Q2/2004 Vol. 15 No. 2
Al-NahlA Quarterly Publication of Majlis Ansarullah, U.S.A.
The Holy Qur’an, 3:53, 61:14
About Al-Nahl
The Al-Nahl (pronounced annahl) and available on the address system developed by is published quarterly by Majlis Ansarullah, USA, the Jama‘at, and listed as Ansar. If you are one of an auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Movement in the Ansar living in the States and yet are not Islam, Inc., U.S.A., 15000 Good Hope Road, receiving the magazine, please contact your local Silver Spring, MD 20905, U.S.A. officers or write to the National Qa’id Tajnid, Articles/Essays for the Al-Nahl Majlis Ansarullah, U.S.A. at his address given below with your name and mailing address. Literary contributions for publication in the Al- Non-Members in the U.S. are welcome to Nahl can be sent to the Editor at his address subscribe at $10 a year ($2.50/copy). Please send below. your subscription request with check and address It will be helpful if the contributions are saved to the Sadr Ansarullah or Qa’id Tajnid at the onto a diskette in IBM compatible PC readable address below. The rate for foreign countries is ASCII text format (text only with line breaks), $15 including shipping expenses for one year. MS Publisher, or in Microsoft Word for Windows and the diskette or CD is sent, or contents are e- Check Your Address mailed or attached to an e-mail. Check address label for mistakes. Send us References to other publications should include corrections if your address is incorrect or if you as much of the following as can be available: the move. You may not receive Al-Nahl if we do not name of the publication, volume and number, have your correct address. Send all changes and name of the author, the date and place of new addresses to Qa’id Tajnid at his address publication, the name of the publisher, and the below. Make sure you are listed as a member of page number(s). Majlis Ansarullah. Please, keep a copy of your submissions. We Your Business is Important to Us may not be able to return originals unless arranged with us previously. Al-Nahl invites its readers, especially All items are subject to review and approval by businesses, to place their ads in these pages. We the Majlis Ansarullah, U.S.A. Majlis Ansarullah, assure good quality advertisement and extremely U.S.A., does not necessarily agree with the views competitive rates. Ads are subject to the approval of the writers expressed in its publications. by Sadr. Contact the editor to place an ad. Articles may be edited as necessary. Authors Comments and Suggestions need to contact the editor if they want to see the Send your comments on current issues and final version of their articles before publication. suggestions to improve the magazine to the Editor Ansar Literature Contribution at his address given earlier. Your letters and Al-Nahl is published on volunteer basis from comments on contemporary issues are welcome the Ansar contributions for literature set at $10/ and will be considered for publication. Nasir/year. All Ansar are requested to keep up on Address for Contact time payment of their contributions for timely Qa’id Tajnid, Majlis Ansarullah, U.S.A., 15000 publication of the Al-Nahl. Good Hope Rd, Silver Spring MD 20905. Subscription Information Editor, Syed Sajid Ahmad, 148 Eagle St, Fargo The magazine is sent free of charge to all ND 58102 (e-mail: [email protected], American Ansar whose addresses are complete phone 208 284 3019).
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And thy Lord revealed to the bee: ‘Make thou houses in the hills and in the trees and in the trellises which they build, ‘Then eat all manner of fruits, and follow the ways taught to thee by thy Lord and which have been made easy for thee.’ There comes from their bellies a drink of varying hues. Therein is a healing for mankind. Surely, in that is Sign for a people who reflect. (The Holy Qur’an, 16[Al-Nahl]:69-70)
Quarterly In This Issue Al-Nahl Vol. 15, No 2 The Discourses Q2/2004 Sayings of the Promised Messiah, ‘alaihissalām Presented in English by Naseem Saifi 4-7 Editor: Syed Sajid Ahmad An Outline of Early Islamic History N.R.A.G. Soofi 8-18 Incharge: Nasir M. Malik In Memory of My Dear “Abba Jee” Sadr Munir Ahmad Malik Majlis Ansarullah, 20-25 U.S.A. Coming of the Messiah Couplets from a poem by Al-Nahl is a Hadhrat Mirza Ghulām Ahmad, Publication of the Promised Messiah, ‘alaihissalām Majlis Ansarullah, 26-27 U.S.A., An Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Glossary—29 Islam, Inc., U.S.A. About Al-Nahl—2 About Ansarullah U.S.A.—31
The Discourses
Sayings of the Promised Messiah, ‘alaihissalām Presented in English by Naseem Saifi
TAQWA AND ACCEPTANCE OF Mohammad, sallallaho alaihi wa sallam), did PRAYERS not only give a Book to the world and taught So far as the acceptance of prayer is wisdom, he also made them tread on the path concerned it is conditioned with certain of purification. So much so that they became factors. Some of these conditions have to be the recipients of the help of God. Behold and fulfilled by the one who is to pray, while the ponder over it; the Holy Quran guides every others have to be fulfilled by the one who is type of man to what he wishes to get (the asking someone to pray for him. As for the Almighty God) and quenches the thirst of one who is asking someone to pray for him, every thirsty person who is thirsting for he should keep in mind the fear of God, and Truth. Just imagine, to whom was granted he should understand fully that it is not this fountain-head of Light. It was given to necessary that God should accept all prayers; the Holy Prophet Mohammad, sallallaho he should be peace-loving and a true alaihi wa sallam, who on the one hand was worshipper of God. He should try to win the unlettered and on the other hand he talked of pleasure of God through Taqwa and things that had never been talked about. This Truthfulness. If he does that, then of course, is the perfect grace of God so that the people the door for the acceptance of prayer is open may be able to understand as to how far can for him. If he attracts the wrath of God and man go in having communion with God. creates an atmosphere of discord with Him, (Malfoozat Vol. 1, p. 117) his evil deeds and mischiefs will become ASPECTS OF MORALS stumbling block in the way of the acceptance I have seen a lot of people and I have of prayer. studied them well and I have arrived at the That being the case, my friends should try conclusion that some of them are generous all they can not to let my prayers go waste but at the same time they are men of quick and they should create no hurdle in the way anger; some are kind but niggardly; some get of the acceptance of prayers; they should not annoyed and beat others like anything but do anything undesirable. They should they are not humble at all. Some are humble become Muttaqi, for, it is Taqwa that can be and meek but they are not courageous at all, called the compendium of the Shariah. Had so much so that if they just hear of the we to express the Shariah in a nut shell, we bubonic plague or cholera, they get loose would say it is Taqwa. motions (that is the height of their fear). I do (Malfoozat Vol. 1, p. 103) not say that whoever is not courageous is A WONDERFUL BOOK devoid of faith. Even among the Companions The Holy Quran is a wonderful Book. The of the Holy Prophet, sallallaho alaihi wa unlettered person (the Holy Prophet sallam, there were some who could not stand
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the battles; the Holy Prophet excused them on this count. There are many aspects of morals. I have expounded them in my speech that was delivered at the Conference of Religions (reference here is to the speech which was later on published in a book form under the title: Teachings of Islam). All the moral qualities are not to be met with in anyone person, nor it can be said that there is any one who does not possess any moral quality whatsoever. The perfect example of all the good morals is the life of the Holy Prophet Mohammad, sallallaho alaihi wa sallam. That is why God says to him: innaka la-alaa kholoqin azeem. At one time he kept them spell bound with his oratory and at another time he displayed his courage on the God, eventually forgave them their battlefield. His generosity awarded the hills shortcoming. It was really intended to show of gold to the people; his kindness forgave how brave the Holy Prophet was. On a those who deserved to be put to death. In certain occasion when the sword was being short, the Holy Prophet, sallallaho alaihi wa wielded by the enemy with great force, the sallam, was matchless and a perfect example Holy Prophet was making proclamation of of good morals. He was like a big tree under his prophet-hood; he was saying at the top of which thousands of people sit to enjoy its his voice: I am Mohammad, Messenger of shade and also fulfill their various needs. Allah. It is said that on this occasion the They take its fruit, flowers, skin, leaves, etc. forehead of the Holy Prophet had no less Millions upon millions of people benefit than seventy wounds; of course they were from the Holy Prophet, sallallaho alaihi wa not serious. sallam, and enjoy themselves as the chickens This is how he displayed great morals. do under the wings of the hen. The bravest On another occasion he possessed such a man on the battlefield was the person who large number of goats and sheep that they was nearest to the Holy Prophet, for, he used exceeded the number possessed by Qaisar to be at the most dangerous spot. Glory be to and Kisra. The Holy Prophet gave away all God, how excellent was he. During the battle these goats and sheep to somebody who of Uhud, he was in the thick of it. So. much begged for something. Had he not owned so that the Companions found it beyond their them, how could he have given them away. If powers. But this courageous man—the Holy he did not have the authority of a ruler how Prophet—was facing the enemy. Of course could he forgive those who deserved to be the fault did not lie with the companions. put to death at the time of the conquest of
