“You Must Not Rank This Convention in the Same League As Other, Ordinary, Human Assemblies

Vol. 43 No. 6 - June 2014

A Ḥ MA DĪ YYA

CANADA JUNE 2014 | WWW.AHMADIYYAGAZETTE.CA

“You must not rank this convention in the same league as other, ordinary, human assemblies. This is a phenomenon that is based purely on Divine Help, for the propagation of Islām.” (Majmū‘ah Ishtihārāt, Vol. 1 page 341) In the name of Allāh, the Gracious, the Merciful 38th Jalsa Sālāna Canada 2014 July 20-22, 2014 International Centre, Mississauga DAY 1 – Friday July 5, 2014 1:00 pm Announcements At Baitul Islam Mosque Each Day 1:30 pm Lunch 3:45 am Tahajjud Prayer 3:45 pm Zuhr and Àsr Prayers 4:30 am Fajr Prayer and Dars SESSION III At International Centre 4:00 pm Recitation from the Holy Qur’an and Translation 12:30 pm First Adhan 4:15 pm Poem and Translation 1:00 pm Friday Sermon, Jumu‘a and Àsr Prayers 4:20 pm Introductory Remarks 2:15 pm Lunch 4:25 pm Messianic Movements of the 19th Century SESSION I by Maulānā Mukhtar Cheema 4:30 pm Recitation from the Holy Qur’ān and Translation 4:45 pm Promotion and Practice of Islāmic Values 4:40 pm Poem and Translation 5:10 pm Guest Speakers 4:55 pm Introductory Remarks Presentation of the annual “Zafrulla Khan 5:00 pm The Promised Messiahas – A Follower Prophet Award for Distinguished Public Service” by Maulāna Muhammad Afzal Mirza 6:05 pm Keynote Address: A Message of Peace 5:25 pm The Holy Qur’ān - Witness to the Truth of the by Maulāna Mubarak Ahmad Nazir Promised Messiahas Missionary In-Charge Canada by Dr. Saleemur Rahman Ottawa 6:30 pm Announcements 5:50 pm The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa on his Messiah 6:45 pm Dinner by Maulānā Farhan Iqbal At Baitul Islam Mosque 6:15 pm Announcements 9:15 pm Maghrib and Ìsha Prayers 7:00 pm Dinner SESSION IV DAY 3 – Sunday July 7, 2013 At Baitul Islam Mosque 10:30 am Recitation from the Holy Quràn and Translation 9:15 pm Maghrib and Ìshaa Prayers 10:45 am Poem and Translation SESSION II 10:55 pm Introductory Remarks DAY 2 – Saturday July 6, 2013 A simultaneous translation in English will be provided. 11:00 am Writings of the Promised Messiahas 10:30 am Recitation from the Holy Quran and Translation 11:30 am The Promised Messiahas 10:45 am Poem and Translation and Communion with a Living God 10:55 am Introductory Remarks by Maulānā Imtiaz Sra 11:00 am Status of the Promised Messiahas 12:00 pm Award of ‘Alam-e-In‘āmi to the in the Eyes of His Companionsra Best Majlis Khuddāmul Aḥmadīyya in Canada by Maulānā Ghulam Misbah Baluch Award of ‘Alam-e-In‘āmi to the Best Majlis Ansārullah in Canada 11:30 am Khilāfat – The Blessed Institution Established by the Promised Messiahas 12:25 pm Concluding Address: The Purpose of Establishment of the by Maulāna Hadi Ali Chaudhary Aḥmadīyya Muslim Jamā‘at and our 12:00 pm Love for Humanity - Responsibilities Answering the Call of Khilafat Personal attribute of the Promised Messiahas Lal Khan Malik by Maulānā Ataul ul Wahab Amīr Jamā‘at Aḥmadīyya Canada 12:30 pm Claims of the Promised Messiah Silent Prayer Announcements and Imam Mahdias 1:15 pm Zuhr and Àsr Prayers by Maulānā Sohail Saqib 1:30 pm Lunch Program Subject to Change Without Notice Aḥmadīyya Gazette Canada An Educational and Spiritual Publication Volume 43 - No. 6 - June 2014 Shabān/Ramadān 1435 AH - Iḥsān 1393 HS

Pearls of Wisdom Amīr Jamā‘at: Lal Khan Malik Selection from the Holy Qur’ān and Aḥādīth 2 Chief Editor: So Said the Promised Messiahas 3 Prof. Hadi Alī Chaudhary aa Guidance from Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ V Honorary Editor: Ḥassan Mohammad Khan Arif Summary of Friday Sermons 5 Editors: Articles Usman Shahid S. H. Hadi Khilāfat – Obedience, Respect & Loyalty 9 Assistant Editors: Importance of Financial Sacrifice 12 Nadia Mahmood Maham Aziz Obedience to Allāh - Marriage 14 Amal Yousaf Tahira Malik Prophethood in Islām - Part 2 15 Manager: Report - Jāmi‘a Aḥmadīyya Canada 23 Mubashir Khalid Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Graphics Layout: Jubilee Medal Awards 2012 24 Farhan A. Naseer Book Review: Life Supreme 27 Web Magazine: Muzaffar Aḥmad

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Table of Contents The Holy Qur’ān

O ye who believe! when it is said to you, ‘Make room!’ in your assemblies, then do make room; Allāh will make ample room for you. And when it is said, ‘Rise up!’ then rise up; Allāh will raise those who believe from among you, and those to whom knowledge is given, to degrees of rank. And Allāh is Well-Aware of what you do. (58:12)

Hazrat Ibn Abbasra relates that the Holy Prophetsa said: “When you pass by the garden of Paradise, eat therefrom plentifully.” They [Companionsra] asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What is the garden of Paradise?” The Holy Prophetsa answered, “Gatherings of knowledge”[Educational gatherings]. (At-Targhīb wat-Tarhīb, Bāb At-Targhīb fī Majālisatil ‘Ūlamā)

2 Pearls of Wisdom So Said the Promised Messiahas

A Great Gathering You have been saved from this grief until now. Without the I re-emphasize that you must not rank this convention in Grace and Blessing of Allāh the Exalted, even prayers are the same league as other, ordinary, human assemblies. This ineffective. For this reason I advise you to pray much. I say is a phenomenon that is based purely on Divine Help, for again, pray much so that the Jamā‘at be saved from division. the propagation of Islām. (Ishtihār Dec. 7, 1892, Majmū‘ah (extract from Ḥarf Du‘ā) Ishtihārāt Vol. 1, p. 341) Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ IIra Prayers of the Promised Messiahas O God, make us true. Save us from falsehood. Save us from for Those Who Attend Jalsa Sālāna miserliness. Save us from being unaware. Save us from O Allāh, O Sublime One, Bestower of bounties, for every such disobedience. O God, grant us the ability to act on the Holy person who makes a journey to attend this convention that Qur’ān’s teachings. Grant our young ones and elder ones, our is for the sake of Allāh, May Allāh, the Exalted, be with them, men and our women, our children and our elders, the ability grant them a great reward, have mercy on them, and ease to become Your perfect followers and may all of them be for them their circumstances of hardship and anxiety and protected from stumbling and sins which take a person’s steps eliminate their anguish and grief. May He grant them freedom away from “the right path.” O our Lord! Create love for You in from every single hardship and lay open for them the ways of our hearts. O our Lord! Create love for Your teachings, Your [achieving] their desired goals, and raise them up on the day of political demands, Your economic rules, Your social rules and Judgment among those of His servants who are the recipients Your religious teachings in our hearts. Create regard for them in us. So much so that there be no teaching more dear to us of His Blessings and Mercy. May He be their Guardian in their sa absence until after their journey comes to an end. O Allāh! O than the teaching You gave to us through Muhammad . O Sublime One and Bestower of bounties, Ever Merciful and One God! May he who attributes himself to You and is dear to You, Who Resolves all problems! Do accept all these prayers, and be dear to us too. And may he who is removed from You, be grant us victory over our opponents with scintillating signs, removed from us too. May thoughts of compassion and reform because You alone have all the Might and Power. Āmīn! Āmīn! of the entire world be dominant in our hearts and may we be (Ishtihār Dec. 7, 1892, Majmū‘ah Ishtihārāt Vol. I, p. 342) successful in creating that great revolution you expressly desired to establish through Your Promised Messiahas. Āmīn! Prayers of Khulafā’ Aḥmadīyyat Allāhumma Āmīn! Regarding Jalsa Sālāna Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ IIIrh Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Ira May my Lord create firmness, genuineness and loyalty in your faith. May your acts on God’s path be full of sincerity and “Pray to me, I will answer your prayer” is a tool and it is very devotion and void of disorder. May God make all the ways you effective. However, at times the one wielding [this tool] is a adopt such that they lead you to achievement and success. May weak individual and therefore rejects prayers. It is the tool you have a lasting station in my Lord’s Heavens. And while of prayers the entire world has abandoned. Muslims should glorifying Him and praising Him, “their greeting therein shall sharpen [this tool] and utilize it. be, ‘Peace’” (10:11). May you desire peacefulness for others and attain peacefulness from your Lord. May my Lord enable [They should] try their utmost to supplicate and should not you to continue on the path of good works and pious actions. weary. I am so ill that I cannot imagine how long my life will May this world become a Heaven for you, where satan’s acts be. Therefore, this is my last testament that alongside “Lā do not interfere. And when it is your time to pass on, may the ilāha illallāh,” you should sharpen your tool of prayers. May Angels say, as they take you to His lasting Heaven, Assalāmu your Jamā‘at not be divided! For when a Jamā‘at becomes Alaikum, Allāh’s peace be upon you. May you continuously divided then it incurs wrath. As the Holy Qur’ān says, receive His Grace while under the shade of His Mercy. But they too have forgotten a good part of that with which May it become your habit to remain engaged in praising God they were exhorted. So We have caused enmity and hatred and expressing your gratefulness to Him. May you become among them till the Day of Resurrection. (5:15) God’s Jamā‘at in the true sense. O my Lord’s elect and chosen Jamā‘at! May my Lord’s Mercy always descend upon you. May all your darkness remain behind. May God let it be so. May you Pearls of Wisdom 3 be enlightened with Allāh’s Divine light. May your light run here from all corners of the world. People seek proof of the ahead of you. truthfulness of Aḥmadīyyat. In response to this I read out the ra May the light of your servitude meet the light of the Heavens following couplet of Hazrat Muṣleḥ Mau‘ūd : and the Earth and may you attain the perfect nearness [to Were it not a beautiful light, coming from the candle, Allāh]. May Allāh’s Mercy always shower upon you. May the Why would butterflies from the entire world gather prayers of His Angels always be with you. May you be entitled here? to gifts of Peace. May you always remain engaged in the Remembrance of Allāh. May God let it be so. May the fountain So today, the butterflies [ardent lovers] have gathered here of Remembrance of Allāh gush and flow with everlasting from the entire world to send Durūd on Muhammadsa, the springs of happiness for you. May Allāh the Exalted’s Mercy Chosen one. Today, the butterflies [ardent lovers] from all over always cast its shadow upon you, may it always guard you. the world have gathered around the candle of Muhammadsa, May the moonlight of his benignity and favour continue to in order to submit their lives to himsa. Today, all the butterflies illuminate the beds belonging to you and your companions. of the world have gathered to sing hymns of love of Allāh May you bring greater fruits through His Grace. Almighty. When these butterflies [ardent lovers] leave for their homes, they will continue to sing these hymns as they May your heart and bosom always be a cradle for pious return. All their actions have now been consumed by love for inclinations and pure desires. May you have what you desire Allāh and His Messengersa. They pray now, and will pray as and may you receive gifts of security at all times from our they return. When they come again, they will come praying Merciful Lord. May His promises come true in your favour. for their own people as well as for others. May you become the inheritors of His love. May your entire being prove to the world that those who act and strive in His It is difficult at this point to name everyone individually. path and show empathy and sacrifice receive great rewards; Therefore, pray for all of them. Allāh is aware of all their they are the inheritors of the Allāh’s Love. May the paths of names. He is watching over their hearts. May He grant them His nearness open for you. May God let it be so. And may it a great reward. And all of us who are here today, May Allāh become easy for you to tread those paths. May you reach His Almighty let us say farewell in goodness and wellness. And favours and Heavens through these paths. May Allāh let it be May He gather us again in goodness, wellness and love, and so. [With] a life of ease and comfort, may you always be in again depart and then meet. These meetings and partings are peace. for the sake of God and both these meetings and partings are beautiful. May my Lord always enable you to remain steadfast in righteousness so that in the worldly Heaven you can dwell in Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Vaa homes full of remembrance of Allāh and are above and beyond May Allāh the Exalted make us inheritors of all the prayers of any satanic whisperings. And so that in the next Heaven your Hazrat Masīḥ Mau‘ūdas. May we carry out no act that would stay may also be in mansions, where Angels pray for you and remove us from those prayers. In these days, you too should you receive messages of peace from your Creator, your Lord, pray much. Put a lot of effort in prayers. Remember in your at every instance. May your Heart and bosom always be lit prayers all the attending guests. Some people are still arriving with the Holy Qur’ān’s luminance. May that light always direct and are on their way. Remember them in your prayers. you to the paths which take one to Dār al-Salām [house of Remember those too, who in order to gain benefit from this peace] and may all darkness be removed from your path. May Jalsa are at home, who despite having the desire to be here pursuing the pleasure of Allāh always illuminate the “Right were unable to come. Path” that takes one straight to His Heaven and His pleasure. May we witness even more Blessings of Allāh Almighty in this May my God’s bright Signs create waves of His love in your Jalsa than before. May Allāh let it be so. Always be infinitely heart and bosom. May God let it be so. May my Lord enable you grateful for the Blessings of Allāh Almighty and become His to do good deeds, which are free from mischief and anarchy. grateful servants. Because Allāh Almighty is so Benevolent, May my Allāh Himself be your Friend and Guardian, and in His when a servant is thankful to Him, He bestows even greater nearness, may your stay be in a house of peace. Blessings upon him ... For every expression of gratitude, May your being be beneficial for the world. May God let it He continues to bestow more out of His Grace and Mercy in be so. May you receive the prayers of the entire world. May accordance with His promises. Another means of gratitude is all know you, recognize you, and desire peace for you. May to fulfill the purpose for which you have come here: to listen my Allāh’s Divine gifts quickly take you to the desired end. to the Jalsa. Participate fully in the programs of the Jalsa, gain May you attain steadiness while at the station of trust and benefits from them, and in these three days live your lives obedience. May you inherit the paradise of His Relationship. exclusively for the sake of Allāh; spend your time only for the sake of Allāh Almighty. May Allāh Almighty grant us all the May you be exemplary in the establishment of pure Tawḥīd. ability to do so. May God let it be so. May you be elated and intoxicated in the love of Muhammadsa. May God let it be so. May the rays In the end, I would like to draw your attention to another of Muhammadsa penetrate into all hearts through your hands. prayer. For it is only through prayers that our tasks are May God let it be so. May you be such as to inherit the prayers accomplished, and it is only through prayers that all types of of the Muhammadansa Messiah. Blessings are showered. Pray much in the days of Jalsa. As I rh said yesterday, while walking, standing and sitting, remain Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ IV engaged in the remembrance of Allāh. Be expedient in Durūd, Now, at the end I ask everyone to pray. It is the benevolence, and do much Istighfār. May Allāh be with you. May you benefit grace and kindness of Allāh Almighty that He has enabled us from the Jalsa’s educational and spiritual blessings. (Weekly to gather here for the sake of His pleasure, in an extremely Al-Fazl International London. September 19, 2003) pleasant environment, keeping us protected from all types of mischief and disorder. Lovers of Muhammadsa have gathered

