Prophet.

Such a doctrine is, no doubt, sinful
and its falsity is borne witness to by
the verse: 'But he is the Messenger of
Allah and Khataman Nabiyeen'
(33:41); and by the hadees: 'There
will be no prophet after me.' I am
utterly opposed to all such doctrines
and I have firm belief in the verse: 'But
he is the Messenger of Allah and
Khataman Nabiyeen' (33:41).
This
verse contains a prophecy of which
our opponents are not aware, and
that prophecy is that after the Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him, all doors of prophecy
have been closed and that it is not
possible now that a Hindu, or a Jew,
or a Christian, or a merely formal
Muslim, should be able to establish
the applicability of the word prophet
to himself. All windows of
prophethood are now closed except
the window of complete obedience to
the Holy Prophet. Therefore, he who
approaches God through this
window is reflectively clothed with
the same cloak of prophethood
which is the cloak of the Muhammadi
prophethood. The prophethood of
such a one is not apart and distinct
from the prophethood of the Holy
Prophet, inasmuch as he does not
claim it in his own right but receives
everything from the fountain of the
Holy Prophet, not for himself but for
his glory. For this reason he is named
Mohammed and Ahmad in heaven.

This means that the prophethood of
Mohammed is bestowed upon
Mohammed by way of reflection and
not upon anyone else. This verse,
therefore, means that Mohammed is
not the father of any man from
amongst the men of the world but is
the father of the men of the hereafter
because he is the Khataman Nabiyeen
and there is no way of access to
Divine grace except through him.
Thus my prophethood and
messengership derives from my
being Mohammed and Ahmad and
not on account of my own self. These
names have been bestowed upon me
on account of my utter devotion to
the Holy Prophet. Therefore, the
concept of Khataman Nabiyeen has
not been contravened by my advent,
but it would certainly be contravened
by the advent of Jesus a second time.
(Ek GhalatiKa Izalah)

He has also stated:

Many people are misled by the use of
the word prophet in my claim and
imagine as if I have claimed a
prophethood which was bestowed
upon the prophets in earlier times,
but they arc mistaken in so thinking. I
have made no such claim. The Divine
wisdom has bestowed this grace
upon me that I have raised to the
station of prophethood through the
blessings of the grace of the Holy
Prophet, so that the perfection of the
spiritual grace of the Holy Prophet,
peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him, might be established. Therefore,
I cannot be designated only as
prophet but as a prophet and a
follower of the Holy Prophet at one
and the same time. My prophethood is
a reflection of the prophethood of the
Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him, and is not a
prophethood in its own right. That is
why, both in the hadees and in my
revelation, as I have been called a
prophet, I have also been called a
follower of the Holy Prophet so that it
should be clear that every excellence
that has been bestowed upon me has
been bestowed through my following
the Holy Prophet and through my
obedience to him.(Haqeeqatul Wahi
p 150)

Then he has said:

God is One and Mohammed, on whom
be the peace and blessings of Allah, is
His Prophet and he is the Khatamul
Anbya and above all other prophets.
After him there is no other prophet
except one who is clothed in the
cloak of Mohammed by way of
reflection, for a servant has no
identity apart from his master, nor is a
branch distinct from its trunk. He who
is bestowed the title of prophet on
account of his complete absorption in
his master does not contravene the
Khatam-iNabuwat. When you observe
your reflection in a mirror there are
not two of you but only one, though
there appear two; only one is the
original and the other is his reflection.
This is what God desired in the case of
the Promised Messiah. (Kishti Nuh p
15)

All these writings make it clear that
according to the Promised Messiah,
peace be on him, after the Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah
be on him, it is only the door of
reflective prophethood which is open
to a true and devoted follower of the
Holy Prophet. Being a reflection of the
Holy Prophet, he deemed himself as
included in the identity of the Holy
Prophet and claimed no separate and
distinct position for himself. It must be
remembered that the Promised
Messiah, peace be on him, did not in
any way claim to be law-bearing
prophet or has claimed to be a
prophet in his own right. He has
categorically stated:

Keep well in mind that the door of
law-bearing prophethood is firmly
closed after the Holy Prophet and that
there is no book after the Holy Quran
which can bring new commandments
or can abrogate any commandment
of the Holy Quran or can suspend
obedience to it. The Holy Quran is
binding till the Day of judgment. (Al-
Wasiyyat P 12)

Again, he has said:

God is the enemy of him who regards
the Holy Quran as abrogated and acts
contrary to the law of Islam and seeks
to bring into operation his own law.
(Chashmah Maarifat, P.324)

He has affirmed:

I am a prophet, but my prophethood
is not law-bearing which would
abrogate the Book of Allah and put
into effect a new book. I consider
such a claim as amounting to disbelief
in Islam.
(Badar, 5 March 1908)

He has declared:

I have repeatedly affirmed that the
truth and reality is that our lord and
master, the Holy Prophet,peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is the
Khatamul Anbya and after his there is
no prophethood in its own right nor
any new law. Anyone who claims
differently is, without a doubt,
faithless and rejected.
(Chashmah,Maarifat, P. 324)

In view of all these declarations, no
God-fearing, just person dare assert
that the Promised Messiah, peace be
on him, claimed to be a law-bearing
prophet or a prophet in his own right.

Islam is a Peaceful Religion

2011-03-21T07:09:00.001+00:00

Islam is a Peaceful Religion
A LECTURE BY HADRAT MIRZA MASROOR AHMAD, KHALIFATUL MASIH V, SUPREME HEAD OF THE WORLDWIDE AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY DELIVERED AT THE UNIVERSITE D’ABOMEY-CALAVI COTONOU, BENIN, DURING HIS RECENT MOST SUCCESSFUL VISIT IN GHANA, BURKINO FASO, BENIN AND NIGERIA.

Dear students and staff members at this university,

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah.

I have been asked to shed some light on Islam as a peaceful religion. In view of the shortage of time, I can only address this subject briefly.

Whenever one wishes to speak about Islam as a religion of peace, the question naturally springs to mind that whereas there are so many religions in the world such as Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc., when it comes to finding out whether Islam is a religion of peace, why should Islam be the odd one out?

One reason for this is that a few years after the beginning of Islam, anti-Islamic powers began a propaganda that Islam is a religion of extremism and violence and wants to compel others into belief by means of the sword. This, of course, is incorrect. In the beginning, the Muslims of Makkah suffered persecution but they remained silent. Finally, they migrated to Madinah but there too the disbelievers hounded the Muslims and forced upon them a battle to which I will revert later. The proof against those opponents who allege that Islam was spread by the sword is that although the disbelievers of Makkah raised all sorts of objections, yet history stands witness to the fact that the people of Makkah themselves never complained that the Muslims had used the sword against the disbelievers to compel them to change their faith.

Secondly, what has given Islam a bad name is an ugly and awful image of extremism presented, whether knowingly or unwittingly, by some Muslim groups and
organisations, and these groups unfortunately had personal vested interests.

In order to see a religion’s beauties or its defects, justice requires that you should make its teachings or its holy scripture the anvil by which to judge it, otherwise everyone would accuse every other faith willy-nilly. For instance, the teaching of Christianity, according to the Holy Bible, is:

‘But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.’

(Matthew: 5:39)

But, in Bosnia or Iraq or other countries, America and the other Western powers, resorted or are resorting to aggression. If, however, we say that the Christian teaching is that if anyone raises his head against you, you should use all your might to trample it to death, this would be a grave injustice. In the same way, to find out the true teachings of Islam, we would have to study the Holy Qur’an and see what it says and not base it on the actions of some Muslims who have forgotten the teachings of the Holy Qur’an.

The stand of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community is that the teaching of the Holy Qur’an promotes peace. We have to take this message to every corner of the world. Therefore, I shall begin my message today by reference to the Holy Qur’an. After that we shall examine the practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa) to whom the teachings of the Holy Qur’an were revealed. Did he ever support any kind of cruelty, violence or extremist terrorism? Then, based on the Holy Qur’an and the Traditions of the Holy Prophet(sa), some important clarification has been provided to us by the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian(as), who claimed that he was the Promised Messiah, and I shall refer to some of his writings.

Anyhow, let us first see what the Holy Qur’an commands us to do in order to establish peace. God Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:

Whosoever killed a person – unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land – it shall be as if he had killed all mankind.

(Al Maidah, Ch.5: v. 33)

Explaining this verse, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community says:

‘A person who kills a person unfairly or who kills someone who had neither rebelled, nor became a source of violating peace amongst the people nor created disorder in the land, it is as if he has killed the whole of mankind. In other words to kill a person without any cause is, according to God Almighty, like the murder of the entire human race. It is obvious from this verse, how big a sin it is to take the life of another person without reason.’

(Lecture Chashma-e-Ma’rifat pp 23-24: Commentary by the Promised Messiah Vol.2: p.405)

Thus, this is the beautiful teaching of Islam that the unlawful killing or the shedding of innocent blood of someone is like the killing of the entire human race, that is to say, the taking of a single life is like the massacre of thousands of innocent lives. Now, everyone can very well imagine what kind of sentence would be passed on someone who is found guilty of the taking of thousands of innocent lives. So this is the beautiful teaching given to us by God Almighty in the Holy Qur’an. Whosoever acts against this, acts against the teachings of Islam.

Then, the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya community takes us further than this because it was after his true reflection and deliberation and his understanding of Islamic teachings that God Almighty provided him with the guidance. Commenting on this verse, he adds:
‘He who abandons kindness abandons religion. The Holy Qur’an teaches that whosoever kills a person without justi-fiable cause will be as if he has killed the whole world. In the same way, I say that if someone is not kind unto his brother, it is like he has been unkind to the whole world.’

(Al Hakm Vol. 9 No.15 dated 30 April 1905 p.2: Commentary by the Promised Messiah, Vol.2: p.405)

Now on this verse, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community has drawn an interesting conclusion that people think that Islam is an extremist religion but this is a mis-understanding on their part. Islam is saying that even if you are unkind in your treatment with your fellow human being, you are a cause of destroying the peace and harmony of the world. Forget killing anyone, you should always be kind in your dealings with every person in the world and spread the peaceful message of Islam.

I shall briefly explain some of the countless examples of kindness we find in the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa) and how concerned he was about the condition of his people.

If someone is kind to some person and wants to see his or her betterment, then the person will try his best to do something for him or her. The Holy Prophet(sa) was so kind and anxious for his people and prayed for them even though they believed in so many gods that it is beyond our imagination. God Almighty has promised that He would most surely punish those who associate others with God. Now, this thought that God Almighty would never forgive one who associates partners with God, used to make the Holy Prophet(sa) restless so much so that he would bow down repeatedly in prayers. He had a burning passion in his heart for the reformation of his people that he had become weary with worry for his people. Finally, God Almighty had to tell him not to grieve himself to death for sorrow after them (Ch.18:v.7) and that his mission was only to give them the message. We can judge his prayers from the following Tradition:

The Holy Prophet(sa) prayed for his enemies:

‘O Allah! Guide my people because they know not (do not know the truth)’.

In the same way, when once he was asked to pray that a curse befalls the Dossan tribe, he prayed instead:

‘O Allah! Guide the tribe of Dossan.’

So this was the anxiety in him for kindness and for humanity. He never said that he was going to compel them into belief by use of the sword but in fact refrained from any malediction or uttering any curse that an evil befalls his enemy.