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The Discourses
Mecca; these were the people who had takes them as mean. So much so that he does tortured the Holy Prophet and his followers, not like to cast a glance over them. You men and women. When he met them on the should seek the recognition and full occasion of the conquest of Mecca he told realization of God and you should march them laa tasreeba alaikumul yauma. I have towards Him, for therein, and therein alone, pardoned you today. If this occasion had not lies Success. (Malfoozat Vol. I, p. 139) arisen, how could the Holy Prophet display SUCCESS OF A BELIEVER this splendid moral quality. Tell me of any You must always keep this principle in moral quality that the Holy Prophet did not view that the success that is achieved by a possess—and for that matter, the good moral Believer makes him shy of it. He praises God in its extreme goodness. for this Grace of His. That makes him move (Malfoozat Vol. 1, p. 127) forward in the realm of spirituality and in the PATH OF SUCCESS face of every trial he remains steadfast. How merciful is God and what a Treasure Apparently the success of a Believer and it is that you can deposit here, be it a penny that of a Disbeliever are similar to each or a rupee or a Pound. A thief cannot steal other. But you should remember that the from here, and there is no fear of its success of a Disbeliever takes him onto the becoming bankrupt. The Hadith says that if path of error while the success of a Believer somebody removes a thorn from the way, he opens the door of God’s Bliss for him. The will get his reward for doing so; if a man is reason why the success of the Disbeliever drawing water and he puts one bucket of leads him onto the path of error is that he water in the pitcher of another person, his does not turn to God; he makes his struggle, reward will not be lost to him. You should wisdom and capability, his God. On the other remember that. the path on which a man can hand, the Believer turns to God and gets a never be a failure is the path of God. The closer relationship with Him. Thus every highway of the world is such that one success enables him to start a new affair with stumbles at every step and at every step he God—an affair of relationship. That begins a finds the huge stones of failure. The people process of change in him. Innallaha who abandoned their kingdoms were no maallazeenattaqau, God is with the people fools: Abraham Adham, Shah Shuja, Shah who adopt righteousness. Abdul Aziz, who is known as Mujaddid, It should be remembered that the word were some of the people who abandoned Taqwa appears in the Holy Quran many a their kingdom and bade good-bye to their time. In every place where this word occurs pomp and show. They did so because they its interpretation and its significance is linked realized that there was a stumbling block at with the word that precedes it. Here the word every step. Ma-a precedes it. Thus, it means that God is a pearl. Having known Him one whoever gives preference to God is given looks at the worldly things with hate and preference by God and is guarded against
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every kind of humiliation in this world. EXCELLENCE SHOULD BE I very strongly believe that if a man wishes ‘EPIDEMIC’ to be protected from all sorts of humiliations You should remember, that the excellences and hardships, he should adopt should be like “epidemic diseases.” The righteousness. If he does that, he will not feel believer has been commanded to make his short of anything. manners and character so excellent that they In short, the success of a Believer takes may became epidemic, for there is nothing him forward; he does not halt there—at one however good it may be, that the people place. (Malfoozat Vol. I, p. 149) would like to follow or to adopt unless it has PROVISION OF TWO KINDS a glow and an attraction. It is the brightness The fact is that the Provision is of two of the things that attracts and it is the kinds. One is connected with trials and the attraction that draws them towards itself. It is other is connected with the man being a the good part of a thing that urges the people chosen one of God. The one that is connected to act the same way. with trials takes a man away from God, so (Malfoozat Vol. l, p. 204) much so that it causes him to be destroyed. THE HOLY QURAN FOR EVERYBODY This is the fact to which God has referred in You should remember that the Holy Quran the words: La tulhikum amwalokum (Your has two parts, rather three parts. One part is wealth may not destroy you). such that even the common man can The other kind of provision is the one that understand. The second part can be is granted by God with His pleasure. God understood by the people who are moderately Himself is the Guardian of such people and literate; they are not altogether illiterate but all that they have, they take it to be really for at the same time they cannot be said to have God (i.e., the real possessor is God) and they any educational talents. The third part is the give a practical proof of it. Look at the share of the highly knowledgeable people; Companions of the Holy Prophet, sallallahu that is, those who are called philosophers. It alaihi wa sallam. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq is a specialty of the Holy Quran and it was the first to cover himself with a blanket imparts its teachings to all three types of (for, he had given everything to the Holy people. One and the same thing educates Prophet far the cause of God). Then, how (produces workable teaching) the illiterate, great was the reward given to him by God. the man of moderate knowledge and He was the first to become Khalifa understanding and to the highly talented (Successor of the Holy Prophet). This is real philosopher. excellence and commendable virtue and it Indeed this place of pride belongs to the should be remembered that it is only what we Holy Quran, and to no other book, that every spend for the cause of God that becomes the type of people are blessed through it source of contentment and spiritual bliss. according to their personal capacity. (Malfoozat Vol. 1, p. 202) (Malfoozat Vol. I, p. 212)
From The Discourses, Freetown, pp. 15-22.
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An Outline of Early Islamic History
Continued from previous issues N.R.A.G. Soofi
Ali A few days later the Companions asked After the death, of Osman on 18 Zilhajj, Ali to punish the murderers of Osman. 35th year of the Hijra, Ali was elected Feeling among Muslims ran high. They had Khalif. been deeply hurt. Ali said he knew his duty Ali was the first among the youth to accept well. Medina was still in the hands of rebels. Islam. He was a young boy then and was a Ali pleaded that he was as helpless as member of the Prophet’s family. He was the Osman. He wanted time. He promised to Prophet’s cousin, son-in-law and constant punish the guilty as soon as he gained companion. control. When the Prophet was forced to leave MUAWIYA RESISTS ORDERS Mecca, Ali stayed behind. When the Qureish Ali’s first official act was to appoint new who had planned to murder the Prophet governors. The old governors did not like found Ali in the Prophet’s bed, they were this a bit. Muawiya, the governor of Syria, beside themselves with rage and gave Ali a was particularly angry. At the same time, cruel beating. Ali took a gallant part in the Muawiya was asked to pledge loyalty to the wars of Islam. He was in every battle except new Khalif. Muawiya ignored the orders of Tabuk. the Khalif. Suhail bin Hanif, the new ALI ELECTED KHALIF governor, was not allowed to enter Syria by A few days after the death of Osman, some Muawia’s troops. There was great grief Companions met Ali. They proposed that among the Companipn over the murder of there should be a Khalif. Ali said he would Osman. Muawiya had displayed the deceased accept anyone they chose. They said there Khalif’s blood-smeared cloak in the city was none worthier than he. He declined. But mosque. This added fuel to the fire that burnt when people insisted he agreed. In his first in the hearts of Muslims. Ali’s messenger address as Khalif, he said: was shown all this. In reply to Ali’s letter, “God has made the life of a Muawiya sent a blank paper through his own Muslim the most valuable thing. He messenger. This messenger told Ali that fifty has enjoined unity and sincerity. A thousand elders were in tears over Osman’s Muslim is one whose hand and death. They wanted to avenge the murder of tongue cause no harm to another the old Khalif. Ali said he had no hand at all Muslim. Remember the time when in Osman’s murder. you were few and God made you Ali now knew that Muawiya would not many.” submit. It was clear to him that war with