4 Pearls of Wisdom Guidance from Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Vaa The following summaries of Friday Sermons have been provided by Wakālat ‘Ulyā’, Taḥrīk Jadīd Anjuman Aḥmadīyya, Pakistan

Jalsa Sālāna Australia 2013 Summary of Friday Sermon Delivered on October 4, 2013 On October 4th, 2013, Hazrat Khalīfatul- living relationship with God. During the Only God knows who is great and who Masīḥ Vaa delivered the Friday Sermon at Jalsa, members should judge themselves is small. Great is the one who listens Baitul Huda Mosque, Sidney, Australia. as to how far they are living up to the meekly to the meek and consoles them Huzooraa said that by the Grace of Allāh, pledge of fulfilling their obligations to and respects them. In the eyes of God, Jalsa Sālāna Australia begins from today. God and His creatures. great is the one who is righteous. These Jalsas, whose foundation was laid The Promised Messiahas said that Allāh The Promised Messiahas advised never to by the Promised Messiahas 123 years ago, accepts the prayers of the righteous. It conduct ourselves harshly, rather treat are today held in a major portion of the is obligatory for our Jamā‘at to tread everyone with kindness and civility. We world. the path of Taqwa so that they may should make progress in the moral traits The Promised Messiahas said, “Do not experience the sweetness and pleasure and respond to harshness with kindness. think of this Jalsa as some ordinary of the acceptance of their prayers and When a mischievous one abuses us, it is convention. For this is an institution that that they may grow in their faith. God is the duty of the believer to ignore him. has been sanctioned by God.” Gracious and no one who seeks Him ever Huzooraa said that if we are able to remains frustrated. Therefore we should aa control ourselves, we will not only be Huzoor said that while these Jalsas wake up at night and supplicate before help Aḥmadīs to progress in knowledge able to grow in mutual love, this will also Him and seek His Grace. There are many open for us new avenues to Da‘wat Ilallāh. and spirituality, they also lead others to opportunities for supplication during the acknowledge the beauty of Islām, thus Our progress in Taqwa, our high morals, formal prayers. Indeed supplication is the our relationship with God, our attention actualizing the words of the Promised very essence of prayer. The relationship as to prayer and supplication, all this will Messiah that this institution is based on between God and man is like that of a special Divine sanction. benefit us both as individuals and as a mother and her child. When a person Jamā‘at. May Allāh enable us to reap In outlining the objectives of the Jalsa, falls prostrate at God’s threshold and the full benefits of this Jalsa and to reap the Promised Messiahas had said that presents before Him his troubles with the the fruits of the Promised Messiah’sas members should participate in it so that utmost humility, God’s Grace is aroused prayers! Āmīn! their hearts may be moved by the fear of and He takes pity on such a person. At the end of the sermon, Huzooraa God and they may become a model for The Promised Messiahas said that others on account of their compassion, informed the Jamā‘at of the sad demise meekness and humility are a requirement of Ṣāḥibzadī Amatul Rashid Ṣāḥiba, kindness, mutual love and brotherhood. aa of Taqwa. Huzoor said that he would daughter of Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ They should become meek and humble never like the members of his Jamā‘at to ra aa and be inspired by a zeal to serve the II . Huzoor led her funeral prayer in view one another as great or small or to absentia after the Friday prayers. faith. They should strive to establish a be arrogant and look down upon others.

Allāh accepts the prayers of the righteous. It is obligatory for our Jamā‘at to tread the path of Taqwa so that they may experience the sweetness and pleasure of the acceptance of their prayers and that they may grow in their faith. God is Gracious and no one who seeks Him ever remains frustrated.

Guidance from Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Vaa 5 Strive to Fulfill the Conditions of Baī‘at Summary of Friday Sermon Delivered on October 11, 2013

On October 11th, 2013, Hazrat Khalīfatul- above everything else. They should love the Promised Messiahas should be greater Masīḥ Vaa delivered the Friday Sermon the Holy Prophetsa, they should love than any other relationship. To this day at the Aḥmadīyya Centre in Melbourne, the Promised Messiahas, they should such love and devotion is expressed by Australia. love Khilāfat, and they should love one Aḥmadīs living in far off lands. Huzooraa Huzooraa began the sermon with a saying another. By the Grace of Allāh, even gave various examples of how, after as today God has blessed the Promised pledging Baī‘at, new Aḥmadīs have of the Promised Messiah in which he as outlines the purpose of his advent. Heas Messiah with devoted followers who grown in faith and devotion, how they says, undergo a positive transformation after give preference to their faith above the pledging Baī‘at and even non-Aḥmadīs world, how they foster mutual love and “I have been sent in order to confess that these people’s lives have brotherhood, and how deeply they love strengthen people’s faith and been transformed. Khilāfat. Another condition of the Baī‘at to prove the existence of God. I The Promised Messiahas urges us to is that an Aḥmadī must strive to benefit have been sent so that the age of mankind. In this regard, Huzooraa cited truth and faith should return and show perfect obedience. Faith must be accompanied by complete obedience. the Jamā‘at’s humanitarian efforts that righteousness is observed.” are acknowledged and praised even by Only those people truly pledge Baī‘at aa Huzooraa said that Aḥmadīs need to whose previous self effectively dies and non-Aḥmadīs. Huzoor said that blessed search within their souls as to how far they attain a new life. Baī‘at means that are those who understand the true they are fulfilling this purpose of the the one who makes the pledge should meaning of Baī‘at and strive to reform Promised Messiah’sas advent. Is our faith undergo a genuine transformation, themselves. May each and every one of getting stronger? If, after having pledged fear God, realize the true purpose of his us be able to do full justice to our pledge the Baī‘at, we have failed to recognized creation and put it into practice. of Baī‘at! For this we need to mould our action to the Will of God. May Allāh God as He ought to be recognized, then aa such a Baī‘at is worthless. If it is more Huzoor said that one of the conditions enable us to do so! Āmīn! important for us to please our worldly of Baī‘at is that our love and devotion to bosses than to please God, then we are not fulfilling the purpose of the Promised Messiah’sas advent. Huzooraa said that we must continuously bring to mind the ten conditions of Baī‘at laid down by the Promised Messiahas, thus our faith will be strengthened and our moral condition will improve. The Promised Messiahas says that if we do not undergo a significant transformation after becoming Aḥmadī, then there will be no difference between us and others. The formal pledge of Baī‘at will be of no avail to us. People will only benefit from it if they improve themselves and attach themselves - with the bonds of love and sincerity - to the one they have pledged allegiance to. They must establish a firm relationship with God and follow the guide perfectly both in action and creed. Their love for God should remain

Huzooraa said that Aḥmadīs need to search within their souls as to how far they are fulfilling this purpose of the Promised Messiah’sas advent. Is our faith getting stronger? If, after having pledged the Baī‘at, we have failed to recognized God as He ought to be recognized, then such a Baī‘at is worthless. If it is more important for us to please our worldly bosses than to please God, then we are not fulfilling the purpose of the Promised Messiah’sas advent.

6 Guidance from Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Vaa Prime Attributes of True Servants of Allāh Summary of Friday Sermon Delivered on October 18, 2013

On October 18th, 2013, Hazrat Khalīfatul- and unambiguous. If we act upon these practice it among ourselves, it will have Masīḥ Vaa delivered the Friday Sermon at teachings, most of our domestic and no meaning. Allāh also says regarding Baitul Huda, Sydney, Australia. social disputes will end and there will be the believers that they are kind and Huzooraa began by reciting verse 54 of no need to resort to courts or the Qadā’. compassionate towards one another. This Sūrah Bani Isrā’īl, which is translated as Huzooraa said that a believer should at slogan will only be effective if we create follows, once leave the company of people who an atmosphere of love and kindness in our homes and our society and forgive “And say to My servants that they discuss frivolous things and talk against the institutions of the Jamā‘at. Huzooraa one another. should speak that which is best. aa Surely, Satan stirs up discord among said that if we have something against Huzoor also exhorted Aḥmadīs to them. Surely, Satan is an open enemy an office-bearer, we should convey it to make the most use of MTA, which to man” (17:54). him. It is not right to speak of such things God has gifted us for our spiritual and in public. Instead of reformation, such intellectual progress and so that our Huzooraa said that in this verse Allāh slandering results in greater discord. future generations remain linked with commands His servants to say only aa the Jamā‘at. MTA is a great blessing, that which is best. In order to become Huzoor also exhorted against watching indecent and immoral material on TV which connects Aḥmadīs to Khilāfat. God’s true servants, we should abide aa by His every command and strive to and internet, and the use of Facebook and Huzoor instructed Jamā‘at Aḥmadīyya strengthen our faith. There should be no other social media that involves indecent Australia to make a strong effort contradiction in what a believer does and conversations. It is important for every towards Da‘wat Ilallāh. But it will only be what he says, for this is something Allāh Aḥmadī to avoid all such things. fruitful if we make sure that there is no abhors. The Promised Messiahas has said Allāh says that every person has an contradiction in what we do and what that a person’s discourse cannot have the objective that he pursues. Our objective we say. An Aḥmadī should speak what is right, should do good deeds, and should desired effect if it does not come from should be to excel one another in good aa his heart and is not supported by his deeds. Satan is man’s open enemy. In listen and obey. Huzoor noted that practical example. order to be safe from his attacks, the much more needs to be done with regard sa to Da‘wat Ilallāh in Australia. aa Holy Prophet has taught us to recite Huzoor said that Allāh has declared aa the believers to be the best of all people Sūrah Al-Falaq and Sūrah Al-Nās three At the end of the sermon, Huzoor who inculcate righteousness and exhort times before going to sleep. informed the Jamā‘at of the sad demise aa of Ṣāḥibzadī Amatul Mateen Ṣāḥiba, against evil. Men of God do not bear Huzoor said that we can only fulfill ra false testimony and do not take part in our duty to God and His creatures by daughter of Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ II , frivolous activities. Allāh also commands saying what is good. Even non- Aḥmadīs and led her funeral prayer in absentia the believers to adopt piety, and to are impressed by our slogan, “Love for after the Friday prayers. speak what is true and straightforward All, Hatred for None,” but if we do not

• Allāh commands His servants to say only • Allāh also commands the believers to that which is best. adopt piety, and to speak what is true • We should abide by His every command and straightforward and unambiguous. and strive to strengthen our faith. • A believer should at once leave the • There should be no contradiction in company of people who discuss frivolous what a believer does and what he says, things and talk against the institutions for this is something Allāh abhors. of the Jamā‘at. • The Promised Messiahas has said that • Huzooraa also exhorted against watching a person’s discourse cannot have the indecent and immoral material on TV desired effect if it does not come from and internet, and the use of Facebook his heart and is not supported by his and other social media that involves practical example. indecent conversations. It is important • Allāh has declared the believers to be for every Aḥmadī to avoid all such the best of all people who inculcate things. righteousness and exhort against evil. • Allāh says that every person has an • Men of God do not bear false testimony objective that he pursues. Our objective and do not take part in frivolous should be to excel one another in good activities. deeds.