‘The pagans of Makkah exiled the Holy Prophet(sa) from Makkah and gave him no respite in Madinah but whenever he met them, the Holy Prophet(sa) dealt with gracious kindness towards them. After the migration of the Holy Prophet(sa) to Madinah, the people of Makkah had to suffer a severe drought so much so that they had to live on dead meat and bones. Then in utter helplessness, Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Makkans, had to approach the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa) and said: “O Muhammad! You command treating one’s own relatives well. Your people are dying. Pray to your God in our favour (that this famine passes away) and it begins to rain lest your people perish.”

To bring Abu Sufyan down to earth, the Holy Prophet(sa) remarked that you are very brave and courageous that despite the transgression by the Makkans, you demand a prayer on their behalf. But the Holy Prophet(sa) did not refuse to pray because he was mercy personified and he could have never wished that his people should perish. Then the people observed that his hands went up in prayers immediately and the Holy Prophet’s prayers for an end to the famine and the heavens to open up was duly accepted. It rained so much that the days of ease and abundance returned for the Quraish of Makkah. But, at the same time, their denial and opposition grew rapidly.’

(Bukhari: Kitabul Tafseer Sura Al-Rum lidukhan)

Now after this who can say that he gave a teaching of extremism and terrorism.

THERE IS NO COMPULSION OF FAITH IN ISLAM

Then the Holy Qur’an states:

There should be no compulsion in religion. Surely, right has become distinct from wrong; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress, and believes in Allah, has surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.

(Ch.2:V.257)

Its explanation and practical application can be seen from this Tradition when the Banu Nadir were exiled from Madinah when they failed to fulfil their promise to maintain peace. At that time they also had many children of the Ansar (Muslim inhabitants of Madinah). These children had begun to live amongst the Jews, because in the pre-Islamic days of ignorance, amongst the Arab tribes of Aus and Khizraj, those who had no male children used to pledge that if the next child were born a male they would make him a Jew. Thus, there were many boys from the Aus and Khizraj tribes who had been handed over to Jewish families. When the Jews of Banu Nadir were exiled because of their transgression, the Muslims wanted to get back their own descendants from the Jews. The Holy Prophet of Islam(sa) refrained them from their action on the very basis that ‘there is no compulsion in religion’ that once you hand over your own son to someone else and that someone else makes your descendant a follower of Judaism, you cannot take him back: he would have to go with the Banu Nadir.

Then there is the account of a slave of Hadrat Umar(ra) who narrates that although he was a slave of Hadrat Umar(ra), Hadrat Umar(ra) never forced him to become a Muslim. Hadrat Umar(ra) most certainly used to explain to him with love and affection to become a Muslim but the slave would refuse and Hadrat Umar(ra) would only say: There is no compulsion in faith and fell silent after that. Finally, before his death, he set this slave free. Now who can, therefore, say that there is any room for compulsion or causing a breach of peace in Islam?

The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, the Promised Messiah(as) says:

‘I know not wherefrom our opponents or from whom they have heard that Islam was spread by the sword. God says in the Holy Qur’an that there is no compulsion in the Islamic faith. Then who gave the order of force? What were the weapons of that force? And what kind of sincerity and belief is it of those compelled to become Muslims that without being paid and despite being a mere two to three hundred men, they should confront a force of thousands? Then, when they should have grown into thousands, they should defeat several hundred thousands, and, in order to save their faith from the enemy, they should offer their heads like sacrificial lambs and should seal the truth of their faith with their own blood. And they should be so passionate for spreading the Oneness of God that like refugees, they should endure such hardship and reach the desert of Africa and spread Islam on that continent; and should bear such difficulties and reach China not in the form of invaders but as refugees and should call the people of China to Islam. Say honestly, is this the work of those who were forced to become Muslims? Those whose hearts disbelieve, can their tongues believe? No, but this is the work of those whose hearts are filled with the light of faith and in whose hearts there is none but God and God.’

(Paigham Sulh: Ruhani Khazain, Vol.23, pp.468-469)

FREEDOM OF FAITH AND CONSCIENCE

Amongst the very many traditions about the teaching of Islam on the freedom of faith and conscience, perhaps just one account is enough after which there is no need of further clarification.

‘Despite becoming the subjects of the Holy Prophet(sa), some groups of opponents wanted to hang on to their own faith. The question came to their mind as to what would happen to them because they knew that the Holy Prophet(sa) required that every man had the right to believe in any faith. These opponents had not accepted this demand but in the past had used force against the Muslims. When the opponents had been defeated, the Holy Prophet(sa), decided to remove theirhumiliation and addressing them suggested: “The prin-ciple for whose acceptance I fought against you, will not be abandoned because of your opposition to it. Undoubtedly, because of your cruel mentality, you adopted a wrong course of action, but rights shall be preserved. Go, no blame attaches on you. Each one of you is free in matters of faith. You are our

Zimmi (a non-Muslim living in a Muslim country). God and His Messenger shall be fully responsible for your safety.’ [Nisb al Raiah fi Takhrij Ahadith Al Hadaya Vol. 4, p.381 published Egypt]

Then Allah says:

O ye who believe! be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just, that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is aware of what you do.

(Sura Al-Mai’dah – Ch.5:V.9)

Let us now examine the practical application of this Qur’anic teaching. After this who can say that Islam is not a religion of peace, harmony, reconciliation and justice.

‘It is narrated that Muhayyasa, Allah be pleased with him, a Companion of the Holy Prophet(sa) was killed as a martyr in Khyber. His beneficiaries asked the Holy Prophet(sa) for the capital punishment. The Holy Prophet(sa) asked: Can you swear and determine his killer? They said: O Prophet of God, we were not there so how can we swear? He replied: There can be no capital punishment without proof. There is only one possibility that the Jews of Khyber whom you suspect should according to the law swear fifty times that they know not who is the killer. The beneficiaries of Muhayyasa, Allah be pleased with him, said: Who can trust these Jews, they will take false oaths. The Holy Prophet(sa) replied: Then beyond this no cross-examination is permitted because in the sight of the law, there can be no preference. After this the Holy Prophet(sa) paid blood money to the beneficiaries of Muhayyasa.’

(Tajrid Al-Bukhari, Chapter Faslil Jihad, Part 2 published by Ferozsons Lahore)

From these verses it should have become clear that according to the teachings of Islam there can be no compulsion in matters of faith. God Almighty has left the choice of which belief to accept to be determined by the conscience of each person. In fact, the example I gave earlier of the slave, even in his case he was not forced to accept Islam. The Holy Qur’an mentions this freedom of conscience in various verses and it is not possible to mention all of them here.

In brief, after this clear and unambiguous teaching, the question arises that if the Holy Prophet(sa) or his Companions did not hold the sword in one hand and the Qur’an in the other nor destroyed the peace of the world, what are these holy wars and what is this thing called Jihad which is on everyone’s lips and for which every Muslim is being blamed for causing mayhem in the world? The amazing thing is that it is believed that these wars started during the time of the Holy Prophet(sa). We would have to fulfil the requirements of absolute justice and examine the situation of that age because without bringing that age to the fore, it would be impossible to do justice. In this connection, I set out briefly the words of the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community who says:

Our Prophet(sa) endured pain in Makkah and even after this at the hands of the disbelievers and in particular just to picture in our minds how the thirteen years in Makkah were spent under such persecution and cruelty of all kinds that it makes us weep. But he did not raise a sword nor replied to their harsh words with harshness – till many Companions and his dear friends had been murdered most cruelly; and, were made to suffer all kinds of ordeals; and, sometimes were poisoned; and, many a plots were hatched of assassinating him in which the opponents remained unsuccessful. When the time of God’s reckoning approached, it so happened that all the leaders and highly placed persons in Makkah unanimously agreed that come what may, the Holy Prophet(sa) had to be killed. At that time, God Who is the Guardian and Protector of His beloved and honest and truthful ones, informed the Holy Prophet(sa) that apart from evil there was nothing left in this town and its people were hell-bent on murder and that he should leave at once. Then, under divine command, he migrated towards Madinah but even there his enemies did not leave him and chased him in pursuit and in any case wanted to destroy Islam. When their mischief had gone beyond recall and the murder of many innocent ones made their killers worthy of punishment, at that time was the permission granted in the interest of defence and self-preservation. Moreover, many of those innocent ones who had been killed in mischief and otherwise than in open combat and their properties had been seized had deserved that their opponents should be dealt in this manner. But at the time of the victory of Makkah, our Prophet(sa) forgave all of them. Therefore, this thought that the Holy Prophet(sa) and his Companions engaged in any war to spread the faith or to compel anyone to become a Muslim is a terrible error and cruelty.

(Masih Hindustan Mein pp.7-8: Tafseer Hadrat Masih Maud

Vol. 3: pp.316-317)

And despite the permission granted to engage in a defensive battle against these pursuers and cruel persecutors, the consistent teaching of God Almighty was not to exceed the limits as it is stated:

And fight them until there is no persecution, and religion is freely professed for Allah. But if they desist, then remember that no hostility is allowed except against the aggressors.

(Surah Al-Baqarah Ch.2: v.194)

So, here this commandment of war is for defensive war and to end evil and that is why it is stated that when they desist, then you are not to engage in battle with them because your true job is to establish peace. So even in the permission for war, we have been given a beautiful principle of defence and making peace.

Wars and principles and regulations

When the Holy Prophet(sa) engaged in a battle, he used to firmly order that:

z No woman be killed;

z No children be killed;

z The old not be impeded;

z Nothing be said to the refugees, monks or hermits;

z No person be set on fire;

z No animal be killed;

z No tree be cut down;

z Unlike your enemy, no person’s nose or ear be cut off.

Then having been victorious, he used to proclaim:

z No injured be killed;

z Do not pursue unnecessarily anyone who escapes.

Then in connection with prisoners of war, he used to ask for their kind treatment.

‘Thus the prisoners taken after the Battle of Badr themselves admitted that: By God! The Muslims walked on foot while we were made to ride, they remained hungry themselves whilst they fed us, they remained thirsty while they gave us water.’

(Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Daud)

Those who call Islam a belligerent, trigger happy and extremist religion should think whether a belligerent religion can give this kind of teaching. Do not toss the action of a few people and organisations into the lap of Islam and call it Islam. Today, in this age when man considers himself highly advanced and under-standing should ask himself whether these high values manifest themselves when bombs rain down from the skies, when missiles are fired on cities and dwellings. How much blood is shed of innocent lives in this indiscriminate bombardment which falls here and kills one here and another one there? In areas where there is anarchy, each day there are funerals of the old, women and children. Such news is not hidden from our eyes.

In conclusion, I end my subject of Islam’s beautiful teaching and its promotion of peace and its teaching which united a diverse mankind into a single brotherhood with a quotation from a Christian historian, Georgie Zeidan:

‘A primary reason for the rapid progress in Muslim education is that the Caliphs of Islam greatly valued the scholars of all faiths and all people and always enriched them with awards of gifts and bounties. They had no concern with their religion or their nationality or their caste or creed. Amongst them were Christians, Jews, Sabians, magicians, sooth-sayers and in fact people from every group. The Caliphs dealt with them with extreme reverence, respect and esteem. The non-Muslims had the same rights and freedoms that the Muslim leaders and governors enjoyed.’

(Tarikh Al Tamaddan Al-Islami Vol.3, p.194)

Now if after this anyone says that Islam is not a religion of peace, it would be a grave injustice.

I hope that in view of the shortage of time whatever I have said would have shown you some aspects of Islamic teaching of peace.

I am grateful to you for listening to my address with attention and respect.

Thank you, once again.

