An informational, literary, educational, and training magazine of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA

The Ahmadiyya May.June 2008

~~ KhaTifatul Masih /Vm Edition USA

May - June 2008 1 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

An educational and spiritual monthly publication

OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF THE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT IN ISLAM, USA

May - June 2008 tEablt of Content• Patron Dr. Ahsanullah Zafar 2 AI-Qur'an Ameer Jama'at USA 3 AI-Hadith Editor-in-Chief Dr. Naseer Ahmad 4 Sayings of the Promised Messiah15 Editor Dr. Karimullah Zirvi 6 A Brief Summary of the Friday Sermon of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih y•b• Delivered on February 15, 2008

Editorial Advisor Muhammad Zafrullah 8 Prophets and Their Successors (Khulafa) Always Hanjra Succeed: Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih 1•• Cover: LatifAhmed Photos: Kalim Bhatti 9 Khilafat-A Great Blessing 11 The Secret of the Power of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya: Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV'h

12 Japia'at Ahmadiyya: The Beginning

Masjid Baitur Rehman 14 Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya: The Beginning: 15000 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905 Hadhrat Muhammad Zafrulla Khanra Phone: 301-879-0110 Fax: 301-879-0115 31 Invincible Khilafat: Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh

Editor: [email protected] 33 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV'h: A Servant of Faith: Tel. and Fax: 201-794-8122 Karimullah Zirvi 46 www .ahmadiyya.us www.alislam.org Importance of Khilafat: Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV'h

48 First Historical Addresses of the Khulafa Acronyms for salutations used in this publication 58 Khilafat-e-Rashida: Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II'" saw: sallallahu alaihi wasallam (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) 67 Sir William Muir on Compilation of the Holy Qur'an: as: alaihissalam Zia H Shah, MD (Peace be upon him) 74 Aims and Objectives of Jalsa Salana In the Words of the ra: radhi allahu 'anhu Promised Messiah' (May Allah be pleased with him/her) rh: rahimahullahu ta'ala 79 Some Directives for Guests and Workers of Jalsa Salana: (May Allah shower mercy on him/her) Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih yaba aba: ayyada hullah ta'ala binasrihil aziz (May Allah strengthen him with His mighty help) 83 Etiquette of Mulaqat (Audience with Hazoor•b•): Maulana Daud Hanif swt: subhana wa ta' ala (Holy and Exalted) 85 Surah Al-Fatihah in the Light of the Writings of the Promised Messiah.,: AtifMunawar Mir, Canada 92 The Ahmadiyya Gazette USA is published by the Ahmadiyya Movement Poem: Hadhrat Fazl-e-Umar'": Sayyarah Mukhtar in Islam, Inc., at the local address: 95 Hadhrat Musleh Mau'ood'" on the Role and Duties of The World Processing Lab Khuddam: Abdul Rahim, LA East P.O. Box 226, Chauncey, OH 45719 102 Lajna lmaiullah Tabligh Activity: Silicon Valley Jama'at: Periodicals Postage Paid at Chauncey, Ohio Parisa Jaffari Postmaster: Send address changes to 103 Advice from the Isiahi Committee on the Work of The Ahmadiyya Gazette Reformation: Maulana Daud A. Hanif

P.O. Box 226, Chauncey, OH 45719-0226 1 110 60 h Jalsa Salana USA: Hotel Information May - June 2008 2 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Al-Qur'an

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Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will, surely, make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them; and that He will, surely, establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will, surely, give them in exchange security andpeace after their fear; they will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then whoso disbelieves after that, they will be the rebellious. (24:56)

COMMENTARY

Because it serves as a prelude to the introduction of the subject of Khilafa.t emphasis repeatedly laid in verse 52:55 on obedience to Allah and His Messenger. This emphasis implies a hint to the status and position of a Khalifah in Islam. The verse embodies a promise that Muslims will be vouchsafed both spiritual and temporal leadership. The promise is made to the whole Muslim nation but the institution of Khilafa.t will take a palpable form in the person of certain individuals who will be the Holy Prophet's Successors and the representatives of the whole nation. The promise of the establishment of Khilafat is clear and unmistakable. As the Holy Prophet is now humanity's sole guide for all time, his Khilafat will continue to exist in one form or another in the world till the end of time, all other Khilafats having ceased to exist. This is, among many others, the Holy Prophet's distinctive superioriy over all other Prophets and Messengers of God. Our age has witnessed his greatest spiritual Khalifah in the person of the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement. May- June 2008 3 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Al-Hadith

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Hadhrat Tha'lbah Buhrani'8 relates that the Holy Prophet" said, "Soon the world will be deprived of knowledge, to the extent that people will be unable to understand the matters of guidance and wisdom. The Companions of the Holy Prophet- said, 'Messenger.... of Allah! How will we be deprived of knowledge while we have the Book of Allah with us?' The Holy Prophet- said, "Don't the Jews and the Christians have their Books, Torah and Gospel, with them? How are these books benefiting them? "

(Usudul ghabah, p 236, vol. I)

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SAYIN6SOF TH£ PROMISED MESSIAHAS KHILAFAT The Second Manifestation Of the Power of God

It has always been the way of God for doing things, a way He has followed ever since the day He created this world, that He comes to the help of His Apostles and Messengers and makes them dominant - as he has said in the Holy Qur'an:

Allah has decreed: 'Most surely will prevail, I and My Messengers'. (58:22)

The meaning of dominance in this context can be explained in the following manner. It is the desire and aim of the Prophets that the truth of the Way of God should come to be fully established on earth, to the extent that no one can resist its force. Similarly Allah manifests with powerful signs, the truth of their claim, and sows the seed of righteousness at their hand which they want to spread. But He does not fully complete this mission at their hands, caus­ ing them to die in conditions which bear a color of failure, and apparently gives to their op­ ponents an opportunity to heap ridicule, mockery and sarcasm on them. When they have had their laugh, then He shows another manifestation of His powerful hand, creating a set of cir­ cumstances, which work for full attainment of the aims which were not fully achieved be­ fore.

In short, He shows two manifestations of His power: firstly at the hand of His proph­ ets; secondly at a time following the death of the prophet when obstacles show up and the enemies gain power, and think that the mission of the Prophet had been fatally wounded. They believe that the community will now be exterminated. Even some members of the movement entertain doubts with regard to their future and begin to despair, as if their backs were broken. Many unfortunates among them go so far as to apostatize. Then Allah once again shows a strong manifestation of His power and saves the falling community.

Thus, whosoever perseveres unto the last, witnesses this miracle, as happened at the time of Hadhrat Abu Bakra when the death of the Holy Propheeaw was considered to be un­ timely and many stupid nomads apostatized, and the Sahaba were also unnerved by deep May - June 2008 5 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA grief. At that critical hour, Allah made Abu Bakra stand up firmly, showing His powerful hand a second time to save Islam from extinction, and fulfilled the promise He had made in the following words:

And that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear. (24:56)

So, my dear friends, when this has always been the way how the will of Allah works, showing two manifestations of His power, so that He should demolish two false joys of the opponents, it is impossible that now He will alter this long established Divine practice. Therefore, be not grieved of what I have told you and your hearts may not be dejected, be­ cause it is important that you see the second manifestation also and its coming is lot better for you because it is everlasting whose chain will not break till Doomsday. This second manifestation can not come till I go. But when I shall go, God will send the second manifes­ tation for you, which will remain with you for all times to come.

(A l-Wasiyyat, pp. 6-7, Roohani Khaza'in vol. 20, pp. 304-305) ******* KHILAFAT-E-AHMADIYYA

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih vaba says:

Remember! God Almighty keeps His Promise. Today also, He is keeping His Hand upon this beloved Jama 'at of His beloved Messiah. He will never leave us helpless. He will never leave us helpless. He will never leave us help­ less. Even today, He is fulfilling His Promises with the Promised Messiahas as He did with the previous Khilafats. Insha Allah, He will keep on showering His blessings upon us. So, it is important to keep in mind that one does not stumble himself by not following the commandments of Allah and thus mar his future state of bliss. Therefore, by keeping on praying, by bowing to Him and by beg­ ging for His blessings always keep yourself attached to God Almighty. Keep on wearing this strong bangle. There is no one who can cause you even the slight­ est harm. May God Almighty grant everyone the ability to do so,

(Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 2, p 354) May- June 2008 6 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF TH£ FRIDAY SERMON

OF HADHRAT KHAUFATUL MASIH 'faba

D£Ln/£RE.D ON FEBRUARY 15, 200B

On 15th February, 2008, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih yaba delivered the Friday Sermon at Baitul Futuh Mosque, London.

After reciting verse 46 of Surah Al-'Ankabut, whose translation is as follows:

Recite that which has been revealed to thee of the Book, and observe Prayer. Surely, Prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil; and remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue. And Allah knows what you do. (29:46)

Hazoofba said: We Ahmadis are indeed fortunate to be part of the Jama'at of the Promised Messiah who, in his own lifetime, purified hundreds of thousands of people, arid they, in tum., purified others, and in this manner the Jama'at has continued to progress to this day. Allah gave the Promised Messiahas tidings of his Jama'at's success, and today we are witnessing the fulfillment of this promise just as we did in the past and will continue to do in the future, Insha Allah But every member of the Jama' at should realize that this prom­ ise will only be fulfilled in their favor if they continue to strive towards self-purification.

Hazoofba said: Prayers are the most efficient means for attaining virtue and getting rid of sin, and it is the primary obligation of every Ahmadi to offer the five daily prayers. The Promised Messiahas says that our Jama'at will be distinguished through the observance of the five daily prayers, and through our moral character. Our task is to safeguard our prayers and to firmly root them in our lives so that, like a shady tree, they may protect us from every kind of evil. If we first establish ourselves upon prayers, our prayers will help us become steadfast upon piety. Prayer, or supplication is a virtue that protects us against all Satanic in­ fluences

Allah says, "Watch over prayers, andd the middle prayer, and stand before Allah sub­ missively." (2:239) The 'middle' prayer mentioned in this verse is any prayer which a per­ son finds difficult to perform due to worldly pursuits or indolence. It is thus the primary re­ sponsibility of every believer to watch over his prayers.

Hazoofba said: "Many people in these days tend to combine their Prayers under the excuse that they are too busy in their worldly affairs." Hazoo~ba said: "Although there is no May - June 2008 7 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA harm combining Prayers in times of genuine need, it is improper to do so as a matter of rou­ tine, because each Prayer has to be offered at its proper time. The Promised Messiahas has said that the time for each Prayer has been fixed to reflect the spiritual conditions of man at these times. Hazoofba further elaborated this point in the light of the verse 79 of Surah Bani Isra 'il.

Hazoofba said: Since Allah has made it obligatory for believers to observe their prayers at their proper time, Ahmadis must abide by this injunction. The Promised Messiahas has said: 'Prayer is an obligation we owe to Allah and we ought to observe it with complete attention and devotion. Let your households perish if they must, but do not disregard your prayers. Prayer is not a tax, but an eternal bond between the Creator and His creatures. There is a pleasure in Prayer which strengthens this bond."

Hazoofba said: A Danish newspaper has once again shown malice and meanness by re-publishing the blasphemous cartoons. God will Himself deal with those responsible for these shameful and sacrilegious acts. We have done everything in our power to try to dis­ suade them, but if they still do not desist, we can only leave their affairs to God. For our part, we should submit to Allah even more and try to mould our lives according to the holy exam­ ple of the Holy Prophet. We should invoke blessings-Durood-upon our Prophet and sup­ plicate more and more and try to purify ourselves Ameen.

(Ch. Hameedullah) Wakil A'la, Tahrilk-e-Jadid Anjuman Ahmadiyya Pakistan, ****** PRAYER Hadhrat Abu Hurairahra relates that the Holy Prophetsa said: "The first item concerning which a person would be called to account on the Day of Judgment will be Prayer. If that is found in order he would be successful and prosper, but if that is not in order he would be ruined and lost. In case of a shortcoming in his obligations the Lord of Honour and Glory will say: 'Look, if among the voluntary actions of My servant there is anything that would make up the shortcomings in respect of his obligations. All his obligations would be checked up in that manner.' " (Tinnidhi kitabussalat bah an awwal yuhasib bihil 'abd)

Hadhrat Abu Hurairahra relates that he heard the Holy Prophetsaw say: "Tell me if one of you had a stream running at his door and he would take a bath in it five times every day would any dirt be left upon him? He was answered, 'No dirt would be left on him.' The Holy Prophetsaw observed, 'This is the case of the five Prayers. Allah wipes out all faults in consequence of them.' " ( Bukhari kitab muwaqitussalat babussalatul khams kaffara lilkhata ') May - June 2008 8 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA PROPHETS AND THEIR SUCCESSORS (KHULAFA) ALWAYS SUCCEED Hadhrat Maulana Nooruddin, Khalifatul Masih Ira says:

Think of the condition of that wonderfully unique leader, the Holy Prophet5aw, when he was alone and began preaching his Divine message of Truth. He had no money, his arms were not very strong, and he had no brothers as well. His parents had already passed away and his community was indifferent. Opposition to his mission was intense. But he got up for the sake of God. Persecution and victimization went to the extreme. They tried to banish him and attempted even to kill him. What else did they not do? But look, who collapsed? His enemies had to lick the dust. Their very name was obliterated from the face of the earth. Who subdued the country that nobody had ever conquered? Unity of God was conveyed to a people who were far from it - nay they were made to believe it. Peace reigned instead of fear.

After him, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra succeeded. Even in the days of ignorance, his tribe was not very strong. He did not belong to the tribe of the Holy Prophet also. How was it established that he was a true Khalifah. Usama was to leave for Syria with an army of twenty thousand. He ordered him also to proceed without delay. Had this force been withheld, peo­ ple would have thought that he succeeded due to the force twenty thousand strong. All around Arabia, there was a flood of apostasy. In Medina Prayers were offered only in three mosques. Apart from this, many other things happened. But how did the help of God come? The help came and even the Rafzee (Shia) had to admit that Asadullah al-Ghalib (Hadhrat AWa) also co-operated due to fear. How did it happen?

It was only because Allah had made him the Khalifah. Therefore, whenever someone is divinely appointed, he is sustained by God and it is His miraculous power that the Khali­ fah is secure in a Divine haven. So, remember, whatever the infirmities, they are for Divine miracles to happen and His support to come. It is due to these weaknesses that the suste­ nance of God comes and is enjoyed. This Divine help shows how God's patronage works. If the rich succeed with the arrogance of wealth, Maulvies with the arrogance of knowledge, cons with the arrogance of plots; and they believe that they have connection with state offi­ cials. But the men of God succeed only with the help of Allah. They are poor and even have no means of travel. But they who boast of their erudition, are laid low before these men of God. They neither possess big libraries nor bookstores nor do they go and see the high offi­ cials. But they reduce every opponent to silence including he who is proud of high connec­ tions and is well established. His own kith and kin become his enemies. But in the end they are all put to shame like the brothers of Hadhrat YusuflS (Joseph). This is the hallmark of men of God.