Guidance from Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Vaa 7 Building of Mosques and Our Responsibilities Summary of Friday Sermon Delivered on October 25, 2013

On October 25th, 2013, Hazrat Khalīfatul- believers are reminded that they will Taqwa, fulfill our trusts and live up to our Masīḥaa delivered the Friday Sermon at only be able to become true worshippers pledges. Baitul Masroor, Brisbane, Australia. when they uphold justice, offer their five Huzooraa said that in these verses we Huzooraa began by reciting verses 30 and daily prayers punctually, bring about a have also been exhorted to practice 32 of Sūrah Al-A‘rāf, which are translated positive change in themselves, and also moderation in eating and drinking. as follows: strive to fulfill their obligations to one When a person eats too much at night, another. These include our obligations he is unable to wake up for the morning Say, ‘My Lord has enjoined justice. to our spouses and their relatives, the And fix your attention aright at prayer. The aim of a believer’s life is not proper upbringing of our children, and to eat and drink, but to worship God. He every time and place of worship, aa upholding justice in society. Huzoor said seeks not the world but the pleasure of and call upon Him, making yourself that when man fulfills his obligations to sincere towards Him in religion. As God. If our food and drink becomes a his fellow beings and then comes to the hindrance to our worship, and worldly He brought you into being, so shall mosque to worship, Allāh takes him into you return to Him . . . O children pleasures take priority over our prayers, His loving care. then this is also a form of extravagance of Adam! adorn yourself at every aa time and place of worship with the Huzoor said that Allāh says that we which God does not love. garment of fear of Allāh, and eat and should come to the mosques with our Huzooraa said that by the Grace of Allāh, drink but exceed not the bounds; adornments, and a believer’s adornment this mosque can accommodate up to is Taqwa or righteousness. The Promised surely, He does not love those who as a thousand worshippers. Today the exceed the bounds. (7:30, 32) Messiah says that man’s spiritual mosque seems full because people have beauty lies in treading the path of Taqwa aa come here from other places, but we will Huzoor said that the Ahmadīs of in its minute details. Spiritual beauty Brisbane cannot be grateful enough to only be happy when this mosque becomes and grace comes from Taqwa, and Taqwa filled with local Aḥmadīs. Huzooraa also God for His favour in enabling them means to fulfill all of ones pledges and to build a mosque in this city. Huzooraa stressed the need for Da‘wat Ilallāh and duties to God as well as to His creatures. prayers. May this mosque overflow with spoke of the difficulties encountered Every Aḥmadī has made a pledge to give in the process of building the mosque, worshippers and we may build more and priority to his faith over everything else. more mosques! Huzooraa also drew the which cost 4.5 million dollars. Members If we live up to this pledge, our worship made sacrifices for this mosque. Women attention of Aḥmadīs who have come will draw us nearer to God. The purpose from Pakistan to pay more attention even contributed with their jewellery. as of the Promised Messiah’s advent is to to Da‘wat Ilallāh and to fulfill their duty May Allāh bless all those who made these revive Islām and to create a new heaven sacrifices! towards the new mosque. May Allāh and a new earth. This purpose cannot enable all of us to do the same! Āmīn! Huzooraa said that in the verses he recited, be fulfilled unless we walk the path of

Allāh says that we should come to the mosques with our adornments, and a believer’s adornment is Taqwa or righteousness. The Promised Messiahas says that man’s spiritual beauty lies in treading the path of Taqwa in its minute details. Spiritual beauty and grace comes from Taqwa, and Taqwa means to fulfill all of ones pledges and duties to God as well as to His creatures. Every Aḥmadī has made a pledge to give priority to his faith over everything else. If we live up to this pledge, our worship will draw us nearer to God. The purpose of the Promised Messiah’sas advent is to revive Islām and to create a new heaven and a new earth. This purpose cannot be fulfilled unless we walk the path of Taqwa, fulfill our trusts and live up to our pledges.

8 Guidance from Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Vaa Khilāfat – Obedience, Respect & Loyalty Amtul Noor Daud Ṣāḥiba, National Ṣadr, Lajna Imā’illāh Canada

The following is a speech delivered by National Successors in the earth, as He made 31, 1902 p. 10). Then he said, “Submission Ṣadr Ṣāḥiba, Lajna Imā'illāh Canada, Amtul Successors from among those who is such a thing that if it is adopted with a Noor Daud Ṣāḥiba, on the occasion of Jalsa were before them; and that He will true heart, then there descends a Divine Sālāna Western Canada, 2013. surely establish for them their light in the heart and a flavour and When the world was in darkness, Allāh religion which He has chosen for brilliance in the soul (Al-Hakam Feb, 10, Almighty illumined it with the advent them; and that He will surely give 1901). In the Holy Qur’ān, Allāh explains of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. Hesa them in exchange security and peace this subject in another way. He says, expelled the darkness with his bright after their fear; they will worship Me, “And hold fast all together by the rope of light – with the light of the Lord, and and they will not associate anything Allāh” (3:104). with the light of the teachings of the Holy with Me. Then whoso is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious Here, the rope of Allāh refer to the Qur’ān. Then came a time when the world sa (24: 56). Holy Prophet , the Book of God, and was again surrounded by darkness and the Khalīfa – who is an assistant to the evil. At that time, Allāh Almighty sent the This verse is known as Ayat Istikhlaf. as Messenger and is also a holder of the Promised Messiah to save mankind and Referring to this verse, Hazrat Khalīfatul- rope of Allāh. bring people out of this darkness. With Masīḥ Vaa has said, “The first and most the advent of the Promised Messiahas, basic point explained in this verse is the If we will be attached to this rope by people became closer to their Lord and meaning of obedience”. He further said showing obedience, then we will be many reached an elevated status of that in reality, there is no benefit until successful in our lives. spirituality. you show complete obedience to the Today it is only Khilāfat that, at every So, this is the well-established way Khālifa in all matters (Friday Sermon, moment of our lives, grants us the way of Allāh Almighty for the guidance of May 27, 2011). to worship Allāh as He Himself wants us mankind. The seeds of the Divine Message In the Holy Qur’ān, obedience to Allāh to worship Him. If we adopt the guidance of guidance are sown by His chosen and His Messenger has been repeatedly of Khalīfa of the time, then we can be Prophets and the stem of guidance begins emphasized. Allāh says, “And obey Allāh guided towards the right path. As it is to grow. The advent of these Prophets is and obey His Messenger” (9:53). said in the Surah Al-‘Asr: actually the first manifestation of Allāh Obedience to Khilāfat is included in the By the testimony of time, Surely, Almighty. obedience of Messenger, as Khilāfat is man is in a state of a loss, Except When the time of their departure from spiritually attached to Prophethood. those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to this world arrives, Allāh once again The importance of obedience to Khilāfat demonstrates a wonder of His power by accept truth, and exhort one another is evident from this ḥadith of the Holy to be steadfast (103:2-4). continuing to nurture and develop their Prophet Muhammadsa. Hesa said, “If you works and by taking them to the highest witness the presence of the Khalīfa on So, those who adhere to Khilāfat will point. This is the sign of Allāh’s second this earth, submit to him, even if your never suffer a loss as a Jamā‘at – this manifestation in the form of Khilāfat. body is tattered into fine fiber and all is the Divine promise of Allāh fulfilled I will very humbly present three your wealth is snatched away” (Masnad in the very existence of Khilāfat in our important moral virtues that we should Ahmad bin Hanbal, Hadith No. 22353). So, age. However, we can benefit with these adopt out of respect to Khilāfat - with the verses of the Holy Qur’ān and the blessings only and only if we are obedient obedience, respect and loyalty. saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, to our Khalīfa. So my dear ones let me share with you what obedience means. In the Holy Qur’ān in Surah Al-Nūr, Allāh it is evident that believers are to show Almighty mentions the wisdom of the obedience to Khilāfat so that this blessing Obedience means that each and every Divine system of Khilāfat. may continue to remain with them. word coming from the Khalīfa should as be passionately complied to. Therefore, Allāh says, Hazrat Masīḥ Mau‘ūd said that submission or obedience is not a small or there should be no lack of enthusiasm Allāh has promised to those among easy task. It is also a death. Submission among us in obeying the Khalīfa. you who believe and do good works [in this context] is like peeling off the Forgetting or neglecting an instruction that He will surely make them skin of a living man (Al-Hakam October of the Khalīfa will not make us a true

Khilafat – Obedience, Respect & Loyalty 9 Hazrat Muṣleḥ Mau‘ūdra said, “I acknowledge the fact that the love, which the community bears for its Imām is unique, nevertheless, I do say that it is more subjective in nature than of practical value. There are very few, whose love forces them not to rest until they have followed every word of the Khalīfa.” (Report on Mushāwarat, 1936)

Aḥmadī Muslim. Hazrat Muṣleḥ Mau‘ūdra Umarra was buried in this Hujra. Hazrat those who observe purdah to save and said, Ā’ishara presented a very good example maintain their own dignity as women. Remember faith is nothing but to of obedience to Khīlafa. (Bukhārī, Kitābul However, if we will not listen to the voice obey whatever words comes out of Janāiz) of the Khalīfa we will put ourselves in the mouth of God’s Representative ... Another example that I would like to great loss. No matter if one claims a thousand present and which will be a source of Hazrat Muṣleḥ Mau‘ūdra said, “I times that he/she believes in Muṣleḥ motivation for students is that of Hazrat acknowledge the fact that the love, Mau‘ūd, or a thousand times that he/ Chaudhry Zafarullah Khan Ṣāḥibra. which the community bears for its she believes in Aḥmadīyyat, his/her Once someone asked Hazrat Chaudhry Imām is unique, nevertheless, I do say claim will have no value before God, Zafarullah Khan Ṣāḥibra, “Chaudhry that it is more subjective in nature than until he/she [sincerely] gives his/her Ṣāḥib you have been so successful of practical value. There are very few, hand in the hands of the Appointed throughout your life and Allāh has whose love forces them not to rest until One of God, who has been appointed blessed you so much. What is the secret they have followed every word of the for the establishment of Islām in of your success?” He replied, without Khalīfa.” (Report on Mushāwarat, 1936) this age. Until every member of the hesitation, “Through all my life, I was Therefore, my dear sisters we should Jamā‘at spends every second of his/ obedient to the Khalīfa”. This is a lesson exhibit the perfect example of Sami‘nā her life in complete obedience to for the young generation as well. If you wa ata‘nā, “We hear and We obey”. We him, he/she cannot deserve a high want to be successful in your lives then should not just listen to what Huzoor rank in the sight of Allāh. (Al-Fazal, you must obey instructions of the Khalīfa Anwaraa says, but our actions should November 15, 1946) of the time. reflect what he asks of us do. aa We are very fortunate that we have so Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ said, There are many faith inspiring incidents many unique examples of obedience to If you want to make progress and that can develop the spirit of obedience Khilāfat. I will narrate two examples. overpower the world, then this is among ourselves. Once Ummul Mu’minīn, Hazrat Ā’ishara my advice and this is my message: Be With regards to purdah, Huzoor Anwaraa saw a dream that three moons have fallen connected with Khalīfat and hold fast in her Hujra (compartment). She related has said to Aḥmadī girls that they should to the rope of Allāh. The dependence not feel any inferiority complex in this this dream to her father, Hazrat Abu of all our progresses lies in having Bakrra. When the Holy Prophetsa passed matter. If by feeling uncomfortable, connection with Khalīfat. (Al-Fazl [in light of the negative propaganda] away and he was buried in the Hujra of International, May 23-20, 2003, p. 1) Hazrat Aishara, then Hazrat Abu Bakrra they choose to abandon their purdah, said, “Ā’ishara! This is the first moon out Today our beloved Imām, the Khalīfa of then there can be no guarantee of their of the other coming moons. (Mustadrakul the time is guiding us towards the right respect. Hakīm Kitābul Maghāzi, Par. 3, No. 440). path. He is reminding us to offer five daily Here, I would like to mention the prayers, with full fervor and humility. aa ra example of a girl, which Huzoor gave in When Hazrat Abu Bakr died, he was He is asking us to recite the Holy Qur’ān buried on the side of the Holy Prophetsa. his Friday sermon, dated April 23, 2010. daily. He is reminding us to have good Huzooraa said that an Aḥmadī girl was This was the second moon. It was the relationships with each other, so our ra given a month’s notice by her boss to utmost wish of Hazrat Ā’isha that she, homes truly become heavenly abodes. herself be buried there so that she would give up purdah, or leave her job. The girl Since he wants to save us from the evils prayed to God that she observed purdah be declared the third moon and also be of society, he is reminding women to buried by the side of her great father for His sake alone and sought His help. cover themselves, he is calling us to For a month, the boss kept annoying the and great husband. However, Hazrat observe purdah, and he is saving us from ra girl about the matter. After the month Umar sought permission from Hazrat the dangers of the Facebook. In fact, he is ra passed, the boss was either dismissed or Ā’isha that if she permitted him, it was saving us from every possible inclination his wish to be buried by the side of the transferred from his job, while the girl of Satan. He wants us to respect and aa sa ra kept her job. Huzoor Anwar said if one’s Holy Prophet and Hazrat Abu Bakr . love each other. He wants us to become Hazrat Ā’ishara said, “I wanted to be intention is good, God will always help. representations of Ruḥamā’u Bainahum (Friday Sermon, April 23, 2010) buried here but now I give up my wish [those who have mercy upon one another]. and give preference to the wish of a Fortunate are those who pay heed to So this is the living example of obedience. Khalīfa of the time.” In this way, Hazrat the voice of the Khalīfa. Fortunate are If we obey the Khalīfa, Allāh Almighty