WHY DON’T THE WORLD UNDERSTAND

2011-03-19T07:05:00.001+00:00

Natural Disasters and Divine Punishment

Friday Sermon Delivered by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad ^at Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Whenever any natural disaster occurs in the world, those who fear God are frightened lest any such future disaster puts them in difficulty. That any act of theirs may become a source of God’s displeasure. Such thinking is only of true believers who have the insight and the perception that God does not need anyone and thus, with fear of God in their hearts, they try and tread the paths that lead to His pleasure. God states in the Holy Qur’an: ‘Verily, those who, out of fear of their Lord, always stand guard against sins. And those who believe in the Signs of their Lord,’ (23:58-59). The Surah goes on to state that these people do not ascribe partners to God and are not those who only remember God in difficult, turbulent times and forget Him in peaceful times. They turn to God with greater intensity in times when they face difficulties or observe climatic changes.
The blessed model of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) is there for us to follow for the rest of time. Hadhrat ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates: ‘Whenever there was a strong wind, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to say: ‘O Allah! I ask You for what is good in it, and the good which it contains, and the good of that which it was sent for. I seek refuge with You from what is evil in it, what evil it contains, and the evil of that what it was sent for; and when there was a thunder and lightning in the sky, his colour underwent a change, and he went out and in, backwards and forwards; and when the rain came, he felt relieved, and I noticed sign of relief on his face’. Hadhrat 'A'ishah asked him about this and he answered: ‘It may be that these clouds are like those that had overcast the people of Ad. When they saw a cloud formation coming to their valley they said: ‘It is a cloud which would give us rain’. However, the cloud brought them a calamity.
Such was the deportment of the perfect man (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) who had indeed been given countless promises by God. He was aware that no calamity would befall his life, in fact others were protected because of him. He was aware that the wickedness of any Dajjal (anti-Christ) was not going to avail against him, he also had the knowledge that wind and storms blew to his advantage, as it happened in battles of Badr and Ditch when stormy winds destroyed the enemy. Yet, he would feel concern. His anxiety was borne out of his immense compassion, as he was ‘Mercy for all the worlds’. His concern also stemmed from the fact that God does not need anyone or anything and he feared that the arrogance of people and their misconception of His power may destroy the whole nation. He had said that Surah Hud had aged him. Hudhur explained that Surah Hud relates destruction of nations. No one understood God’s Words more than the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), he was thus ever concerned that it was his responsibility that the Ummah should walk on the right path, as God has stated: ‘So stand thou upright, as thou hast been commanded, and also those, who have turned to God with thee; and exceed ye not the bounds,’ (11:113). Thus, the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) concern was that the believers repented with sincerity. His anxiety over stormy clouds and winds was due to his disquiet lest bad deeds of believers invited calamity. Hudhur explained that here believers are enjoined that once they repent, they should follow the Prophet’s blessed model. For they should be mindful that God does not need anyone and they should not be like those who remembered God only in calamities and returned to their bad practices when troubled times were over. Hudhur said a true believer’s repentance should be real and constant. The Qur’an states: ‘And when waves engulf them like so many coverings, they call upon Allah, being sincere to Him in faith; but when He brings them safe to land, then some of them take the right course. And none denies Our Signs save every perfidous and ungrateful person.’ (31:33).
Hudhur explained that a true believer continues to call on God after trouble is averted while the ungrateful get embroiled in bad ways. As the blessed model of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) demonstrated, true believers do not just fear God at the time of their own trouble, rather when affliction falls on others, it instils fear of God in them. Hudhur said whether the calamities be of the past or current times, if a true believer fears God through the bad ending of ancient people, how much more should the present disasters make one turn to God and fear Him. However, the majority attributes natural disasters to simply climatic changes and laws of nature. It is correct that natural disasters occur due to the laws of nature. Earthquakes happen when the earth’s plate tectonics move. It is correct that New Zealand, Japan and many islands are located on plate tectonics and that is why they experience more earthquakes. However, it is also noteworthy that the one commissioned by God in the current age foretold earthquakes.
Many years ago, during his Tabligh efforts, one of our missionaries in Ghana Mubasher sahib, was told by the local ulema (religious leaders/scholars) that earthquakes were one sign of the coming of the Mahdi and if his claim about the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was truthful, then they wanted a sign of earthquake in their country. Earthquakes are not common in Ghana. The missionary sahib prayed and it so happened that an earthquake occurred in Ghana. This created a lot of restlessness among the Christians and many came into the fold of Ahmadiyya Islam and this sign became most renowned. Hudhur said we observe that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has indeed connected his advent with earthquakes and other natural disasters. Having being informed by God, he foretold that natural disaster would take place as a sign for him. He wrote: ‘Addressing me God Almighty said: ‘You are a warner on my behalf. I have sent you so that the guilty ones be separated from the righteous, ‘and He said, ‘A warner came unto the world but the world accepted him not, yet God will accept him and demonstrate his truthfulness with mighty onslaughts.’ And, ‘I shall bless thee, so much so that kings shall seek blessings from thy garments.’ And God informed me of another impending earthquake which would be of utmost severity and said: ‘Again the spring came and again the word of God was fulfilled.’ Thus another massive earthquake is bound to occur, but the righteous are safe from it. Be righteous, therefore, and fear God that you may be saved. Fear God today so that you may remain safe from the fear of that Day. It is inevitable for the heaven to show some sign for the earth to do likewise. But those who fear God shall be saved. God’s Word informed me that many calamities will occur and many disasters will descend on the earth – some during my life time and some after I have gone. And He will promote and advance this Jama’at to the full. A part of it will happen at my hands, and some after me.’ (The Will, pp. 3 – 5).
Hudhur said he has explained it before that the natural disasters that have occurred in the last 100 years have exceeded all previous records. God is repeatedly demonstrating these signs in different part of the world. Therefore, we should repeatedly keep this warning in view and strengthen our faith and take this message to the world.
Last week an extremely powerful earthquake hit Japan. It was followed by a tsunami which obliterated many towns. Hudhur said our team is on the ground helping the victims. En route they rang and said they were passing through a desolated area where once a town of 15,000 inhabitants stood. Roads, large buildings were wiped out. Hudhur said this is a most frightening situation and we should follow in the blessed model of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and pray that may God enable these people to recognize the truth so that they may be saved from disasters; may God open their hearts. For this, we too have to take the message to them.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) had a particularly good intuition about the Japanese people. So, while they suffer from earthquakes, in light of the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) good intuition, if they understand the true teachings, they can be saved. Our Jama’at in Japan is small, but it should try its very best to take this message to people. In the current situation, discretion should be used in taking this message to them alongside service to humanity. Our Ahmadi camps are indeed serving humanity there, but they need to make these links permanent so that people know about Ahmadiyyat. Hudhur said the Japanese are very proud of their Shinto and Buddhists beliefs. It is said that both these belief systems are observed in Japan. Marriages take place according to Shinto beliefs where as in death Buddhist rites are observed. A very influential Japanese friend of Hudhur told Hudhur a while ago that due to their Shinto beliefs, the Japanese will not be drawn to Islam. Hudhur told him that indeed Shinto belief has many good moral aspects but one day they will have to come to Islam. Hudhur said the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wished for Tabligh in Japan and said that there should be a comprehensive book on Islam to draw the attention of the Japanese. He had said that books on Islam published by others have errors in them and were not to be trusted. He said what he presented was indeed what Islam was. Hudhur said this lays a huge responsibility on us to have such a book written in Japanese. He said he did not think such a book has yet been written. Hudhur said the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) had said that even if it meant paying someone Rupee 1000, which was a huge amount in those days, to get such a book translated, it should be done. Hudhur explained that currently the Japanese translation of the Holy Qur’an is being revised by Zia sahib. Hudhur also mentioned that Hadhrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) had a vision in 1945 about which he said that the Japanese were spiritually dead at the time, but God will incline them towards Ahmadiyyat and they will hearken at his voice just as birds responded to the voice of Hadhrat Ibrahim (on whom be peace).
Hudhur said today it is our task to pay attention to this matter. It is our task to alert every nation. It is being said that there has not been such a powerful earthquake for the past 1000 years. Japan has many earthquakes and buildings are built there with this specification. However, when God’s decree comes to pass, nothing works. The Japanese plan for earthquakes of 7 to 8 Richter scale. The current earthquake measured 9 on the Richter scale and was followed by a tsunami. Man assumes that he has advanced a lot. Atomic/nuclear energy is now being utilized in beneficial ways. Although there is opposition to atomic energy in Japan because of the WWII history but it is being used there for mankind’s benefit. However, the recent earthquake has damaged a few nuclear reactors and as a result radiation is spreading. Hudhur said he has just received a fax informing him that as the attempt by helicopters to drop water at the reactors to cool them down has not worked, they are now hosing water at the reactors with tanks belonging to the fire brigade. Hudhur said may God bless and save from further destruction. Hudhur said he has sent a message to all our volunteers working in Japan to take homoeopathic remedy; specific medicine in specific order. It should also be given out to others and if stocks are not sufficient, Humanity First should have them delivered.
Hudhur said aside from the earthquake destruction in Japan, there is danger of radiation. The effects of radiation are long-lasting; continue for generations and often result in disabled children born. May God have mercy. The nations that think they are safe are not safe according to the prophecy of the Imam of the age. If they do not pay heed, these calamities can engulf everyone.
This year three different countries in the far eastern region and beyond have been affected by natural disasters. In New Zealand a large part of a city [Christchurch] was badly damaged by an earthquake. 70,000 people had to leave the city. In Australia, heavy rain and floods affected 70 towns and cities in the state of Queensland. Hudhur said to keep this in perspective, the state of Queensland is 4 times the size of Japan. This diminishes the assumption that if natural disaster strikes, people can move away from it. 85% of Queensland coal mines have suffered loss and the floods have cost billions to the economy. The storm that hit the state of Victoria in Australia was the worst ever storm there. USA has also seen storms recently. How many could they save? Other countries should not assume that they are safe. God wills that the entire world is gathered on one hand and for this He has sent the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). The truth of Islam will now be established through him. If others are to be contended with to prove the superiority of Islam, it has to be done by connecting to him, who was commissioned by God. No other organisation can achieve this.
We should reflect and ponder over the practice of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him); how strong winds and rains used to make him anxious. Do we practice that? God does not need anyone. He is with one who truly honours the due of being His servant.
The 2010 floods in Pakistan were the worst ever in the history of the country. It is said that the destruction caused was worse than the destruction of the Indonesian tsunami. People are still living in camps there. Neither the government cares, nor does the mullah, who is ever inciting people against Ahmadis. The mullah said that the floods were not a chastisement but were a trial. He says Divine chastisement only occurs when a prophet of God makes a claim. Yet, they are not prepared to look at the facts. A few years ago a most destructive earthquake took place in Pakistan but they did not pay heed. They do not realise that they are deniers of a prophecy. Indeed, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) had said that disasters will occur after him. Hudhur said those who claim to have ‘insight’ should reflect, if only a little. No one is exempt from this prophecy.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote:
‘Bear in mind that God has informed me time and again about the coming of earthquakes. So be sure that just as there have been earthquakes in America and in Europe, in keeping with the prophecies, so will they occur in different parts of Asia, and some of them will be as terrifying as doomsday. There will be death on such a large scale that rivers will run with blood, and even birds and animals will not escape it. Such destruction will overtake the earth as had not happened since man was born. Most places will be turned upside down as if they had never been inhabited. There will also be other terrible afflictions, both in heaven and earth, and every sensible person will realize that they are no ordinary phenomena, and no trace of them will be found in books of astronomy or philosophy. Then people will be seized by anxiety and they will wonder what is going to happen? Many will be saved, and many will perish. Those days are near, indeed they are at the door, when the world shall witness a spectacle of doomsday. Not only will there be earthquakes, but other terrible calamities will also appear, some from heaven and some from the earth. This will happen because men have given up the worship of their God, and all their thoughts and their designs and their resolves are diverted towards the world. Had I not come, these calamities might have been delayed for a while, but with my coming the secret designs of God’s wrath, that had long been hidden, have been manifested. As God said: ‘We never punish until We have sent a Messenger.’ (17:16) Those who repent shall find security and those who fear before the calamity overtakes them will be shown mercy. Do you think that you will be safe from these earthquakes, or that you can save yourselves by your own designs? No, you cannot. All human designs will come to naught that day. Do not imagine that only America has been shaken by the earthquake and that you are safe, for you may experience even greater calamities. O Europe! you are not secure, O Asia! You are not secure, O you who dwell in the Islands, no artificial god will come to your aid. I see the cities falling and I see the habitations in ruin. The One and the Unique has long remained silent. Abominations were committed before His eyes and yet He remained silent. But now He shall reveal His countenance in a dreadful manner. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! The hour is not far. I tried to bring everyone under the security of God, but the decrees of destiny had to be fulfilled. Assuredly, I say that this country’s turn is also drawing near. The days of Noah shall appear before your eyes, and you will see with your own eyes what happened to the land of Lot. But God is slow to wrath, repent so that you are shown mercy. He who abandons God is a worm, not a man, and he who does not fear Him is dead, not alive.’ [‘Haqiqat ul Wahi’ – Essence of Islam, Vol. V, pp. 148 – 150]
Hudhur said the Muslims of the sub-continent should pay heed, they are not exempt. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has repeatedly and very strongly warned against this and the strength of his warning is borne out of compassion. It is our duty to draw attention to it that the detractors of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan have witnessed calamities at close range. The recent world disasters should be a cautionary sign for us. May God make the Muslims understand this. Recently, many Muslim countries are facing the crisis of conflict between the masses and the government. Muslim is killing Muslim. What could be more tragic than this? If only they understood that the one who was to be sent for the good of the Ummah has come. May God enable them to understand this and may He enable us to be true Muslims, may we take our message to others with sincere compassion and whilst prayerful.
Next Hudhur gave the sad news of a martyrdom in Sangher, Pakistan. Rana Zafrullah sahib, a local Qaid and finance secretary, was shot by two unknown motorbike riders. He was on his way home from a Jama’at programme when he was attacked. He passed away as he was being rushed to a hospital in Nawab Shah. Hudhur prayed that may God elevate his status. He leaves behind a widow and two daughters. Hudhur said this is the fifth martyrdom in Sangher in the past few years. May God keep the Ahmadis of the area safe and may He soon bring the enemy to justice. May God be the Protector and Helper of the bereaved family. Hudhur said he would lead funeral Prayer in absentia of the shaheed (martyr) after Friday Prayer.