(Khutbat-e-Noor p. 12-14; Ahmadiyya Gazette, Canada, May, 1999). May - June 2008 9 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA KHILAFAT - A GREAT BLESSING

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih ra says:

KHILAFAT - IT IS NO HUMAN DESIGN

The Holy Qur'an says:

And when thy Lord said to the angels: 'I am about to place a vicegerent in the earth,' they said: 'Wilt Thou place therein such as will cause disorder in it, and shed blood? - and we glorify Thee with Thy praise and extol Thy holiness.' He answered: 'I know what you know not.' (2:31)

Explaining this verse, Hazoora tells us about the significance of Khilafat mentioned in this verse. In the following words he says that it is God Who appoints the Khalifah and not hu­ mans.

Jaa'il means, the maker, sustainer or the one who appoints. (Allah says) that it is My Wont that I keep on appointing Khalifah. According to this Sunnah, I am going to appoint Adam also a Khalifah and said, "I am about to place a Vicegerent in the earth". Here it is quite clear that the appointment of a Khalifah is the work of God. No human plan or design is in­ volved in it. This shows that it can never be that in reality, someone has been nominated as Khalifah on the high and the dwellers of the earth may appoint or nominate some other with their parleys and deliberations. The earthly consultations and parleys are all under the delibera­ tions of God Almighty. The only advantage of these meetings and consultations is, that they be­ come only the instruments in Divine appointment. Therefore, remember well that he who says that God forbid, an untruthful has usurped the true Khilafat is a liar. This is quite impossible that someone becomes Khalifah by force.

(Tafseerul Qur'an, compiled by Hadhrat Sheikh Yaqoob Ali Turab Irfani, Part-I, p.65) Hadhrat Musleh Mau'ood, Khalifatul Masih Ira says:

Therefore, 0 the Jama'at of the Believers! And O those who do good deeds! I tell you that Khilafat is a great Divine blessing, therefore, give it due respect. So long as many among you will remain steadfast on Iman and will be persisting in doing good deeds, God will continue granting you this blessing. But if the majority among you is divested of Iman and good deeds, then it is up to God that He keeps this blessing for you or terminates it.

Therefore, it is not the question of the Khalifah being corrupt. It will be confiscated when you will become corrupt. Therefore, do not be ungrateful to God for this blessing. Do not view the Divine Revelations with disdain. As the Promised Messiahas has enjoined, keep on praying so that the representatives of the second manifestation of God may continue appearing among you. Do not be like those who are broken, botched and failed people who rejected Khilafat. May - June 2008 JO Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Rather you always remain busy in prayers that the representatives of God's second manifes­ tation may keep on coming among you so that His Deen (faith) may be established on firm footing and Satan may be disappointed of tinkering with it forever.

(Khilafat-e--Rashidah, ref Hisaar by Hadi Ali Chaudhri ,p. 11)

Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih 11rh Says About the Blessings of Khilafat:

After the sad demise of the Promised Messiahas, the light, which God had sent was not snuffed out. Hazoo~ passed away but the light kept on shining and is continually illumi­ nating the environment. It is showing the true path to men as well as women. Its rays are be­ ing reflected through his Khulafa. By abandoning these Khulafa, there is neither light nor real guidance.

(Friday Sennon published in Monthly Khalid of May 1978)

This is our belief that it is Allah Himself Who makes a Khalifah. If it were left to hu­ mans, they would have made their Khalifah whomsoever they would have deemed superior among them. But as it is Allah Who makes the Khalifah, therefore, there is no fault in His nomination. He selects one of His weaker servants who is regarded humble by others. Allah bestows His grandeur and Jalal on him and does not leave with him whatever he possessed and then he dons the cloak of selflessness before His grandeur and Jalal.

(Al-Faz! dated 17h March 1967)

Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih 1vrh Gives Glad Tidings:

In the future, there will be no danger to Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. Now, the Jama'at has come of age. No ill wisher can harm Khilafat and the Jama'at will make progress in a gran­ diose manner, that Divine Promise will be fulfilled and Khilafat will stay in this Jama 'at for a thousand years to come. (The Weekly Badr, Qadian, July 1, 1982)

In the future, there will be no danger to Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. Now, in the eyes of God, the Jama'at has come of age and no evil eye of an enemy, no heart of an opponent and no struggle of any adversary will be able to hurt this Jama'at. Now, Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya will prosper in the grand manner which Allah has promised to the Promised Messiah as. This Jama'at will live at least for the next one thousand years. Therefore, keep on praying and go on praising the Lord and keep on renewing your pledges.

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My dear Members of the Jama'at Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuhu Today [the 2?1h May, 2008] one hundred years of Khilafat-e- Ahmadiyya have come to their completion. This day draws our thoughts to the history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, spread over a period of more than one hundred years, as well .as of the time when according to the prophecy of the Holy Prophet8\ a chosen servant of Allah, by His command, made the announcement on March 1889 about the foundation of this Holy Community. The objectives of his mission and that of the establishment of the Jama'at were to establish the relationship between God and man, to teach mankind to submit to one God, to strive for establishing Tauhid in the world, and, having united all the nations of the world into one Umma, gather the whole mankind under the banner of the Holy Prophet8a and to draw the attentio.n of mankind to recognizing and respecti11g the mutual rights of man. The person W:OOJD God, having bestowed on him the titles of the Imam, the Messiah and the Mahdi, had sent to the world, successfully carried out his mission with the support and help of Allah for almost nineteen years-since the foundation of the Jama'at and the first Bai'at in 1889 until 1908 when he passed away-in spite of all kinds of opposition and unfavourable circumstances with such expeditiousness that every adversary who opposed this Champion of Allah suffered ignominy and disgrace. According to the laws of Allah everyone who comes to this world has at last to leave it-and that person, the chosen servant of Allah and the true lover of the Holy Prophet5\ always 5 remained, in accordance with the Sunnah of his Master \ eager to meet his most Exalted Friend. Almighty Allah who had sent this servant of His as Imam Akhiruzzman [the Promised Imam of the latter days], while indicating to him that the time of his death was approaching, consoled him by assuring him that though his end was near, yet [He would not let his mission remain unfulfilled], because in accordance with His proclamation He had Himself raised him as the Imam of the latter days: So my dear one, O' you who are extremely anxious for the establishment 0 of My Tauhid (Unity) in the world and the sovereignty of My beloved Prophet , do not worry about how your mission will be fulfilled after your death. Remember that according to the 0 prophecy of the Holy Prophef , which is endorsed by Me, Khilafat in the footsteps of Prophethood will be established and will last till the end of the world. Thus after you pass away, it is this very Institution ofKhilafat by means of which I shall once again initiate the plan for the establishment and stability of My last Sharia in the world. Thus, after this reassurance by Almighty Allah, the Promised Messiahas, addressing the Jama'at, wrote: "This is the Way of God. And since He created man on the earth He has always been demonstrating this Way by helping His Prophets and Messengers and granting them predominance, as He says: ~jj@W~4.'.LI,: 'S- that is, God has ordained that He and His Prophets shall prevail. And by predominance is meant that, as Messengers and Prophets desire that God's Hujjat (that is His Will) is enforced on the earth and no one is able to oppose it, so in tum God with His powerful signs brings to light their [of Prophets] Truth as well as the Truth which they [the Prophets] wish to propagate in the world and He lets them sow its seed with their own hands. However, He does not let it come to full fruition at their hands. Rather He causes them to die at such time as apparently forebodes a kind of failure and thereby He provides an opportunity for the opponents to laugh at, ridicule, taunt, and reproach the Prophets. And when they have done all they could do in the way of ridicule and reproach, then He reveals a Second Hand of His Power and creates such means by which the objectives which had to some extent remained incomplete are fully realized. Thus He manifests two kinds of Powers. (1) First He shows the Hand of His Power at the hands of His Prophets themselves. (2) Second at the time when, after the death of a Prophet, believers face difficulties and problems and the enemy gains force and thinks that now all is lost [as far as the mission of the Prophet is concerned], and is convinced that it is the time when the community [of the followers of a Prophet] will be wiped off the face of the earth, and even members of the community start dithering and plunge into despair, feeling so helpless, and a few of them who are unfortunate resort to apostasy, then God, for the second time, shows His Mighty Power and supports and takes care of the community which was about to fall. Thus a person, who remains steadfast till the end, sees this miracle of God. As it happened at the time ofHadrat Abu Bakr Siddiqra when the death of the Holy Prophetsa was considered untimely and many ignorant Bedouins turned apostate. The companionsra of the Holy Prophet5\ too, stricken with grief, became like those who lose their senses~ Tnen Allah raised Abu Bakr Siddict and showed for the second time the manifestation of His Power and thus Islam, which was about to fall, was supported by Him and He fulfilled this promise of His which was given [in the verse]: L;1' ·

At last, as he (the Promised Messiahas) had said, the time came when he passed away to rest in the Presence of Almighty Allah and the heart of each and every Ahmadi was filled with fear and grief. However, because of the prayers of the believers, the earth and the heaven once again witnessed the fulfillment of the promise • G1 ~_,;. -J~ ~ r+' :L.jj (And that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear) (Ch. 24, V. 56), as it had been witnessed many times earlier. The great revolution that he the (Promised Messiahas) had brought about with his advent was willed by Almighty Allah to continue and be sustained through the great Institution of Khilafat. At the death of the Promised Messiahas, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad wrote in the paper Wakil: "That man, a very great man whose pen was magic and speech enchanting, the man who was the embodiment of the marvels of the mind-whose glance would cast a spell and whose voice was the clarion call of resurrection; one whose fingers were entangled with the live wires of revolution and whose fists were two charged batteries of electricity, the man who, for thirty years, caused an earthquake and stonn in the world of religion; who sounded like the trumpet of doom and continued to awaken those who were deep in the slumber of mortal existence . . . The death of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib Qadiani is notsomething from which one may not draw any lesson and consign it to the passage of time, and be content. The persons who bring about revolutions in the religious and intellectual world do not always appear. These great 'sons' of history, the pride of mankind, very rarely visit this world, and when they do so they depart from it only after having brought about a revolution in it." (Wakil, Amritsar, Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 560) Thus, Almighty Allah, having made non-Ahmadis confess about this revolution with their tongues and pens, showed that he (the Promised Messiahas) had the special support and help of Allah. But they did not realize that the Being who has extraordinary powers and works wonders and is the Almighty had promised that He would, through the bounty of Khilafat, continue the revolution brought about by the one who had the support and help of Allah. And the whole world witnessed the truth of this at the time of the election of Khilafat when Hadrat Maulana Nuruddinra was elected as Khalifatul Masih I. In spite of the fact that the opponents of the Promised Messiahas were witnessing an organized and well-knit community founded by the Promised Messiaha5, and in spite of the fact that they had witnessed the scene of the establishment of Khilafat, they tried, by an organized effort, to put an end to the Jama'at - the Jama'at which was established by God Almighty Himself and about which He had promised . .,., ., .J..,., ., .,., ., .,., ., .,., .,., .,., .J. ., .,., .,., ., .,., ., ., .J. .,., -d~..U J ~.) '->~ ~ ~~ -~~ ~, "Call to mind My bounty. I have planted for you (the tree of) My Mercy and My Power with My own Hand." (Tadhkirah,p.428) Thus, in accordance with this promise, they were defeated in their plan like always, even though they went so far in the ferocity of their enmity and opposition that one paper wrote: "If anyone asks us, then we are ready to truly say that if it is at all possible for Muslims, they should throw the books of Mirza not into the oceans, but into a burning furnace. They should not end the matter here, but see to it that in the future no Muslim or non­ Muslim historian mentions his name in the history of India or that of Islam." (Wakil, Amritsar, 3'ct June, 1908, Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol.3, pp. 205,206) But today the history of Ahmadiyyat bears witness to the fact-and the whole world knows it-that no one remembers the erstwhile opponents of Ahmadiyyat. Yet by the blessing of Khilafat, Ahmadiyyat is flourishing in the world and millions of people devotedly profess Ahmadiyyat, or the true Islam. The enemies of Ahmadiyyat crossed the limits of their absurd talk so much so that one paper, Curzon Gazette, wrote the following to which Hadrat Khalifatul Masih ra referred in his first speech of Jalsa Salana: "Now nothing is left in Mirzaies. Their head has been cut off. One man who has been elected as their Imam is not capable of doing anything except that he would teach you (the Ahmdis) the Quran in a mosque." (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol.3, p. 221) Remarking on this, Hadrat Khalifatul Masih Ira said: 'Subhanallah (Glory belongs to Allah) this is the most important task and has priority over all. May Allah grant me the opportunity to carry it out.' Unfortunately some prominent members of the Jama'at, too, did not appreciate the status of the office of Khilafat. Conspiracies continued to be hatched. But the tree planted by the hand of God continued to grow. According to the promise made by God to the Promised Messiahas the community comprising small and devoted followers of the Promised Messiah as went on increasing and no effort to inflict loss on the Jama' at could succeed. When the time of the second Khilafat came, some prominent members of the Anjuman openly and resolutely opposed the Institution of Khilafat. But all such prominent people, over­ confident and full of conceit as they were regarding their so-called knowledge, experienced and educated could not match a young man of 25 years of age. Indeed such was his exalted station that no one could equal or surpass him with respect to his organizing the Jama'at, the organized expansion of its missionary work (Tabligh) by him, his moral and spiritual upbringing (Tarbiyyat) of the Jama'at and the knowledge and deep insight of the Holy Quran he possessed. Many a time the Jama' at had to face great suffering and severe opposition, yet with the blessing of Khilafat it continued to successfully move forward. A close look at the fifty years of the Khilafat of Hadrat Khalifatul Masih Ilra shows how remarkable and crowning were the 88 achievements of this son of the Champion of Allah, the Promised Messiah • After the death of Hadrat Musleh Maudra the world of Ahmadiyyat was once again plunged into fear, but Allah, according to His promise, having replaced that fear with security and peace within a few hours, bestowed on the Jama' at the bright moon of the third manifestation of the Qudrate Thaniya (Khilafat). In spite of the opposition of the then governments and in spite of the organized and united efforts of all Muslim sects (before and after the passing of a cruel law against Ahmadis) the caravan of Ahmadiyyat continued to advance, crossing the ever new landmarks of progress, one after the other, giving the message of love to the world, serving the poor of the impoverished nations, conveying to them the message of the Arab Prophda and gathering them under his banner. Then the time came when according to the Divine decree Hadrat Khalifatul Masih nt\ too, departed from this world to meet his Creator. Once again internal and external disorders and mischief arose. But, in accordance with the Divine Promise, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at was consolidated and strengthened through Khilafat-e-Rabia and every mischief petered out of existence. Allah, the Almighty, destroyed those who put constraints on the Jama' at under the provision of a cruel law and who claimed that they would once for all root out 'the cancer of Ahmadiyyat.' Because of this law, which had been passed by the government of Pakistan, the Khalifa of the time had to migrate. But this migration opened new vistas for the progress of Ahmadiyyat. Once -~, ,,, again we saw the fulfillment of the promise made in ... -S~ ~ ~ ... A venues for the missionary work of the Jama' at were opened which had once looked like a remote possibility. During the time of the fourth Khilafat, Allah, through MT A, fulfilled His promise to the Promised Messiahas that:

"I shall carry your message to the ends of the world", confounding the reason of man. If we look at our limited means and the way in which this channel began, then the words of Tasbih (Glorification) and Tahmid (Praise) of Almighty Allah naturally flow from our - believers' - lips . Today, this channel has, from east to west, from north to south, silenced every opponent of Ahmadiyyat. Thus God revealed, through the MT A the voice of the man spreading the message of Truth to the homes of those who had wished to totally incapacitate the Khalifa of the time. Today through it the spiritual food (Maida) of the llm-e-Kalam of the Promised Messiahas (that is his teachings, his knowledge and his arguments in support of the truth of Islam and for the refutation of the tenets of other faiths and creeds) as well as that of the last Sharia of God Almighty- the Noble Quran-has reached every home with the grace of Allah. In accordance with the law mentioned in the verse ,, ,, ~~ , .. ,,, .. ~~ "" lc::""' ~ \.::1 ~~IS- '1J° ~ [All that is on it (earth) will pass away.] Ch. 55, V. 27 Hadrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh passed away. And at the time of his death the whole world witnessed that the eyes of the MTA cameras relayed a scene through satellite to every home around the world. The scene was amazing both for Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis: Ahmadis rejoiced that Almighty God had replaced their fear with security and peace, and others wondered at how those people and that Jama' at which they had been trying to destroy for hundred years had continued to prosper and progress. One opponent openly admitted, "I do not believe you to be in the right. But after having seen this, I have to confess that God by His actions has testified that He is with you." I am a humble person and am not very knowledgeable, yet, Allah the Almighty has united at my hand the whole Jama'at. Everyday the relationship between me and the community grows stronger and stronger. The world thought that perhaps I would not be able to look after the Jama'at and that they would see the end of it [the Jama'at] for which they had been waiting for the last 100 years. But they forgot that this tree has been planted by God Almighty. No human being is responsible for planting it and making it flourish. Rather whatever is happening is happening because of the Divine promises and support. And Almighty Allah is fulfilling the promise made to the Promised Messiahas in the revelation; "I am with you and with those whom you love". Thus, this is the Divine decree. This is the promise made by the very God Who does not make false promises - the promise that those dear ones of the Promised Messiahas who, in accordance with his injunction, have embraced the second Manifestation of the power of Allah, it is they who will gain supremacy over the world because God is with them. God is with us. Today, 100 years of this second Manifestation of Allah's Power (Khilafat) have come to their completion. And everyday we experience the fulfillment of the above mentioned promise made by Allah to the Promised Messiahas with a renewed glory, as I have mentioned above in the short historical account of the Jama' at. Thus, it is the obligation of each and every Ahmadi that he and she by remaining attached to the second Manifestation of Allah should strive, mustering all his and her capacities, to fulfill the mission of the Promised Messiahas_ Today, we have to bring all of Christianity under the banner of the Holy Prophet6a; we also have to bring the Jews under his banner and we have to bring all the Hindus and the followers of other religions, too, under his banner. We have also to unite all the Muslims of the world through attachment to the Khilafat-e­ Ahmadiyya at the hand of the Promised Messiah and Mahdias. Ahmadis! who live in all parts of the world or in any country, hold fast to this fundamental objective which I have just mentioned above and fulfill the task which the Imam-uz-Zaman [the Promised Imam of the time], the Messiah and the Mahdi has entrusted to you by the command of Allah. He {the Pron»:.-Messsiahas), by stating that 'this promise is about you', has placed on us this great respo~Uty:~ promises are fulfilled only when the conditions which are attached to them are observed. . . . Believers of the Masih-e-Muhammadi [The Messiah of MuhammadsaJ! dear ones of the Promised Messiahas and the flourishing branches of the tree of his being! rise up. Be ready to make any sacrifice required for the further strengthening of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya so that, by holding fast to the rope of Allah, you may spread, to the ends of the world, the message of the Holy Prophetsa the Master and Muta' (the obeyed one) of the Promised Messiahas with which Allah sent the Messiah of Muhammadsa. Also convey the message to each and every person in the world that his or her survival depends on establishing a true relationship with the One and only God and that the peace of the world depends on joining the Jama' at of the Mahdi and the Messiah because today he alone is the standard-bearer of the true Islamic teachings regarding peace and security, the example of which is not found on the surface of the earth. Today to fulfill the mission of the Messiah ofMuhammadsa and to be united in faith in the Unity of God can only be achieved by remaining attached to Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. It is this by which men of God will bring about a spiritual revolution in the world. May Allah enable each Ahmadi to convey with firm faith this beautiful Truth to every individual in the world.

Wassalam Khaksar

(Mirza Masroor Ahmad) Khalifatul Masih V May - June 2008 11 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA THE SECRET OF THE POWER OF KHILAFAT-E-AHMADIYYA Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh

The next monumental stand-off against the Jama' at in the future, which I am seeing is not the confrontation of one or two powers, but it will be the super powers who will conspire to wipe off the community. The bigger the plot, the bigger will be their doom. My predecessor Khulafa reassured and cheered the Khulafa of the future to have trust in God and not be scared of any opposition. I swear to God and tell the would be Khulafa to have courage, remain patient and be brave like me. They should not be afraid of any worldly power. The God, Who can blow up minor oppositions, will shatter powerful confrontations also. Even their traces will be wiped off from the face of the earth. Jama'at Ahmadiyya will be marching from one victory to another and no worldly power can change this fateful decision. (The Weekly Badr Qadian, August 23, 1984) Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVh says about Khilafat as follows: First of all, Jama' at Ahmadiyya should pay attention especially that we should leave be­ hind virtuous offspring and not the wicked and immoral ones. This we cannot achieve without prayer. If you will rely on your own tarbiyyat and merely trust on your efforts, you cannot achieve this noble objective. Therefore, pray hard for your children. The secret of the strength of Khilafat seems to be in two things. Firstly is the personal Taqwa of the Khalifah himself and secondly, the collective Taqwa of the Jama'at as a whole. With an increase in the Taqwa of the Jama'at, Ahmadiyyat will also be strengthened propor­ tionately. With the increase of the personal Taqwa of the Khalifah, the Jama'at will grow better and get stronger in leadership. Both these qualities and the community grow in unison and si­ multaneously. Therefore, both of us should pray for one another, i.e., I pray for you and you for me that Allah will grant me the Taqwa which is acceptable to Him, and my prayer for you will be that Allah grant me as well as you the Taqwa. As an Imam of the bigger Jama'at of Mut­ taqees, Ahmadi yyat will achieve more sublimity and we will be doing magnificent service to Islam. This will give more power and grace to Ahmadiyyat. Mere numbers have no value. In the spiritual world, fortunes are not measured with numbers. Blessed are the numbers, which come automatically due to good morals. When such values grow in a community that can keep it prospering, and the standard of Taqwa gets higher, then such a wonderful magnetic power is generated in them that the numbers are automatically attracted and absorb with the group of people holding Taqwa so much so that a new Divine Fate starts showing up and numerical su­ periority is achieved. If the community with numerical superiority is blessed with Taqwa, it is worth some­ thing, otherwise it is all trash. We should also pray that we may not forget that the blessing granted to us in this age is, for the service to humanity and we are the people who are represent­ ing God and are the community that are worthy of living in His eyes. Numerical superiority car­ ries no weight to us. This superiority is not to rule over their bodies but to win their hearts. We pray that may Allah grant us the superiority in the terminology of the Holy Qur'an, in the best possible manner and keep it forever. May - June 2008 12 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

JAMA'AT AHMADIYYA: TH£ B£6.INNIN6

In March 1889 Hadhrat He does as He wills. fess my sins. Do Thou for­ Ahmadas went to Ludhiana give my sins for no one can ' and on the 4th of that month The formal initiation forgive sins save Thyself. he issued a leaflet in which started on 23 March 1889. he stated: Hadhrat Maulvi Noorud­ Thus was laid the foun­ Djn Sahibra had the honor dation of the Ahmadiyya God desires to found a of being the first to be in­ Movement in Islam, the community of the faithful to vited to make the covenant branches of which are to be ' manifest His Glory and which was as follows: found in every part of the Power. He will make the world. Community grow and pros­ I repent today, at the per, to establish the love of hand of Ahmad, of all the In 1890 Ahmadas wrote God, righteousness, purity, sins and evil habits to two books, Fateh Islam and piety, peace and goodwill which I was addicted; and Tauzih Maram. To these was among men. This shall be a most truly and solemnly later added his book Izalah group of persons devoted to promise that to the last day Auham. All three were pub­ God. He shall strengthen of my life, I shall eschew, lished early in 1891. In these them with His own spirit, and to the best of my ability, all three books he set forth his bless them and purify them. manner of sin. I will uphold claim of being the Mahdi, my faith above all worldly and the Promised Messiah He shall multiply them ex­ ' ceedingly as He has prom­ considerations. I shall try, whose advent in the latter ised. Thousands of truthful as far as may be within my days had been foretold by the people shall join His ranks. power, to observe the ten Holy Prophetsaw of Islam. He shall Himself look after conditions of initiation set out in the leaflet dated 12 There is a whole mass them and shall make the of traditions attributed to the Community grow, so much January 1889. I seek the forgiveness of God for my Holy Prophet5aw, which pre­ so that its numbers and pro­ sent a confusing variety of gress shall amaze the world. past sins. These words were repeated in Urdu, and, the signs and particulars re­ The Community shall be a lating to the Mahdi and the lighthouse so high as to illu­ thereafter, the following supplication was made in Messiah. Most of these tradi­ mine the four corners of the tions have been declared by world. The members thereof Arabic: I ask forgiveness of Allah, my Lord, for all sins eminent Muslim theologians shall serve as models of Is­ as of doubtful authenticity. lamic blessings. My true fol­ and turn to Him in repen­ tance. I bear witness that That which emerges posi­ lowers shall excel every tively from this body of tradi­ other people. There shall al­ there is no one worthy of worship save God, the One tions may be summarized ways rise among them, till very briefly as follows. the Judgment Day, person­ without associate; and I ages who will be the chosen bear witness that Muham­ (1) The Mahdi and the Mes­ ones of God in every respect. mad is His Servant and siah would appear in the So has the Almighty decreed. Messenger. Lord, I have latter days. wronged my soul and con- (2) They will not be distinct May - June 2008 13 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

and separate personali­ up into heaven held that he away admitted to paradise. ties but would be one was not put upon the cross He and his followers were person whose main and was taken up to heaven vituperated, were boycotted function would be the before someone resembling and were persecuted in di­ renaissance of Islam. him having been mistakenly verse ways. He himself was (3) Within this overall taken for Jesusas was put prosecuted on false or un­ framework, the Prom­ upon the cross. Therefore, tenable charges but was in ised Messiah would ef­ the question whether Jesus each case honorably dis­ fectively refute the doc­ died on the cross has rele­ charged or acquitted, ac­ trine of the cross, and vance only vis-a-vis the cording to his own previ­ expose the falsity of the Christian Church and does ously announced revela­ doctrines of the Church not concern the orthodox tions which conveyed to like the Trinity, Atone­ body of Muslims. However, him Di vine assurance of ment and Salvation the notion that Jesusas had support and protection. through the blood of Je­ been taken bodily up to sus. heaven and would descend The principal points of (4) He would be the cham­ to earth in his physical body doctrinal controversy be­ pion of Islam against all in the latter days was con­ tween him and his oppo­ comers, and would es­ sidered an effective refuta­ nents were: tablish the superiority tion of the claim of Ahma­ (1) Whether Jesus had died of Islam over all other das that he was the Promised a natural death on earth, faiths as is indicated in Messiah. During Ahmad' sas as Ahmadas affirmed, or 9:33. lifetime fierce controversy whether he was taken raged around this phenome­ At the time of the ad­ bodily up to heaven as non. vent of Ahmadas, there was his opponents alleged. a widespread misconcep­ His claim of being the (2) Whether the Holy tion among the members of Mahdi and Messiah aroused Prophet' ssaw being the the so-called orthodox sects bitter opposition and the Seal of the Prophets as of Islam that Jesusas had then Muslim divines, led by mentioned in the Holy been taken up bodily unto Maulvi Muhammad Husain Qur'an (33:41) pre­ heaven and would descend of Batala, who, up to that cluded altogether the upon earth m the latter time had been a great ad­ appearance of a prophet days. Ahmadas demon­ mirer and enthusiastic sup­ among the Muslims, ev­ strated the falsity and ab­ porter of Ahmad as, almost en by way of reflection surdity of this notion so ef­ unanimously declared him of the prophethood of fectively, both from the an infidel, outside the pale the Holy Prophetsaw, as Holy Qur'an and from the of Islam. They hurled vile claimed by Ahmadas. traditions of the Holy abuse at him, denounced (3) Whether Ahmad' sas Prophet5aw, that today there him as an apostate from Is­ claim of being a recipi­ is scarcely an enlightened lam, and some of them ent of revelation and be­ di vine among the orthodox went so far as to declare ing a subordinate sects who adheres to this that his assassination would prophet by way of re­ concept. Those Muslims be a highly meritorious act flection of the Holy who had believed that Je­ and that whoever brought it Prophet5aw, was justified susas had been taken bodily about would be straight- on the merits. May - June 2008 14 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