10 Khilafat – Obedience, Respect & Loyalty Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Vaa said, If you want to make progress and overpower the world, then this is my advice and this is my message: Be connected with Khalīfat and hold fast to the rope of Allāh. The dependence of all our progresses lies in having connection with Khalīfat. (Al-Fazl International, May 23-20, 2003, p. 1)

also helps us because obedience to of Allāh are the ones whose hearts and bestow on us mercy from Thyself; Khalīfa equals obedience to Allāh and Allāh has purified for righteousness. surely, Thou alone art the Bestower disobedience to Khalīfa is disobedience For them is forgiveness and a great (The Holy Qur’ān, 3:9). to Allāh. reward. So to save ourselves from satanic attacks Moreover, it is in our own benefit if we These are the etiquettes we must follow and to become loyal we must recite this show obedience because as a result of the during the presence and conversation prayer. aa obedience to Khalīfa, believers receive with Huzoor Anwar . If we will follow In the end, I would like to remind you countless Blessings. One of them is the these, we will be the recipient of the that to become loyal to Khilāfat, we must acceptance of prayers. The Khalīfa’s Allāh's pleasure, as well as the pleasure remember the great pledge all of us made prayers are most accepted by Allāh. of Huzooraa. ra on the historic day of May 27, 2008, when Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīh I says, “When Regarding respect of the Khalīfa, Hazrat the whole world of Aḥmadīyyat stood up Allāh raises someone to the status of Muṣleḥ Mau‘ūdra said, at the call of their beloved Imām. Khalīfat, He also blesses his prayers with assured acceptance. In fact, the Sharī‘at is what is explained in the We all made a sincere pledge that we supplications of the Khalīfa are more Holy Qur’ān and etiquettes are those will continue to endeavor, until our last powerful than the prayer of any other which are spoken by the Khulafā’. breath, to safeguard and strengthen the individual.” (Mansab Khilāfat, p.32) Thus, it is necessary that you respect system of Khilāfat and shall keep on Therefore, we must write to Huzoor and honour the Sharī‘at as well as advising our generation after generation Anwaraa for prayers, as Huzoor’saa prayers the Khalīfa and this is the thing to always remain attached to Khilāfat are more accepted by Allāh. which make believers successful. and benefit from its blessings, so that With regards to respect of the Khalīfa Khilāfat Aḥmadīyya may remain intact With this saying of Hazrat Khalīfatul- till the end of the time. Masīḥ Ira, we can understand the high of the time, I would like to narrate an and noble status of Khilāfat. Hazrat incident of Hazrat Ṣāḥibzādi Nasira May Allāh enable us to become obedient, Masīḥ Mau‘ūdas said, “In fact a Khalīfa Begum Ṣāḥibra, the mother of Hazrat respectful and loyal servants of Khilāfat! is the shadow of a Prophet. It is with Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Vaa. When Huzoor aa I would like to conclude with a saying this objective that Allāh Almighty chose Anwar met her at Qadian in 2005, he of Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Vaa. In his Khilāfat so that the world may never and experienced the reverence she had address of 2008, he said, at no time be deprived of the blessings shown for earlier Khulafā’ now extended of Prophethood” (Shahādat-ul-Qur’ān, to him; the mother and son connection Those who will keep themselves Ruḥanī Khazā’īn, Vol. 6, p.353). was replaced by a connection of Khilāfat, attach to Khilāfat, those who will which had respect and deference. (Friday progress in their faith and good Since Khilafāt is a Divine institution Sermon, August 5, 2011) deeds, Allāh Almighty will show and Allāh himself appoints the Khalīfa, them His bounties and rewards, therefore, it is incumbent upon us to This is the height of nobility a mother those rewards and bounties will show respect and reverence to the showed towards a Khalīfa, who is her also shower upon every member

Khalīfa. The Holy Qur’ān itself prescribes son. So, we must learn from this great of Jamā‘at who will be attached to etiquettes and manners to be followed example that we have to show paramount Khilāfat ... my dears and dearer in the presence of a Messenger of Allāh. respect to our Khalīfa through our words of my dears! Get up to guard this Allāh says in chapter 49, verses 2-4: and through our actions. blessing and to fulfill your pledge O ye who believe! be not forward Our respect and love will lead us to pray with a renewed enthusiasm. Seeking in the presence of Allāh and His for our beloved Imām and be loyal to the help from Allāh with prayers and Messenger, but fear Allāh. Verily, institution of Khilāfat. At times, there supplications, jump into this ground Allāh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. O emerge people who try to stand against as your survival, the survival of ye who believe! raise not your voices Khilāfat and with their Satanic thoughts, your generations, and the survival above the voice of the Prophet, and they try to misguide people. However, of humanity depends upon it. May speak not aloud to him, as you speak we are taught by Allāh that we are to be Allāh enable you and me to fulfill our aloud to one another, lest your works steadfast against such people and we are pledges! Āmīn! become vain while you perceive not. reminded to recite the prayer, Verily those who lower their voices Our Lord, let not our hearts become in the presence of the Messenger perverse after Thou hast guided us; Khilafat – Obedience, Respect & Loyalty 11 Importance of Financial Sacrifice Maulānā Sadiq Ahmed Ṣāḥib

And Allah is Self- Sufficient, and it is does not hesitate in giving the best you that are needy. And if you turn that he or she has. Such a person is your backs, He will bring in your ever ready to make any and every stead a people other than you, then kind of sacrifice for strengthening they will not be like you” (47:39). of faith. Indeed, a true believer is The Holy Qur’an states that God is Self- always anxious to attain high levels Sufficient and the Lord of all the worlds. of virtues. (Friday Sermon – January He possesses endless treasures, and He 06, 2012) is not in need of any wealth from man. So these are some basic teachings which Rather, it is people who are in need of we find in the Holy Qur’an about spending “The similitude of those who spend Allah. in the way of Allah. their wealth for the cause of Allah is like the similitude of a grain of So, when God the Almighty has Now, let us turn to the beautiful commanded us to spend in His cause, it is character of our beloved Master, the corn, which grows seven ears, in sa each ear a hundred grains. And Allah for our own benefit. Holy Prophet , and what examples he set multiplies it further for whomsoever Therefore, if one does not spend in for us in regards to spending in the way He pleases; and Allah is Bountiful, the way of Allah when Allah has given of Allah. All-Knowing” (2:262). him/her the ability to do so, then he/ According to a narration of Hazrat she is displeasing Allah. And one who Ā’ishara, the character and morals of the In the teachings of Islam a lot of emphasis sa has been laid on giving alms and charity, displeases Allah is like one who destroys Holy Prophet were in accordance with in other words, spending in the way of himself with his own hands. the Holy Qur’an. Allah. One of the main attributes of a God the Almighty, along with giving As a result, all the commandments believer mentioned in the Holy Qur’an us the commandment to spend in His about spending in the way of Allah were is: “they spend out of what We have cause, has also taught us the manners of fulfilled by the Holy Prophetsa in the best provided for them” (2:4). spending in His cause. possible manner, and he spent in the way And God the Almighty says: God the Almighty says: of Allah without any hesitance. The Holy Prophetsa went through two time periods in hissa lifetime. In the beginning, he did not have a lot of wealth, but in the second period of his life, God the Almighty bestowed upon the “Never shall you attain to righteousness Holy Prophetsa an abundance of wealth. unless you spend out of that which you In neither of these periods, the Holy love; and whatever you spend, Allah Prophetsa was ever inclined towards the surely knows it well” (3:93). worldly wealth. Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīh Vaa says in one of Once the Holy Prophetsa had a goat his Friday Sermons: slaughtered, and its meat was distributed sa Giving becomes a great virtue when among the poor. Later, the Holy Prophet ra one spends that which one loves. asked his wife Hazrat Ā’isha how the Without doubt, God rewards all distribution was going. She answered virtuous acts that are done to please that everything was gone, and she had God. Yet, the best recompense is a little portion of the meat saved. Upon “Behold, you are those who are called sa upon to spend in the way of Allah, given when the best is spent in His hearing this, the Holy Prophet said, but of you there are some who are way. That person is most beloved “Ā’isha, you should have said all was niggardly. And whoso is niggardly is of God who ever tries to attain high saved, except one leg” (Hadīqatus Salihīn niggardly only against his own soul. level of virtue and in pursuit of this, p.709).

12 Importance of Financial Sacrifice The Promised Messiahas says: “One, who does not give Chanda for three months, is not from our Jama‘at.” (Majmu‘a Ishtiharat, Vol. 3, pp. 468-469) Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ IIra said, He, who in this world is reluctant to spend in the way of Allah and tries to save his wealth, should know this wealth would be of no benefit in the hereafter. When he is buried, his wealth is not buried with him, and even if it is, it will be of no benefit in the hereafter. The only wealth, which will benefit him in the hereafter, is the one he spends here in this world, in the way of Allah. (Khutbāt-e-Mahmūd Vol. 5, Friday Sermon, Aug 10, 1917)

Then there are some people who are not alms and be of the virtuous.’ hereafter, is the one he spends here that well off, but they make big claims, But when He gave them of His in this world, in the way of Allah. saying that if they had wealth, they bounty, they became niggardly of it, (Khutbāt-e-Mahmūd Vol. 5, Friday would give a lot to charity in the cause and they turned away in aversion” Sermon, Aug 10, 1917) of Allah. But, when Allāh the Almighty (9:75-76). Hazrat Khalifatul Masī IIra says: blesses them with wealth, they forget their claims and become stingy. When the man heard that such verses The Promised Messiah (may peace be were revealed to the Holy Prophetsa, he on him) has started a mission, and it Likewise, once a man came to the Holy sa came and wanted his Zakāt to be accepted, is our obligation to help him in this Prophet and said, “O Prophet of Allah, but the Holy Prophetsa refused and said, mission. The Promised Messiahas has I see people giving alms and charity and “Allah has forbidden me to accept Zakāt also stated in Barāhīn Ahmadīyya feeding the poor. And I wish I were also from you.” Upon hearing this, he started Vol. 5, that we have started a able to do the same, so pray for me that weeping and went back. When Hazrat religious mission of preaching the Allah may give me abundance of wealth.” ra sa Abū Bakr became the Khalīfa, the man word of God, and it is the duty of The Holy Prophet prayed for him, and came once again with his Zakāt. Hazrat our Jama‘at to help financially in he became so rich that the companions Abū Bakrra said, “How can I accept that this mission. In this time, the biggest used to say that a valley could be filled which the Holy Prophetsa had denied?” sacrifice is the financial sacrifice. with his wealth. Then came a time when sa Likewise, he came in the times of Hazrat (Khutbāt Mahmūd Vol. 5, Friday the Holy Prophet sent someone to ‘Umarra and Hazrat Uthmānra, but he Sermon, Aug 10, 1917) collect Zakāt from him, but he refused to was given the same answer as before. He as sa The Promised Messiah says: give Zakāt. Upon this, the Holy Prophet eventually died during the era of Hazrat expressed his disappointment, and the Uthmānra and became a lesson for others “One, who does not give Chanda following verses were revealed: (Hadīqatus Salihīn, p.324). for three months, is not from our Jama‘at” (Majmu‘a Ishtiharat, Vol. 3, Therefore, he who thinks that his wealth pp. 468-469). will go to waste if it is spent in the way of Allah, is greatly mistaken. On the So, we need to do self-analyses and see contrary, a believer who spends in the where we stand in light of these sayings cause of Allah, is rewarded 700 times of the Promised Messiahas. It is very more in return. crucial for us to realize the importance of financial sacrifice. Hazrat Khalifatul-Masī IIra says: May Allah enable us to follow the He, who in this world is reluctant to teachings of the Holy Qur’an, the spend in the way of Allah and tries beautiful character and example of our to save his wealth, should know beloved Master, the Holy Prophetsa, and this wealth would be of no benefit the sayings of the Promised Messiahas, in the hereafter. When he is buried, and may Allah enable us to take part “And among them there are his wealth is not buried with him, those who made a covenant with in financial sacrifice to the best of our and even if it is, it will be of no abilities! Āmīn! Allah, saying, ‘If He give us of His benefit in the hereafter. The only bounty, we would most surely give wealth, which will benefit him in the

Importance of Financial Sacrifice 13 Obedience to Allāh - Marriage Ahmed S. Mubashir Ṣāḥib