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Muawiya was the only course. But many the rebels. Osman refused and resisted. There leading Companions were unwilling to fight was a fight. Osman was defeated but allowed fellow Muslims. to depart peacefully. Many rebels were AYESHA RAISES A FORCE captured and slain. Their relations and In Mecca conditions grew worse. Ayesha friends turned against Ayesha. When Ali took up the cause of the late Khalif. She learned of Ayesha’s march he set forth to appealed to the people to punish the rebels. Busra. He was determined to avoid They had, she said, taken away an innocent bloodshed. There were not many people with life. The rebels, she declared, had insulted him. The citizen’s of Medina were not the holy city in the holy month. Thousands willing to shed the blood of brother-Muslims. came at her call. Abdullah bin Amir Hazri, Ali’s men went to Kufa to enlist support. Ali governor of Mecca, offered to arm the force. wrote to them, “Our aim is peace. We want It was a painful sight for the devout. that there should again be unity among the According to historian Tabri, there was so people.” much mourning that they had not seen any In Kufa too the peaple were against war. thing like it before. Muslims were preparing Abu Musa al-Ashari was advising them to cut the throats of Muslims. That broke the against this grave step. He said to the citizens hearts of many. When this force started many of Kufa, rebels joined it. They knew that was one sure “O people, hear me. You should way of escape. They also realized that it gave become the root and base of Arabia, them a good chance of causing further so that the oppressed may seek your trouble among Muslims. For, peace was not support and panicky may find peace. to their advantage. They would be dealt with O people when trouble arises, it severely, if order was restored. cannot be seen clearly. When it Aisha proceded to Basra. With her were passes, the truth is known only then. Talha and Zobair. They were equally anxious We know not when this mischief to punish the killers of Osman. When this started. Put your swords in your army reached the Hawab Springs, dogs sheaths. Break your spears. O began to bark. Ayesha asked if they were at People! in times trouble, the one who the Hawab Springs she must go back, she sleeps is better than the one who said. For, she had heard the prophet say, “Be stands; and the one who stands is not of those at whom the dogs of Hawab better than the one who is in it.” But shall bark.” But forty members of the force Hasan succeeded in raising ten swore that they were not at the Hawab thousand men. Springs. PEACE PARLEYS When they were near Busra, Osman bin When Ali was near Busra, he decided to Hanif, the governor, wanted to know what stop at Zawiah. There he prayed for peace had brought them there. Ayesha explained among Muslims and advised his followers the purpose of her visit. She invited him to against starting the fight. He then sent Qaqa join her in restoring order and in punishing bin Amar, a pious Companion, to Ayesha,
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An Outline of Early Islamic History
Talha and Zubair. Qaqa asked Ayesha what should take. Ushtar said that the views of had brought her there. She said her aim was Talha and Zobair were known; they were peace. Talha and Zobair were also invited to after the blood of Osman’s killers. But, he the talk. They agreed that they had a similar added, Ali knew more of the Book and aim. Then Qaqa asked Talha and Zobair how respected it far more; he would therefore they proposed to achieve peace. They said never spare them. He advised his party to that the only way to achieve peace was to finish Ali as they had finished Osman. But punish the murderers of Osman. Qaqa told others did not agree. Ibn Saba proposed that them that they had killed the rebels of Busra. before Ali, Zobair and Talha could get The result was that 6000 Busrites had turned together, they should start the fight. He said against them. When he further said that these that once the ball was set rolling Ali’s hands very people gave shelter to rebel Harqus, would be forced. Talha and Zobair had to keep quiet. In the camp of Ayesha were to be found Qaqa advised them to agree to Ali’s men of a similar type. One Abdul Jabr Ba leadership. When peace was restored, it advised Zobair to send one thousand men to would be easy to punish the rebels. He surprise Ali. Zobair answered that he knew pleaded, better. He hoped that there would be peace. “You were the key to peace. Be so They should therefore wait for that happy now too. Put neither yourselves nor event. He said they had been invited to us to hardship so that both-are not peace. ruined. “Under the circumstances, It was not a question of one man, said he; whoever takes such a step without it concerned the whole community. good cause shall be answerable to It was agreed to make peace. When Ali God.” learnt this he was very happy. A large party A party from Kufa sought Ali’s permission of honest Muslims welcomed the idea. Qaqa to start the battle. Ali said it was time to put told the Muslims that they should go back. out the fire. The other party, he said was He informed them that he would be returning ready for peace. He hoped that they would all the next day. But those who were party to the get united without war. He warned his murder of Osman should expect nothing followers. from us, nor should they be any longer with “Whoever started the fight today, us.” he would be treated as Allah’s PANIC AMONG REBELS enemy.” This was very unhappy news for the Many Muslims stood apart. Ahnaf bin rebels. They were therefore much disturbed. Qais was one. He withdrew with 600 men. Ibn Saba, Ushtar, Khlid bin Baljam, Shart bin Ali, Talha and Zubair met at Busra. After Baljam, Shart bin Abi Aufa and other some talk, they agreed to make peace. ringleaders met to consider the course they
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FIGHTING FLARES UP the 36th year of the Hijra. They returned to their places for a restful Ali next called on Ayesha and arranged for night. But the rebels had planned differently. her departure to Medina. He went a long way Their men were working in both camps. to see her off. Hasan and Husain Early in the morning they started the battle. accompanied her as far as three stages of her Soon both the armies were fighting. Leaders journey. of both were surprised. Each one perceived Ayesha and. Ali both regretted deeply the the other had betrayed. painful incident. Ayesha repented her Ali ordered his troops to stop fighting. mistake the rest of her life. Ayesha rushed on camel-back to ask her ALl’S LETTER TO MUAWIYA army to do the same. After conditions were settled in Busra, Ali But the battle went on. The rebels had made Kufa his capital. He had now time to started the fire. They were now fanning the turn his attention to Muawiya. He sent a flames. Ali’s gaze fell on Zobair. He called letter to him. “Those who pledged loyalty to him. Both got so near that their horses stood Abu Bakr and Omar have given their hands close. Ali reminded him that once the in my hand. Muhajir and Ansar have the Proophet had said Zobair would fight Ali right to choose the Khalif. After their choice without just cause. Zobair said he whoever holds back shall be forced. You remembered and left the battle-field. When should follow the example of Muhajirs and Talha saw this he too made to go. Zobair was Ansars. There is peace and safety in it. followed by a rebel and slain by him. The Otherwise prepare for war. You have long rebel Amr bin Jaimoz then hastened to Ali, made the case of the slayers of Osman an saying, “I give the news of Zobair’s death.” issue. After swearing loyalty, put the case Ali answered back, “I give you the tidings of before me in proper manner. I will decide it hell. For, I heard the Prophet say that the according to the Book of Allah and the slayer of Zobair will go to hell.” Sunna (way) of the Prophet of Allah.” When Talha was seen departing, an enemy Muawiya consulted Amir bin Alas, one of shot him down with an arrow. the shrewdest men of his time. The battle raged around Ayesha’s mount. “He was found willing to help Muawiya if Hundreds of good Muslims defended it with he were promised Egypt as a gift. He was. their lives. Many fell in the field. Ali saw Muawyia gave the promise in writing. that this bloodshed would not stop so long as Amr bin al-Aas then told Muawiya to raise the Lady Ayesha’s camel was there. He a strong popular feeling against Ali. He ordered that the mount should be hamstrung. feared that it would not be easy to fight Ali. Instantly it went down. Ayesha was removed He advised him therefore to convince Syrian by her own brother to safety. The battle Muslims that Ali had a hand in the murder of ended. Ten thousand Muslims lost their lives. Osman. That could be done through Sharjil Ali felt deeply grieved. He offered prayers bin Samat Kandi. Sharjil commanded great for the deceased. influence. If he could be assured that Osman This happened on 20th Jamadius-Sani of had been slain with the help of Ali, the rest
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An Outline of Early Islamic History would he easy. People would believe him cause. Pray hand over his murderers to us.” and then they would fight. Sharjil was won Next day Abu Muslim again met Ali in the over. He was so convinced, that he warned mosque. A large crowd was shouting there, Muawiya against making peace with Ali. If “We are all the slayers of Osman.” When he did, he would be forced out of Syria, Abu Muslim saw this, he at once knew the threatened the Kandi chief. Next Muawiya real situation. Ali told him that it was not in told Sharjil that it was necessary to educate his power to catch hold of the murderers of public opinion on the point. Sharjil went Osman. He wrote back to Muawiya that he round the whole country. Soon people were had nothing to do with the crime. He further behind Muawiya. The sight of Osman’s advised Muawiya to give up this silly blood-soaked cloak added fuel to fire. The attitude. He warned him that if he persisted feelings of the Syrians were excited. They in making trouble, he would be treated as a swore swift revenge on the new Khalif. rebel. MUAWIYA’S LETTER TO All ALI MARCHES TO SYRIA The devout Muslims were, however, When Ali saw that war could not be against further blood-shed. They were avoided, he marched to Syria with an army working for peace. Abu Muslim Kholani met 60,000 strong. Muawiya was already in the Muawiya. He pointed out that he was not an battlefield. He had occupied the water front. equal of Ali. He further said that he had no The Syrians did not allow the troops of Ali cause to fight Ali. Muawiya agreed that he anywhere near water. When their hardship could not claim to be Ali’s equal. All that he increased, Iraqis became very desperate. Ali wanted was that Ali should hand over to him was not in favor of starting the fight, but they the slayers of Osman. Abu Muslim Kholani could not die of thirst. An attack was made asked him to give him his demand in writing; and Syrians were ousted from their positions. he undertook to present it to Ali. Muawiya Now Syrian troops were without water. addressed a letter to Ali. The letter said, “We Muawiya began to fear the worst. Amr bin understood you claim that you had no hand al-Aas, however, comforted him, saying Ali in Osman’s murder. If you are right, then would certainly let them have water. He was hand over his killers to us. We will then right. Ali let Syrians have as much water as swear loyalty to you. If you refuse to do so, they wanted. The two armies lay there face to then by Allah we will search out the slayers face. Even in the battlefield some Muslims of Osman in the sea or in the land and kill were working for peace. And peace seemed them or give our lives.” very much in sight. Men of both armies Abu Muslim presented this letter to Ali in freely met each other. After three months, Kufa. He said to Ali, “You are the Khalif. If minor clashes took place. There was no you do the duties of Khilafat, by God, we do large-scale fighting. Again there, was calm not prefer anyone else to you, for this on account of Rajab, Shaaban and Ramazan, position. Osman was murdered without good the three months of peace. During this