KHILAFAT-E-AHMADIYYA: TH£ B£61NNIN6

Almost immediately not been clearly defined Central Ahmadiyya Asso­ after his election as First and laid down. Khawaja ciation (Anjuman) in Janu­ Successor of the Promised Kamaluddin Sahib ex­ ary 1906 he had appointed Messiahas some of those pressed the view that the Maulvi Noorud-Din Sahib very gentlemen who had functions of the Khalifah President of the Associa­ insistently urged upon should be confined to tak­ tion. He continued as Presi­ Maulvi Noorud-Din Sahibra ing the covenant of Ba 'iat dent even after his election that he should take over the from new entrants into the as Khalifah. Those who be­ heavy responsibilities of the Movement, leading the gan to think that the author­ Khilafat and become the prayer services, making the ity of the Khalifah should Head of the Movement announcements and deliver­ be clearly defined and founded by the Promised ing addresses on the occa­ strictly limited took advan­ Messiah as, and who had an­ sions of weddings, and tage of this situation and nounced that in such an leading funeral prayers. To began to refer in their event his orders would be this Sahibzada Mahmud speeches to the Khalifatul as binding upon the mem­ Ahmad Sahib replied that Masih as the Chief Presi­ bers of the Movement as the time of defining the au­ dent; thus subtly giving cur­ had been the orders of the thority of the Khalifah was rency to the notion that the Promised Messiahas him­ before the making of the Head of the Movement ex­ self, began to have second covenant at the hand of the ercised his authority by vir­ thoughts about the wisdom Khalifah elect. He had an­ tue of his office of Presi­ of the step that they had nounced very clearly that dent of the Central Associa­ taken. The most prominent after making the covenant tion and not in his capacity of those who felt uneasy in they would have to obey of Khalifatul Masih. During the situation that they had him in all things, and the the Annual Conference of helped to create, were Kha­ covenant was made after 1908 some of them in their waja Kamalud-Din Sahib this clear declaration. They speeches had recourse to and Maulvi Muhammad Ali were now committed to this device. They urged the Sahib. Within a week of the obey him and being so Community to remain election of the Khalifah, committed they had no united and to render full Khawaja Kamalud-Din Sa­ right to seek to limit the au­ obedience to the Chief hib, during a v1s1t to thority of the Khalifah. On President and carry out Qadian, mentioned to Sa­ hearing this Khawaja Sahib faithfully the resolutions of hibzada Mirza Mahmud changed the subject of con­ the Central Association. In Ahmad Sahib, in private, versation and nothing more the record of the proceed­ that he thought that an error was said on this subject at ings of the Association also, had been committed in the the time. any reference to the Khali­ matter of the setting up of fatul Masih was carefully the Khilafat, in that the au­ When the Promised avoided and he was referred thority of the Khalifah had Messiahas had instituted the to only as the President of May - June 2008 15 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA the Association. and that if this aspect was pent, will surely suffer the ignored the Community chastisement of hell and the Propaganda was car­ would face a great danger chastisement of burn­ ried on, especially in La­ and the Movement would ing' (85.1 i). He repeated hore, stressing the impor­ be ruined. He asked every­ this verse two or three times tance and primacy of the one present to subscribe to in tones that betrayed great Central Association and ig­ a written statement that the grief and sorrow and the noring the capacity and au­ Central Association was the congregation were so dee­ thority of the Head of the real successor of the Prom­ ply affected that all of them Movement as Khalifatul ised Messiah. With the ex­ were thrown into a parox­ Masih. In the beginning of ception of two members all ysm of emotion and loud 1909 Syed Muhammad others who were present weeping. This spiritual ex­ Ishaq Sahib (brother-in-law subscribed to the statement. perience appeared to have of the Promised Messiah) cleared the minds of the drew up a set of questions When the proceedings vast majority of any lurking on the subject of the author­ of this meeting became doubts on the subject matter ity of the Khalifah and the known in Qadian Shaikh of the question that had to juxtaposition between the Y aqub Ali Irlani Sahib, be discussed. Khalifah and the Central Editor of Al-Hakam, con­ Association, and submitted vened a meeting at his When the time came them to the Khalifatul Ma­ house in which a resolution for the consultative meeting sih with the request for an was adopted upholding the there was an attendance of authoritative clarification of supremacy of the Khalifah. about two hundred and fifty these matters. The Khali­ Out of forty-two members delegates representing the fatul Masih directed that who were present forty sup­ various branches of the these questions should be ported the resolution and Movement. They all felt sent to certain leading per­ only two dissented from it. that they had to pronounce sonalities of the Commu­ on a matter that was of fun­ nity who should be asked to When the delegates damental importance with send in their replies by a who had been summoned to regard to the future of the certain date. He also di­ Qadian arrived they were Movement. rected that those to whom directed to spend the night these questions were sent in prayer seeking Divine The Khalifatul Masih should present themselves guidance on the matters that arrived and delivered a at Qadian by the 30th of were to be discussed the short address, the purport of January for consultation on next morning. The morning which was that the Khilafat these matters. The date of service was led by the was a religious institution, the consultation was fixed Khalifatul Masih in person without which the Move­ for January 30, 1909. On and in the course of it he ment could not make any receipt of these questions recited the eighty-fifth progress. He said: Khawaja Kamaluddin Sahib chapter of the Holy Qu'ran. held a meeting of the Com­ He was deeply moved when "God has told me that munity in Lahore in his he recited the verse: 'Those if anyone of the members of house and explained to who have involved the be­ the Movement were to dis­ them that the real successor lieving men and the believ­ card it, He would bestow of the Promised Messiah ing women in doubt and upon me a whole group in was the Central Association confusion, and do not re- place of such a one. I am, May - June 2008 16 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA therefore, not dependent There was no one who the question of the authority upon any of you. I believe stood up in opposition to of the Khalifatul Masih, firmly that by His Grace He what he had set forth. He came to him in great pertur­ will help me. then told Khawaja Ka­ bation and told him that malud-Din Sahib and Mau­ Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sa­ He then made refer­ l vi Muhammad Ali Sahib to hib intended to leave ence to the replies sent in confer together and decide Qadian and that something by Khawaja Kamaluddin whether they would be pre­ must be done to persuade Sahib and Maulvi Muham­ pared to enter into the cove­ him to change his mind. mad Ali Sahib, and ob­ nant of Bai'at a second The Khalifatul Masih told served: time. He also directed Dr. Sahib that he should go I am told that the Shaikh Yaqub Ali Irfani Sa­ back to Maulvi Sahib and only function of the Khali­ hib to enter afresh into a tell him that he could leave fah is to lead the prayer ser­ covenant of Bai'at. All Qadian as soon as he vices and the funeral ser­ three made the covenant wished, and even sooner; at vices and make announce­ and the meeting came to an which Dr. Sahib was much ments of weddings and to end. Everyone felt that God flustered, whereupon the take the covenant of new Almighty had secured the Khalifatul Masih sought to entrants into the Movement. Community against a great comfort him by assuring He who thinks in those trial. It appears, however, him that no great harm terms is stupid and imper­ that Khawaja Kamalud-Djn would ensue on Maulvi tinent. He should repent, Sahib and Maulvi Muham­ Muhammad Ali's departure otherwise he will suffer mad Ali Sahib were deeply from Qadian. However, loss. Those of you who chagrined as they felt that Khawaja Kamaluddin Sahib have acted in this manner they had been gravely hu­ persuaded Maulvi Muham­ have caused me great pain miliated. Their subsequent mad Ali Sahib that it would and have affronted the of­ conduct showed that in not be wise on his part to fice of the Khalifah. making the covenant again leave Qadian. they had only submitted He also expressed his formally to the demand of Differences arose displeasure with those who the Khalifah and had not occasionally between the had convened a meeting in truly accepted him as one to Khalifatul Masih and the Qadian in support of the whom their allegiance and Central Association and a Khilafat. He pointed out obedience were due. coterie in the Central Asso­ that as he had summoned ciation became more and delegates to Qadian for a Maulvi Muhammad more critical of the Khali­ consultation, no one had the Ali Sahib in particular was fatul Masih. Their attitude right to hold any meeting in deeply offended and felt of opposition to him came support of or in opposition that he had been deliber­ out very clearly in some of to any position with respect ately insulted. He began to the letters that they ex­ to the matter which was the talk of leaving Qadian. Dr. changed between them­ subject of consultation. At Khalifah Rashiduddin Sa­ selves and which by some the end of his speech he in­ hib, who was an intimate chance came to the notice vited those present to ex­ friend of Maul vi Muham­ of the Khalifatul Masih. On press their views. mad Ali Sahib, though he the occasion of the Festival did not agree with him on of the breaking of the Fast May - June 2008 17 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA in October 1909, the Khali­ foul, supplicate God that he to define the authority of fatul Masih m delivering might remove me from the the next Khalifah. How do his address stressed the im­ world, then you will see on you know that he might be portance of unity and of whom the supplication re­ greater than Abu Bakra and obedience to the Khalifatul coils. Mirza Sahibas... I had it in Masih. In the course of his mind to take a certain step address he stated: Another mistake is today but God Almighty that it is said that the cove­ has restrained me from tak­ "I affirm it emphati­ nant is only to obey me in ing it. I bow utterly to His cally, calling God to wit­ that which is right wisdom. You should try to ness, that I shall never put (ma'roof) and that you are remove the defect from aside the robe with which not bound to obey me in which you suffer.... I do God has invested me. If the that which you do not con­ not desire to expel such whole world, including all sider right. This expression people from the Commu­ of you, were to stand up in (ma' roof) has also been nity, perchance they might opposition to me it would used with reference to the realize the truth sooner or not affect me in the least. obedience due to the Holy later, and lest I should be­ You should fulfill your Prophet5aw in verse 13 of come the cause of their go­ covenant and you will then Chapter 60 of the Holy ing astray. I admonish you see how fast you will go Qur' an. Then have you again to get rid of rancor forward and what success drawn up a list of the short­ and jealousy. If a matter of you will achieve. I have to comings of the Holy security or danger should say these things in view of Prophesaw? The Promised arise, do not publish it. certain circumstances that Messiahas also used that ex­ However, when something have arisen. I have God's pression in the conditions is finally decided it might Promise that He would lend of Bai'at. I do not think ill be given publicity. me His Support. I have no of any of you. I have made need to call upon you to en­ this exposition lest you I warn you that you ter into a fresh covenant of should continue to suffer will have to carry out my Bai' at. You should carry from some misunderstand­ directions willingly or un­ out your original covenant ing. willingly, and in the end lest you should be involved you will have to affirm that in hypocrisy, If you per­ Then it is said that I you obey me willingly. ceive that I am in error in meet people too freely. It is Whatever I tell you is for respect of something you a sufficient answer for me your good. May Allah keep should try through prayers to point out that you who you and me firmly on the that I might be shown the are my disciples have no path of guidance and may right path; but do not imag­ authority over me. Instead our end be good. Ameen". ine that you can teach me you are subject to my au­ the true meaning of some thority .... It is easy to give Sometime in 1910 verse of the Holy Quran or utterance to a sentiment but Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih of some Hadith or of some it is very difficult to eat the resigned his office of Presi­ statement of the Promised words afterwards. Some of dent of the Central Ahmadi­ Messiahas. you say that you have no yya Association and di­ apprehension with regard to rected that Sahibzada Mirza If you consider that I am me but that you are anxious Mahmud Ahmad Sahib be May - June 2008 18 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA elected President of the As­ mentioned that the condi­ health, the Khalifatul Masih sociation. Thus the confu­ tion of the Khalifatul Masih felt that the effect of the in­ sion between the authority was a source of anxiety and jury on his right temple, of the President of the Cen­ that they were anxious that which had become a perma­ tral Association and the some understanding might nent sore, was beginning to Khalifatul Masih was clea­ be reached which should advance towards his heart red up. The Sahibzada Sa­ obviate the risk of differ­ and he apprehended that his hib was then 21 years of ences arising in case of his end might arrive suddenly age, and whenever the oc­ death. He gave the assur­ without warning. In this casion arose that the Khali­ ance that none of them had condition, on the night be­ fatul Masih could not lead any desire to succeed the tween 19 and 20 January, the prayer service himself Khalifatul Masih in his holy he asked for pen and paper he would direct the Sahib­ office and that all of them and, making an entry on a zada Sahib to lead the ser­ were convinced that no one piece of paper, folded it and vice and in case of the Fri­ was better qualified for the put it inside an envelope. day noon service to deliver office of Khalifah than the He inscribed a couple of the address. This made the Sahibzada Sahib. But they lines on the envelope and disgruntled section jealous were anxious that no deci­ placed it inside another en­ of the Sahibzada Sahib and sion on the question of suc­ velope, which he commit­ they had recourse to various cession to the Khalifatul ted to the custody of Shaikh devices that were aimed at Masih should be taken till Muhammad Taimur saying: reducing the activities and those of them who were 'In case of my death, action the growing influence of resident in Lahore had ar­ should be taken according the Sahibzada Sahib in the rived in Qadian. It was rep­ to the directions enclosed in Community. resented that this precaution this envelope.' It transpired was necessary to forestall later that the two lines in­ On 18 November 1910 any action on the part of scribed on the enclosed en­ Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih anyone that might give rise velope were (Arabic): fell down while riding a to differences or distur­ 'According to the example pony and received serious bances. Upon this the Sa­ of Abu Bakr'; and (Urdu): injuries on his face and hibzada Sahib pointed out 'Make the covenant of head. For some days his that the Companions of the Ba 'iat with the person condition continued serious Holy Prophet, peace be on whose name is enclosed.' and caused anxiety. During him, had considered it that period, one day Kha­ unlawful and sinful to ar­ On the piece of pa­ waja Kamaluddin Sahib, rive at any understanding per inside the envelope was Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sa­ during the lifetime of a written the name Mahmud hib, Dr. Mirza Yaqub Beg Khalifah with regard to the Ahmad. Sahib and Maulvi Sadrud­ person who should succeed din Sahib got together and him on his death. There the Thereafter his health sent for the Sahibzada Sa­ matter ended. improved and he recovered hib and Mir Nasir Nawab the envelope from Sheikh Sahib. On their arrival Kha­ In January 1911, af­ Muhammad Taimur and waja Kamaluddin Sahib, as ter there had been consider­ tore up its contents. the spokesman of the group, able improvement m his May - June 2008 19 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