This article seeks to highlight the life. Marriage is a lifelong source of trust Him to be our Defender. Some importance of marriage and the key to happiness. At the same time we have to relationships are extremely hard but not resolving issues that may be faced in a recognize that our happiness and well- impossible. marriage in the light of Islāmic teachings. being depends on Allāh. Do we trust The difference between pious people and Allah says in the Holy Qur’ān, Allāh? We should always trust Allāh, and others is not a question of which group in turn we will experience the promise “And one of His Signs is this, that gets hurt and which does not. Rather, of a wonderful relationship with our the difference lies in the ways in which He has created wives for you from spouse. among yourselves that you may find the righteous people react to being The Promised Messiahas has repeated the hurt. Some use their hurt to justify their peace of mind in them, and He has sa put love and tenderness between teaching of the Holy Prophet that the vengence and in turn hurt others. This you. In that surely are Signs for a best among you is one who is best in the is not the way of the righteous people. people who reflect” (30:22). treatment of his family. Allāh has created Righteous people use such occasions both the male and female. In a marriage, to better understand and encourage Relationships are among Allāh’s greatest the husband and wife share identity, themselves and others to cling to Allāh blessings. Imagine how empty life could faithfulness, well-defined roles, love, for deliverance. be if we were alone on a deserted island respect and companionship. These and had no one to speak or rejoice We must work through the differences building blocks are not man-made. They that destroy the pleasant ideals of with. We have been told that each of us are given to us by Allāh. should marry as soon as we are able to marriage. There has to be a willingness meet the needs of a family. Marriage is We should remember that we have the to talk and compromise. In case there considered obligatory, not optional, and words of Allāh to always instruct and is a stalemate (dispute at which further is an important part of our faith in which guide us to live harmoniously in our discussion seems impossible), the we must participate. relationships. We can find an action plan differences begin to drive people apart. modelled by the Holy Prophetsa. The Calling on the help of Allāh would initiate Sometimes, we let our professions take Holy Prophetsa always took initiative for the kind of communication that leads to over our lives to such an extent that they peace. The doors of access to Islām and a resolution. However, in deeper marital become either an alternative or a road- peace were kept always open. In this way issues, such as rage and abuse, love block to marriage. Other times we might our problems can be remedied and our would seem impossible. A husband and delay marriage because we may have life will be filled with blessings and joy. wife who depend on Allāh will neither an apprehension in having to leave our Allāh has created each of us with different demand unhealthy independence nor parents, or our past direct or indirect domination. They will use their piety in experiences have left us scarred. In all personalities and abilities. We have different experiences and see life from a way that will produce harmony and these situations, permeating negative marital success. thoughts become justification for unique perspectives. We do not have to avoiding marriage. agree about everything, but rather than We urge you to contact our marriage focusing on those differences we can department if you have any concerns. However, marriage offers an opportunity choose to work together by You may visit our website: to receive dividends of a healthy compromising. At times, our relationships www.rishtanata.ca relationship and discover meaning and may seem more irritating than gratifying. richness of life through companionship When faced with insults, conflicts or to access information on services and and love. Marriage is also a source of mistreatment, it can be very difficult for numerous marriage candidates updated feeling gratitude towards Allāh for each partner. However, Allāh instructs us on a regular basis. creating the happiness found in family to pursue peace, hold our tongue and

14 Obedience to Allāh - Marriage Prophethood in Islām -Part 2 Maulānā Chaudhry Rashid-ud-Din Ṣāḥib

The following is the second part of the article obeys Allah and this Messenger of Prophetsa? Is it possible that God should, “Prophethood in Islam” published earlier this His shall be among those on whom on the one hand, exhort us to pray for year. Please see the April 2014 Issue of the Allah has bestowed His blessings, our inclusion among the Prophets, the Aḥmadīyya Gazette for Part 1 of this article. namely, the Prophets, the Truthful, Truthful, the Martyrs and Righteous, The Continuity of Prophethood: the Martyrs, and the Righteous. And and, on the other hand, tell us that the excellent companions are these. This reward of Prophethood is now banned Approved by the Holy Qur’an, the sa Ḥadith and Eminent Muslim Divines grace is from Allah, and sufficient is for the followers of the Holy Prophet Allah, the All-Knowing. (4:68-71) forever? On the contrary, this passage a. The Holy Qur’an on the Continuity It is evident from this passage that of the Holy Qur’an leaves the door of of Prophets Prophethood (in obedience to the Holy the straight path is to obey Allah and sa The best way of determining the true the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. And Prophet ) wide open. meaning of the expression Khatamun- the rewards of this obedience are It is said that the verse contains the word Nabiyyin is to turn to the book of God and Prophethood, Truthfulness, Martyrdom (meaning “with” and not meaning seek guidance from it. If our opponents and Righteousness. In another verse, God “of” or “from”). Therefore, it is asserted are right, their views must be supported mentions the rewards of the obedience of that it only entails the possibilities by the Holy Qur’an, as it is an admitted earlier Prophets: of a believer joining the company of characteristic of this book that “its Prophets, of being with them and not one portion explains the other.” Our “And those who believe in Allah and His Messengers and they are of them. The fact, however, is that the contention is that the Holy Qur’an does word does not always mean that two not support the interpretation of the the Truthful and the Martyrs (or Witnesses) . . . ” (57:20). things or persons are found together. It expression under consideration by other often means similarity of the oneness of Muslims. Nowhere in the Holy Qur’an is it It shows that the obedience to other status. It is used in this sense in the Holy mentioned that Prophets cannot appear Prophets could raise followers at most to Qur’an (See 4:147). The same meaning is after the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. Not the ranks of truthful and martyrs only. given in the verse under discussion. In a single verse from the whole of the Holy But the obedience to our Holy Prophetsa the Arabic language, the word and Qur’an can be cited in support of this takes his followers a step further; he are so close in meaning that in some viewpoint. On the contrary, this kind of can also attain Prophethood. This marks verses of the Holy Qur’an, they are used belief is against the teachings of the Holy the superiority of the Holy Prophetsa interchangeably to express the meaning Qur’an because there are many verses over other Prophets, which makes him of “from” or “among” (15:33 and 7:12). that prove the continuity of the Prophets, Khatamun-Nabiyyin. Besides, those who assert this forget that sa in obedience to the Holy Prophet . I will It is evident from the quoted passage the verse does not only speak of Prophets. mention a few here: above that when a believer prays for the It also speaks of the Truthful, Martyrs (1) Several times a day, a Muslim prays path of those who have been rewarded and the Righteous. If the word in the to his Lord, “Guide us in the straight with God’s blessings, he prays for the verse implies that a believer is debarred path, the path of those on whom Thou company of the Prophets, the Truthful, from rising to the status of a Prophet, has bestowed Thy rewards” (1:6). the Martyrs and the Righteous, and for then we have to admit that he would also Have we ever thought about what being one of them. God has taught us be debarred from rising to the status of this straight path is and what are the this prayer through His Prophetsa. It is a the Truthful or Martyrs or the Righteous. rewards mentioned in Surah Al-Fatihah prayer we repeat about 40-50 times every It would mean that the followers of the sa for which we pray in our daily prayers? day. The straight path for which we pray Holy Prophet cannot even be righteous God, Himself, has explained to us what is has been explained by God, Himself, people. Such a thought is derogatory to meant by this straight path and rewards. as being the path at the end of which the dignity of Islam, the Holy Qur’an and sa He says: believers find themselves among the the Holy Prophet . The fact is that the followers of the Holy Prophetsa attained And then We would surely have given Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs and the Righteous. So, how can it be that the in the past and can attain in the future, them a great reward from Ourself; the ranks of the Truthful, the Martyrs and We would surely have guided door of every kind of Prophethood would be closed for the followers of the Holy and Righteous. In the same way, they can them in the right path. And whoso attain the highest rank of Prophethood. Prophethood in Islām (Part 2) 15 The four ranks are mentioned together, on this, even then we have to admit that believers that another separation was and there can be no exception to any of this verse says that to choose Messengers going to take place, and that it would them. According to this verse, we have to from among angels and men is the way take place among the Muslims. How admit that the door to those four ranks is of Allah. And the way of Allah never would God make this separation? Not by open equally. changes. revealing to everybody, but by raising a Maulānā Jalālud-Dīn Rumirh (born in We have in the Holy Qur’an: Prophet among them. Believers of that Balkh in 604 and died in 672 AH), an Prophet would become the good, whereas outstanding Muslim personality, explains the disbelievers would be counted among the meaning of this verse by inspiring the wicked. It is worthy of note that Allah the Muslims to attain these high ranks. also admonishes people to be among He says: the believers; they shall have a great reward. How decisively the verse proves “Strive hard in the path of virtue in “Thou wilt never find any change in the coming of Prophets after the Holy a manner so that you may be blessed the way of Allah; nor wilt thou ever Prophetsa. with Prophethood, and you still be a find any alteration in the way of (4) God Says: follower” (Mathnavi Maulānā Rum Ch Allah” (35:44). 1. pg 53). As God chose His Messengers in the time (2) God says in the Holy Qur’an, of need in the past, so will He in the future. (3) The third verse of the Holy Qur’an, which I want to quote in this regard, runs thus: Allah would not leave the believers “O children of Adam! If messengers “Allah chooses His messenger from as you are, until He separated the come to you among yourselves, among angels and from men. Surely, wicked from good. Nor would Allah rehearsing My signs unto you, then Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing” reveal to you the unseen, But Allah whoso shall fear God and do good, (22:76). chooses of His Messengers whom He deeds, on shall come no fear nor This verse very clearly proves the pleases. Believe, therefore, in Allah shall they grieve” (7:36). continuity of Prophets in the future. The and His Messengers. If you believe From this verse, it is evident that Arabic word (“chooses”) in this and be righteous, you shall have a Prophets will continue to appear among verse is grammatically (muzāre), great reward. (3:180) Muslims. That is why God warns us i.e., the tense that is used for both, The chapter in which this verse occurs, to believe in them. One should not be present and future in Arabic language. was revealed in Madīnah, at least 13 deceived in thinking that the address So the translation is “Allah chooses and years after the Call, at the time when here is particularly to the children of will choose.” It is not correct to only the wicked were already separated from Adamas and not Muslims. In the first take the meaning in the present tense. the good through the advent of the Holy place, we should remember that Muslims However, if somebody incorrectly insists sa Prophet . At that time, God warned the are also among the children of Adamas. 16 Prophethood in Islām (Part 2) Secondly, eminent Muslim scholars have the people thereof are wrongdoers. somebody has appeared from God, whom admitted that all people are addressed (28:60) the people have rejected. rh here. Imam Jalaluddīn Sayuti writes in And if We had destroyed them with b. The Ḥadith on his commentary: “The people of this age a punishment before it they would Continuity of Prophets: and all those after them, are addressed have surely said, ‘Our Lord wherefore Before resuming to prove the continuity here.” Thirdly, before this verse, these didst Thou not send to us a Messenger words are used in many places to address of Prophethood from the sayings of the that we might have followed Thy sa the people of the Holy Prophetsa or the Holy Prophet , it seems necessary to commandments before we were explain some of the sayings, which some people after them. Note, for instance, humbled and disgraced? (20:135) this verse: people assert are contrary to the belief All these verses show that a Prophet must in the continuity of Prophethood. The “O Children of Adam, attend to your appear before a punishment comes from Holy Prophetsa, for instance, has said adornment every time you go to the God. And in another verse, God says: that “I am the last of the Prophets . . .” mosque (for prayer)” (7:32). (Saḥi Muslim, Kitabul Haj, Fazlis Salat, p. The same words are used, but only 531), and again “ . . . there is no Prophet Muslims are meant, as they are the after me”(Saḥi Bukhari). It is a pity that only people who go to the mosques for those who cite these sayings forget that prayers. Thus, the context relates to the the words are followed by the important followers of the Holy Prophetsa, and it is words: “ . . . and my mosque is the last of in relation to them that God speaks of the the mosques” (Saḥi Muslim, Kitabul Haj, coming of Prophets and reminds them Fazlis Salat, p. 531). The whole saying is: of their duty to accept such Prophets. If There is not a township but We “I am the last of the Prophets and my they do not accept them, they will suffer. shall destroy it before the Day of mosque is the last of the mosques.” If, sa (5) It is the way of Allah that He does not Resurrection or punish it with a therefore, the Holy Prophet is literally punish people until He has sent a Prophet severe punishment. That is written the last Prophet, then the mosque, which to warn them. When He raises a Prophet down in the Book. (17:59) he built in Madīnah is literally the last mosque. It would be wrong to build and people reject him, they become Now if we look into all these verses sa deserving of the sentence of punishment. collectively, the result is evident. When any mosque after the Holy Prophet’s We have the following verses in the Holy Allah does not punish until He has sent mosque in Madīnah. Qur’an: a Prophet, and when every township If the expression “last of the Prophets” . . . We never punish until We have is going to be destroyed or punished entails abolition of Prophethood, the sent a messenger. (17:16) severely, it is inevitable that Prophets of expression “last of the mosques” must God will continue to appear in this world entail the abolition of mosques after And thy Lord would never destroy to warn the people before the punishment the Holy Prophet’ssa mosque. To be the towns until He has raised in the of God. As a matter of fact, the past world sure, attempts are made to solve this mother town thereof a Messenger, wars and all calamities, which befell the difficulty. It is said that mosques built reciting unto them Our Signs; nor people of this age, every now and then, by Muslims after the Holy Prophet’ssa would We destroy the towns unless serve as manifest warnings of Allah that time are mosques devoted to the form of