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interval efforts for peace were renewed. sake save your womenfolk and your children Envoys visited both Ali and Muawiya. But from Persians and Romans. If Syrians are there was no agreement. Finally, Ali warned finished who will defend Syria? If Iraqis are the Syrians to be prepared for war. He said finished who will defend Iraq? Come, let us he had done his best to come to terms. He agree to make the Holy Quran our judge. The had invited them to the Book of God but they decision of the Holy Book should be binding had not cared. on both sides.” The plan succeeded. Ali BLOODY BATTLE AT SIFFIN protested aloud that it was a ruse. But his Ali at the same time warned his troops men would not listen to him. A large section against making the first attack. No one was supported the proposal of Muawiya’s men. to pursue the fleeing enemy, none was to hurt They said, “We were fighting the Syrians to the wounded, none was to kill or hit women make them follow the Holy Book. Now when and none was to enter houses. In the they invite us to it, how can we reject the beginning there was limited fighting. Later a proposal?” Muawiya wrote to Ali asking him general attack was ordered. The battle lasted to end enmity and make friends. He said that long and was bloody. Some 7,000 Muslims much blood had been shed and that war were killed. The heart of many pious men should be stopped. He repeated the offer to bled at the sight. make the Holy Quran the judge. Ashas bin Qais Kandi, a chief of Ali’s TRUCE DECLARED army, said to his people that a bloodier battle When Ali saw that his men were sold on had not been fought and if another one like it the idea, he accepted the offer. But he took place Arabs will be ruined and they will warned his army that they were throwing lose all respect. Ali was of a different mind. away foolishly their victory. The war ended. He knew Muawiya was losing and if the Both parties chose their nominees. Ali battle continued for some time more, victory nominated Abu Musa Alashari, against his was theirs. better judgment. Abu Musa was an old MUAWIYA’S RUSE SUCCEEDED Companion, a good soldier, honest and Muawiya was in panic. He knew he was straight and pious. But he was a simple man fighting a losing battle. He consulted Amr who could be deceived easily. Ali was not bin al-Aas. Amr had already a plan in mind. willing to nominate him. But his men would He advised Muawiya to invite Ali to the agree to no one else. Muawiya nominated Book of Allah. His idea was that if Ali Amr bin al-Aas, a man .of great wisdom and refused, his own army would be split in two. experience. He had an astute mind and knew One section would agree to the proposal and haw to get out of a difficult situation. When the other would not. A division in Ali’s camp the two judges sat together, Amr bin al-Aas would force him to end war. Soon had had no difficulty in dealing with Muawiya’s men raised the Holy Book aloft. Alashari. He proposed that both Ali and There were thousands of them holding the Muawiya should be declared unfit far the Quran and calling Ali to refer the dispute to Khilafat. Abu Musa Alashari readily agreed. God’s Book. They said, “O Arabs! for God’s Amr bin al-Aas showed great respect for the
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An Outline of Early Islamic History age and piety of Abu Musa and begged of homewards. Ali could not take to the field him to announce his decision first and said against Muawiya again. He and his men that he would follow him, being his junior. returned to Iraq. Abu Musa felt very grateful for this IRAQI REBELS MAKE TROUBLE considerate treatment. He announced the On return to Kufa, Ali again raised a big agreed decision. He was followed by Amr army to fight Muawiya. An 80,000 strong bin al-Aas. Amr said that he agreed with the force was ready. But the rebels in Ali’s camp dismissal of Ali but had decided in favor of made trouble in many places. When they Muawiya. When Abu Musa heard this, he returned to Iraq they had formed a new party. made a big, protest. But the mischief had They chose Abdullah bin Wahb Rasibi as been done. their leader and declared war on Ali. They SPLIT IN ALI’S RANKS were known as the Khawarj and were 12,000 The war had ended. The army was in no in number. They claimed they were good mood to resume fighting. It was waiting for Muslims and that Ali had acted against the the decision of the judges. Some of them Qu’ran. They incited men to war against him. were against the very idea of making two They had no mercy for those who differed men judges in a matter of faith. They with them. Ali did his best to persuade them believed that only Allah’s decision was valid to give up their false ideas but their attitude in these questions and that no man could be grew harder. In a letter to them, Ali wrote, the judge. They therefore turned against Ali. “Those whom we made judges They believed he had made a mistake and followed their own desires and was unfit to be Khalif. Yet Ali was totally decided against the Book of Allah. against the proposal from the very start. He We therefore rejected their decision was also against Abu Musa Alashari being and are back to the original position, made a judge. He had warned them but i.e., the state of war. We are going to instead of blaming themselves for the fight our and your enemies. May blunder they blamed Ali. Ali could not Allah have mercy on you. Join us. accept a wrong decision. The judges had to We will fight until God makes a give an agreed decision. One judge had decision and He is the best Judge.” cheated the other. At the same time, the KHAWARIJ CAUSE HAVOC judges had not to decide the question of The Khawarij were very bitter. They Khilafat. They had to decide about the causes refused to Join Ali. Instead they declared war of the war and how best to remove them on him. They were openly against law and peacefully. The issues which were clear in order. Wherever they went they called upon the field of battle were lost sight of in the people to rise and follow them. Whoever chamber of peace. refused was instantly put to death. One old Ali again prepared for war. His army was Companion, Abdullah bin Khabbab and his however divided. One section started back wife were cruelly slain. Their only fault was
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that they had a good opinion of Ali. The forces stood firm. After a bitter battle the Khawarij also savagely killed some women. Khawarij were defeated. Most of them fell in When the news reached Kufa, there was the battlefield. great anger among Ali’s men. They After putting down the rebels, Ali called requested him to put down the Khawarij upon his troops to march to Syria. There rebels before going to battle against were many among them who were not Muawiya. Ali agreed as it was very willing to do so. They were in poor spirit. important to have peaceful conditions at One of their chiefs, Ashas bin Qais Kandi, home for success at the battle-front abroad. said, “We are short of arrows; our swords are He marched to Nehrvan, the centre of the gone blunt and our spears are in bad shape. Khawarij. He sent word to the rebels to hand Let us now return to our homes to prepare over the murderers of peaceful and pious better for the battle with the enemy.” When citizens. He offered to go back if the demand Ali found his men were half-hearted, he was accepted. The Khawarij answered back decided to march back to Kufa. that they all were responsible for the murders SITUATION IN EGYPT and that they had acted justly and would be The war with Muawiya had not ended. much pleased to slay him too. Ali gave them Egypt was still under Ali. It was being still another chance. He sent Abu Ayub governed wisely by Saad bin Qais. He was Ansari and Qais bin Saad Ansari to persuade an old Companion and very loyal to the the rebels to give up their foolish attitude. Khalif. Muawiya tried to win him over. He But they did not like to make peace. Ali next turned down all the offers made by Muawiya. went himself and reminded them that he was He had treated with great mildness all the against Muawiya’s proposal. He told them sections of the Egyptians. The people of that the Khawarij had themselves given it Kharbata had not agreed to the Khilfat of Ali. their warm support. He said they had only to But they were willing to pay the tax. Saad blame themselves. But the rebels were left them in peace. Muawiya realized that determined to battle against him. Ali still Saad could not be purchased. He tried to wanted to avoid bloodshed. He gave an open cause doubts in Ali’s camp about his loyalty. offer of peace to all. A party of 500 men left He spread the story that Saad was at heart a the Khawarij. Their leader, Fardah Ashjai, friend of Muawiya. That is why, it was said, had grave doubts about the good faith of he had been so nice to the people of Khawarij. Similarly, another big group Kharbata. The story was believed and Saad deserted them. One thousand walked over to was recalled. Muhammad bin Abu Bakr Ali. Only 4,000 men were left with Abdullah became the new governor of Egypt. Saad bin Wahab Rasibi. warned him against disturbing the peace of THE BATTLE OF NEHRWAN Kharbata. His view was that they were not Ali watched the situation patiently. He with Muawiya; that they were paying the tax forbade his men to attack. The rebels had no and that if they were forced to accept Ali as such regard for peace. They made a fierce Khalif, they would become enemies and join rush and fought with mad courage. Ali’s Muawiya. But Muhammad bin Abu Bakr