During the course of cannot conceive of the real­ lah, I stopped sending this his speech in the Annual ity, nor can you have any money to him so that I Conference of 1911, on 27 idea of my suffering or of might see what they would December, he stressed the the burden that has been do. He who said this was in need of unity through tak­ placed upon me. It is the great error, and was guilty ing firm hold of Allah's pure grace of God that I of disrespect. He should re­ rope as affirmed in the Holy have been able to bear this pent; I repeat he should re­ Qur'an (3:104) and then re­ burden. There is not one of pent while there is still ferred to some of the differ­ you who can feel it truly, let time. If such people do not ences which had occasioned alone bear it. Can he who repent it will be the worse him some anxiety. He said: has a relationship with hun­ for them. dreds of thousands of peo­ I am Khalifatul Masih ple sleep in comfort? Since that time I do not and God has established me hand over to them such in this position. I had no de­ Standing m this money as is presented to me sire at any time to hold this mosque with the Holy as a personal gift. I put it office. Now that God Al­ Qur' an in my hand and call­ away and spend it on pur­ mighty has made me wear ing God Almighty to wit­ poses that should win the this robe I dislike intensely ness, I state that I had no pleasure of Allah. For my all controversy on this sub­ desire whatsoever of be­ own person and my de­ ject. You cannot conceive coming a spiritual precep­ pendents I do not depend how much I suffer from the tor. But who can have upon your money, nor has apprehension that differ­ knowledge of the Divine God Almighty ever made ences might arise in the design? He did whatever me dependent upon you. He Community. I desire that I He willed. He gathered all provides for me and pro­ should not hear of anything of you together at my hand vides very richly out of His which might indicate the and He Himself, and not hidden treasures. I can still existence of differences or any of you, invested me exercise the profession that contentions among you, and with the robe of Khilafat. I He has taught me. I wish to see all of you as consider it my duty to practical examples of the honor it and respect it. Nev­ Keep well in mind, Divine direction: 'Hold fast ertheless, I have no desire and I repeat, that I am not to the rope of Allah all to­ for your wealth or anything dependent upon your gether and be not di­ of yours. I do not even de­ money, nor do I demand it vided' [3:104]. But this can sire that anyone should ex­ from you. If you remit any happen only by the grace of tend his greetings to me. amount to me I spend it ac­ God. I urge you once more, Such money as came from cording to my understand­ and he who is listening to you to me in token of your ing in seeking the pleasure this should convey it to oth­ personal homage I used to of Allah. What is it, then, ers, that there should be no send to Maul vi Muhammad for which I could have contention. When I die you Ali, up to last April. Then wished to become your will have plenty of occa­ someone misled him and he spiritual preceptor? God Al­ sions for contention. Per­ said that this money was mighty did whatever He haps you think that I have theirs and that they were its willed. Neither you nor easily become Khalifah like custodians. Thereupon, anyone else can do any­ Hadhrat Abu Bakra. You seeking the pleasure of Al- thing about it. Learn to be May - June 2008 20 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA respectful for this is a comfort Parliament has important speech on the blessed way for you. Take brought to Iran, and what status of the Khalifah and fast hold of this rope of Al­ benefit have others derived the obedience due to the lah. This is also Allah's from it? What kind of sleep holder of that office. In the rope which has bound you have the Turks enjoyed af­ course of this speech he ob­ all together. Keep fast hold ter setting up a Parliament? served: ofit. What benefit have the Irani­ ans derived from it? How "God Almighty of Remember, it is not many were destroyed in the His Grace saved you from within your power to set me time of Muhammad Ali disintegration after the aside. If you find any fault Shah, and now ultimatums death of the Promised Mes­ in me invite my attention to are being served on others? siah by uniting you at my it, but in a respectful man­ ' sets forth clearly that it is hands. Then appreciate this ner. It is not for man to Allah Who appoints Khu­ Divine Bounty and do not make anyone a Khalifah, it lafa. Remember, Adam was indulge in useless discus­ is God's own business .... If made Khalifah by God, sions. I cannot understand I have been made Khalifah Who said: 'I am about to what moral or spiritual this is God's doing, in ac~ appoint a vicegerent [Kha­ benefit do you derive from cordance with His design. It lifah] in the earth.' What them. God Almighty has is true that He has made me good did the angels achieve made Khalifah whom He Khalifah for your good. No by raising an objection to willed and has made you power can set aside a Khali­ it? You can find it from the acknowledge His authority. fah appointed by God. No Qur' an. If that is the situa­ It would be great folly on one of you has the power or tion of the angels, that they your part to take exception strength to set me aside. If had to confess: 'Holy are to this Divine determina­ God Almighty wills to set Thou, we have no knowl­ tion. I have told you repeat­ me aside He will cause me edge'; then you who object edly and have demonstrated to die. You must commit to me should reflect upon it from the Holy Qur'an that this matter to God. You your own situation. I re­ it is not the part of man to have not the strength to set member well when some­ establish a Khalifah; it is me aside. I am not grateful one said: 'A Parliament has the function of God Al­ to any of you. The person been established in Iran and mighty. who says that he has made this is the age of constitu­ me Khalifah utters a false­ tions.' He uttered a false­ If anyone says that hood. I find it painful to hood and was guilty of dis­ the Anjuman [Central Asso­ hear, as someone has said, respect. The jealousy of ciation] has made me that this is the age of Parlia­ God Almighty displayed to Khalifah, he utters a false­ ments and constitutions; such people the result of the hood. Such thinking is de­ that a constitution has been constitution in Iran. I repeat structive and should be es­ put in force in Iran and Por­ they should repent even chewed. Listen once more tugal, and that a Parliament now." that no man or Anjuman has has been set up in Turkey. I made me Khalifah, nor do I say that such a one who de­ In the middle of consider any Anjuman ca­ scribes this Movement as June 1912 the Khalifatul pable of appointing a Khali­ Parliamentary or constitu­ Masih had occasion to go to fah. Thus no Anjuman has tional should also repent. Lahore and during his brief made me Khalifah, nor do I Do you not know what visit he delivered another May - June 2008 21 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA attach any value to the ac­ prov1s10ns. I seek refuge come Khalifah in my life­ tion of any Anjuman in that with God that any such no­ time. When I die it will be context. Should the Anju­ tion should pass through only that one concerning man leave me I would not my mind. God Almighty whom God so wills who pay any attention to its ac­ has bestowed a secret treas­ will become Khalifah and tion. No one has the power ure upon me, of which no God will raise him to this to deprive me of the robe of one has any knowledge. My office Himself. You have the Khilafat. wife and children are not made a covenant with me. dependent upon any of you. You should not raise the Hearken! I had never God Almighty looks after question of Khalifah. God had any desire to become them. You have no capacity has made me Khalifah and Khalifah. At the time when to look after anyone. Allah now I cannot be set aside I was not yet a follower of is Self-Sufficient; it is you by any of you, nor has any­ the Promised Messiah35 I who are needy. one the power to set me dressed in the same manner aside. If you persist in your in which I dress now. I have He who is present attitude then remember that met the nobility as a person should listen carefully and I have with me those who of honor, in the same dress. he who is not present like Khalid bin W aleed will When I became the fol­ should be informed by chastise you as rebels. lower of the Promised Mes­ those who are present, that siah I made no change in to raise the objection that Be warned, my sup­ my way of life. After his the Khilafat has not been plications are heard in death whatever happened bestowed upon someone heaven. My Lord fulfills was brought about by God who was better entitled to my purpose even before my Almighty. I had not the it, is the doctrine of those supplications. To fight me least idea that I would be­ who rejected the Khilafat of is to fight God. So repent come the Khalifah, but God Abu Bakra and Umar\ and give up all these vain Almighty so willed it out of Tum away from any such things. Be patient for a His wisdom, and He made thought. Allah, the Exalted, while; thereafter he who me your Imam and Khali­ has made that one Khalifah succeeds me will deal with fah. Those who in your esti­ whom He considered best you as God Wills." mation were better entitled entitled to the office. He who opposes him is false This address was de­ to the office accepted me livered in the mosque under the Divine Will and and is disobedient to God. Submit and obey like the erected within the area of are obedient to me. Then the Ahmadiyya Buildings who are you that you angels; do not behave like lblis. on Brandreth road, Lahore, should raise objections which was the centre of all against me? If you have any Despite my illness I opposition to the Khalifah. objection, raise it against have taken advantage of God, but beware of the con­ this opportunity to impress The greatest single sequences of such imperti­ upon you that the Khilafat event of the period of the nence. is no light affair. You can Khilafat of Hadhrat Khali­ fatul Masih irn was his cou­ I do not flatter any­ derive no benefit by agitat­ ing this question. No one rageous and valiant defense one. I do not need anyone's of the institution of Khila­ greeting, nor do I depend will make any of you Khali­ fah, nor can anyone else be- fat, and the upholding of its upon your offerings and dignity and authority. In the May - June 2008 22 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA circumstances with which spect of this majority being rather than the Anjuman. he was confronted this was reduced to a minority, inas­ without a doubt a unique much as according to the With the passage of achievement. Those who rules of the Anjuman, for time they began to give cur­ were opposed to him were the framing of which some rency to ideas and concepts in the majority in the Cen­ of them alone were respon­ which were designed to tral Association and had un­ sible, a vacancy m the tone down the differences doubtedly rendered valu­ membership of the Anju­ of doctrine, teaching and able services to the Move­ man, which normally arose practice between the ment. They imagined that only on the death of a mem­ Ahmadiyya Community because of those services ber, was filled by the nomi­ and the mass of orthodox and of their academic quali­ nation of a new member by Muslims. Their object was fications and their profes­ the surviving members of that they would thereby sional experience, they oc­ the Anjuman. Thus the An­ overcome the hostility of cupied such a position of juman was a self-renewing the orthodox towards the influence and honor in the body in which a majority Movement and would gain Community that even if once established acquired popularity among them they misconstrued and mis­ more or less a permanency. through propagating the represented some of the philosophy and teachings of writings of the Promised Where, however, the Islam as the Promised Mes­ Messiah, they could carry majority made a miscalcu­ siahas had set forth, but the Community with them. lation was with regard to without making any refer­ Though they had taken a the character of the Khali­ ence to him. Here again leading part in inviting l ah. Time after time the they were the victims of Hadhrat Maulvi Nurud-Din tricks and devices to which miscalculation, the extent Sahib to assume the respon­ they had recourse were of which was made mani­ sibilities of the office of frustrated by the firmness, fest only gradually, though Khalifah on the death of the far sightedness, courage for some time they prided Promised Messiah, almost and high resolve of the themselves on having dis­ immediately thereafter they Khalifah and by his com­ covered a formula which began to be troubled by sec­ plete trust in God. They would not only make them ond thoughts and adopted dared not come out into the popular with the orthodox the position that the Sadar open in their opposition and but would put them in the Anjuman Ahmadiyya (Cen­ hostility to the Khalifah, as vanguard of all Islamic tral Ahmadi yya Associa­ fairly early they had begun movements and win them tion) was the effective and to perceive that the Khali­ credit for whatever progress authoritative Head of the fah enjoyed tremendous was achieved by Islam and Movement and that the prestige among the Com­ the Muslims. Khalifah was subordinate to munity and that if a situa­ its authority. In their esti­ tion was brought about in Their fundamental mation the strength of their which the Community weakness, however, was position was derived from might be forced to make a that while the Khalifah the fact that they had a choice between the Khali­ placed his entire reliance large majority in the Anju­ fah and the Anjuman, at upon the Grace and Mercy man and as far as could be least ninety per cent of it of God, those who were op­ foreseen there was no pro- would support the Khalifah posed to him placed their May - June 2008 23 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA reliance upon their own They could perceive clearly were to better a spirit of self qualifications and capaci­ the favour that the Khali­ improvement, to promote ties, such as they were, and fatul Masih accorded to the propagation of the ideals of their plans and devices. Sahibzada and the increas­ the Movement, to pay They overlooked the ele­ ing esteem and affection in greater attention to and ob­ mentary truth that their ca­ which the members of the serve regularity of Prayer pacities were also a bounty Community at large held services and remembrance of God and that any misuse him. They had begun to ap­ of God, to foster the study and misapplication of them prehend that after the death of the Holy Quran and would draw severe Divine of Khalifatul Masih I, the Ahadith, etc. The initiation retribution upon them as Community, with few ex­ of this society furnished his has been said: Call to mind ceptions, would manifest its opponents with another oc­ when your Lord declared: preference for the Sahib­ casion for misrepresenting 'If you will use My boun­ zada as the next Khalifah the Sahibzada's motives ties beneficently, I will sur­ They began to have re­ and charging him with con­ ely multiply them unto you, course to subtle devices that spiring to win support for but if you misuse them, My were calculated to restrict his own succession to the Punishment is severe in­ the activities of the Sahib­ Khalifatul Masih. Subse­ deed' (14:8). zada in the cause of the quent events established Movement. He had given quite clearly the baseless­ The repeated and em­ early proof of a very keen ness of any such suspicion. phatic admonitions of the intelligence, a very just ap­ Khalifatul Masih produced preciation of spiritual val­ In June 1913 the Sa­ no change in their attitude. ues and a highly developed hibzada Sahib sought and They kept making hypo­ faculty of giving expression obtained the permission of critical professions of loy­ to his thinking in speech the Khalifatul Masih to start alty and obedience to him, and in writing. His loyalty a weekly paper, the title of but did not abandon, nor and devotion to the Khali­ which the Khalifatul Masih even relax, their efforts to­ fatul Masih were exem­ himself suggested should be wards undermining his plary. He subordinated all Al-Fazal. Its first issue was prestige and his authority his activities to the approval published on 19 June 1913. and in sowing the seeds of of the Khalifatul Masih. He The paper which from the disloyalty and dissatisfac­ was inspired by great zeal very start became very tion towards the Khalifah in in support of the ideals and popular in the Community the minds of the members principles of the Move­ and throughout maintained of the Movement. ment. a high standard in all re­ spects. One element that in­ In February 1911 the tensified their opposition to Sahibzada, in pursuance of The disgruntled sec­ the Khalifah, and indeed to a dream, which he men­ tion also started the publi­ the very institution of the tioned to the Khalifatul Ma­ cation of a paper called Khilafat, was their consum­ sih, decided with his per­ Paigham Sulh (Message of ing jealousy of Sahibzada mission to form a society Peace) from Lahore, the Mirza Mahmud Ahmad Sa­ which he called Ansarullah first issue of which was hib, the Promised son of the (Helpers of God). The main published on 10 July, 1913. Founder of the Movement. purposes of this society Thus they now had an or­ gan available to them for May- June 2008 24 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA the propagation of their for the succession to It is only just and fair, point of view on different Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih, however, to mention that questions in which they praised to the skies one of during the period of the first were interested. In October the principal personalities Khilafat, the Sadar Anju­ 1913 two anonymous tracts among the disaffected, and rnan Ahrnadiyya (Central were published from La­ exhibited a most contemp­ Ahmadiyya Association) hore and were circulated tuous attitude towards the carried out several useful within the Community in Sahibzada Sahib. He also projects for which it de­ which the point of view of challenged him to deny the serves full credit. As the the disgruntled section was charges preferred against majority of the Anjurnan put forward in more offen­ him on oath. As the letter was disaffected towards the sive and aggressive lan­ was anonymous Sahibzada Khalifah, their activities of guage than was done in Sahib published a detailed a beneficent character, for their organ Paigharn Sulh. reply to it in the issue of the instance, the construction of It was soon established be­ Al-Fazal of 19 November the hostel of Ta'limul Islam yond doubt that these tracts 1913 in which, among other High school, of the school were inspired and paid for things, he also denied on building itself, of the Mas­ by the leaders of dissent in oath the charges that had jid Nur, of Nur Hospital, Lahore. The Khalifatul Ma­ been made against him. etc., must be particularly sih was grievously hurt by appreciated. It is true that the publication of these On 15 January 1914 all these and other projects tracts, and became con­ the Khalifatul Masih re­ were initiated with the ap­ vinced that there was little corded a note: proval and under the aus­ chance of those who were Last year some stu­ pices of the Khalifatul Ma­ responsible for carrying on pid people attempted to cre­ sih, and were carried such propaganda against ate differences amongst the through with funds pro­ him mending their ways. members of the Community vided by the Community, On one occasion he was so in which I was also made who were motivated by annoyed at the hostile atti­ the target of attack. The their devotion to the Khali­ tude of the Paigharn Sulh purpose of the authors of fatul Masih, yet as the pro­ that he observed: 'Our peo­ the anonymous tracts was jects emanated from the An­ ple in Lahore have sent me to create confusion in the jurnan, its share of the Paigharn Jang (Message of Community. But God Al­ credit must be duly ac­ War).' Later he directed mighty of His Grace safe­ knowledged. that the Paigharn Sulh guarded me and the Com­ should not be sent to him, Maulvi Muhammad munity against this mis­ Ali Sahib M.A. had settled and he would never bring chief. himself to read it. About the down in Qadian during the same time someone, proba­ Despite all the ad­ lifetime of the Promised bly one of those who had monitions of the Khalifatul Messiah. When the publica­ been responsible for the Masih the nefarious activi­ tion of the Reviews of Re­ anonymous tracts, wrote a ties of the dissenting group ligions was decided upon most offensive and imperti­ instead of being restrained, he was appointed its editor nent letter to Sahibzada continued to be intensified and he established a very Mirza Mahmud Ahmad in both overtly and covertly, high reputation for it within which he charged him with right till the death of Khali­ a short time. Later, during conspiracy and intriguing fatul Masih I. the first Khilafat he em­ barked upon a much more May - June 2008 25 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