Prophethood in Islām (Part 2) 17 worship instituted by the Holy Prophetsa. after me.” That is to say, that Hazrat Alīra Prophetsa and all it stood and stands They are built for the same purpose for had resemblance with Aaronas, but with for, cannot be said to have appeared which the Holy Prophetsa built the first the difference that he was not a Prophet after him. The Prophethood of the Holy mosque. Mosques built by Muslims, like Aaronas was. Prophetsa would still be extant. sa therefore, are the Holy Prophet’s own In addition, there is another report of the Thirdly, Allama Muhyuddin Ibn Arabirh, mosques. They cannot be separated from same saying, which runs thus: an acknowledged scholar of Islam, the model, which they imitate. Such explains this saying as follows: mosques cannot, and do not contradict “O Ali! Are you not happy to be to that the Holy Prophet’ssa mosque is the me as Aaron was to Moses, except, The Prophethood, which has ceased last mosque. The solution is a valid one. you are not a Prophet after me” with the Holy Prophetsa, is only the But, equally valid is it to say that the (Tabaqatul Kubra, Vol. 5, p. 15). Prophethood with a Law and not the expression “the last Prophet” does not It proves conclusively that this saying of status or rank or Prophethood. So prohibit the coming of Prophets, who the Holy Prophetsa was applicable only there will be no Law canceling his law imitate the life and example of the Holy in the case of Hazrat Alīra, and not in and no other institute can be added sa Prophet , teach nothing new, and follow general. So, it cannot be contrary to the to it. And this is the meaning of his only him and his teaching. Equally valid belief of the continuity of Prophethood. word ‘Rasalat’ and ‘Nubuwwat’ has is it to say that the expression “the last ceased and there will be no Prophet Secondly, in the same book, Saḥi Bukhari, after him who will go against his Law. Prophet” does not prohibit the coming sa of Prophets, who are charged with the the Holy Prophet is reported to have So Prophethood has not completely duty of spreading the Holy Prophet’ssa said, disappeared. This is why we say that teachings, who attribute their spiritual “When the present Chosroes (ruler it is only the Prophethood with a acquisitions, including Prophethood, of Persia) dies, there is no Chosroes law that has disappeared. This is to the spiritual example and influence after him, and when the present the meaning of “there is no Prophet of their preceptor and master, the Holy Caeser (ruler of Rome) dies, there is after me.” (Futūht-e-Makkiyya Vol 2, Prophetsa. The coming of such Prophets no Caeser after him” (Saḥi Bukhari). p. 3 and 64) sa does not offend the Holy Prophet’s Now the question is, were there other Several other eminent Muslim divines prerogative as the last Prophet, in exactly Chosroes’ in Persia and Caesers in Rome have interpreted the expression the same way, and for the same reason, after those mentioned in the saying? Khatamun-Nabiyyin and the saying “there for which the building of mosques today History shows that, certainly, there were. is no Prophet” in the same way as Hazrat ra sa does not offend the status of the Holy What, then, does this saying of the Holy Ā’isha , the wife of the Holy Prophet , sa mosque as the last mosque. Prophet’s Prophetsa mean? It simply means that who was reputed for her intelligence, Now, let us turn to the quote: after them, there will be no Chosroes piety and learning. Being afraid lest nor Caeser enjoying the same status, Muslims, in time to come, should miss “There is no Prophet after me.” This the meaning of these expressions on Hadith also does not mean that there dignity and fame as they did. The Hadith is explained in Fatḥul Bāri, an authentic the subject of Prophethood, she warned is to be literally no Prophet after the people saying: Holy Prophetsa. commentary on Saḥi Bukhari: “There is no Caeser after him, means, “Certainly, do say, he (the Holy Firstly, this expression was made only Prophetsa) is the seal of the Prophets in the case of Hazrat Alīra (the fourth there will be no Caesar after him who would rule as great an empire as he (Khatamun-Nabiyyin), but do not Khalīfa), and it is not used in the general say, there is no Prophet after him” sense. When the Holy Prophetsa went out did.” ra (Takmala Majma-ul Bahar, p. 5, and for the battle of Tabuk, he left Hazrat Alī The same explanation is of the saying also in Durr-e-Mansūr, Vol. 5, p. 204). behind in Madīnah, as his subordinate. “there is no Prophet after me,” i.e., Hazrat Alīra felt abandoned for not being there will be no Prophet after the Holy This shows the view of the companions of sa able to join in the battle. So the Holy Prophetsa, who would reach his status or the Holy Prophet about the continuity Prophetsa consoled him saying, greatness. of Prophethood in Islam. If in Hazrat Ā’isha’sra view, and in her knowledge, “You are to me just as Aaron was This saying simply means that a Prophet the coming of the Prophets was literally to Moses, except, that there is no who would abrogate the teachings of the over, why did she warn people against Prophet after me” (Saḥi Bukhari). Holy Prophetsa cannot come. The hadith sa saying that there was to be no Prophet We know that when Mosesas went up to of the Holy Prophet turns upon the word after the Holy Prophetsa? If, when she the mountain of Sinai for forty days, he (after me). This word is worthy sounded this warning, she was wrong, left Aaronas behind with his people as of notice. It means “against him” or “in and what she said was against the his representative. The Holy Prophetsa opposition to him.” It is used in this sense teaching of the Holy Prophetsa, why did reminded Hazrat Alīra of this resemblance. in the Holy Qur’an (see 45:7). One thing the Holy Prophet’ssa companions not But as Aaronas was a Prophet, it could be comes after another, only when the first question her? Her warning against the misunderstood that Hazrat Alira was also is over and the second takes its place. casual repetition of the saying “there a Prophet. The Holy Prophetsa removed This kind of person cannot appear in the is no Prophet after me” shows clearly this possible misunderstanding by saying future. But the Prophet, who appears that, according to her, the coming of “ . . . except, that there is no Prophet in order to propagate and in every way a Prophet after the Holy Prophetsa was support the Prophethood of the Holy 18 Prophethood in Islām (Part 2) possible. Except, such a Prophet could “There is no Prophet between me “I was Khatamun-Nabiyyin even not be a law-giving Prophet, or a Prophet and him (the Promised Messiahas) before Adam was crested” (Tafsir independent of the Holy Prophetsa. The and certainly, he will appear. So ibn Kasir on the authority of Musnad fact that the companions of the Holy when you see him, do recognize him” Aḥmad bin Hanbal). sa ra Prophet received Hazrat Ā’isha’s (Sunan Abu Daud, Kitābul Malāhim). If the Holy Prophetsa being the Khatamun- warning without question or criticism This was a prophecy that the Promised Nabiyyin makes the coming of Prophets shows that the companions of the Holy as sa Messiah would appear and be a Prophet. after him impossible, then, how did all Prophet understood what she said and In this Hadith, the Holy Prophetsa has also those Prophets, mentioned in the Holy believed what she believed. warned Muslims not to fail in recognizing Qur’an, appear? For, the Holy Prophetsa Now, I proceed further to quote some of and believing in him. was Khatamun-Nabiyyin even before the sa as the sayings of the Holy Prophet , which 4. The Holy Prophetsa is reported to have creation of Adam . Thus, this commonly explain the expression of Khatamun- mentioned the condition of his people accepted interpretation of this Hadith is Nabiyyin and prove the continuity of proven wrong. The true meaning of the Prophethood after the Holy Prophetsa, in his obedience. 1. The following Hadith is reported in Sunan Ibni Majah, one of the six most authentic books of Hadith: “When Ibrahīm, son of the Holy Prophetsa, died the Holy Prophetsa prayed his funeral prayers and said, ‘he will be nourished in paradise. If he (Ibrahīm) had lived, he would surely have been a Prophet’” (Sunan Ibni Majah, Vol. I, Kitabul Janaiz). The verse containing the expression Khatamun-Nabiyyin was revealed to the Holy Prophetsa in the year 5 A.H., and Ibrahīmra died in the year 10 A.H., thus, four or five years after the revelation of the expression, the Holy Prophetsa said, “if Ibrahīm had lived, he would surely have been a Prophet.” This shows that the Holy Prophetsa believed in the possibility of Prophets appearing after him. If he had taken the expression to mean “there will be no Prophet after him,” he would not have made such a statement. 2. The Holy Prophetsa is reported to have said: sa “Abu Bakr (the first Khalīfa) is after him. He said that after him, there expression is that our Holy Prophet the best of men after me, except a will be Khilāfat and then kingdom, both, is the best of all Prophets. And in the Prophet should appear” (Kanzul- knowledge of Allah, he was the best good and bad, and then after a long time, as ‘Ummal). Khilāfat will again be established after Prophet even before Adam was born. It shows that the expression Khatamun- The coming of the Prophets among the the way of Prophethood (Mishkat, Kitabul Nabiyyin does not rule out the possibility Muslims is quite clear from this. Imam Fitan). Khilāfat always comes after a of Prophets appearing among the Ibn Seerin, a well-known Muslim scholar, Prophet. And when a Khilāfat is going to Muslims. is reported to have explained this saying: be established again among the Muslims, c. “There will be a khalīfa (or Prophet) there must appear a Prophet before the The Muslim Divines sa words among the Muslims, better than said Khilāfat. The Holy Prophet’s on the Continuity of Prophethood “after the way of Prophethood” are Abu Bakr and ‘Umar.” Some people The interpretation of Khatamun-Nabiyyin, wondered and asked “better than the worthy of note. as given by the Ahmadiyya Community, two?” He said, “He may be greater 5. In another ḥadith, the Holy Prophetsa is not new or self-made, as some people than even some of the Prophets” has made the meaning of Khatamun- assert. The belief in the continuity of (Hujajul Kirama p.386). Nabiyyin crystal clear, proving the a certain type of Prophethood is as interpretation of other people quite am itself. Several recognized 3. Another saying of the Holy Prophetsa old as Isl Muslim divines, eminent scholars and goes: wrong. He is reported to have said: Prophethood in Islām (Part 2) 19 great saints of different countries, ages Muslim authority, so much so, that among his followers. (Mauzūāt Kabīr and climes, have been interpreting the Akbar the Great (of India) is said to have p. 69) expression in a manner, which allows the tied with his own hands a turban on the 5. Hazrat Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi, who is appearance of a Prophet without a law, Imam’s head as a mark of honour. He says recognized as the Reformer (Mujaddid) after the Holy Prophetsa. Some of them about the saying of Hazrat Ā’ishara “say sa for the twelfth century A.H., was a great have already been quoted above, and the that he (the Holy Prophet ) is Khatamun- authority. He says: views of a few others are put forward Nabiyyin but do not say that there is no here below. Prophet after him”: “The attainment of the high characteristics of Prophethood, by 1. Syed Abdul Karim (born about 767 and “This also is not against the tradition way of obedience and inheritance, died 811 A.H.) of Djil in the district of ‘there is no Prophet after me’ because sa after the coming of Khatamun- Baghdad “has had great influence in the what the Holy Prophet intended by Nabiyyinsa is not against his being moulding of religious ideas in the greater these words is that there is to be no the Khatam” (Maktūbat Imam Rabbani part of Islam” (Encyclopedia of Islam). Prophet who can cancel this law” Vol.1, p. 432). Khātamun-Nabiyyīn and the Promised Messiahas In the previous pages, we have discussed the Qur’anic expression Khatamun- Nabiyyin from various points of view. We sa explained it according to the demand “I believe that our Holy Prophet of reason, keeping in view the dignity of our Holy Prophetsa. We went into is the best and the greatest of all grammatical and lexicological research and tried to explain the expression in the the messengers. He is Khatamun- context of the verse. We have also studied the opinions of great and recognized Muslim authorities throughout the era Nabiyyin and is greater than all of Islam. And these are the holy sources that can determine the authenticity of a those who have passed or will be creed from the Islamic point of view. All this leads us to the following conclusions: in future.” 1. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa is Āʼinah Kamalat Islam, surely the Khatamun-Nabiyyin. 2. The basic and real meaning of Rūhni Khazaʼin, Vol. 5, p. 21 Khatamun-Nabiyyin is “the best and greatest of all Prophets.” 3. The Prophethood of the Holy Prophetsa is extant to the end of the world. 4. There will not come a Prophet after him who can cancel his law and is He says: (Takmala Majmaul Bihar p. 85). not from among his followers. “The institution of Prophethood 4. Imam Mulla Ali bin Muhammad Sultan Al-Qarirh (born in Herat, Iran, and died in 5. Through the great and everlasting with a law ceased after him and spiritual influence of the Holy Muhammadsa became Khatamun- 1014 A.H.) was a great Hanafi Fiqah. He makes the meaning of Khatamun-Nabiyyin Prophetsa, his humble and devoted Nabiyyin” (Al-Insanul Kamil printed in servants can be blessed by God with Cairo, p. 76). very clear: the reward of Prophethood. 2. Imam Sharanirh was a very learned If Ibrahim had lived and had become 6. Such Prophets will appear in order Muslim authority. He was born in 898 a Prophet, and if in the same way Umar had become a Prophet, both to propagate, and in every way, A.H., lived in Cairo, and died there in 973 support the Prophethood of the Holy A.H. He says: “Know that Prophethood would have been the followers of sa Prophetsa and his teachings. after Muhammadsa has not ceased the Holy Prophet like Jesus and absolutely. It is only the Prophethood Khizar and Ilyas peace be on them. 7. The coming of such Prophets is not with a law that has ceased” (Alyawaqitu So it would not contradict the word derogatory to the Holy Prophetsa wal Jawahir Vol 2, p. 43). of God ‘Khatamun-Nabiyyin’ because in any way. On the contrary, it its meaning is that there will not establishes his superiority over all 3. Imam Muhammad Tahir Gujratirh (born come a Prophet after him who can other Prophets. at Patan Gujrat in 914 A.H) is an eminent cancel his law and who is not from