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An Outline of Early Islamic History was young and hot-headed. He disregarded to Syria without giving battle. this sound advice and took armed action Muawiya sent another army toTaima. Its against Kharbata. He was defeated. Now commander, Abdullah bin Masada Fazari agents of Muawiya openly started working raided Mecca, and Medina. Ali sent a force against Ali. Muawiya bin Khadij Kandi under Musib bin Majid Fazari. Abdullah took called for action against the slayers of refuge in a fort in Taima. Musib set the fort Osman. Egypt was in a state of red-hot anger. on fire. Abdullah made peace and was Ali sent Ushtar to help Muhammad bin Abu allowed to return with his men. Bakr. Before Ushtar could enter Egypt, he A 3,000-strong army of Syrians raided was poisoned by an agent of Muawiya at a Vaqusa valley. After a clash with Ali’s forces banquet arranged in his honor. at Taqmur, the Syrians marched back home. Feeling in Egypt was now very much Abdur Rahman bin Qabas attacked Jazira against Muhammad bin Abu Bakr. Muawiya with a small force. He suffered a heavy was not slow to make use of the situation. He defeat and was chased as far as Baalbek. sent an army under Amr bin al-Aas. With the Another battle took place between the forces help of Muawiya bin Khadij. Kandi, Amr put of Ali and Muawiya in Daumatuljandal. Muhammad bin Abu Bakr to ‘flight. The Muawiya’s army was defeated after heavy Kandi chief pursued him. He was captured fighting. alive and begged for water before being put Muawiya had long an eye on the Hedjaz. to death. Khadij Kandi refused to give him He sent a large force under Basar to Medina. water. He said to Muhammad bin Abu Bakr, Ali’s governor Abu Ayub Ansari, an old “May God give me not a drop of water if I Companion, did not want any fighting in give you water. You had stopped water for Medina. He left peacefully. Basal next Osman and he was slain in a state of great marched on Yemen, where he murdered the thirst. I must kill you. God will give you a small children of Obaidullah bin Abbas, drink of boiling water in the next world.” grandsons of Abbas, an uncle of the Prophet. Khadij Kandi slew Muhammad bin Abu Ali sent a force of 4000 under Jariah. Basar Bakr and burned his dead body. was raiding Najran at the time. When he MUAWIYA ORGANIZES COUNTRY- learnt that the Khalif’s army was on the way, WIDE RAIDS he made off quietly. Egypt was now part of Muawiya’s state. PEACE BETWEEN ALI AND Muawiya started raids on other regions held MUAWIYA by Ali. Noman bin Bashir was sent with a big The war between Ali and Muawiya was force to Ainultamar. Malik bin Kaab, Ali’s causing serious loss to the lives, property and governor, defeated him after a big battle. honor of Muslims. Ali wanted peace. Sufiyan bin Auf raided Ambar and looted Muawiya wanted power. But Muawiya whatever he could get hold of. Said bin Qais realized that war would not bring him into led a big force against him. Sufiyan retreated power as long as Ali was there. In the fortieth
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year of the Hejira, peace was made. rule had lasted four years and nine months. Muawiya got Syria, Egypt and other western The sad event took place on the 20th of areas. Ali had under him Arabia, Iraq, Iran Ramazan of the 40th year of the Hijra. and all the eastern regions. Ali was a man of great parts. He was Ali had had no peace all this time. He had known and respected for his wisdom, piety, been constantly engaged in battle with knowledge and judgment. He was held in Muawiya. Still he had kept the eastern great esteem by the Prophet. As his constant frontier secure. In fact some advance was companion, first cousin and son-in-law, Ali made in Sistan and also beyond Kabul. A had the good luck to serve the Prophet with naval attack was made on Kokan region of devotion and loyalty. A soldier, a wit, a South India. There were revolts in many statesman, a general, a poet and an orator, parts of Iran, but they were successfully put Ali had all the virtues of a great leader. The down. Prophet is reported to have said, “I am the KHAWRIJ SEEK ALI’S DOWNFALL: city of learning and Ali is its gate.” Ali was Ali now could spare time and effort to the bravest soldier of Islam in the battlefield. restore peace and order. But his secret But he never took to war until he was forced enemies were still very active. The Khawarij to do so. The first to sheathe his sword, he had been badly beaten. They had no great was the last to unsheathe it. But once strength left to prepare for revolt. But they unsheathed, there was nothing but sure death could still do a lot of mischief. Three young for the enemy. men of their camp met together and decided Ali had seen both poverty and plenty. His to pot an end to three powerful leaders of the good wife, the lady Fatima, led a hard life for Muslim world. Abdul Rahman bin Baljam a long time. Ali could not earn enough for was to slay Ali, Bark bin Abdullah was to many years to give the family a square meal. kill Muawiya and Amr bin Baler was to But there never was a happier and more murder Amr bin Al-Aas. They fixed the date, contented household. Even when Ali grew place and the time for their wicked crime. rich and could pay as much as 40,000 Bark bin Abdullah attacked Muawiya who dirhams as zakat-tax, many a time the family was seriously wounded. Amr bin Bakr had to go hungry, for, they gave away attacked Amr bin Alas, who escaped. generously to the needy. Another man who was leading the prayer in Ali was a very great believer in the rule of the absence of Amr bin al-Aas, was killed law. Muawiya once accused him of rebelling instead. Abdur Rahman bin Baljam against the earlier Khalifs. In very touching succeeded in slaying Ali in the mosque. The words, Ali observed, “I seek the protection of murderer was caught and brought before Ali. Allah against rebellion.” He ordered that he should be slain after his He was also unjustly accused of aiding the (Ali’s) death but should not be harmed in the slayers of Osman. He said that he was the meantime. most innocent of all the Qureish in the matter Ali breathed his last after three days. (He of Osman’s murder. In a stiff letter to was 63 years old at the time of his death. His Muawiya he said that it was Muawiya who
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An Outline of Early Islamic History could help Osman but did not when the old justice that he forthwith became a Muslim. Khalif needed it urgently but came forward Though very tender of heart, Ali had no only when he was beyond the reach of all mercy for the criminal. He kept strict watch human aid. When accused of delay in taking on weights, measures and prices. action against the murderers of Osman, Ali Ali took particular care of public property. said, “I was as helpless as was Osman.” He drew a very small sum from the treasury ALI, A JUST MAN for his expenses. Once he was shivering in As a ruler, Ali was strict in dispensing cold and had only an old garment to cover justice and very generous in the treatment of his body. A man suggested to him to draw non-Muslim citizens. He kept a stiff watch more from the treasury for himself and his on his governors and officers. Once a canal family. Ali answered back, “I would not hurt that watered the lands of non-Muslims your rights.” His faithful servant Qambar became dry, Ali wrote to the governor to get could not bear the sight of his master’s it repaired. He said, distress. One day he put aside some gold and “By my life, I love it more that it silver. Wanting to give Ali a pleasant should be restored than that the non- surprise; he asked him to have a look. When Muslim should leave the land or Ali saw the precious articles, he said to become poor and helpless or become Qambar, “May your mother weep over you. unable to take part in the progress of You want to throw my household in, such ‘a the country.” big fire.” Then he distributed all the costly ORDER TO TAX COLLECTORS things among the needy Muslims. To the collectors of taxes, Ali issued a Ali’s life was’ full of piety and prayer. standing order: “Do not cause trouble to According to Ayesha, his nights were spent Muslims. Let them not feel that your in prayer and his days in fasting. Ali had presence among them is misfortune. Take not great: respect for the pious. He made the of their property more than what is God’s poor his companions. The rich and powerful due. To whichever tribe you go, behave with could expect no undue favor and the weak calmness and quiet dignity and tell them, “ O never despaired of justice from him. servants of Allah, God’s Khaliph has sent us Ali was a stout, short and powerful man. to you to get from your property Allah’s His shining big eyes, tanned skin, smiling share. Tell us therefore from which of you face and bald head made him a charming the zakat (tax) is due.”” figure of great attraction. Once he lost his armor. It fell into the He left behind many children. Of them the hands of a Jew. Ali sued him in the court. best known are Hasan and Husain. When asked if he had any proof, Ali said he From An Outline of Early Islamic History, had none. The court decided in favor of the A Tabshir Publication, Rabwah, Pakistan, Jew. Ali accepted the decision. pp. 193-223. The Jew was so much moved by this act of
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Publications of Majlis Ansarullah, USA Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the Bible From Introduction to the Study of the Holy Quran, by Hadrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad (Khalifatul-Masih II), (1889-1965), radiyallahu ‘anhu. $1 each.