The Plague (Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad 4th successor of the Promised Messiah )

2011-03-16T07:59:00.002+00:00

THE WORLD WE KNOW TODAY is so different from that of a mere hundred years ago. The age of air travel had not yet dawned. The fledgling flight of the Wright brothers was to remain, for many more years, a dream to be realized. Massive ships towering high like mountains were not yet built and the era of submarines was not as yet afloat. Nevertheless, there was a stir in the air, like that at the early break of dawn. A dazzling new day of revolutionary scientific inventions was breaking.

The air in the realm of religion was also vibrant with an expectancy of a different nature. There was talk in every religion of the near advent of a Divine Reformer of global dimensions. Who would come and where, was the most hotly debated question. The air was tense with claims and counterclaims. But nowhere was the tension of inter-religious debate so intense as in the subcontinent of India.

Christians and Muslims were awaiting the arrival of the Messiah among them. The Hindus were no less enthusiastic about the manifestation of their Lord Krishna. The Buddhists did not lag behind either, in hoping for the re-advent of Buddha.

In that atmosphere of multi-religious conflict, a voice was heard loud and clear, from a person of humble origin by the name of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian. He electrified the atmosphere with his outstanding advocacy of the supremacy of Islam over all other faiths. He threw challenges on behalf of Islam in every direction with such powerful arguments based on scriptural and logical evidence as compelled the champions of other religions to take serious note of him. 'A new warrior has risen for the defence of Islam,' was the clamour everywhere.

The Muslims of the subcontinent were astir with joy and hope. Till the entry into the arena of this new champion of the Muslim cause, Islam was the least ably defended of all the combatant religions. Meteoric was his rise to fame among the Indian Muslims when the first few volumes of his monumental work Brahin-e-Ahmadiyyah were published. Glowing tributes were paid to him by eminent Muslim scholars of that time. Leading articles were published in his praise by the Muslim press. But it was not to last long.

The situation changed dramatically when he pronounced, one day, that God had revealed to him that Jesusas, son of Mary, was dead. He died many long years after his deliverance from the cross like any other human prophet. In his name and in his spirit and style it was he, Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas who had been raised as the Messiah of the latter days, to fulfil the prophecies of the second advent of Jesusas. A fuller discussion on this will follow in Part VII. For the present it should suffice that his fame had reached heavenly heights before he made this claim. But the first thing that claim cost him was that fame which turned overnight into notoriety. His name was still known from end to end in the vast subcontinent of India among the people of Islam, but no longer with honour and dignity and with hopes and aspirations. The hunter of the enemies of Islam became the most hunted person by the very Muslims whose battles he had fought. All his friends turned into foes, all his well-wishers wished him dead rather than accept the death of Jesus Christas and his spiritual rebirth among the Muslims. He was maligned and vilified and abused and opposed with such frenzy as the subcontinent of India had not witnessed before. It was at this moment of total betrayal by the world of Islam, and undisguised hostility by the rest of the religions, that he was reassured by God that He would not abandon him. Many prophetic warnings were vouched to him concerning the Divine chastisement for those who led campaigns of bitter antagonism against him. Many Divine warnings were bestowed to him regarding heavenly punishments of a much wider application, so that the people at large might draw their lesson from them, but they heeded not. He was falsified. But his prophetic warnings of Divine chastisement could not be falsified.

ONE SUCH WARNING related to the impending epidemic of the plague which was to play exceptional havoc in the Punjab, the province of India to which he belonged. The most emphatic warning delivered by him to the world was bestowed upon him in the words of the following Divine revelation:

'A Warner came unto the world, but the world accepted him not; yet God shall manifest His favour and demonstrate his truth with powerful assaults.' 1

Plague, as we have already mentioned, was just one of the many punitive signs which he prophesied. But it was so great a sign of extraordinary import that we have specifically selected it as a category by itself. It was not just a sign of the truth of the Promised Messiahas, it was a sign of the truth of the Quran and the Bearersa of the Quran. Again it manifestly proved the claim that revelation is a most reliable means of transferring knowledge from the realm of the unknown to that of the known. The visitation of the plague which was revealed to the Promised Messiahas was in fact a Quranic prophecy reasserted during his time, because his was the age when it was destined to be realized.

And when the sentence is passed against them, We shall bring forth for them an insect (Da'bbah) out of the earth, which shall wound them (Tukallemo) because people did not believe in Our Signs.2

The word da'bbah as used by the Quran has already been defined with reference to another verse discussed earlier. It applies to all animals, from the tiniest to the most massive ones, which move along earth surfaces with a locomotive mechanism.3

It is highly important to understand the significance of this prophecy, which has a very potent message for the people of this age. Many a past Muslim scholar and commentator of the Quran has related this prophecy to the age when the Mahdi and the Messiah would appear. Although they could not fathom the entire import of the message, they still came surprisingly close. 'Allamah Isma'il Haqqi Al-Buruswi (d. AH 1137) commentating on the above verse in Ruhul Bayan wrote that the Mahdi would come and then the Dajjal (anti-Christ) would appear followed by the Messiah. During this time da'bbah will emerge and after that the sun will rise from the West.

The Shi'a scholar, Mullah Fath-Ullah Kashani (d. AH 988), in his commentary Minhaj-us Sadiqin, has made the following comments:

'According to some of our friends this verse (i.e. relating to the emergence of da'bbah) points to the advent of the Divine authority who is the Mahdi of the Muslim people (Ummah).'

This is as far as these commentators could go from their study of Hadith in conjunction with the above Quranic verse. They did not offer any explanation as to the nature of da'bbah. It was left to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, in his capacity as the reformer of the latter days to further elaborate and explain the true implication of this prophecy in the light of the Divine revelations and visions bestowed upon him.

In February 1898, Hazrat Ahmadas received revelations about an impending plague, and he immediately published this important warning through newspapers and pamphlets to the world at large. He explained that the plague of which he had foretold was the same calamity implied in the verse relating to the appearance of al- da'bbah

He further observed that the word tukallemo mentioned in the verse has two basic meanings. One is to wound and the other is to speak. The context in which this verse is set clearly relates to an animal of a sort which would bite the people for having rejected the signs of the Lord. The alternative meaning requires the da'bbah to speak to the people. This he does by implication indicating that this punitive measure is a result of their denial. Thus he speaks as he wounds by discriminating between good and bad.

After this initial warning, many others followed, further elaborating the nature of the impending plague and the manner in which it would strike. The Promised Messiahas was told in no uncertain terms that this plague would devastate large areas in the Punjab, and village after village would be emptied of life. Death would knock at every door and strike the townships from end to end leaving a trail of horror behind as it went.

Qadian, the township where he himself dwelled, would be no exception, he declared, but the plague there would be employed to further enhance the sign of his truth. It would strike all around his house but would not be permitted to step within its four walls.

'I will save all who dwell in the House.'4

For those who sought and cared for his shelter, he made it clear that this promise of security would not be confined only to such as occupy his house physically but would also cover those who dwell in his spiritual home—the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Thus he delivered manifest warnings to all who rejected him and gave glad tidings of miraculous protection to all who believed.

When he mentioned that the Ahmadis would be miraculously saved from this affliction, he made it clear at the same time that in exceptional cases, the Ahmadis who were Ahmadis in name only may also suffer. But by and large, they would be saved in such outstanding proportion as would leave no doubt in the mind of the observer that this protection was in no way accidental.

THE TALE OF THE PLAGUE in the Punjab is an amazing tale indeed. It testifies to the truth of the Promised Messiahas in letter and spirit. How could a man claim protection even from the common cold as a sign of his truth? To speak of the plague to show distinct partiality to his followers was too tall a claim to be made by an ordinary mortal if God Himself had not vouchsafed it to him. It was an exceptionally tall claim indeed that all who would sincerely submit to his authority as the Divinely appointed Imam of the age would be spared the agony of the plague.

When finally the hour struck, it struck to toll the bell over the funeral of his sworn enemies. Many among them had publicly vowed that it would be Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas himself who would die of the plague. But it was they themselves who were stricken by the plague along with their families, one after the other, until none were left to mourn their death. It did spare, as was promised, his followers, by an outstandingly large margin. A margin which could not be explained away by any factor of chance or accident. No earthly logic could account for the distinct partiality with which the plague treated the Ahmadis in hundreds of villages of mixed population. This miracle repeated itself everywhere with such brilliance as even the blind could see. And the blind did see and rushed towards the safe haven of Ahmadiyyat in such numbers as had never happened before. And lo, they were saved. But alas for those who possessed the faculty of sight that they were blinded by its dazzling brilliance. There were villages where no one was left to carry the coffins of the victims of the plague to the nearby graveyards, except the followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas. They carried the corpses of the disbelievers on their shoulders to the burial ground without the least fear of contracting the plague.