20 Prophethood in Islām (Part 2) The Promised Messiah’sas Claim So even now I do not deny to be in a lie and profane thought. I am Now, we look into the claim of Hazrat called Prophet and Messenger, in a Prophet and Messenger of God as this sense of the word. My saying, I because I am an image of the Holy Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qādiān, the sa founder of the Ahmadiyya Community, to am not a Prophet and have brought Prophet and his counter-type, and see whether his claim is within the limits no book, has no connotation other it is on this basis that God has called of his conclusion or not. And I assure the than that I am not a law-bearing me a Prophet and Messenger again readers that it is within these limits. Here Prophet. Of course this should and again, in the form of Burūz. My as also be remembered and never be own self comes in nowhere. The is the claim of the Promised Messiah in sa his own words: forgotten that, in spite of my being Holy Prophet has permeated and called Prophet and Messenger, God pervaded my whole being. This is I swear by God Who has raised me has informed me that I have not been why I have been called Muhammad and Whose curse falls upon him who the recipient of all these blessings and Aḥmad. So the Holy Prophet’ssa fabricates lies about Him, that He has and favours independently without Prophethood and Messengership sent me as the Promised Messiah. the mediation of anybody. No, there remained with him and did not pass And my faith in my clear revelations dwells in heavens a Holy being (the to anyone else. (p. 216) sa is not a whit less firm and invincible Holy Prophet Muhammad ) through as that my faith in the verses of the The Promised Messiah’s Belief in whose spiritual patronage all this Khatamun-Nabiyyin Holy Qur’an, and the truth of the Grace of God has descended upon revelation that God has caused to me. It is through his meditation and The founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement descend on me, has become quite after having completely merged my has expressed in various books the manifest by a host of successive whole being into that of the Great profound faith he had in the status of the signs that He has shown. And I feel Prophet and having been known as Holy Prophetsa as being the Khatamun- not the least hesitation in swearing Muhammad and Aḥmad that I am a Nabiyyin. He says: by God while standing in the sacred Messenger and Prophet, that is to “I believe that our Holy Prophetsa is precincts of the Ka‘bah that the say, I have been sent with a mission the best and the greatest of all the holy revelation, which descends and have been endowed with the messengers. He is Khatamun-Nabiyyin on me is the Word of the same God knowledge of unseen. In this way, as and is greater than all those who who sent down His Word to Moses , my claim to Prophethood in no way have passed or will be in future” as sa sa Jesus and the Holy Prophet . The interferes with the Holy Prophet’s (Āʼinah Kamalat Islam, Rūhni Khazaʼin, earth bore witness to the truth of status of Khatamun-Nabiyyin, because Vol. 5, p. 21). my claim and so did heaven. Both I have been able to acquire this name of them declared and proclaimed only by reflecting in my person all In another book he says: that I was God’s Vicegerent on the excellences of the Great Prophet . . . And I repose true and firm faith in earth. But as the prophecies told of and by annihilating myself in his the Qur’anic verse: yore, I was bound to be rejected. So consuming love. (A Misconception those upon whose hearts there is a ‘He is the Messenger of Allah and Removed, Rūhni Khazaʼin, Vol. 18, p. Khatamun-Nabiyyin.’ This verse covering will not accept me. But I 210) know and I am convinced that God embodies a great prophecy, which will help me as He has always helped Again in the same book he says: has escaped the notice of my opponents. It is that, after the His Messengers in the past. There And although God has bestowed this sa is no one who can stand against me distinction upon me that both the advent of the Holy Prophet , the because they are devoid of Divine Israelite and Fatimite bloods flow Divine gift of prophecy will remain assistance. Whenever and wherever in my veins, yet I give precedence withheld from the world till the I have refused to be called a Prophet to the spiritual aspect of my end of time. It will not be possible or Messenger, it is only in the sense relation with the Holy Prophetsa. My for any man, be he a Hindu, a Jew, that I am neither the bearer of a new spiritual relation with him is that a Christian or a so-called Muslim law, nor an independent Prophet. of a counter-type with his proto- to justify the use of the appellation But I certainly am a Prophet in the type. Now I have explained this to Nabī (Prophet) for himself. All the sense that, having been spiritually show that my ignorant opponents approaches to this exalted office benefited by my Great and Noble accuse me of having laid claim to have been closed, except the one of Master (the Holy Prophetsa) and independent Prophethood and Sirāt Siddiqui, which is synonymous with complete annihilation in the having been able to acquire his Messengership. I have made no such sa name, I have been endowed with claim, nor do I claim to be a Prophet love of the Holy Prophet . Thus, he the knowledge of the unseen. But I or Messenger in the sense in which who seeks to approach God through repeat it again that I have brought they use these words. But I am a it, is made to wear a mantle of Prophethood which is nothing but or introduced no new law. I have Prophet and Messenger in the sense I sa never denied to be called a Prophet have explained above. Thus he, who, a part of the Holy Prophet’s own of this kind. Rather in this very out of ill-will, accuses me of having Prophethood. Such claimant to Prophethood does not infringe the sense, God has called me by the laid claim to such Prophethood sa name of Prophet and Messenger. and Messengership, is indulging Prophethood of Muhammad . It is so because his Prophethood is neither

Prophethood in Islām (Part 2) 21 self-subsisting nor independent. He Of thine own slaves. For all the children of Adamas, there derives all that is good in him, not O my sweet beloved, is now no Messenger and intercessor from himself, but from the Holy other than the Holy Prophet Prophetsa, the fountainhead of all Thy love has penetrated Muhammad, the chosen one, may grace. He is, therefore, a Prophet Into the very pores of my being, peace and blessings of Allah be not for self-exaltation, but for the upon him. So you should endeavour glorification, of the Holy Prophetsa. My heart and my mind. to cultivate true love for this One who claims this rank professes All my joys are centered in thee; magnificent and majestic Prophet to be his shadow reflecting all And my heart is always and not place anyone else above him his qualities in his person and in any manner so that you may be acknowledging his debt to him. Flooded with thy memories: counted in heaven among those who (A Misconception Removed, Rūhni There never is a moment have attained salvation. Remember, Khazaʼin, Vol. 18, p. 208) salvation is not something, which is In my life when thoughts The Promised Messiah’sas attainable only after death. Indeed, Regard for the Holy Prophetsa Of thee are not in my mind, true salvation is the one which manifests its light in this very world. as Brimful, and overflowing, The Promised Messiah had deep love Who is truly delivered? He, indeed, and profound regard for the Holy Prophet My soul is thine in the fullest who believes that God is the Truth Muhammadsa. All the literature produced And most absolute surrender; and that the Holy Prophet, may peace by him is full of the Holy Prophet’ssa and blessings of Allah be upon him, praise. In this field, he occupies a position And my body as well, is the intercessor between God and of such eminence, an example of which With all its force. mankind; he also believes that under we fail to find elsewhere. He always said the command, there is no Prophet Longs to fly to thee. that whatever he had achieved was all equal to him and that there is no due to the Holy Prophetsa. All the virtue Ah, how I long I had book of the status of the Holy Qur’an. he had gained was by obedience to the The power of flight And for none else God ordained Holy Prophetsa and following in his foot- that he should live forever with his steps. He writes: He totally negated his own being, while message and his law, but this Noble emphasizing the exceptional qualities of But in my case this is a blessing, Prophet lives forever. (Kashti-e-Nuḥ, the Holy Prophetsa. In the ecstasy of his which I have derived only through Rūhni Khazaʼin, Vol. 19, p. 13) love for the Holy Prophetsa, the Founder the Holy Prophetsa, and through my A Word Of Warning obedience and devotion to him. If I of the Ahmadiyya Movement says in another poem: Dear reader, the claim of Hazrat had not been of his followers, and if I as had not followed him most implicitly The Master Mirza Ghulam Aḥmad , Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement, is fully in in everything, this blessing would From whom I receive not have been extended to me, accordance with the teachings of Islam even if my virtues reached as high All this light and also according to the prophecies of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. as mountains. (Tajalliyyāt Ilāhiyyah, His name is Muhammad Rūhni Khazaʼin, Vol. 20, p. 411-412) God says in the Holy Qur’an: And he is my beloved To show the depth of his love for the Holy Prophetsa, I quote here one of his poems. No one else He says: Wholly and solely Next to God, I am intoxicated I am devoted to that light, With the love of Muhammad; I belong to him, him alone, There comes not to them any new admonition from their Lord, but they If this be Kufr [disbelief], He is everything, all important: listen to it while they make sport of By God, I am indeed, He exists, while I am nothing; it. (21:3) A great Kafir [disbeliever], And this, indeed This is a standing warning from God Confirmed and hard! Is the final truth. for every person that he should be very careful when deciding about the as Similarly in one of his poems in Arabic The Promised Messiah’s truthfulness of a claimant, lest he may as the Promised Messiah says: Challenge to His Followers be rejecting a true person from God, and At me look with mercy The Promised Messiahas not only himself thus making his future dark forever by sa his own hands. May Allah be your guide! And compassion, O my Master, loved and praised the Holy Prophet to the highest point, he also charged his For I be but the humblest followers to do the same. He says:

22 Prophethood in Islām (Part 2) Jāmi‘a Aḥmadīyya Canada Report Sharjeel Ahmed Ṣāḥib, Secretary Seminars, Jāmi‘atul ‘Ilmīa, Jāmi‘a Aḥmadīyya Canada

‘Ilmi and Tarbiyati Lecture Impromptu Speech Competition was and Prof. Abdur Razzaq Faraz Sāḥib also For the benefit of the students, each held in which two students from each accompanied by Hāfiz Hibattur Rahman week, a different scholar is chosen to Tutorial Group were selected- Below are Sāḥib and Prof. Ghulam Misbah Baloch present a lecture on ‘Ilmi and Tarbiyati the results. Sāḥib. topics. Listed below are the names and 1. Najeebullah Ayaz (Thānia - Rafāqat) Winter Vacations topics of the speakers for the months of 2. Ali Raza (Khāmisa - Sadāqat) Jāmi‘a Aḥmadīyya’s first semester exams November-December: 3. Atif Ahmad Zahid (Rābia - Dianat) were held on December 3-21, 2013. The • Hidayatullah Hadi Sāḥib, York Urdu Essay Competition last day of exams marked the last day University - Principles of Research On November 18, 2013, the Urdu Essay of the semester, upon which Respected Methodology Competition was held in which two Principal Sāḥib Jāmi‘a addressed Jāmi‘a • Hadi Ali Chaudhry Sāḥib, Professor students from each Tutorial Group were students and concluded the semester Jāmi‘a Aḥmadīyya Canada - The Truth of selected – Below are the results. with silent prayers. Muhamadiyyat and Aḥmadīyyat 1. Atif Ahmad Zahid (Rābia - Diānat) Other Engagements: Research Seminar 2. Saqib Zafar (Rābia - Diānat) November 11, 2013: Jāmi‘a celebrated With the start of the new academic 3. Tariq Naseem Ahmad (Thālitha- Remembrance Day in commemoration year, Khāmisa Students (6th year) have Amānat) of the services Canada gave in World War I. Presided by Respected Mukhtar begun their presentations based on Jalsa Sīratun Nabisa their research for their theses. In these Cheema Sāḥib (Prof. Jāmi‘a ); Jāmi‘a Under the leadership of Peace Village students, Madrassatul Hifz students, and seminars, apart from the professors Imārat, Jalsa Sīratun Nabisa was held of Jāmi‘a, various scholars are invited all staff members participated with great this year on November 23, 2013 at the enthusiasm. to judge, according to their fields. The Toronto Center for the Arts. A team was judges meticulously observe, question, prepared by Jāmi‘a , who presented and November 30, 2013: A debate between the and aid the presenters with their valuable gave services for the prosperity of the Christian sect and the Aḥmadīyya Muslim advice. Given below are the names and event. This Jalsa is one of the many held Jamā‘at was held at Aiwan Tahir in which topics for the presenters of November- yearly at a grand scale for the purpose Respected Mukhtar Cheema Sāḥib, December 2013: of Tablīgh. Jāmi‘a students were blessed Prof. Jāmi‘a Aḥmadīyya represented • Khwaja Hassan - Prophecies in the Vedas with the opportunity to provide a helping the Aḥmadīyya view and Dr. Tony Costa about Muhammadsa hand by spreading awareness of the represented the Christian view. The • Ali Ahmad Raza - Complications with event through giving out pamphlets door topic was “Was Jesus a Messenger of God Homosexuality to door in Toronto on November 3, 10, or the Son of God.” Jāmi‘a students also • Rizwan Ahmad Syed - The Origin of and 17. Jāmi‘a also contributed through partook in the event, engaging in various Today’s Currency Question/Answers before, during, and dialogues with Christian pastors. English Essay Competition after the event. November 19, 2013: A debate between On November 1, 2013, the Annual English Arabic Camp the Ahl Sunnat wal Jamā‘at and the Essay Competition was held under the Like previous years, an Arabic camp was Aḥmadīyya Muslim Jamā‘at was held in supervision of Al-Jāmi‘atul-‘Ilmiyah. Two held for the Mumāhida (1st year) and the Multi-Purpose Room of Tahir Hall. students were chosen from each of the ‘Ūla (2nd year) classes. This camp is for The Aḥmadīyya Muslim Jamā‘at was five tutorial groups. The names of the the enhancement of Arabic skills for represented by Respected Ansar Raza students, their positions, and the groups the younger classes and to give them an Sāḥib, while the Ahl Sunnat wal Jamā‘at represented are given below. opportunity to learn Arabic language/ was represented by Anwar Saadat, a non-scholar from the Sunni Sect. Jāmi‘a 1. Farasat Ahmad (Thānia - Amānat) grammar in a secluded area, by only speaking in it, while having fun at the Aḥmadīyya also partook in the event and 2. Sabahat Rajput (Thānia -Rafāqat) engaged in dialogue with various Sunni 3. Ali Raza (Khāmisa - Sadāqat) same time. This year’s trip was held from December 12-20 in the beautiful capital brothers. Urdu Impromptu Speech Competition city of Ottawa. Seventeen students were On November 17, 2013, the Urdu headed by Professor Al-Hassan Sāḥib