ambitious project, namely, known as the Islamic Re­ Masih ira has become part the compilation of an Eng­ view. It enjoyed great popu­ of the history of the Move­ lish translation of the Holy larity during the greater part ment. The greater part of Qur' an with explanatory of the period during which his time was devoted to the notes. He continuously it continued to be pub­ exposition and illustration sought the advice of Khali­ lished. Several years after of the vast treasure of spiri­ fatul Masih ira on difficult the death of Khawaja Ka­ tual verities comprehended points of exegesis. This maluddin Sahib it fell into in the Holy Quran and illu­ work was not completed till decline and its publication mined by the example of some years after the death was stopped a few years the Holy Prophet, peace be of Khalifatul Masih f\ and back. on him. In other words, he when it was published it proved himself a true Suc­ was discovered that on sev­ With the exceptions cessor of the Promised eral points Maulvi Muham­ just mentioned, the Sadar Messiahas in every respect. mad Ali Sahib had departed Anjuman Ahmadiyya as a from the clearly expressed whole, quite properly, con­ As a contrast with the views of the Promised Mes­ fined its attention to admin­ preoccupations and activi­ siah and Khalifatul Masih istrative matters and thus in ties of the Sadar Anjuman, r. The translation was, on practice illustrated the the life and activities of Sa­ the whole, a work of high scope of the purposes for hibzada Mirza Bashirud­ scholarship and achieved which it had been estab­ Din Mahmud Ahmad Sa­ great popularity. lished. It did not concern hib, even during those early itself with the primary pur­ years, held out the promise Khawaja Kamalud­ pose of the advent of the that he would progressively Din Sahib had, during the Promised Messiahas, which continue to furnish proof of time of Khalifatul Masih f\ was to establish the su­ the truth of the various as­ adopted a program of lec­ premacy of Islam through pects of the prophecy of the tures in Urdu at various the true exposition of Is­ Promised Messiah as, set out places throughout the coun­ lamic values and their illus­ in the announcement of 20 try. These lectures, in tration in practice. That was February 1886. At this sta­ which he carefully refrained left primarily and mainly to ge we shall confine our­ from any mention of the the spiritual Head of the selves to mentioning only Promised Messiah as, but Movement, that is to say, one instance from his early which were based entirely the Khalifatul Masih. That life. In March 1906, when upon his exposition of Is­ was as it should have been, he had just completed sev­ lamic values, also proved if only for the reason that enteen years of his life, he very popular and he began an Association, by the very started the publication of a to be considered an out­ nature of its composition, is quarterly magazine, which standing scholar of Islam. ill-fitted and ill-equipped a year later became a In 1912 he moved to Eng­ for the discharge of spiri­ monthly, that was named land and started publication tual and moral responsibili­ Tashheezul Azhan (Stimul­ of a monthly magazine ties. ator of Intellects) by the which was devoted to the Promised Messiah as, and promotion of the interests How well those re­ was devoted to the exposi­ of Islam and the Muslims, sponsibilities were dis­ tion of spiritual values. and became eventually charged by the Khalifatul On the publication of May - June 2008 26 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA its first number Maulvi Mu­ something out of the ordi­ pened to your understand­ hammad Ali Sahib pub­ nary. Not only on this occa­ ing? Do reflect, can one lished the following review sion but, as I have ob­ whose instruction produces of it in the March 1906 served, on every occasion such a fruit be false in his number of the Review of this sincere eagerness of his claim? If he is false then Religions (Urdu): comes to the surface .... It is what is the sign of a true not a casual matter that the one? The Tashheezul Az­ heart of a youngster in his The health of Khali­ han, a quarterly journal, has teens should be inspired by fatul Masih I began to be started publication from such eagerness and ambi­ poorly in the beginning of Qadian and its first number tions, because that is the January 1914, and suffered has just become available. age of sports and games, a serious decline in the mid­ It is an example of the high etc. Now inquire from those dle of February of that year. resolve of the young men of black-hearted people who On 26 February, under the this Movement. May God call Hadhrat Sahib an im­ advice of his physicians, he bless it. Its annual subscrip­ postor whence has this true was removed to the house tion is 12 annas (5 English eagerness entered the heart of Nawab Muhammad Ali pence). The editor of this of this young man? False­ Khan Sahib, which was journal is Mirza Bashirud­ hood is utterly foul, its ef­ situated in a garden at some Din Mahmud Ahmad, son fect should have been also distance outside the town. of the Promised Messiah. foul and not so pure and This issue of the journal bright as has no equal. If a On the afternoon of 4 carries an Introduction from person perpetrates an im­ March he wrote out his will his pen extending over 14 posture, he might conceal it while he was lying in bed. pages. It will in any case be from outsiders, but cannot It was in the following read and appreciated by the conceal it from his own terms: members of the Commu­ children, who are in his nity, but I wish to draw the "In the name of Allah, company all the time and Most Gracious, Ever Merci­ attention of the opponents observe every movement of of the Movement to it as a ful. We praise Him and call his, listen to every word of down blessings on His no­ clear proof of the truth of his and observe the mani­ the Movement. ble Messenger. This hum­ festation of his thoughts on ble one writes in the full The Sahibzada is only all occasions. Thus where possession of his senses. 18 or 19 (actually 17] years there is imposture, it must There is no one worthy of old. Everyone is aware of become man ifest sometime worship save Allah; Mu­ the thoughts and ambitions or other to the wife and hammad is the Messenger that inspire the minds of children of the impostor. 0 of Allah. My children are youngsters of that age. If ye unfortunate ones, do re­ young and there is no they are college students, flect whether the children money in our house. Allah their minds are occupied of an impostor brought up is their Guardian. No provi­ with eagerness for higher during the period of his im­ sion should be made for education and freedom. posture can be like this. Are them out of any fund for or­ Such zeal for the faith and your hearts not human that phans and the needy. A such eagerness in support they cannot understand loan might be provided for of Islam as are manifested such a verity and are not af­ them which should be re­ in these simple words are fected by it? What has hap- paid by those of my sons May - June 2008 27 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA who grow up into a position later on Friday 13 March, the view that the Commu­ to do so. My books and shortly after 2 p.m. He had nity should reflect upon the property should be put in been born in 1841 and was situation for four to five trust for my children. My thus six years younger than months and thereafter successor should be right­ the Promised Messiah. He should come to a decision eous, popular, learned and died six years after the after an exchange of views. of good conduct. He should death of the Promised Mes­ The Sahibzada Sahib exercise forbearance to­ siah and thus at the time of pointed out the impractica­ wards the old and new his death his age was the bility of such a course and friends of the Promised same as was the age of the finally said that he and Messiah as. I have been the Promised Messiahas at the those who saw eye to eye well-wisher of all of them time of his death. The same with him were prepared to and so should he be. The was the case with Hadhrat make the covenant of public teaching of the Abu Bakr\ the first Succe­ Bai'at at the hands of any­ Qur' an and Hadith should ssor of the Holy Prophetsaw. one whom Maulvi Muham­ be continued. Greetings of He also died when he ar­ mad Ali Sahib and his peace. N urud Din 4 March rived at the same age at group might put forward for 1914." which the Holy Prophetsaw the office of Khalifah; but had died. Maulvi Sahib would not After he had finished agree. writing it he handed over On the evening of the the paper to Maulvi Mu­ same day Maulvi Muham­ Later the same eve­ hammad Ali Sahib, who mad Au Sahib met the Sa­ ning the Sahibzada Sahib was sitting near him, and hibzada Sahib and sug­ summoned sixty leading directed him to read it out gested that nothing should members of the Community to those who were present be determined consequent who were present in Qadian at the time, which was on the death of the Khalifa­ for consultation. After some done, and it was read out a tul Masih in a hurry, but assessment of the situation second and third time by that everything should be it was unanimously agreed Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sa­ settled after mutual consul­ that before the interment of hib under the direction of tation. The Sahibzada Sahib the Khalifatul Masih his the Khalifatul Masih. agreed and said that by the successor, who should com­ next day most people of mand the obedience of the After the third reading note m the Community Community, should be he inquired from Maulvi would have arrived in elected and should lead the Muhammad Ali Sahib Qadian, and that a consul­ funeral prayers of the de­ whether anything had been tation could take place after ceased Khalifah and should left out, on which Maulvi their arrival. Maulvi Sahib arrange for his burial Muhammad Ali Sahib as­ demurred to this and pro­ sured him that everything posed that as there was a It was also agreed was correct. difference of views on cer­ that all of them should con­ tain matters among differ­ tinue to pray during the lat­ The document was ter part of the night for Di­ then committed to the cus­ ent sections of the Commu­ nity, time should be taken vine guidance and should tody of Nawab Muhammad observe a fast the next day. Ali Khan Sahib. for full discussion so that a unanimous decision might The following day it The end came nine days be reached. He expressed transpired that a tract which May - June 2008 28 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA had been drawn up by at the moment. After some word to Maulvi Sahib that Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sa­ discussion he pointed out to he would be welcome and hib and had been printed those present that their he arrived accompanied by before the demise of Khali­ main concern should be to some of his friends. At the fatul Masih ra was being maintain, by whatever time Maulvi Syed Muham­ widely distributed, among means it might be possible, mad Ahsan Sahib, Khan other places, at Batala rail­ the unity of the Commu­ Muhammad Ali Khan Sa­ way station to the members nity. With this object in hib, and Dr. Khalifah of the Community who view he proposed that the Rashidud-Din Sahib were were arriving in large num­ one fundamental require­ also present with the Sahib­ bers from all directions on ment was that there must be zada Sahib. He repeated his their journey to Qadian. a spiritual head of the suggestion of the previous The purport of the tract was Movement. If the dissident day which he had put to that the Sadar Anjuman group would agree to that, Maulvi Sahib that there Ahmadiyya was the true then the question would be should be no discussion of successor of the Promised who should be elected to the question whether there Messiah and that anyone the office. For that purpose should or should not be a else who might be elected the view of those members Khalifah. The only matter as Khalifah, and there could of the Movement who were on which there could be an be several such persons, then present in Qadian exchange of views was who would have only an honor­ should be ascertained and should be elected Khalifah. ific position, but would ex­ should be accepted. Should Maulvi Sahib insisted on ercise no authority. There the dissident group be not his side that nothing should was a subtle hint that the prepared to agree to such a be determined upon at the Sahibzada Sahib, and those course, a person not identi­ time, but after a long who were in agreement fied with either side might enough interval, which with him on the points of be agreed upon and elected, should enable the members difference that had eme­ If this should also not be of the Community to reflect rged, did not qualify even acceptable, anyone of the deeply on the question that for an honorific position dissident group whom they confronted them, a decision under the terms of the will might put forward should might be taken unani­ of Khalifatul Masih ra. be elected so that unity mously which should be might be maintained. On given effect to. While their By the midday of 14 his insistence all those who discussion was proceeding, March more than a thou­ were present agreed to his the people who had gath­ sand members of the Move­ proposal. ered outside became greatly ment had arrived in Qadian excited and in their impa­ from outside. In the after­ Immediately there­ tience demanded that the noon of that day Mirza after the Sahibzada Sahib door should be opened and Bashirud-Din Mahmud Ah­ received a note from they should be told what mad held a consultation Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sa­ decision had been reached. with all members of the hib to the effect that the At this stage the Sahibzada family of the Promised Maulvi Sahib desired to re­ Sahib suggested that they Messiah and their close re­ sume their conversation of should go out and try to as­ lations on the situation that the previous day. In reply certain the wishes of the confronted the Movement the Sahibzada Sahib sent May - June 2008 29 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA people who were now gath­ up and read out the will that Upon this there were shouts ered together in Qadian. To Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih of labbaik, labbaik, and it this the Maulvi Sahib re­ Ira had written on 4 March seemed that the whole body torted: 'You suggested this and had committed to his of people present was push­ because you know who custody. He had scarcely ing forward towards the Sa­ would be their choice.' The finished when from every hibzada Sahib, who contin­ Sahibzada Sahib told him direction there arose shouts ued sitting silent and for that he was ready to make of Mian Sahib, Mian Sahib, some time gave no indica­ the covenant of Bai'at at the Mian Sahib. In the midst of tion of his attitude. When hands of any one of them this uproar Hadhrat Maulvi he found that there was not whom they might put for­ Syed Muhammad Ahsan the slightest doubt that it ward. But Maulvi Sahib Sahib stood up and an­ was the universal wish that persisted in affirming that nounced in a loud voice: he should assume the re­ the Sahibzada Sahib knew sponsibilities of the exalted the people would insist "I am the person con­ office of Khalifah, he loo­ upon electing him to the of­ cerning whom the Promised ked for Hadhrat Maulvi fice of Khalifah. Thus the Messiah has said that I was Syed Sarwar Shah Sahib deadlock continued, and in one of the two angels men­ and on espying him in the the end the Sahibzada Sahib tioned in the Ahadith who middle of the turmoil called intimated that as he consid­ would accompany the Mes­ him and said: 'Maulvi Sa­ ered it essential that there siah on his descent from hib this burden has fallen must be a Khalifah and heaven. I consider that Sa­ upon me suddenly and un­ Maulvi Sahib and his group hibzada Bashirud Din Mah­ expectedly and I cannot were of the view that no mud Ahmad Sahib is in even recall the formula of Khalifah was needed and every respect fitted that he Bai'at. Will you kindly in­ there was no possibility of a should take the covenant of struct me in it.' Thus he compromise on this funda­ Bai'at from us. I therefore took the Bai'at of those pre­ mental issue, which was of request him to proceed to sent repeating after the the nature of a religious ob­ do so." Maulvi Sahib the words of ligation, they could do what Thereupon Maulvi the covenant. At the end of they liked, but those who Muhammad Ali Sahib and the Bai'at he offered a si­ were convinced that there Syed Mir Hamid Shah Sa­ lent prayer in which every­ must be a spiritual Head of hib both stood up at the one joined, and after the the Movement would now same time, each beseeching prayer he made a brief get together and would the other to let him speak speech. Thus the troubled, elect a Khalifah after con­ first. Their altercation con­ scattered and bewildered sultation. That was the end tinued for some minutes Community was, by Divine of the conversation. and the audience became Grace, again united to­ impatient. At this stage gether and Divine Mercy The Sahibzada Sahib and comfort were perceived then proceeded to Masjid Shaikh Y aqub Ali lrfani Sa­ hib stood up and an­ as descending upon all Noor where he was being hearts. Everyone appeared awaited by a couple of nounced: 'We cannot afford to waste precious time in to be in the grip of deep thousand people. After the emotion. Asr Prayer Khan Muham­ these wranglings. I request mad Ali Khan Sahib stood our master the Sahibzada Sahib to accept our Bai'at. Immediately thereafter May - June 2008 30 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA the newly elected Khalifatul Masih lira led the funeral prayers of Hadhrat Khali­ fatul Masih I in a vast open space next to the Masjid Nur. When the bier was be­ Sumbul Jattala ing carried to the graveyard it was followed by a huge (WaqfeNau) concourse of people of all LA - Inland Empire Jama'at sects and communities, Muslims and non-Muslims, A Prophecy was fulfilled in our times as a token of their respect for and their homage to the Written in Tadhkira and known to few memory of a great and gra­ The rest did not notice until it was due cious personality whose be­ neficence had recognized no boundaries and limits. Hadhrat Khalifatul One late night, somber and quite, by the street-side Masih Ira was made the tar­ The announcement was made to everyone's delight get of many objections, The sadness faded, as if everyone became alive criticisms and false charges, in answer to which all that he said was: "I would beg to be ex­ God had kept his promise like every other time cused that I am unable to Only two words were said* then every one sat down reply to all these allegations Obedience to the Khilafat is every Ahmadi's sign except to state that God Al­ mighty is witness, and I make oath in His name, that I have never tried that I should become Khalifah; * Hazoor's instruction for every one to sit down nor has any such idea ever when he came out after being elected as Khaliftul crossed my mind. Those Masih. who have given expression to such an idea concerning me have been morally ****** guilty of my murder and are Hadhrat 'Amru bin Shu'aibra relates from his accountable to God for their grandfather through his father that the Holy Prophetsaw calumnies against me." directed: Order your children to perform the Salat when they are seven years old, and chastise them in respect of any fault (Source: Ahmadiyyat: The in this behalf when they are ten, and at that age put them in Renaissance of Islam by separate beds. Muhammad Zafrulla 3 Khanr ) (Abu Dawud bab mata yu 'marul ghulam bissalat, Musnad Ahmad) May - June 2008 31 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA INVINCIBLE KHILAFAT Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IVrh