Nuclear Holocaust (Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad 4th successor of the Promised Messiah)

2011-03-13T14:58:00.003+00:00

AMONG THE QURANIC PROPHECIES relating to events and inventions of our age, there are some which are of outstanding importance and great global significance. One such prophecy relates to the impending danger of a nuclear holocaust.

This prophecy was made at a time when man could not entertain the idea of an atomic explosion by any stretch of his imagination. But as we will presently illustrate, there are certain verses of the Holy Quran which clearly speak of tiny insignificant particles which are described as storehouses of immense energy, as though the fire of hell was locked within them. Amazing as it may seem, this is exactly what is literally described in the following verses.

Woe to every backbiter, slanderer,

Who amasses wealth and counts it over and over.

He imagines that his wealth will make him immortal.

Nay! he shall surely be cast into the "hotamah".

And what should make thee know what the "hotamah" is?

Allah's fire as preserved fuel,

Which will leap suddenly on to the hearts.

It is locked up in outstretched pillars to be used against them. 1

This short Quranic Chapter is densely packed with astounding statements which lie far beyond the reach of the people of that age. Strange is it not, to read that the sinful people of a certain description would be cast into the hotamah, which means the tiniest of particles, such as we see floating in a beam of light which passes through a poorly lit room.

Authentic Arabic lexicons describe hotamah as possessing two root meanings; first hatamah, which means 'to pound' or 'pulverize into extremely small particles', and the second hitmah, which means 'the smallest insignificant particle'. Thus hitmah is the result obtained by breaking something down to its smallest constituents.

The two meanings just mentioned can rightfully be applied to any extremely minute particle which has reached the limits of its divisible potential. As the concept of the atom had not been born fourteen hundred years ago, the nearest substitute to it could only be hotamah which also sounds intriguingly close to atom. One hardly recovers from the shock of the claim that a time would come when man would be cast in the hotamah when another claim, even more bizarre, comes in its wake.

Explaining the word hotamah, the Holy Quran speaks of a blazing fire built within it and confined in extended columns. It goes on to declare that when man will be cast into it, this fire will directly leap upon his heart as though no intervening rib cage existed. This can only mean that this fire would be of a completely different nature which could directly kill the heart before it could scorch the body. Certainly no fire known to man of that age could be described as such.

These however are not the only elements of surprise about this description; what follows is even more astonishing. This fire is mentioned as having been locked up in outstretched columns waiting to leap upon man till such time as it is destined to be unleashed.

WONDER UPON WONDER is heaped in such a short space of a few simple statements. First the declaration that the time would come when man would be cast into the smallest particle, then the description of that smallest particle and what it contains. It contains a type of fire which is kept confined in some tiny vessels which could appear like extended columns.

The casting of man into this minute particle does not mean that a single man will be cast into it. Man is mentioned as a generic name and the casting indicates his subjection to that affliction to which he will be doomed. This has only become conceivable in the contemporary age when man has discovered the secret of the atoms and the immense stores of energy which they contain. This is the age when the fire contained in the smallest particles leaps out and engulfs large areas extending to thousands of square miles. Everything that lies within its range is engulfed, man and all. Hence, what seemed so unrealistic fourteen hundred years ago, has become a commonplace reality which even young children can understand.

The most hyperbolical expression of wonder fails to do justice to the greatness of this prophecy. No less wonderful is the fact that the people of that age failed to recognize the import of this short Surah Al-Humazah; or it would have leapt upon their beliefs and faith, rather than upon their hearts. How these amazing statements escaped their notice and went unchallenged defies logic. Perhaps they sought refuge in the belief that these verses do not apply to the events of this world, but relate to the mysterious realm of the unknown in the hereafter. Many a commentator simply avoided even an attempt to explain these verses. A few who took up the challenge, unburdened themselves by arbitrarily relegating the contents of these verses to the time of resurrection. Thus, not comprehending their meaning, they tossed them lock, stock and barrel over to the unknown.

Among the Western orientalists, Sale faced the same dilemma of how to translate the word hotamah literally. He simply mentioned a large number of people to be thrust into the hotamah without translating Al-hotamah at all. This left no danger for the English speaking people to express their incredulance at the impossibility of people being cast into a tiny particle. As they would have no idea what hotamah is, they would be free to imagine a vast hall of burning fire called the hotamah (the smallest particle). This strategy of Sale saved him from the embarrassment of this translation. Yet, at the same time, he failed to do justice to this amazing prophecy.

The fire described in this verse, whether it is a conflagration here upon earth or a raging fire in the hereafter, could in no way be pressed into the tiny space of the minutest of particles. But that is not the only dilemma which must have confronted Sale and other earlier commentators. What about the fire which is packed into tiny extended columns, a scenario altogether impossible to conceive until the dawn of the atomic era? Now the jigsaw puzzle appears to be finally resolved, with every piece settling into its right place.

Unless one is familiar with the scientific description of how an atomic explosion takes place and what changes are brought about within the nuclear mass, one cannot fully comprehend the meaning of the Quranic expression of 'extended columns'. Nuclear experts describe the state of a critical mass which is about to explode, as something elongating and pulsating with the immense pressure built within it. This pressure is caused by the elongation of the nuclei before they burst and in that process an element of high atomic weight is split into two elements of lesser atomic weight. The sum total of the atomic weight of the newly formed elements is less than the atomic weight of the original parent element, normally referred to as a heavy metal. The small portion of the atomic weight which is lost in this process is turned into energy. This is not the only model of a nuclear bomb but we have chosen this simple one to describe the process of the extended columns.

TURNING TO the issue of how this fire could leap directly upon the hearts, the scientific description is given below:

At the instant of explosion, large quantities of gamma rays, neutrons and x-rays are immediately released. The x-rays raise the temperature immediately to meteoric heights creating a great ball of fire rising rapidly, riding the extremely hot atomic blast. This is the canopy of fire like a huge mushroom which is seen from far and wide.

The x-rays also travel sideways in all directions along with the neutrons, causing immense heat which burns everything on its way. The speed at which this heat front moves is many times the speed of sound which also creates shockwaves. But much faster and more penetrating than this are the gamma rays which outpace the heat front by leaping forward at the speed of light. They are so immensely vibrant that by the sheer force of their vibration they strike the hearts dead. So death is not caused by the intense heat generated by x-rays, it is the tremendous energy of the gamma rays which inflicts instantaneous death. This is exactly how the Holy Quran describes it.

Again in Surah Al-Dukhan (The Smoke), the Quran describes a lethal cloud which comprises a deadly radiant smoke:

Then watch for the day when the sky will bring forth a manifest smoke,
That will cast a shadow upon people. This will be a painful suffering. 2

The nature of this cloud is further qualified by the following verses:

'Now move towards what you have been denying,

'Move on towards a three-pronged shadow,

'Neither affording shade, nor protecting from the blaze.'

It throws up flames like huge castles,

As though the castles were dusky yellow camels. 3

continue reading...

Genetic Engineering (Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth by Mirza Tahir Ahmad 4th successor of the Promised Messiah )

2011-03-12T09:56:00.003+00:00

IN THE FIELD OF GENETIC ENGINEERING, it has today become possible to change certain features of life. But in the age when the following verse was revealed, no one could imagine such a thing in his wildest fancy. Below is the relevant verse and its translation:

... And he (Satan) said, 'I will assuredly take a fixed portion from Thy servants;

'And assuredly I will lead them astray and assuredly I will excite in them vain desires, and assuredly I will incite them and they will cut the ears of cattle...' 1

The idea of mutilation of animals by chopping off their tails or slitting their ears is not what is meant here by the Quran. It simply refers to the common practice among the Arabs in pre-Islamic times to make incisions in the ears of animals marked for sacrifice to various gods. However, what follows in the same verse is of a far more dramatic and revolutionary nature. The verse ends by attributing to Satan another malevolent intention, to incite mankind to bring about changes in the pattern of God's creation. The verse continues:

... 'and assuredly I will incite them and they will effect a change in the creation of Allah.' And he who takes Satan as a friend besides Allah has certainly suffered a manifest loss. 2

The possibility of changing the nature of God's creation was not an idea that people of earlier times could have entertained. Clearly the verse is speaking of possibilities that had not yet dawned on the horizon of earlier eras. To inflict superficial injuries or to make small changes, through incisions for example, is quite a simple process and lies within the reach of man of all ages. However, the possibility of man bringing about substantial changes in God's creation has always been beyond the reach of human imagination, prior to the most recent times. The addition of genetic engineering as a new branch of scientific study is only a decade or two old. Yet this branch of science is moving rapidly to the stage against which a clear warning had been delivered by the Quran fourteen hundred years ago. Man has already started interfering with the plan of creation and to some measure has succeeded in altering the forms of life at the level of bacteria, insects etc. A few steps further and it may spell disaster. Some scientists have already started sounding the alarm. But unfortunately, to reverse the wheel of experimentation in this field already seems to be beyond their power.

Scholars are divided in two camps regarding the very ethics of genetic engineering. Some are throwing up their hands in alarm, whilst others argue that we should develop this field to its fullest extent so that we may discover the secrets of creation. They believe that technological developments in this field will brighten the future of man.

In America the debates are ferociously raging between the two camps which approve or disapprove of genetic engineering. Some legal suits and litigations against the unrestricted experiments of genetic engineering are pending in the courts of the United States. It is argued that already the experiments have defied the scientific expectations of what should have resulted from the transfer of genes from one species to another. In some cases the deviation from the expected course is surprisingly greater than even the sceptics could suspect. Until now, however, things have not gone completely out of hand. The experiments carried out on certain strains of bacteria and crops are proving beneficial for enhancing agricultural produce and protecting it from certain diseases. But it is far too early indeed to exult in these small transient gains.

What ultimate effects the new synthetic strains or altered species will have on the ecology in the future, cannot be assessed until the behaviour of the altered strains is closely and minutely monitored for a few successive generations. The danger of the disaster which they may spell is, however, real and substantial. If not strictly monitored, injudicious experimentation with genetic engineering could let loose some unpredictable form of life which may defy human control. The certainty with which the Quran has warned against the punishment of meddling with the creation of God bodes ill for the future of life on earth. Allah knows best if man will ever cease to play God. Can any measure, short of extinction, teach him the lesson in humility?

IT IS WRONG however to infer that this verse condemns all possible usage of genetic engineering. Any branch of science which is pressed into the service of His creation and employed to protect, rather than change it, is certainly not discouraged. If for instance genetic engineering is employed to correct faults in genetic codes caused by accidents, this can in no way be dubbed as interference with the Divine scheme of things. Again, if damage to genetic codes by disease or imprudent medication is attempted to be corrected through genetic engineering, this is certainly not what is condemned in the above verse.

All said and done, it cannot be overemphasized that scientists should not be given a free hand to trifle with the grand scheme of Divine Creation. They must thank their lucky stars if grave accidents have not already happened. They will have none to thank but themselves if they do. We do hope that the world governments will keep a strict watch over the trends and scope of experimentation in the field of genetic engineering. What hangs in the balance is the honour and dignity of the human species within the animal kingdom. We do hope and pray that mankind will be spared the torment of haplessly watching the day when it will be mastered by the synthetic slaves of its own creation.