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In Memory of My Dear “Abba Jee”
Munir Ahmad Malik, Phoenix, Arizona
The purpose of this article is to two fold: offering his five daily prayers in a very 1. To remember and share good memories timely fashion, preferably in congregation, of the dear one respected elders of our and in reciting regularly the holy book Quran Jama‘at and to request for prayers that may Majeed daily during his entire life. He Allah enable us to follow their noble always offered prayers with full diligence, footsteps. total care and full attention; and always 2. To share my personal experiences as a advised his children to do the same. Prior to guidance for parents as to what our respected our move to Model Town, Lahore, we were elders used to do for the training of their living in Government Colony, Chauburji, and children. were linked to chapter Islamia Park, Lahore. I always called My dear father “Abba Jee.” I do remember very well almost all incidents His name was Malik Bashir Ahmad. He was and happenings from childhood to youth and ex-president of moosian in Model Town, other events, etc., even until now. One of Lahore, chapter. He passed away per them being, the regularity of ‘Darsul-Quran Almighty God’s will due to a sudden heart during each and every month of Ramdan at failure on the 31st May 1988 and was laid to Islamia Park Mosque, completing a reading rest in Bahishti Maqbara, Rabwah, Pakistan. of the entire holy book during the holy month He was, then 77 years of age. Though fifteen with its translation and commentary. He years have passed by since his demise, yet continued this noble responsibility of Darsul- the memories of the past are so vivid and Quran at Islamia Park mosque with the sheer clear in my mind that it still seems to me a blessings of God and without fail for a period matter of yesterday as Abba Jee marhoom of over period of 25 years. had left me a very deep impression in my Abba Jee was always very mindful of mind of the way he raised his children. paying full and undivided attention to the My Abba Jee (may God have nmercy on children’s religious upbringing—learning, him) was an Ahmadi by birth. My practicing and inculcating good habits. He grandfather, Malik Gul Mohammad, himself would not let any opportunity pass that he took bait/oath of allegiance to join the fold of could avail to make a point to inculcate any Ahmadiyyat. My father spent his entire life good habit or quality. He was also mindful of precisely as per teachings of Islam. He had learning as well as practice of good habits, extreme love and affection for the imam of adoption of good moral code and training, the jama‘at, khilafat and the jama‘at referring ‘children’ to the likes of a small organizations and the the system of Jama‘at. young plant. If not corrected and trimmed He was a moosi with 1/6th of his income properly, it could turn into a wild unseemly as contribution towards Chanda Wassiyyat. tree. Hence he did not consciously let any He was very careful and particular in moment lapse without giving us some sort of
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religious advice teaching a virtue to practice in later life. I can vividly still remember those days of my childhood like yesterday when I used to return home towards the evening after having played with my friends all day. My Abba Jee first question used to be if I did perform five obligatory daily prayers at their respective timings. My statement to his question was always verified from my dear mother whom I used to call Ammi Jee. If it was found that I somehow did not offer one or all those, as claimed, I was instantly ordered to prepare myself for doing the needful, there and then, in front of their presence, all the missed ones, saying them aloud, so that I may not skip part thereof. Only thereafter, I was allowed to join the family for the evening meal. It was a normal daily practice in our house to listen to Abba Jee read loudly after dinner from one of the books of the Promised Messiah. We had to finish a prescribed syllabus during our summer vacation comprising the Holy Quran, hadith, prayers of the holy Quran and religious knowledge books. I must say that in those days of childhood, these pieces of advice and admonitions seemed to have an effect of boredom on all us children. But with Almighty God’s sheer blessings, along with the prayers of the founder of our community for the jama‘at, coupled with the old training from our parents, the fact is that we are truly and discipline. We all are striving with God’s attached to the Nizam of Khilafat, fal-hamdu help to pass on those young minds the same llillah. The results of all these things is self level of affection for the khilafat and apparent, as we ourselves witness it now. All Ahmadiyyat, the spirit of which we were of my brothers and sisters, whether they are bestowed through our parents. Not only that in USA or Pakistan, are trying their best to but our prayers are that all of our progeny, inculcate amongst their own children the wherever they happen to be, may enviably same spiritual learning environment, training, exceed our own expectations in fields of
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In Memory of My Dear “Abba Jee” service to religion, full faith in the sentence from the writings of Hadhrat Masīh- importance and acceptance of prayers, i-Mau‘ūd (‘alaihissalam) which was quoted devotion, obedience, and attachment to by Abba Jee in his message and which I Ahmadiyya Khilafat, even leaving us far practiced to the best of my capabilities and behind. May God grant acceptance to our always became victorious by the grace of humble supplications and efforts. Āmīn. God. I tell my children that it is the result of Whenever you are faced with a difficult hard work and devotion of our parents situation, you should confine yourself to a toward our religious and spiritual training room in privacy and bow down in front of that for both parents I always keep offering your creator; thus seeking help and assistance the Quranic prayer as taught to us in the holy from Him, as the prayer is such an book. instrument that where you cannot reach by Rabbirhamhumā kamā rabbayānī saghīra. your personal efforts, your living and all (O my Lord, have mercy on my parents as powerful God does get there, and they raised me from childhood.) miraculously the door of help and assistance After seeking permission from my parents, is opened for you out of nowhere. when I migrated to USA with my wife and I have seen in this earthly life that special two children, in April of 1979, Abba Jee result of prayer that makes one bow down gave us most precious gifts of our life, a copy before the Almighty God with sentiments of of the Holy Quran, Tafsir Sagheer, and a gratitude, with eyes duly filled with the personally prepared audio cassette consisting unstoppable flow of tears. I have personally of full advisory messages of the founder of seen myself in my life, sheer miracles Ahmadiyyat to his community, as are happening in front of my own eyes as a result narrated in his writings. Audio message also of a host of blessings of prayers. Of course, included poems from Durr-i-Sameen this could not have been possible except due containing comprehensive prayers for one’s to the fine and pristine level of education, children. example, religious training and good ethics Reaching here in USA, being a new and practices in ones daily life given or country, new culture, I had to face a host of shown to us by our beloved Abba Jee and our unfavorable circumstances, obstacles, and humble supplications to our God. For the disappointments. On each and every Tarbiyyat of his children Abba Jee was occasion, while I kept regularly listening to always acting upon the advice, teachings, and the cassette given by Abba Jee, recorded in practices of the reformer of this age, the his own voice, the messages of the founder Promised Messiah and his successors, of our community, God’s chosen one’s including the weapon of prayers which are words of solace with all other pearls of always answered. Now we all brothers and advice and truth kept echoing in my ears, and sister are also trying to inculcate these very guided me all along. Let me quote here one teachings, practices in our children that we
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were taught by our parents. to such a suggestion, abruptly addressed back Abba Jee was very particularly careful in the person who had come up with such a the regular, prompt payments of chanda suggestion saying, “Do you want me to put a wasiyyat. In 1974, I had my house built in stop to God’s blessings entering into this Model Town, Lahore, Pakistan, with God’s house by stopping to take delivery of the sheer benevolence and mercy. On my own daily Al-Fazl into this home. This is not insistence and repeated requests I was able to possible, come what may. Abba Jee’s persuade my parents to agree to move into reference was to the word Al-Fazl which our newly built house in Model Town. On literally means the blessings of God. It was doing so, Abba Jee arranged to sell his own my Abba Jee’s sheer strong belief and faith house at Multan Road, Lahore. On receipt of in the existence of the Almighty God, his the sale proceeds, he first of all obtained a prayers for his children as well as blessings detailed breakdown on his wasiyyat chanda of the Ahmadiyyat that all of us as brothers account from the central wasiyyat office in and sisters are well and mainly content with Rabwah and paid instantly all that was due to whatever our benevolent creator has be paid there and then. Only afterwards, he benefited us with in any form. distributed whatever was left from the sale My Abba Jee resided in Model Town, proceeds of the sale of the house amongst his Lahore, for about 14 years and with God’s children precisely as per Quranic injunctions total mercy was an office