In the first Ijtema of town of Qadian. They will fully believe that due to the Khuddamul Ahmadiyya of pull down Minaratul Masih present Ahrar Movement Majalis from all over and the adjacent mosques. also, Allah will shower so Europe, S yedna Hadhrat There will be no one who magnificent blessings, whi­ Khalifatul Masih IVrh gave could call himself the survi­ ch you cannot even imag­ glad tidings regarding vor of the Jama'at of Mirza ine. Today, the Jama' at is Khilafat to the members of Ghulam Ahmad Qadianias. not the same, which the Ah­ the Jama' at as well as the That was the time when rar tried to wipe out in the future Khulafa of the Di­ Hadhrat Musleh Mau' oodra past. Today it is a hundred vine Graces and Blessings announced in one of his Fri­ times stronger than the Ja­ in the times to come. day sermons that he was ma'at of 1933-34. I assure seeing that the ground was you that the Jama'at which He said: slipping under the feet of they want to wipe out to­ These days are again Ahrar. It was within a few day, will rebound hundreds the times of Abarar . . . Ap­ weeks that the carpet of the of times stronger than to­ parently they (the enemies Ahrar was rolled away day. Smaller countries will of Ahmadiyyat) are ringing from the Province of the not even imagine that they the bells of the death of Punjab. It was Ahmadiyyat can even attack this Ja­ Ahmadiyyat. But I swear to that bounced magnificently ma'at from any side. God that they are ringing in front of Abrar. This is the same Tahrik-e-Jadid, Coming generations the knell of their own death. will face the combined op­ They are mere voices com­ which has been firmly es­ tablished all over the world. position of bigger nations. ing out of their mouths. These small nations, who No mother has so far Apparently, it is some are so insignificant that borne the child who could humble and modest person they live by mere begging roll the carpet of Ahmadiy­ who is appointed as Khali­ and are dependent on others yat either in the past, or in fah due to some Divine for everything, have be­ the present. There will be Wisdom. Outwardly, it is come so arrogant on the no one in the future also. If he who speaks, but it is our paltry blessing that God has at all someone is thinking experience that from be­ given them that they think on these lines, it is no more hind, it is God Who 1s of clashing with the Divine than the babbling of a scat­ speaking His Will. It is Jama'at. Therefore, rest as­ terbrain. there when glad tidings are sured that this epoch is go­ given to Jama' at Ahmadi­ ing to be erased. Let me take you yya. back to the days of Tahrik­ No one can deny that e-Jadid when Majlis Ahrar As God rained unlim­ the writing is on the wall was boasting and bragging ited blessings due to the Ah­ that there will be opposition that they will smash the rar Movement in the past, I of the Jama' at in future as May - June 2008 32 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA well. And we will have to tread on bumpy roads and PRAYER then enter into the times of new advances. It is this op­ Hadhrat Jabira relates that he heard the Holy position which is the source Prophetsaw say: "Giving up Prayer is tantamount to disbelief of the life of the Jama' at. and paganism." The vast scale opposition of the future, which I am seek­ (Muslim kitabul Iman bab biyan itlaq ismulkufr 'ala­ ing, will not be limited to a man tarakassalat) couple of nations. That will Hadhrat Abu Ayyub Ansar{3 relates that a man asked be the time when big na­ the Holy Prophetsaw: "Tell me what should I do to be tions will join hands to ef­ admitted to Paradise. He answered him: Worship Allah, face the Jama'at. The big­ associating naught with Him, observe Prayer, pay the Zakat ger the plots, the bigger and strengthen the ties of kinship." downfall will be their fate. The Khulafa before (Bukhari kitabul adab bab fad! silaturrahim) me had given courage to the 3 future Kbulafa and had told Hadhrat Jabif relates that angel Gabriel visited the them that they should trust Holy Prophetsaw and said: "Please arise and offer Prayer." 53 in God and should fear no Accordingly, the Holy Prophet woffered Zuhr Prayer at the opposition. Now, I swear to declining and waning of the sun, 'Asr Prayer when the God and say to the future shadow of things was of their size, Maghrib Prayer after the Khalifah after me to have sunset, /sha' Prayer when light in the horizon had courage and manifest pa­ disappeared, and the Fajr Prayer after beginning of the tience and should not be dawn. afraid of any worldly The next day, Gabriel again visited the Holy power. The God, Who can Prophetsaw and, as directed by him, the Holy Prophetsaw crush smaller opposition offered Zuhr Prayer when the shadow of things was of their will wipe off the powerful size, Asr Prayer when the shadow of things was twice their opposition of the future size, Maghrib Prayer at the same time it was offered on the also. Let me tell you that previous day, the Isha' Prayer after passing of either half or their names will be effaced one-third of the night and Fajr Prayer when the light had from the face of the earth. spread fully. Jama'at Ahmadiyya is des­ tined to achieve one victory After that Gabriel said: "The best and the preferred after the other. No power time to offer the Prayers is the middle of the two times on earth can change this prescribed for the Prayers." destiny. (MusnadAhmad, p 330/3) (Address to European ljtema Khuddamul Hadhrat 'A'ishara relates that the Holy Prophetsaw Abmadiyya on 29th August said: "Brushing the teeth purifies the mouth and is I 984, Ref Hisaar by agreeable to the Lord." Hadi Ali Chaudhri, p. 63-65) (Nasai babuttarghib fissawak) May - June 2008 33 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh A Servant of Faith (Period of Khilafat: June 10, 1982-April 19, 2003)

Karimullah Zirvi

Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmatl"h was elected Khalifah upon the demise of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IITh on June 10, 1982. As was his predecessor, he was also a grandson of the Promised Messiah and Mahdias and a son of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IF. However, such a relationship is not a requirement of Khilafat.

Auspicious Birth

Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh was born on December 18, 1928 in Qadian, India to Hadhrat Musleh Mau'oodra and Hadhrat Syeda Maryam Begum Sahiba. Hadhrat Syeda Maryam Begum Sahiba after the birth of Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh came to be known as 'Umm-e-Tahir'.

Hadhrat Musleh Mau'oodra married Hadhrat Syeda Maryam Begum Sahiba who was the daughter of Hadhrat Dr. Abdul Sattar Shah Sahib on 7th February, 1924. The Nik.ah was performed by Hadhrat Syed Sarwar Shah Sahib who was a companion of the Promised Messiah. In the Nikah sermon he said:

"I am now advanced in years and will soon pass away, but those who live will witness the advent of a Servant of the faith born from this wedlock with a Syeda as occurred before. This is my resolute conviction."

Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh was that Servant of Faith

Education

Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh was educated in India, Pakistan and in the UK. He studied for two years at the Government College Lahore and later obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Punjab. In 1949 he received his Shahid degree from the Jamia Ahmadiyya and in 1955 he accompanied Hadhrat Musleh Mau'oodra to Europe. During his stay in London he was enrolled in the London University School of Oriental and African Studies.

He was widely traveled and often delivered addresses to audiences, including people from all walks of life and widely different cultures. His addresses and other meetings were May - June 2008 34 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

often accompanied by "Question and Answer" sessions. He was always ready to respond to questions agitating the minds of his audience on any topic, religious or temporal. His deep understanding of religion pervaded his thinking and his answers. He was in every sense a unique individual.

After completing his education, he dedicated his life to serve the faith. In October 1958, Hadhrat Musleh Mau'oodra made him in-charge of Waqf-e-Jadid. From1960 to 1969 he was elected Vice President and then Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Markaziyya. During this time he served as Director of the Fazl-e- 'Umar Foundation and Patron of the International Association of Architects and Engineers. In January 1979 he was elected as Sadr Majlis Ansarullah Markaziyya, a position he held till his election as Khalifatul Masih IV in 1982.

Marriage Hazoorh married Sayeda Asifa Begum Sahiba on 5th December 1957. She was the daughter of Amtul Salam Sahiba and Sahibzada Mirza Rashid Ahmad Sahib. They were blessed with four daughters:

Sahibzadi Shaukat Jehan Begum Sahiba (Wife of Sahibzada Mirza Safeer Ahmad) Sahibzadi Faiza Sahiba Sahibzadi Yasmin Rehman Mona Sahiba (Wife of Karim Khan Sahib) Sahibzadi Attiyal Hahbib Tooba Sahiba (Wife of Sultan Malik Sahib)

Election as Khalifatul Masih and Migration to London It was in Rabwah, Pakistan, that Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh was elected to the of­ fice of Khalifah in June 1982. However, the Anti-Ahmadiyya ordinance imposed on April 26, 1984 by General Zia-ul-Haq, the then dictator President of Pakistan, made it impossible for Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih rvrh to function as the head of his community while remaining in that country. After due consultation he decided to leave Pakistan immediately. Three days after the promulgation of the ordinance, he took an airplane from Karachi and came to London where he resided till his demise.

Khalifatul Masih 1vrh: A Servant of Faith Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrhled the Jama'at to new levels of unity, zeal and progress. During the last decade of his Khilafat, more than 150 new mosques and missions were established; the Holy Qur'an was translated into more than 56 languages and the Jama 'at grew rapidly. One of the greatest achievements of his Khilafat was the development of Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (MTA).

Various Schemes and Projects Launched by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV\ during his Khilafat, launched many schemes some of which are briefly described here: May - June 2008 35 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

BUYUTULHAMD SCHEME

On returning from Spain, after performing the opening ceremony of the first mosque built in Spain at Pedro Abad in the last 700 years, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh on October 24, 1982, in his Friday sermon delivered at Aqsa Mosque in Rabwah, announced the Buyutul Hamd Scheme as follows: "In this regard (Buyutul Hamd Scheme) God Almighty has inspired me to start a project which I am going to announce at this occasion. The project is that to offer thanks for building a House of God at Pedro Abad, Spain we should concentrate towards building houses for the poor. This will be a practical way of thanking God almighty." At another occasion, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh announced: "I would like to spend 10 million Rupees, before the Jubilee, towards building and distribution of houses to the poor." This scheme by the grace of God was very successful. A Buyutul Hamd colony, consisting of 106 houses have been established in Rabwah. One hundred six families are living in the colony. The colony has its own primary school and dispensary. Each house was built at the cost of more than 500,000 Rupees. At the same time, millions of Rupees have been distributed among the deserving poor people. Furthermore, 6500 families have been given financial assistance. A huge Hostel called, "Darul Ikram" has been established to provide accommodation to the orphans. (Jama'at Ahmadiyya ka Ta'araf, Urdu, 1996, p 302)

WAQF-E-NAU SCHEME

In his Friday sermon delivered on April 3, 1987 at the Fazl Mosque, London, under Divine guidance Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih rvrh announced the blessed scheme of Waqfi-e­ Nau. At this occasion, while stating the aims and objectives of the scheme, he highlighted the following: "While we are making efforts to get an increased number of spiritual children through preaching before entering into the next Century, we should also devote in the way of Allah, our children who will be born during the next two years. .. . I am presenting this scheme so that a great army of devoted children may be entering the next Century free of the worldly desires but as slaves of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafasaw. So that we are presenting young children as a present to God Almighty. There is a great need of such a devotion, because, during the next 100 years Islam and Ahmadiyyat will spread so much everywhere in the world that we need thousands of trained servants for that. We need such devotees who for the sake of God Almighty will become slaves of Muhammad Rasulullahsaw. We need devotees in large numbers from all sections of the life and from all countries .... As I have mentioned there is great need for a large number of devotees in the next Century of Ahmadiyyat. May - June 2008 36 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

From all walks of life, the devotees should come so that we could present them to God Almighty with the intention that these are the devotees from whose abilities the people of the next Century have to benefit. So this is a present which we have to give to the people of the next Century. Thus, whosoever has the opportunity to do so, should get ready to present this gift. ... God Almighty has directed me to present to you this scheme that you should promise that whosoever gets a child during the next two years he will present it to the Jama 'at for the sake of Allah .... If people, while praying, will devote their children, which will be born during the next two years, then a beautiful and well trained force of Waqfin (Devotees) will get ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of God in a short period of time. May God Almighty Divinely help us to do so."

Initially, this scheme was for children born during two years after the announcement. However, at the request of a large number of Ahmadis, this period was extended to another two years. Hazoor has stated in one of his speeches at the Annual Convention at London, UK in 2000: "He had desired of getting 15,000 devotees in this Scheme. However, to date there are 20,515 Waqfin-e-Nau children. There are 14,259 boys and 6,256 girls. The children are devoted towards the Waqf-e-Nau Scheme before their birth and it is not known to the parents whether the newborn will be a boy or a girl. This 2 to 1 ratio of boys compared to girls is a natural phenomenon created by God Almighty. Boys are more useful to the Jama 'at as they can be easily spread all around the world for Jama'at work." AHMADIYYA CENTARY JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS The Ahmadiyya Jama'at was established on March 23, 1889 and by Divine Grace it completed a very suuccessful first century of its existence on March 23, 1989. Under the guidance and instructions of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih 1yrh, the Centenary Jubilee of Jama'at Ahmadiyya was celebrated throughout the world. Grand ceremonies took place in almost 100 countries in which eminent leaders were invited while newspapers, radio, and television carried news of the event prominently. A special message was issued for this occasion by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrhwhich was widely circulated. Islamic literature was also widely distributed at this occasion. On March 23, 1989 Ahmadis throughout the world carried out special programs and prayed for the success in spreading the message of Ahmadiyyat, the True Islam.