REFERENCES

Translation of 4:119–120 by Maulawi Sher Ali. (Note: The word 'Satan' in brackets has been added by the author).
Translation of 4:120 by the author

Response to persecution by the head of a peacefull community

2011-03-06T19:50:00.001+00:00

Sermon Delivered by Hadhrat Mirza
Masroor Ahmad Head of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Hudhur recited the following verses at
the start of today ’s Friday Sermon and
gave a discourse on ultimate triumph
of divine communities.
‘Out of arrogance in the earth and
evil plotting. But the evil plot
encompasses none but the authors
thereof. Do they then look for
anything but God ’s way of dealing
with the peoples of old? But thou
wilt never find any change in the
way of Allah; nor wilt thou ever
find any alteration in the way of
Allah.
Have they not travelled in the
earth and seen how evil was the
end of those who were before
them? And they were stronger than
they in power. And Allah is not such
that anything in the heavens or the
earth should frustrate His plans;
verily, He is All-Knowing, All-
Powerful. ’ (35:44-45)
Hudhur said that we firmly believe that
the Promised Messiah (on whom be
peace) was from God as we observe
signs of God ’s support for him each
step of the way as well as fulfilment of
Divine promises made to him. We also
witness fulfilment of whatever he
foretold. This increases our faith. Due
to his ardent love for the Holy Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be on
him) God granted him status of
prophethood so that he could take the
task of the Holy Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be on him) further.
However, this was a prophethood
which was not law-bearing and was in
a shadow-like capacity and was the
pinnacle of being in the Ummah of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah
be on him). It is a pity that our
opponent ulema (religious scholars/
leaders) interpret this incorrectly and
not only raise voices against it
whenever and wherever possible but
also harass and persecute us as much
as they possibly can and at times
exceed all limits in their persecution.
When divine communities progress,
their detractors try their utmost to stop
their progress by means of force or
through the help of supporters whom
they deem powerful. At times, they
also surreptitiously and cunningly try
to take those who have weak faith or
who lack Tarbiyyat or adolescents
away from the truth. This is why each
Ahmadi should increase his or her
religious knowledge and be aware of
what he or she believes in and why he
or she believes it so that they can
respond to such covert enemies. In
addition, and more importantly, we
should pray for our belief because
without God ’s grace nothing can come
to pass. For this, God has taught us a
prayer: ‘Our Lord, let not our hearts
become perverse after Thou hast
guided us; and bestow on us mercy
from Thyself; surely, Thou alone art
the Bestower. (3:9). Thus one’s belief
is safeguarded by God’s mercy alone
and this is why a humble person is
ever in need of His help, indeed,
should be in need of His help. Hudhur
said at times people write to him
asking that if the prophethood aspect
of the Promised Messiah (on whom be
peace) is not mentioned in discussions
etc. it lessens the hostility.
Explaining Hudhur quoted from the
writings of the Promised Messiah (on
whom be peace) where he said that
one should not be afraid to assert
heavenly matters and that it is not the
practice of those who follow truth to
be fearful. He said that it was his claim
that he was a Prophet. He said
whoever God has a dialogue with,
which is a superior phenomenon than
that of others and which includes
prophecies in abundance, is called a
Prophet. He said this definition fulfilled
in his person and that he certainly was
a Prophet. However, he said his
prophethood was not law-bearing
that would cancel Book of God and
bring a new book, he said he
considered such a claim as Kufr
(unbelief). He said if he was not called
a Prophet, then which other term
would distinguish him from others
who were recipients of Divine
revelation. Hudhur said thus was the
open and clear claim of the Promised
Messiah (on whom be peace) which
was in exact accordance with the
prophecy of the Holy Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be on him) who
had said that there would be no
Prophet between him and the Messiah,
the Mahdi.
Hudhur said opposition of divine
communities always goes on. Many a
tyrannical ruler and their multitudes
have contended with them before but
Godly communities continue to
progress. Eventually all the multitudes
are finished and God’s decree
triumphs. ‘Allah has decreed: ‘Most
surely I will prevail, I and My
Messengers. ’ Verily, Allah is
Powerful, Mighty.’ (58:22). Hudhur
said those who think that their
throngs and the help of their worldly
masters will give them success are in
error. The ultimate triumph most
certainly belongs to divine
communities. No matter how sharp
their intellect is in conspiring and
making false plans, they cannot
contend with God ’s decree. And God
has thus assured true believers: ‘…But
the evil plot encompasses none but
the authors thereof …’. Indeed, times
come when sacrifices are needed but
the final triumph is of a Prophet and
his people, this is the way of God and
God ’s way does not ever change, it will
show us the bad ending of the enemy
as it did before, just as the verse cited
before (35:44) states.
Hudhur said the recent barbaric
happening in Indonesia gave the
mullah and his coterie audacity to plan
a huge rally calling for a complete ban
on the Ahmadiyya Community as
Muslims. They planned this rally to be
hundreds of thousands strong and
had made huge preparations. They
said they would take their protest to
the highest level in government and if
not successful, they would remove the
head of state from his office. The plan
was huge in scale and had the
Indonesian Jama ’at concerned about
the extremist element of it. However,
God so willed that only an ordinary
rally took place which finished earlier
than it was planned to. A few days
earlier, government sponsored clergy
had decided to hold a convention
which was attended by the President
of the country and thus God dismissed
the other plans. In any case, neither
the government sponsored clergy nor
the mullah are our friends. God so wills
at times, that our opponent parties
clash with each other. We are grateful
to the Indonesian government
because since then, with the
exception of one or two ministers, the
stance of the rulers has been good
with us.
Hudhur said he wished to say that just
as after the Lahore martyrdoms we
witnessed sincerity of faith emerge in
Africa resulting in Bai ’ats, similarly God
has opened ways for pious-natured
people after the Indonesian incident.
A murrabi sahib from Africa writes that
after seeing video clip of the
Indonesian incident he was in an
emotional state. By chance a Tabligh
session was planned the same day
with some local dignitaries and ulema.
He writes that he put the video clip on
at the start of the session and
explained the background of the
barbaric attack. Hardly a minute of the
footage had been seen when one of
the imams stood up and started
sobbing in the traditional African
manner and said if these were Muslims
carrying out barbarity in the name of
the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allah be on him), then he wished to
forsake such Muslims and such an
Islam and announced that he was an
Ahmadi. Hudhur said the Tabligh
session had yet to take place when
God enabled one big imam to accept
Ahmadiyyat. He later said that he
pledged that in recompose of the
three martyrdoms he would bring
three villages in the fold of
Ahmadiyyat. Hudhur prayed that may
God enable him so.
Hudhur said whether the enemy plans
against us overtly or covertly, let alone
frightening those of strong faith, their
planning immediately opens the
hearts of the pious-natured in favour
of Ahmadiyyat and the task that
cannot be done by our missionaries in
a year is accomplished in a moment.
Who indeed is there that can stop
God ’s work. It is God’s way that His
decree triumphs and the oppressors
are destroyed. It is a warning from
God that if people in earlier times came
to a bad ending due to such
opposition, today ’s God is the same
God and these are the promises of the
very same All-Powerful God. He says
have you not seen the destruction of
the earlier people? Hudhur said even
today when earthquakes strike they
are a cautionary sign for those who
pay heed. By stating this in the Holy
Qur ’an, God enjoined Muslims to have
sense. But unfortunately, they have
forgotten this warning. God addresses
the arrogant and the conceited who
are intoxicated in the conceit of their
power that their arrogance will come
to naught. God states: ‘…And they
were stronger than they in power…’
that is, their opponents were stronger
than the Prophets but when God ’s
chastisement came, they were all
destroyed. By stating this in the
Qur ’an, God has told every Pharaoh-
like person and his throngs that their
power is nothing compared to God
and though apparently weak, Godly
people are given power by God.
Detractors of Godly people should
have sense and should understand
this reality that contending with those
are sent from God is contending with
God. Indeed, He states: ‘…And Allah is
not such that anything in the
heavens or the earth should
frustrate His plans ;’.
When looked from a worldly
perspective, the powerful are right in
assuming that they will overcome the
others with their power. Indeed, today
the cunning and the powerful are the
rulers around the world and they have
a hold over those who are apparently
called Muslims. However, here the
contention is not between worldly
people. When it comes to the
Community of the Promised Messiah
(on whom be peace) the contention
becomes between Godly people and
worldly people and here worldly
principles do not work. Here the
triumph will be of that side with which
God ’s support will be and God will
state: ‘…And Allah is not such that
anything in the heavens or the
earth should frustrate His plans;’
Hudhur said while this is glad-tiding
for us in this age, it also draws
attention to a responsibility: to truly
connect with that Godly person and
generate a special relationship with
God. Try and make our worship of
God, our prayers, our practices in line
with the teachings of the Holy Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be on
him) which the Promised Messiah (on
whom be peace) further unfolded for
us. If we truly inculcate this principle,
then whether it is the powerful people
of Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh or
some Arab nation, they have no
standing against the All-Powerful God.
Our detractors need to understand the
signs of decree of God and reform
themselves, otherwise, God’s decree
will triumph and when His final decree
comes to pass, everything is
destroyed.
Next Hudhur read some extracts from
the writings of the Promised Messiah
(on whom be peace). These included
the following: ‘God will break the
arrogance of the arrogant maulwis’
and ‘the truth of an especially loyal
person of God reaches God in such
abundance that the worldly blind
cannot see it ’. ‘O’ people, understand
that I have that Hand in my hand
which be sincere to me till the very
end. ’ ‘If you hide your testimony, then
a time will soon come that stones will
bear testimony for me. ’ ‘It is wrong to
assume that the Promised Messiah will
descend from the sky. Remember, no
one will descend from the sky, all our
opponents who are alive today will all
die and none of them will witness
Jesus, son of Mary descend from the
sky. Then their surviving children will
also die and none among them will
witness Jesus, son of Mary descend
from the sky. Then children of their
children will die and they too will not
witness son of Mary descend from the
sky. This is when God will make their
hearts anxious that the time of final
triumph has passed, the world has
changed but Mary ’s son Jesus has not
yet descended from the sky. This is
when the intellectuals will be wary of
this creed. And three centuries from
this day would not have completed
when those who await Jesus, be it
Muslims or Christians, badly
discouraged and dismayed, will
abandon this false creed. And there
will be only one religion in the world
and one leader. ’
Hudhur said we thus witness the
truthfulness of the words of the
Promised Messiah (on whom be
peace). Today, in accordance with
God ’s promise Ahmadiyyat is
blossoming in Asia, the islands,
Europe, America and the fertile areas
as well as far flung deserts of Africa.
Each sacrifice of every Ahmadi is
becoming a means to attain new
objectives. We should pray more than
ever to partake a measure of God’s
grace and for strengthening of our
faith. World situation is fast changing,
InshaAllah it will manifest great signs
in favour of Ahmadiyyat. A lot of
prayers are needed for this, self-
reflection is needed for this. Special
attention to prayers is needed during
these days, may God also cover our
faults and may no act of ours be such
that it deprives us of experiencing this
progress.