Report - Jāmi‘a Aḥmadīyya Canada 23 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Awards 2012 Recognition of Aḥmadī Muslims on the forefront of Canadian Horizon Muhammad Akram Yousuf

A Canadian commemorative medal was concept of an interfaith dialogue and honour for their contributions and created to mark the 60th anniversary outlined the proposal in his famous book achievements to the community and the celebrations (2012) of Her Majesty Queen Tuḥfa Qaisiria [A Gift for Queen]. In 2012, country, which represent the spectrum Elizabeth II’s accession to the throne as when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Canadian society. The Queen’s Queen of the Commonwealth Realms. announced her Diamond Jubilee Year, Diamond Jubilee Medals were presented The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ Vaa declared that by different members of the government Medal is a tangible way for Canada to the Aḥmadīyya Muslim Jamā‘at will join on behalf of His Excellency, the Right honour Her Majesty for her service to in the celebrations admiring Queen’s Honourable David Lloyd Johnston, this country. At the same time, it serves vision for togetherness, freedom of faith Governor General of Canada. Al-Ḥamdu to honour significant contributions and unity for all religions. lillāh! These individuals were recognized and achievements by Canadians. The To ensure that a variety of fields of at different ceremonies in their local Chancellery of Honours, as part of the activity are recognized, government areas during 2012 and 2013. Office of the Secretary to the Governor partner organizations were invited by Aḥmadīyya Gazette congratulates the General, administers the Queen Elizabeth the Government of Canada to nominate entire Aḥmadīyya Muslim Jamā‘at for II Diamond Jubilee Medal program. candidates from their community or this distinctive honour and is extremely The Promised Messiah and al-Imam organization for this national honour. It proud to present the details of those who al-Mahdias at the joyous celebration of is a matter of great honour that numerous were awarded this historic medal below late Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Canadian Aḥmadī Muslims were also in no particular order. in 1897, proposed to Her Majesty the chosen to be awarded this distinctive Recipients of the Medal:

1. Lal Khan Malik Ṣāḥib, National Amīr Canada 2. Maulānā Mubarak Ahmad Nazir Ṣāḥib, Missionary Medal was first announced on September 14, 2012 and Incharge Canada actually presented to Respected Amīr Ṣāḥib by Hon. Judy Medal was presented by Hon. Joe Daniel, Member of Sgro, Member of Parliament’s daughter Ms. Deanna Sgro Parliament, to Maulānā Mubark Ahmad Nazir Ṣāḥib on on December 3, 2013 at a gala dinner at Woodbine Banquet August 8, 2012 at the 36th Jalsa Sālāna Canada held at the Hall Toronto, for his services to Canada and the Community. International Centre Mississauga for his services to Canada and the Community.

24 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Awards 2012 3. Abdul Aziz Khalifa Ṣāḥib, Nā’ib Amīr Canada 4. Kaleem Ahmad Malik Ṣāḥib, Secretary Wasāya Canada Medal was presented by Hon. Julian Fantino, Member of Medal was presented by Hon. Dr. Kristy Duncan, Member Parliament to Abdul Aziz Khalifa Ṣāḥib on June 23, 2012 at of Parliament on February 20, 2013 at his own office, for his Femee Furlane Toronto for his services to Canada and the services to Canada and the Community. Community.

5. Dr. Syed Muhammad Aslam Daud Ṣāḥib, Nā’ib Amīr 6. Asif Afzal Khan Ṣāḥib, Secretary Umūr Kharijiyya Canada Canada Medal was presented by Hon. George Sorbara, Member of Medal was presented by Hon. Judy Sgro, Member of Provincial Parliament on June 26, 2012 to Asif Afzal Khan Parliament & Mario Sergio MPP to Dr Syed Muhammad Ṣāḥib at Queen’s Park, Legislative Assembly Building in Aslam Daud Ṣāḥib on September 14, 2012 at Jamaican Toronto for his services to Canada and the Community. Canadian Association Hall, Toronto for his dedication to Humanity First and services to Canada and the Community.

7. Naseer Ahmad Ṣāḥib, Former Secretary Properties 8. Major Abdul Hafiz Khalifa Ṣāḥib Canada Medal was presented by Hon. Judy Sgro, Member of Medal was presented by Hon. Greg Sorbara, Member of Parliament & Mario Sergio MPP on September 14, 2012 Provincial Parliament, on June 26, 2012 to Naseer Ahmad to Major Abdul Hafiz Khalifa Ṣāḥib at Jamaican Canadian Ṣāḥib at Queen’s Park, Legislative Assembly Building in Association Hall, Toronto for his services to Canada and the Toronto for his services to Canada and the Community. Community.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Awards 2012 25 9. Nabeel Ahmad Rana Ṣāḥib, Planning & Coordinating 10. Fazal Moeen Siddiqui Ṣāḥib, CEO Rawal TV Officer of WRC Canada Medal was presented by Hon. Jason Kenney, Member of Medal was presented by Hon. Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament on April 4, 2013 to Fazal Moeen Siddiqui Ṣāḥib Parliament on November 25, 2012 to Nabeel Ahmad Rana at Woodbine Banquet Hall during a Humanity First dinner Ṣāḥib at Core Lifestyle Recreation Complex, Kitchener for for his services to Canada and the Community. his dedication and accomplishments of the World Religions Conference in Canada.

11. Bashir Ahmad Nasir Ṣāḥib, Official Photographer 12. Capt. Adeel Zafar Ṣāḥib Medal was presented by Hon. Julian Fantino, Member of Medal was presented to the first Aḥmadī Captain Adeel Parliament on December 7, 2012 to Bashir Ahmad Nasir Zafar for his extra-ordinary services in Canadian Arm Ṣāḥib at Radisson Hotel, Mississauga for his photography Forces by Brigadier-General Julian Chapman on October 31, services for Canada and the Community. 2012 at Land Force Central Headquarters Denison Armoury, in Downsview, Ontario.

13. Iftikhar Ahmed Choudry Ṣāḥib 14. Nasir Hidayat Chatta Ṣāḥib Medal was presented by Hon. Senator Salma Ataullahjan Medal was presented by Hon. Bob Dechert, Member of on November 4, 2012 to Iftikhar Ahmad Choudry Ṣāḥib Parliament on October 9, 2012 to Nasir Hidayat Chatta Ṣāḥib on the opening ceremony of his Flooring Outlet Store in at The Gateway Center for New Canadians in Mississauga Mississauga for his services to Canada and the Community. for his services to Canada and the Community.

Note: The above report has been compiled based on the information provided to the Aḥmadīyya Gazette, Canada. If there is any member who has received this award and has not been listed above, please inform the Aḥmadīyya Gazette editorial team. And we will publish the remaining names in a subsequent issue. Jazakumullāh! 26 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal Awards 2012 Book Review: Life Supreme by Maulana Bashir A. Orchard Danial M. Khan Ṣāḥib

Although Life Supreme is a collection in what I consider an author’s greatest rehash of others’ works is the poignancy of articles by the late Maulana Bashir triumph, to take an obscure idea and and delicacy of Maulana Orchard’s Ahmad Orchard, originally published in make other readers interested to the own words. The result is not only an The Review of Religions, it never suffers point that they too must explore. informative read, but also one that from a lack of focus. Beyond that, much of the appeal of the glistens with the blissful personality of a Throughout the book, Maulana Orchard book is the irony that what Maulana great man. expands not only on the intricacies of a Orchard is saying is being overlooked. I Life Supreme by B. A. Orchard, Published Muslim’s life, but also the practicality found the book so much more effective by Islam International Publications in of it. He talks about the virtues of once I read the biography of the author; 1979. a good Muslim and how different Maulana Orchard was a not only a Muslim The book is available at alislam.org and aspects of a Muslim’s life can lead to convert (at a time in which few Europeans your local Mosque. personal and spiritual fulfilment. In even knew what Ahmadiyyat was), but he that sense, the book reads more like made drastic changes to his dialogue than dogma. This gives Life life and became the first Supreme an interesting voice that rarely European-born Imam. sounds forceful or condescending, but When taking the author’s rather, it sounds logical and ultimately life into consideration, understanding. I caution the reader: do The practicality of the book is best not dismiss this book as exhibited by the large array of research simplistic. The very basic done by the author. Maulana Bashir teachings of modesty displays an excellent understanding of and simplicity are lost in religious and secular work. This allows the stingy fabric of our for the book’s ideas to be truly explored dominating capitalist but in a method that is not time- society. Throughout the consuming and strictly concise. The book book, Maulana Orchard is very short; Life Supreme is a little more cleverly argues that than 140 pages, but it never feels drawn. excess is not only poison If anything, Maulana Orchard purposely for the soul, it is also leaves big aspects of underlining topics grossly inefficient and absent so that the reader is compelled to therefore, an obstacle conduct his or her own research. in a believer’s pursuit For example, Maulana Orchard begins of righteousness. an in-depth analysis of the soul as an All in all, Life Supreme entity; a topic that, in my opinion, is so serves as an excellent interesting it could have been its own gateway to the works book! However, it only populates a small of our Promised fraction of the pages, which entices Messiahas and his the reader to explore the Holy Qur’an, Spiritual Successors. Hadith, Islamic literature and the world But what sets Life around them for answers regarding this Supreme apart from topic. Maulana Orchard has succeeded being a simple

Book Review: Life Supreme 27 The Grand Scheme Of Waqf Nau

A Parent’s Step by Step Guide for Enrollment About Waqf Nau PLEASE NOTE:

A copy of all documents sent to UK or received from UK must be saved in a file for STEPchild. 1 …Write the letter

A letter is required to be written to Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih (may Allah be his Helper!) requesting him for his approval to dedicate On April 13, 1987, Hazrat Mirza Tahir rh their unborn child into the blessedletter scheme of Ahmad as, the fourth Khalifa of the Promised requestof Waqf Nau. must be written before the birth It is important to note that the Messiah launched the splendid initiative of child “Waqf Nau” as scheme which was started in STEP 2…Ifand approval as early as is possible.received result of a powerful divine inspiration. He explained that with the dawn of the second century of Ahmadiyyat, numerous venues will be opened for the domination of Islam If Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper!) grantsIt and Ahmadiyyat for which a large number approvalis critical to to the save parent’s a copy request, of this a letterletter of approval will be received by the parents. of upright devotees will be needed to cause approval a revolution in the field of Tabligh. as it will not be re-issued and will serve as a proof that the child will be The initiative was well taken by the enrolled in the Waqf Nau Scheme after community. These children are the asset of birth. Along with the approval letter, an Jama’at who are destined to play an enrolment form will also be received by the

unprecedented role in spreadingsa the name parents which need to filled out after birth and faith of the Holy Prophet all over the of child. STEP 3…Fill out and send back the form READworld. THE BOOK.

Parents,Tahrik who Waqf desire Nau to dedicate their children for the cause of their After the birth of the child, a file should be faith, must read the book . prepared for the child and form which was received with the approval letter, must be filled out and sent back to London as early It is a compilation of five Friday sermons which were delivered at the launch of the as possible. STEP 4…A “Reference Number” will be Enrollmentdivine scheme of Waqf Nau. received

For enrolment into the scheme, parents Parents will receive a letter from should follow the guidelines as stated Department of Waqf Nau, London containing a “Waqf Nau Reference Number”. below: The “Reference Number” is the child’s

Please do not misplace this uniqueimportant id whichdocument is saved as it inexhibits Department child’s Now that the child is enrolled into the “database.Reference Number”. blessed scheme of Waqf Nau, parents should do the following: • one

Write at least monthly letter to Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper!) With the receipt of the “Reference requesting prayers for the dedicated Letter”, the child is now officially • child. “Waqf Nau enrolled into the blessed scheme of Syllabus” Obtain the copy of Waqf Nau. and start following all guidelines carefully. The syllabus has been recommended by Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V (may Allah be his Please Remember: Helper!) as an important tool in proper training of the Waqifin children. must • “Waqf Nau Classes” Parents send copies of all documents Regularly watch the (Huzoor’s Approval Letter, Form which was which air on MTA. It will assist filled and sent to UK after birth, and parents to be aware of latest directives Reference Number letter) to National Office of Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper!) of Department of Waqf Nau Canada so they related to the scheme of Waqf Nau. can be saved in child’s file. Originals should be kept by parents.

Office bearers in the Department of Waqf Nau Canada are present in all Jama’ats Department of Waqf Nau across Canada. Parents may contact them to obtain any information regarding the Canada Waqf Nau Scheme. Naseer A. Mirza Please do not hesitate to contact the National Department of Waqf Nau Canada, should you have any further concerns. National Secretary Waqf Nau, Please note Canada

: If a Waqf Nau child was 10610 Jane Street born outside Canada , and now has Maple, ON L6A 3A2, Canada moved to Canada, parents must: Ph.: 647-988-8324 905-832-2669 (ext.: 2288) 1. Enrol Waqf Nau child into the Canadian Waqf Nau list by providing child’s Fax: 905-832-3220 Reference Number Letter to the National Department of Waqf Nau [email protected] Canada.

2. Inform International Department of Dr. Shamim Ahmad Waqf Nau, UK, about the change of International In Charge address by filling out the “Change of Waqf Nau, UK Address” form. The form can be obtained from Department of Waqf Nau Canada.

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