holder in the local in the ratios as prescribed in the Holy Quran, Jama‘at in varied capacities thus serving all leaving aside not a single penny for himself. the time whichever way he could. While writing this, I just remembered an In 1984, when extension work on the incident that just shows my Abba Jee’s full mosque at Model Town, Lahore, Pakistan, faith in the Almighty’s sure and live started, my Abba Jee was entrusted with the existence as well as solid and unshakable responsibility of overall financial link with total affection with Ahmadiyyat management and keeping accounts. He and Ahmadiyya Khilafat. While all of us five discharged this duty very well to the end, by brothers and sisters were studying at various the grace of God. On this mosque’s levels in schools and colleges, it caused completion, when I visited Pakistan with my financial difficulties as family overall family to see my parents, I casually expenses were far exceeding the monthly mentioned to Abba Jee about our mosque- meager income. During such period of building project in Tucson, Arizona at that anxiety, someone who was aware of this time. I also indicated to Abba Jee that by situation suggested to my Abba Jee at that God’s sheer grace, its financial accounting particular time of financial difficulty that he responsibility was entrusted to me. On should stop subscription to Jama‘at’s hearing this, Abba Jee’s face lit up with publication “Al-Fazl” (the only source of delight and satisfaction and he expressed his reading the voice of the khalifa of the time), delight while handing me over a black and that by doing so it will help to improve leather bag, saying that he used the same bag the financial situation. Abba Jee, on listening for keeping money collected for the mosque
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In Memory of My Dear “Abba Jee” in their vicinity and that I too, should use the such matters was to seek pleasure of same bag for the purpose for the mosque in Almighty Allah.” Having listened to such Tucson, Arizona. I did indeed use it for this words, my eyes filled up with tears of purpose. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may gratitude for God, the Exalted, and my heart Allah have mercy on him) on his visit to filled with sentiments of sort of pride on USA at that time blessed us with the being associated to such a human being. inauguration ceremony of this mosque. Whenever he sent me a letter here in USA Abba Jee had an extremely quiet-natured or mailed a cassette of his message to me, he personality. He performed all assignments always advised me to pay my full attention to and responsibilities entrusted to him by the the proper upbringing of children; especially jama‘at with extreme diligence and while being in this country where poisonous undivided attention, and advised us all to satanic ill-effects are affecting children’s follow this practice meticulously. He tried minds from all angles and directions. He his utmost to be the ones who reach the would add that to save your children from all designated place together well before the such bad influences is to have (1) total appointed time whether it was Friday, Eid, or attachment with jama‘at and (2) Complete any other gathering of the jama‘at. He was obedience to the advice and directions from much annoyed at us children if we caused khalifa-i-waqt. It is with God’s mere blessing any delays in the achievement of this and the training by our parents that this objective. He often drew our attention to the humble one while living in USA from the fact that we Ahmadis cannot be seen to adopt last 22 years has been vigorously trying to the attitude of laziness in any form in act upon all such pieces of advice for the religious affairs. tarbiyyat of our children. I too am trying to On the demise of my dear Abba Jee, when pass on this message to my children, by locals Jama‘at members came to our house to showing my own example of regularly offer condolences, one of the outstanding punctually offering five daily obligatory members of local majlis-i-amla, an elderly, prayers, some collectively with the family. pious person, addressing me in particular, All this is the result of my Abba Jee’s remembered my Abba Jee by saying, “Your devotion toward our training which caused father was a true Ahmadi; the type of which Promised Massiah’s teachings become the is defined by the founder of Ahmadiyyat, the part and parcel of our lives. Alhamdullilah. Promised Messiah, in his writings. Your My mother (Ammi Jee) once told me that father fitted exactly such criteria as were during his last Ramadan, just a month before prescribed by Hadhrat Masih-i-Mau‘ud he passed away, despite it being excessively (‘alaihissalam) for his followers. He was the hot due to the scorching heat of the summer, one who, while performing religious duties, coupled with his own weakness and physical could not care less for politics, as people debility due to advanced age, keen as he was, generally tend to. His total performance in all God granted him strength and stamina and
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enabled him to complete full thirty days of will get water myself.” Later, my mom saw fasting along with other obligations such as on the 31st May 1988, at 4.00 a.m. that my finishing the Holy Quran twice during this Abba Jee was sitting on the ‘charpai’ (the month. My Abba Jee wished, the expression wooden bed, cot). She approached him and of which could be seen by his remarks wanted to speak with him. On receiving no uttered orally or through letters to me, reply, she put her hand on his shoulder and saying: “O God, may my end take place at felt as if he was unconscious. My brother-in- such a time while you are pleased with me. law rushed to call a doctor. But when the Please do not make me ever dependent on doctor arrived there, my Abba Jee had anybody except yourself, the Almighty One.” already breathed his last, the soul having left He used to become anxious on the thought of the body. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji‘un. spending his last final moments either in an He did leave a short paragraph on a piece of ambulance or in a hospital. The way he paper on the table in his room, wherein he passed away proves that God did indeed advised us all his close family “to be patient listen to his prayers and supplications and as death is a certainty. This earthly world is granted them his acceptance and also hinted like an inn, wherein after a short abode, to him in a dream that his time was near. My every traveler passes on his appointed time. mom told me that one day my Abba Jee The only eternal being that remains is the probably after having some dream to that existence of Almighty God. Every thing else effect enquired from my mom if she had any is hollow and empty.” dream. My mom replied in negative. My My dear Abba Jee’s body was taken to Abba Jee was apparently healthy with no Rabwah that afternoon. Funeral prayers were physically fatal ailment, which could take his lead by esteemed Sufi Ramazan Ali sahib, life. He did visit his homeopathic doctor after which he was laid to rest in the Bahishti along with my younger brother a few days Maqbara, around 6.00 p.m. local time that before his demise and complained of some day. May Allah exalt his rank in paradise. chest pain. Again, a day before he passed away, he mentioned to family members of chest pain. On my sisters’ interrogation, he told them that he would visit the doctor the New! next day. But seems like his time to do any Inspiring such thing, (medical checkup) was over now per God’s designs and destiny. He had his Events in usual dinner on May 3oth and offered Isha prayers as usual. Before going to bed, he had the Field a short stroll in the backyard of the house. At 2.00 a.m., my sister-in-law enquired, while of Tabligh he lay in his bed, if he were thirsty. Hearing 80+ pages which my Abba Jee replied, “No, but my daughter, you go to sleep; if I feel thirsty, I $2
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Coming of the Messiah
Couplets from a poem by Hadrat Mirza Ghulām Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, ‘alaihissalām The text of the Urdu couplets appears below. The English transliteration of the couplets appears below the Urdu text. The transliteration is broken into syllables according to the rhythm of the poem. The marks / and ^ above the transliteration indicate the meter (or the rhythm) of the poem in English notation. The / mark indicates a long syllable while ^ indicates a short syllable. Note that sometimes two short syllables combine to make one long syllable. Also note that the writer of the poem may set the same word (or a part of it) as a short syllable at one place and as a long syllable at another place. This latter practice can only apply to certain type of syllables.
/ ^ / / / ^ / / / ^ / / / ^ / kyūñ ‘a jab kar tai ho gar maiñ ā ga yā h» kar ma sīh khud ma sī hā ’ī ka dam bhar tī hai yeh bā dai ba hār ā s māñ par da‘ wa tai haq kai li yai ik j» sh hai h» ra hā hai nai k tab ‘»ñ par fa rish t»ñ kā o tār ā ra hā hai is ta raf ah rā r-i y» rup kā mi zāj nab z phir chal nai la gī mur d»ñ ki nā gah ziñ dah wār keh tai haiñ tas lī s k» ab ah l-i dā nish al wi dā‘ phir hu ’ai haiñ chash ma ’ai* tau hī d par az jāñ ni sār bā gh maiñ mil lat kai hai k» ’ī gu lai* ra’ nā khi lā ā ’ī hai bā dai* sa bā gul zā r sai mas tā na wār
* -i, ezafi written as ai to show the pronunciation. Meaning of the Couplets Why is it strange to you if I have appeared as the Messiah? This spring breeze itself is a
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Messianic harbinger. In heavens, there is a passion for the spread of truth. Angels are descending on righteous souls. European liberals are inclined to this direction. Hearts of the dead have started beating again. Wise are bidding adieus to trinity. They are betting their lives on Oneness of God.