Attacks on Islam - Refutation of Allegations

2011-03-04T19:31:00.001+00:00

Friday Sermon Delivered by Hadhrat Mirza
Masroor Ahmad Head of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

There has been a renewed intensity in
attacks on Islam, on the Holy Prophet
Muhammad, peace and blessings of
Allah be on him, and on the Holy
Qur'an with an objective of defaming
Islam. The reason behind these
attacks is that Islam fulfills the needs of
the time, and people are turning
towards Islam after examining the
teachings of the Qur'an. Unbiased
people have pondered over the Holy
Qur'an. Though just the translation
does not provide the deep knowledge
of the message of the Holy Qur'an, yet
the ones who have a clear conscience
gain some understanding.
A news item has appeared that a
British journalist went to Afghanistan
for social work. She was arrested by
the Taliban and released on the
promise that she will read the Holy
Qur'an. After arriving home, on
reading the Holy Qur'an, she found
that there was great difference
between the teachings of Islam and
the treatment of women in
Afghanistan. She accepted Islam. The
matter received a lot of media
attention. Due to her education and
experience, she was hired in Qatar.
She stuck to principles of truth and
fairness leading to differences with the
owners resulting in her separation.
She took the case to court and won
arguing equal rights in Islam for
women. She had similar experience in
a second employment. She again took
the case to court and won arguing
that it is the responsibility of Muslim
governments to safeguard women's
rights. These incidents strengthened
her faith. Though her experiences
were negative, her faith advanced
through reading the Holy Qur'an.
Rather than maligning Islamic
teachings, she carried out a jihad
against those who were not following
these teachings.
Such examples worry anti-Islam
forces. Irrespective of the level of their
affiliation with their own faith, anti-
Islamic feelings force them to indulge
in unbecoming practices. This is
nothing new. Prophets have
experienced this before and Islam
now is a target as it is a great religion.
Meccans stood up against Islam as it
started gaining strength. 'Umar, a
staunch enemy of Islam, bowed his
head before the Prophet, peace and
blessings of Allah be on him, after
reading a few verses of the Holy
Qur'an. Allah elevated his status so
that he became the second righteous
Khalifah. After the migration of the
Prophet to Medina, Jews became
apprehensive of the increasing
influence of Islam. Further expansion
worried the kingdoms of Iran and
Rome.
Today all the great powers are fearful
of Islam. They have resorted to such
unfair strategies against Islam that
their own conscientious citizens have
started raising their voices against
their unfair practices. Adversarial
voices rising out of the West do not
represent the sentiment of the general
public. Public has stood up in protest
against unfair and vicious attacks.
A news lady, during an interview with
our missionary, condemned the
republication of the Danish cartoons,
and declared that before their
publication she was proud of her
country. Generally people on internet
and in the media have reacted
strongly against the republication of
Danish cartoons. Khalifatul-Masih
presented numerous quotes in this
respect and said that this wave against
Islam is not the work of a few writers,
elected officials, politicians or
cartoonists but there is a hand of great
powers behind these incidents who
are afraid of Islamic teachings and do
not want their people to know Islamic
teachings, and want to establish their
supremacy in the name of religion.
There was a big hand of Christians in
closing down our television broadcast
channel in the middle east [which was
immediately replaced by an alternate
resource]. They are trying to become
the god of the world, and these brains
are the ones who are involved in anti-
Islamic efforts.
Islam's destiny now is to spread, not
through terrorism or militism but
through the Messiah of the age. All of
us should make an effort to spread the
peaceful message of Islam. Allah's
plans cannot be frustrated by worldly
powers.
Khalifatul-Masih gave details of the
efforts of the Ahmadiyya community in
Denmark with respect to the
republication of the Danish cartoons,
and presented the affirmative views of
the queen and parliament towards
Muslims.
Continuing with a review of the
attacks on Islam, Khalifatul-Masih
further quoted from a book written
against the sanctity of the Holy Qur'an
and refuted various allegations in the
book.
He further pointed out with reference
to the Holy Quran and its explanation
by the Promised Messiah, peace be on
him, that people who live immoral and
unhealthy lives cannot understand
and benefit from the pristine teachings
of the Qur'an. Despite it having deep
meanings, it is easily comprehensible.
Only special people reach the depth of
its meaning though everyone is able
to understand and practice its
teachings. People who are filled with
envy, animosity and viciousness
cannot realize its beneficence, except
for when they analyze it with unbiased
minds. Therefore, when we hear the
antagonistic views, they increase our
faith as they fulfill what the Holy Qur'an
told us centuries ago.
The Holy Qur'an tells us that the people
who have taken up to malign the Holy
Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him,
and the Holy Qur'an will not escape the
consequences, and we have seen the
fulfillment of this warning throughout
history. The consequences are
imminent if the behavior is not
changed. No false god will be able to
save them when the time of
consequence arrives.
We invite our adversaries to look at
the teachings and contents of the Holy
Qur'an attentively and discern its
excellences with respect to its spiritual,
moral and social guidance of mankind.
Teachings of Islam are in accordance
with nature but it is necessary to have
a pious heart to understand them, and
a purifier to guide. In this age, the
Ahmadiyya community portrays the
beauties of its teachings.
There is a great need for prayers these
days that Muslim observe heavenly
signs and abandon their
misunderstandings and unite for a
nobler purpose saving themselves
from a grave mischief.

The Holy Quran is a comprehensive book

2011-03-04T18:57:00.001+00:00

By Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the
Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Community, on September 11, 2009

In his sermon, Hadhrat Mirza
Masroor Ahmad quoted the
Founder of Ahmadiyya
Muslim Community, the
Messiah of this age, Hadhrat
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. The
Promised Messiah (as)
mentions that the non-
Muslims especially the
Christians have borrowed the concept
of God from Islam. The editors of
Alislam-eGazette believe that it is due
to the near impossibility for human
mind to comprehend a Triune God, as
presented by Pauline Christianity. At
any rate, the day to day usage of the
Unitarian concept of God by the
Christian masses, reminds us of the
saying, ‘imitation is the best form of
flattery.’
The Messiah stated:
“The Holy Quran is replete with
wisdom and insights and does not
contain any portion of babble or
frivolous. It explains every necessary
detail and provides for all human
needs. It is a miracle from every
aspect. I am ever ready to
demonstrate the miracle and beauty of
the Holy Quran to anyone who denies
it. These days, concept of God and
genuine understanding of
monotheism are under fire. The
Christians have written a lot about
God, but, whatever genuine account
they have given is about the true and
the living God of Islam and not about a
dead, crucified and a humble god. I
can declare it with fullest confidence
that whoever, will attempt to write
about the attributes of God, his or her
hand will be forced to come to the God
of Islam. This is because each and
every particle of our universe gives
testimony of this God and the imprint
of the God of Islam is also in every
human heart and conscience. So,
whenever humans endeavor to find
God, they are lead to the concepts of
Islam. This also is indeed an amazing
miracle.
Today, if anyone denies the miracle of
the Holy Quran, we can put forward a
challenge to him. If anyone denies the
Holy Quran to be revealed word of
God, he should, in this age of learning
and science, write arguments about
God and I will demonstrate all those
from the Holy Quran. Likewise, if he
writes on the Unity of God, I will be
able to bring those out from the
Quran. We challenge, that if anyone
writes about wonderful teachings for
humanity and religious truths and
claims that these are not mentioned in
the Holy Book of Islam, we will
demonstrate to him the Quranic
claims ﻓِﻴْﻬَﺎ ﻛُﺘُﺐٌ ﻗَﻴِّﻤَﺔٌؕ ‘Therein are
lasting commandments,’ (Al Surah Al-
Baiyyinah 98:4) is how true and
manifest. If anyone wants to write
arguments for the religion of nature or
the orthodox religion, I will
demonstrate the miracle of the Holy
Quran from every angle and show that
all truths and essential teachings are in
the Holy Quran. In short, the Quran is a
book that has all the essential insights
and subtleties. But, I assert again that
to understand all these teachings one
needs a pious soul as is stated by God
Himself, ﻟَّﺎ ﻳَﻤَﺴُّﻪٗۤ ﺍِﻟَّﺎ ﺍﻟْﻤُﻄَﻬَّﺮُﻭْﻥَؕ ‘Which
none shall touch except those who
are purified ’ (Al Surah Al-Waqi'ah
56:80).”
Hadhrat Mirza Maroor Ahmad further
said in the Friday sermon, “The Holy
Quran is a comprehensive book, with
a treasure house of guidance and
anyone who follows it marches
towards salvation. The challenge that
the Promised Messiah (as) had issued,
continues to be valid today. His
followers have also demonstrated to
the world that the Quranic teachings
are for all times to come. The theories
that the Nobel laureate Dr. Abdus
Salam put forward also demonstrate
the Unity of God and the truth of the
Holy Quran. Even today if any Ahmadi
researchers ponder over the truths of
the Holy Quran, they will be guided to
greater truths by God, Himself. ”

Marriage in Islam

2011-03-04T18:07:00.001+00:00

Ata Ullah Kaleem
The Review of Religions, November
1992
In the beginning I am presenting
below the English translation of the
Arabic sermon which is delivered on
the occasion of the solemnization of a
Muslim marriage:
All praise is due to God! We laud Him,
we beseech help from Him and ask His
forgiveness. We confide in Him; we
trust in Him alone; and we seek
protection with Allah against the evils
and mischief of ourselves and from the
vices of our deeds.
Whomsoever God guideth to the right
path none can misguide him; and
whomsoever He declares misled none
can guide him unto the right path; and
we bear witness that none is worthy
of worship but God. He is alone and
has no partner and we bear witness
that Muhammad is His Servant and
Apostle.
This is followed by the recitation of the
following verses from the Holy Quran:
O ye people ! fear your Lord who
created you from a single soul and of
its kind created its mate, and from
them twain spread many men and
women; and fear ALLAH, in Whose
name you appeal to one another, and
fear him particularly respecting ties of
kinship. Verily ALLAH watches over
you ( 4:2)
O ye who believe ! Fear ALLAH and say
the straightforward word.
HE will set right you actions for you
and forgive you your sins. And whoso
obeys ALLAH and HIS Messenger shall,
surely, attain a supreme triumph
(33:71-72)
O ye who believe ! be mindful of your
duty to ALLAH and let every soul look
to what it sends forth for the morrow.
And fear ALLAH, verily, ALLAH is Well-
Aware of what you do. ( 59:19)
I would like to give an outline of
marriage in Islam. First, however it is
essential to know in what esteem
woman is held in Islamic society and
what rank she has been favoured with
by Islam and by its Holy Founder
Muhammad (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him).
To deal with this important subject I
shall keep myself confined to the Holy
Quran and the sayings of the Holy
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him), as interpreted by the
Reformer of the age, Hazrat Mirza
Ghulam Ahmad, the Founder of the
Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam. It is
indeed a matter of primary importance
that eveyone who believes in any
sacred scriptures as the revealed Word
of God should not, in expounding the
doctrines of that religion, go out of the
Holy Book or depend upon arguments
other than those which that book
furnishes. Such a limitation would go
far to simplify any dissertation upon a
religion. It is the religion of Islam
which confers such rights on women
and not the society which has
afterwards been evolved by it as is the
case with other religions. Islam is
unique in this respect by endowing a
woman with equal rights and placing
her on the same level as man. The Holy
Quran says in this regard:
And ALLAH has made for you mates
from among yourselves.... ( 16:73)
This verse shows that the Holy Quran
has given the same status to men and
women as it says that they are both
from the same origin and due to this
fact women should not be looked
down upon men as lower creatures.
Consequently they should not be dealt
with harshly and roughly, rather men
should deal with them in a very mild
and soft manner. The Holy Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) has been reported
to have said that women should be
taken care of as some one takes care
of glass products. Glass is liable to
break very easily if it is not treated
carefully. Men must follow therefore,
be careful not to injure the delicacy of
women because therein lies their
beauty. The Holy Quran declares in
another verse:
....And they (the women) have rights
similar to those (of men) over them in
equity; but men have a degree of
advantage above them.... ( 2:229)
From this verse it can be easily
deduced that as far as rights are
concerned, women are equal with
men but as the whole responsibility,
according to Islam, of affording the
household amenities rests with man
therefore he has a rank above them in
this respect.
The teachings of Islam make women
eligible to inheritance and accordingly
they receive their due share as
prescribed by the Islamic law. A
woman is entitled to individual
ownership of property as a mother, as
a wife, as a daughter, and as a sister.
In the words of an American Justice
Pierrs Craibites:
Muhammad 1300 years ago assured
to the mothers, wives and daughters
of Islam, the rank and dignity not yet
generally assured to the women by
the West
The Holy Prophet exalted the
intellectual and spiritual status of
women and said that the acquisition of
knowledge is an incumbent duty to
every Muslim male and female. The
Holy Prophet of Islam knew the
essential part women had to play in
the development of society, so he laid
great stress on the upbringing of girls
by saying:
A man who has three daughters and
brings them up and educates them to
the best of his capacity shall be entitled
to paradise
Regarding their spiritual status the
Holy Quran says:
Whoso acts righteously, whether male
or female and is a believer, WE will
surely grant him a pure life; and WE
will surely bestow on such their
reward according to the best of their
works ( 16:98)
In view of such ideal teachings
concerning the fair sex how absurd is
the assertion that according to Islam a
woman has no soul.
Turning to marriage in Islam, it is first
of all very important to know what is
the real aim of marriage in Islam. If we
understand it thoroughly, we would
then certainly try to acheive it. The
Holy Quran says:
And of HIS Signs is that HE has created
wives for you from among yourselves
that you may find peace of mind in
them, and HE has put love and
tenderness between you. In that,
surely, are Signs for a people who
reflect (30:22)
HE it is Who created you from a single
soul and made therefrom its mate, that
he might find comfort in her. ( 7:190)
These verses signify that marriage is
meant for the attainment of peace of
mind and mutual love and affection.
Allah has also said that marriage is the
means of attaining piety and of
guarding one's chastity. He says:
....They are a sort of garment for you
and you are a sort of garment for
them.... ( 2:188)
The Arabic word `libas' (garment)
means a thing which covers another
thing. And according to the Holy
Quran, a garment serves a threefold
purpose: Allah says:
O children of Adam, WE have indeed
send down to you raiment to cover
you nakedness and to be a means of
adornment... ( 7:27)
And then He says:
....HE has made for you garments
which protect you from heat, and
coats of mail which protect you in your
wars.... ( 16:82)
Another use of our dress is that it
provides protection against heat and
cold. Since the Holy Quran has used
the word 'garment' in respect of both
the husband and wife, it proves
beyond any shadow of doubt that
they hold an equal status; their rights
and duties are identical in respect of
each other; and both are bound to
fulfil their obligations to each other.
When God declares each of them to be
a garment for the other, He wishes it
be known how they should discharge
their duties towards each other which
are as follows:
1. To cover up one another's
weaknesses and shortcomings from
others.
2. To act as an adornment and
embellishment for one another.
3. Just as clothes protect us from the
severity and inclemency of the
weather, so in the same way the wife
and the husband should stick fast to
each other through thick and at no
time should they fall apart in adverse
circumstances. Each should serve as a
rock of support to the other.
According to the Islamic point of view,
marriage is not an ordinary
combination of two opposite sexes,
nor is it only to quench one's sexual
desires. It is rather holy reunion of two
inevitable life companions on whose
virtues or vices lies the prosperity or
the disaster of human society.
Marriage in Islam means laying the
foundation of a fabric from which
emerges a benevolent and beneficial
society and therefore it enjoins upon
every Muslim to marry. The first thing
in this respect is that what the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) has
said:
O company of the youth! he who can
afford to marry should marry, for it
keeps the eyes cast down and keeps
the man chaste; and he who cannot
afford to marry should take to fasting
for it will have a sobering effect upon
him.
According to this tradition it is quite
clear that the purpose of marriage in
Islam, as far as society is concerned, is
to keep society chaste, healthy and
pure from grossness and immorality. A
man who can afford to marry and yet
he refrains to marry must definitely be
led to immorality and will be a
nuisance to society which we today
observe clearly as due to the so-called
modern civilization. On the other hand
when one is already married one
would remain content and would not
loiter about but would lead a pleasant
family life.
The second thing that Islam says in
this regard is that marriage has its
lasting effects. Primarily it affects the
lives of two persons and then comes
the question of family and children. As
long as the man is responsible for the
maintenance of the family and children
he will be forced to be away from the
house for considerable periods of time
and so the children would not be
properly looked after and trained. The
responsibility of their well-being and
training has therefore been laid upon
the woman by Islam. If the woman is
chaste, pious, and religious, she would
bring up the children in a well trained
manner and thus the society emerging
from these children would be highly
moral and respectable. For this
purpose the Holy Prophet of Islam
said:
A woman is married for four things:
(1) for her wealth; (2) for nobility of
her family; (3) for her beauty and (4)
for her (good) character, so attain
success with one possessing good
character.
It is evident from this tradition that
Islamic marriage is based upon the
betterment of the society and
therefore the Holy Prophet of Islam left
no stone unturned and let no
opportunity go in this respect.
Consequently he said: bring up the
society pure, religious and
straightforward the Holy Quran
enjoins upon its followers that they
should not marry idolaters because by
doing so the purity of the worship of
God would be adversely affected and
the coming generations would
become irreligious and estranged
from God hence influencing their
strength of character and poluting
their religious feelings and leading
them astrays. The Holy Quran says:
And marry not idolatrous women until
they believe; even a believing bond
women is better than an idolatress,
although she may please you. And
give not believing women in marriage
to idolaters until they believe; even a
believing slave is better than an
idolater, although he may please
you.... ( 2:222)
It is clear from this verse that Islam
demands a purely religious and moral
society in which there would be no
godlessness and immorality. The main
object of Islam is that purity and piety
should be imbibed in the practice of
Muslim to such an extent that their
characters would become impeccable
and faultless.
One of the greatest causes of
immorality is secret relationship
between men and women and then
the grave consequences which cause
confliction, collision, and ultimately
separation. To nip the evil in its very
bud, the Holy Prophet of Islam said:
No marriage is legal without the
permission of the guardian.
This saying of the Holy Prophet shows
that unless the would-be couple is
known to the guardian (who is father
and in his absence uncles and
brothers respectively, or when all the
legal guardians are absent, then the
qazi (the judge) and unless the
marriage tie is agreed upon by them
the marriage is not valid.
In Islam when the agreement is
reached and when all conditions of
marriage are settled, then an
announcement is to be made in the
mosque or in court before a group of
Muslims so that they may stand as
witness that this marriage is legal and
all its natural consequences are
legimate.
The other reasons in the background
of this announcement are that should
there arise any dispute for which there
is no solution except separation, or a
child is born and the husband denies
its legitimacy, or any other danger
arises, then, if the announcement has
not been made and both of them had
relations secretly, there is the fullest
possibility that the woman would be
deprived of her legal rights. She can be
denied the maintenance for her child;
she can be deprived of her personal
living or she can have her property
given to her by her husband as there
stands no witness to support her
cause. To safeguard the rights of
women, Islam makes its necessary to
have the marriage tie announced
before a group of people so that in
case of such misunderstanding or
crisis there would be witnesses and
the woman could not be deprived of
her rights.
It should be borne in mind that Islam
does not allow a guardian to force his
ward to accept his choice. The Holy
Prophet of Islam is reported to have
said:
The widow shall not be married until
she is consulted and the virgin shall
not be married until her consent is
obtained.
Since man has been made responsible
for providing sustenance for his wife
and is her guardian and protector, it
has been made compulsory for him to
pay a dowry to his wife as a token of
acknowledgement of her role which
she has taken upon herself to play as
wife. God says in the Holy Quran: And
for the benefit you receive from them
(women) give them their dowries.
(4:25) There are cases, however,
where husbands grudge this
payment. Allah commands that the
dowry must be paid cheerfully and
with good grace. God says:
And give the women their dowries
willingly. But if they, of their own
pleasure, remit to you a part thereof,
then enjoy it as something pleasant
and wholesome.... ( 4:5)
There is a tendency of fixing large
dowries which in many cases leads to
misunderstandings and friction
between the two familites and
ultimately to the dissolution of the
marriage. Islam looks with disfavour
upon fixing large dowries except in
exceptional circumstances where it
cannot be helped, i.e. the necessity to
safeguard the bride's right of
inheritance. The Holy Prophet of Islam
has said:
Blessed is the marriage which comes
about with ease and entails no
hardship, it must not entail too heavy a
burden of expenses nor should the
dowry be too much for the
bridgegroom to pay.
As a matter of fact the amount of
dowry should be fixed according to
the financial standing of the
bridegroom and with the consent of
both parties. Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin
Mahmood Ahmad, the second
sucessor to the Promised Messiah, was
of the opinion that the sum proposed
for dowry should range between the
bridegroom's income for six to twelve
months. He once said:
Those who fix large dowries, only for
show and fail to pay, are guilty of
committing a sin. The companions of
the Holy Prophet used to pay the
dowry money in advance. Hence, the
best thing is to pay it up in advance, if
possible. Dowry is, in fact, a debt owed
by the husband to his wife. (Alfazl
15-1-1918)
I will now proceed to explain the
rightful duties of the wife:
1. She has to look after the comfort of
her husband, give him due respect
and always have regard for his
feelings.
2. She has to safeguard the honour of
her husband.
3. She has to be the guardian of the
property of her husband.
4. She has to rear and bring up their
children properly.
5. She should treat the relatives of her
husband as if they were her own
relatives.
6. She should beautify herself for her
husband.
7. She should bear in mind the tastes of
her husband in the matter of food and
dress.
8. She should be ever mindful of her
husband's health.
9. She should give her most sincere
advice when her husband consults
her in any of his problems.
10. She should not make unfair and
unreasonable demands on the purse
of her husband.
11. She has to remain loyal to her
husband under all conditions and be a
source of strength to him in adverse
circumstances and stick fast to him
through thick and thin.
12. She should be careful that the dignity
and reputation of her husband are not
harmed by any of her actions.
13. Under all conditions her behaviour
should be conducive to peace and
tranquility in the house.
The rightful duties of the husband are:
1. He should respect and be very mindful
of the susceptibilities of his wife.
2. He should try to be a source of comfort
to his wife and behave in a manner
that convinces her that she alone is the
centre of his love and affection.
3. He should provide for all her
reasonable needs and keeping within
his means and should be disposed to
spending in that respect with an open
hand.
4. The husband should participate in the
management of the house by giving
hand in the household chores of his
spouse.
5. He should look after her health and be
always anxious about it.
6. He should refrain from keeping a close
watch over every movement of his
wife as if he had no confidence in her
and thus making her life miserable.
7. He should always be disposed to
overlooking the minor shortcomings
of his wife and be generous in
forgiving and forgeting.
8. He should see that trifles do not lead to
a situation in which tempers are lost
and threats of divorce and separation
are pronounced.
9. He should shun every act or act which
is likely to displease or agonise his
wife.
10. The husband should display a sense
of utmost sympathy towards his wife
when she is in distress or has met with
some misfortune.
11. He should not object to his wife
meeting her relatives provided no
mischief is feared from their side. He
should also be respectful to them.
12. He should consult his wife in all family
matters of importance and handle the
situation as decided by mutual
consent.
13. If there are more wives than one, the
husband must treat them all as equal
in every respect, in dress, in food, in
living accomodation and in the
duration of his stay with each of them.
I am confident that the new couple in
particular and other Muslim brethren
in general will try their utmost to
maintain the rights of their spouses as
directed by the Holy Quran and the
Holy Prophet of Islam, thus making
their lives happy and successful.
Finally, I would like to advise new
wedded couple to repeat often the
following prayer in the Holy Quran:
And those who say, `Our Lord, grant
us of our wives and children the
delight of our eyes, and make us a
model for the righteous.' ( 25:75)

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