Words and Expressions The words and expressions used in the couplets have been explained here in the order they appear in the poem. danish: wisdom ahl-i-dānish: possessors of kyūñ: why h» ra hā hai: is taking place wisdom, wise ‘ajab: wonder, surprise, naik: righteous, good, al-widā‘: goodbye strange virtuous, pious, lucky, hu’ai haiñ; have become kartai ho: (you) do fortunate chashmah: fountain gar: if tab‘»ñ: plural of tab‘: tau hīd: unity maiñ: I temperament, nature chashma’-i-tauhīd: fountain ā gayā: came, have come farisht»ñ: angels of unity h» kar: in the form/make of otār: descent az: from Masīh: Messiah ā rahā hai: is coming jāñ: life khud: in itself is: this nisār: sacrificed ma sī hā ’ī: Messianic taraf: side, direction bāgh: garden kā: of ahrār: liberals, open minded maiñ: in dam bhartī hai: takes sides y»rup: Europe millat: community with, sings praises of ahrār-i-y»rup: liberals of Kai: of yeh: this Europe k»’ī: some bād: breeze mizāj: temperament, gul: flower bahār: spring (season) disposition, mood ra’nā: graceful, exquisitely bād-i-bahār: breeze nabz: heartbeat beautiful harbingering spring phir: again khilā: bloom, blossom, flower āsmāñ: sky chalnai lagī: started ā’ī hai: has come par: on murd»ñ: the dead bād: wind, breeze, air da‘wat: invitation, call ki: of sabā: spring breeze, easterly haq: truth nāgah: suddenly, breeze, morning breeze, kai liyai: for unexpectedly zypher ik: a, one ziñdah wār: like living, alive bād-i-sabā: zypher, spring j»sh: zeal, ardour, kehtai haiñ: say breeze enthusiasm, excitement, taslīs: trinity gulzār: garden fervour, passion, k»: to sai: from ebullition, exuberance ab: now, these days mastāna wār: frenzied, hai: is, has ahl: possessors intoxicated
Letter to a Dear One Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan
English translation of his epic Urdu work by Shermeen Butt with foreword by M. M. Ahmad and introduction by Hadrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad. 110+ pages. $2
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Glossary abu: father of Helpers of God): The organization of all a™åd∏th XŒûd£äZ : Plural of ™ad∏th. Ahmadi men aver 40 years of age. A™madiyyat XÕûdøäZ : Muslim sect believing Ha Malf·Âåt \£í¬πæõ : sayings of the Promised Messi ñrat Mirzå Ghulåm A™mad to be the Promised ah, 'alaihissalåm. Masī™-i-Mau‘ūd, Masih Mau‘ood: d¬ì¬õ —√±õ : Messiah and Mahdi, peace be on him The Promised Messiah ( a rat Mirza Ghulam ‘ © ñ alaihissalåm wαöZ ‰√æì : peace be on him A™mad, ‘alaihissalam) al-na™l (pronounced anna™l): the bee Masjid : mosque Āmilah: a committee of workers ¨®±õ Muhājir : immigrant Ansår f£≥úZ : Helpers. Members of Majlis Æ⣡õ Ansarullah. Mu”li™-i-Mau‘ūd, Musleh Mau‘ood: d¬ì¬õ —æ≥õ ayyadahullåhu ta‘ålå bina”rihil-‘az∏z, (The Promised Reformer): ©añrat Mirza ØûØ∑öZ yÆ≥¿Ö ˘£∑Ü ‰æöZ y¨ûZ : May Allah support him Bashiruddin Ma™mud A™mad (1889-1965), with His Mighty Help Khalifatul-Masih II, rañiyallåhu 'anhu, who fulfilled the prophesy of the Promised Messiah, Chanda: y¨¿å Monetary contribution, donation. chanda ijtima: contribution towards ijtima‘ peace be on him, about the advent of a expenses Reformer. Hadith : Saying of the Holy Prophet Nāsir: helper. A member of Majlis Ansarullah. Œû¨ä rañiyallåhu 'anhu: ‰¿ì ‰æöZ Áêf : May Allah be Muhammad, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. pleased with him. Hañrat, Hazrat: : His Holiness \Æ¥ä ra™imahullåh ‰æöZ ‰øäf : May Allah have ™uñūr, huzur f¬¥ä : Your Honor/Holiness, His mercy on him Honor/Holiness Ijtimå‘, Ijtema o£ø•âZ : Rally. Ijtimå‘åt \£ì£ø•âZ : plural of Ijtima. A Valuable Book for inshå’allåh, ‰æöZ Y£é xZ : God willing. Our Urdu Readers Jamå‘at Õì£øâ : Community, Organization Jumu‘ah ‰∑øâ : Friday. Basic Religious Khalīfah: vicegerent Khalifatul-Masih —√±˚Z Êπ√æã : Successor to the Knowledge Course Promised Messiah, ‘alaihissalam. for the members of Khilåfat ÕïÎã : Succession khulafå £πæã: Plural of khalifah. Majlis Ansarullah Majlis ‘æ®õ : Society, organization. $3/copy. Majlis Ansarullåh ‰æöZf£≥úZ ‘æ®õ (Organization of Words of Wisdom A collection of sayings and Traditions of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad, ”allallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam dealing with the daily life. Arabic text is given with English transliteration and Urdu and English translations. Includes a discussion of types of ahadith, books of ahadith, and their compilers. Some important dates and events in the life of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad, ”allallāhu ‘alaihi wasallam, have also been included. Outside covers are in color, two colors inside, size 7 in. x 8.5 in. on fine paper, softcover, 320 pages. $5/copy.
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Razzaq and Farida
A story for children written by Dr. Yusef A. Lateef. Every page of the story is accompanied by a colorful drawing. $1.50/ copy.
Synopsis of Religious Preaching: Christianity and Islam By Maulana A.U. Kaleem Previously published in two parts, has been republished by Majlis Ansarullah in one volume. Part I, Christianity, Part II, Islam. Size 5½ in. x 8½ in., 160+ pages. $2/copy.
Majlis Ansarullah, U.S.A.
Majlis Ansarullah, U.S.A., is an auxiliary of the National Majlis ‘ãmilah Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Inc. U.S.A., 15000 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905, U.S.A. It Majlis Ansarullah, U.S.A. consists of Ahmadi Muslim men above the age of 40. The Arabic expression ansarullah literally means 2004-2005 helpers of God, and is taken from the Holy Qur’an (61 [Al-Saff]:15, 3[Āl-‘Imrān]:53). Sadr: ...... Nasir Mahmood Malik Nā’ib Sadr Saf Duvam: ...... Ansar Pledge ...... Munum Ahmad Naeem
Ash-hadu allā ilāha illallāhu wahdahū lā sharīka lahū wa ash-hadu anna muhammadan ‘abduhū wa rasūluh 2004 (I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, He is One, without partner, and Muhammad is His servant Nā’ib Sadr Saf Awwal: . Nasrullah Ahmad and His Messenger.) Qā’id Umūmi: ...... Wajeeh Bajwa I solemnly promise that I shall endeavor, till the end of Qā’id Tablīgh: ...... Mahmood Ahmad my life, for the consolidation and propagation of Islam Qā’id Tarbiyyat: .. Khalil Mahmood Malik and Ahmadiyyat, and for upholding the institution of Khilafat. I shall also be prepared to offer the greatest Qā’id Ta‘līm: ...... Salim Nasir Malik sacrifice for this cause. Moreover, I shall urge all my Qā’id Māl: ...... Kaleem Ahmad Rana children to remain true to Khilafat-i-Ahmadiyya. Qā’id Tahrīk-i-Jadīd: ...... Inshā’allāh...... Anwer Mahmood Khan Qā’id Waqf-i-Jadīd: ..... Jalaluddin A Latif Periodicals Qā’id Ishā‘at ...... Syed Sajid Ahmad Al-Nahl: Published quarterly. See inside for Additional Qā’id Ishā‘at (Sam‘ī Basri subscription information. [Audio/Video/MTA]): ...... Ansar (Ansarullah News): Monthly newsletter...... Peer Habibur-Rahman
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A view of the Ka‘ba.
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