HUMANITY FIRST Humanity First was first conceived in 1991 and it was registered in the UK in 1994. In 1993, during the growing crisis in Bosnia at the time of the war Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV'h founded this relief organization and named it, "Humanity First". Humanity First has ex­ tended its operation to many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas and is ac­ tive every day. At present, it is registered in the following 24 countries: Benin, Bosnia, Burk­ ina Faso, Canada, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guyana, Holland, Indonesia, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Liberia, Mali, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niger, Pakistan, Uganda, UK, UAE and USA. Humanity First is a "non-religious" charity organization whose operation is May - June 2008 37 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA based on the universal Islamic values of justice and fairness to friends and foes alike.

MUSLIM TELEVISION AHMADIYYA (MTA)

In 1992, on the occasion of the inauguration of Baitul Islam Mosque, Canada, the Friday Sermon of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh was broadcast to every continent of the world, for the first time, via satellite transmission. Today, Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (MTA) has developed to such an extent that religious programs are broadcast daily, 24 hours a day, and a growing number of Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis are viewing it throughout the world.

HOMEOPATHY CLINICS

Hazoor's propagation of homeopathy as an economically viable and often free alternative that Ahmadiyya Jama'at provides for those who could not afford expensive pharmaceuticals was well recieved by poor people both in Asia and Africa. Hazoor gave a series of lectures on homeopathy which were published as a book in Urdu which was then translated into English. Furthermore, Hazoor would give personal attention to hundreds of thousands of the members of the Jama'at who would write to him regularly regarding treatment with homeopathy.

INTERNATIONAL BAI'AT

At the very early stage of his mission, Hadhrat Promised Messiah and Mahdias received the revelation from God:

"I shall cause thy message to reach the comers of the earth."

(Tadhkirah: English translation, Muhammad Zafrulla Khan, 1976, p 184)

At that time, it appeared to his opponents an empty boast. Today, as God Almighty has foretold, the message of Ahmadiyyat has spread to the ends of the earth, and Ahmadiyyat is spreading by leaps and bounds.

Since his arrival in London, every year, the Ahmadiyya Convention has been held in London, UK (in 2001, the Convention was held in Germany). In 1993, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh led an initiation ceremony, where individuals who have joined the fold of Ahmadiyyat during the year, formally participated live via satellite transmission. The ceremony is known as the "International Bai 'at (Initiation)".

During the first International Bai'at, 204,308 persons simultaneously accepted Ahmadiyyat at the hands of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh via satellite transmission. Since 1993, the number of Bai'ats have been either doubling or more than doubling each year. The following is the number of people who entered the fold of Ahmadiyyat during the years 1993-2002 at the hands of Hadhrat Khalifatul Mash IVrh: May - June 2008 38 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

1993 204,308 1994 421,753 From 93 countries and 155 nations 1995 847,725 From 96 countries and 162 nations 1996 1,602,721 1997 3,004,585 From 96 countries and 221 nations 1998 5,004,591 From 93 countries and 223 nations 1999 10,820,226 From 104 countries and 231 nations 2000 41,308,975 2001 81,006,721 From more than 300 nations 2002 20,654,000 Total: 1993-2002 164,875,605

Al-FAZL INTERNATIONAL The weekly newspaper Al-Fazl International started its publication from London on January 7th, 1994. It is printed at the Raqeem Press which is equipped with modem printing equipment and is owned by the Jama'at.

MARYAM SHADI (MARRIAGE) FUND

In his Friday sermon on February 21, 2003, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh stated that his mother always helped the poor and the needy. She, particularly, used to help the poor and orphan girls in providing a reasonable dowry at the occasion of their marriages. So, in the memory of his mother and to elevate her spiritual status, Hazoor states that he will help those parents who due to poverty can not give a reasonable dowry to their daughters at their wedding. Parents of such girls can write to him. If he can not help them, then the Jama'at will help. God Almighty has bestowed a lot of money on the Jama 'at. Later on, in the Friday sermon on February 28, 2003, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh stated that in response to the scheme he announced in the previous Friday sermon to help the poor and orphan girls towards their dowry, the Jama'ats and individuals have responded wholeheartedly. Various Jama'ats have either sent or pledged 95,803 Pounds towards the fund. While various individuals have either sent or pledged 13,530 Pounds, as well. Some ladies also have given their jewelry. The committee that was established to run the scheme has proposed the name 'Maryam Marriage Fund' for the scheme, which he has accepted.

BAITUL FUTUH MOSQUE

Baitul Futuh Mosque is a beautiful, very attractive and the largest mosque in the Western Europe. The opening of the mosque was done by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih yrh on October 3, 2003, with the Friday Sermon and Prayers. Later on a special function was held to celebrate the opening of the largest mosque in Western Europe in which a large number of dignitaries participated. The opening of the Mosque was widely covered in the Westen media. May - June 2008 39 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

In 1996, a land parcel of 5.2 Acres land which contained an old building which was used as a dairy farm was purchased for the mosque for 2.23 Million pound sterling. On October 19, 1999 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh laid the foundation of the mosque by placing a brick of Masjid Mubarak, Qadian which was specially brought for this purpose in a foundation laying ceremony. Arround 4,000 people can offer Prayers in the male and female halls of the mosque, whereas, with the additional use of the adjoining halls of the complex around 10,000 people can offer the Prayers. The cost of building the mosque was 5.5 Million Pounds which were contributed by the members of the community.

TAHIR HEART INSTITUTE

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh had a burning desire to see Fazl-e- 'Umar Hospital as one of the best centers not only in the region but also in the entire country. Realizing the dire need for medical advancement, Hazoor constituted a committee in the mid 1980s to look into the hospital's affairs and recommend its expansion. In the grand scheme of the things, he suggested setting up a cardiac center at Fazl-e- 'Umar Hospital, Rabwah. On Hazoor'srh directions, efforts were expedited in the late 1990s, when a generous amount was donated to the heart center. During the last days of his illness, in the years 2002 and 2003, he mentioned more than once the need to set up a state-of-the-art cardiac facility at Fazl-e- 'Umar Hospital. This facility he emphasized, should cater to the needs of the growing "epidemic" of heart disease in the developing world.

After the demise of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh in April 2003, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih yaba began implementation of the long-cherished desire to establish a "Heart Wing" in the memory of his predecessor. A committee was created for this purpose. On July 30, 2003, a detailed presentation was made to Hazoor in London. The name "Tahir Heart Institute" was suggested, which Hazoor graciously accepted.

The ground-breaking ceremony of the Tahir Heart Institute took place on November 23, 2003. The structure of the six-story complex is now complete. The institute became operational toward the end of 2007. The institute has the capacity to conduct open heart surgery, angioplasty, angiography and all other heart procedures. It is the fourth largest facility in Pakistan for heart ailments. The building has a large auditorium. It is a teaching institution.Many trained cardiologists from Britain and America will be working in the Institute.

TRANSLATIONS OF THE HOLY QUR' AN

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community endeavors to serve humanity by creating awareness about high morals, for instance, via publications, sermons and other forms of media. Most notable is the publication of the Holy Qur' an , with translations in 56 languages. May - June 2008 40 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

The Holy Qur' an with translation in the following 56 languages has been published by the Jama 'at during the Khilafat of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh:

1. Albanian 29. Malay 2. Assamese 30. Malayalam 3. Bengali 31. Manipur 4. Bulgarian 32. Marathi 5. Chinese 33. Mende 6. Czech 34. Nepalese 7. Danish 35. Norwegian 8. Dutch 36. Oria 9. English 37. Pashtu (Maulwi Sher 'Ali-, 38. Persian Malik Ghulam Farid, 5 Vol 39. Polish Commentary) 40. Portuguese 10. Esperanto 41. Punjabi 11. Fijian 42. Russian 12. French 43. Saraeiki 13. German 44. Sindhi 14. Greek 45. Spanish 15. Gujrati 46. Sudanese (In 3 Parts) 16. Gurmukhi 47. Swahili 17. Hausa 48. Swedish 18. Hindi 49. Tagalog 19. lgbo. 50. Tamil 20. Indonesia 51. Telugu 21. Italian 52. Turkish 22. Japanese 53. Tuvalu 23. Jula 54. Urdu- (Tafsir-e-Saghir) 24. Kashmiri 55. Vietnamese 25. Kikamba 56. Yoruba 26. Kikuyu 27. Korean 28. Luganda

During his Khilafat translations of the Holy Qur'an in the following 23 languages were finalized for printing:

1. Afrika-n (South Africa) 13. Kikongo (Congo) 2. Asante Twi (Ghana) 14. Kiribati (Fiji) 3. Baule (Ivory Coast) 15. Lithunian (U.K.) 4. Bete (Ivory Coast) 16. Malagasy (Mauritius) 5. Burmese (Burma) 17. Mandinka(The Gambia) 6. Catalan (Spain) 18. Sinhala (Sri Lanka) 7. Creole (Mauritius) 19. Uzbek (Uzbekstan) 8. Fula (The Gambia) 20. Wali (Ghana) 9. Hungarian (Hungary) 21. Wollof (The Gambia) 10. Kanri (India) 22. Xhosa (South Africa) 11. Kazakh (Kazakhistan) 23. Yao (Tanzania) 12. Kijalou (Kenya) May - June 2008 41 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Translations of the Holy Qur' an were being rendered in the following languages:

l. Asante Twi (Ghana) 8. Javanese (Indonesia) 2. Creole (Guinea Bissau) 9. Kazakh (Kazakhistan) 3. Dagbani (Ghana) 10. Khmer (Cambodia) 4. Dogri (India) 11. Lingala (Congo - Zaire) 5. Etsako (Nigeria) 12. Moore (Burkina Faso) 6. Pante (Ghana) 13. Samoan (Fijji) 7. Hebrew (Israel) Translations of the Holy Qur'an m the following languages were being revised:

1. Albanian 10. Luganda 2. Bengali 11. Malayalam 3. Danish 12. Persian 4. English 13. Russian 5. German 14. Spanish 6. Gurmukhi 15. Swahili 7. Hausa 16. Swedish 8. Hindi 17. Tamil 9. Italian 18. Telugu

Speech delivered by Maulana Munir-ud-Din Shams, Additional Vakilut Tasnif, London, UK, International Annual Convention, 26-28 July, 2002, Islamabad, London ESTABLISHMENT OF AHMADIYYA JAMA' AT IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES 1985 Mauritania, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique 1986 Burkina Faso, Tavalu, Carribas, Western Samoa, Malavi and Rodrigue Island, Brazil, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal, Yugoslavia and Zanzibar 1987 Congo (Brazville), Papua New Guinea, Finland, Portugal, Nauro and Iceland 1988 Tonga, South Korea, Maldeep Islands, Gabon and Solomon Islands 1990 Marshall Island, Micronesia, Tokelau and Mexico 1991 New Caledonia and Mongolia 1992 Guam, Chuuk Island, Lithuania and Bello Russia 1993 Hungary, Columbia, Uzbekistan, Ukrain and Tatarastan 1994 Albania, Rumania, Bulgaria, Chad, Cape Verde, Khazakhstan and Norfolk Islands 1995 Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Jamaica, Grenada, Equitorial Guinea and Macedonia 1996 Elsalvador, Slovenia, Bosnia and Khirghistan 1997 Croatia 1998 Nicaragua and Mauti Island 1999 Czech Republic, Slavic Republic, Ecuador and Lesotho 2000 Central African Republic, Sautomi, Sheshels, Swazi Land, Botswana, Namibia, Western Sahara, Jibuti, Eritria, Kosovo, Monaco and Andora 2001 Venezuela, Cyprus, Malta and Azerbaijan 2002 Maldova May - June 2008 42 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

MOSQUES BUILT

Before migration (1984-85) 32 1985-1986 174 1986-1987 136 1999 1,524 2000 1,915 2001 2,570

Thus during 19 years after Hazoor' s migration the Jama' at was able to establish 11,376 mosques in the world. Out of these, 11,065 mosques became Ahmadiyya mosques when the Imams of these mosques along with their followers joined the Ahmadiyya Jama'at 1,698 Mosques were built by the Jama'at. In 1992, the Jama'at purchased a Mission House along with a big plot of land. Opposite to the Mission house there is a beautiful Public Park. In America, Mission houses increased from six to thirty six. In Canada 165 acres of land was purchased where a beautiful mosque was built at the cost of 4 Million dollars. In 1999, in Mississauga, a beautiful building with 16 acres land was purchased at a very reasonable price. At present the building is being used as Jamia Ahmadiyya, Canada. In Africa, in 1984, there were 68 Mission Houses. By the Grace of God by 2003 there were 656 Mission Houses.

SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS ESTABLISHED UNDER NUSRATJAHANSCHEME

In 1985-86, there were 31 Higher Secondary Schools and there were 17 4 Primary and Nursery Schools established in Africa. By 2003, by the Grace of God there were 40 Higher Secondary Schools, 37 Junior Secondary Schools, 238 Primary Schools and 58 Nursey Schools operational in 8 countries of Africa. In 1985-86, there were 24 hospitals established in seven countries in Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Uganda). Now by the Grace of God the number of hospitals have been incresed in these countries and also established in 5 more contries (Burkina Faso, Benin, Congo, Kenya and Tanzania). Thus there are 36 hospitals established in 12 countries.

Trips Made Outside Pakistan and London

During his Khilafat, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh made several trips outside Pakistan when he was residing there and later on outside England while he was residing in London which included the following:

1982 After assuming the exalted office of the Khilafat, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh travelled to Europe to inaugurate the first Ahmadiyya mosque built in Spain (in Pedroabad, 25 km outside Cordoba). On September 10, 1982 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh inaugurated the first mosque built after almost seven hundred years, in this once Islamic country. Two May - June 2008 43 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA distinguished Ahmadis, Hadhrat Chadhary Muhammad Zafrulla Khan Sahibra and Professor Dr. Abdus Salam Sahib accompanied Hazoor on this historic opening of the Ahmadiyya mosque in Spain.

1983 In 1983 Hazoor visited Singapore, Fiji, Australia and Siri Lanka. In Australia he laid down the foundation stone of the "Baitul Ruda" mosque and the Mission House in Sydney. He also addressed a press confeence at the University of Canberra where he expounded upon the beauty of Islamic values. 1986

From mid August to 7th October, 1986 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih 1yrh visited Canada, Holland, West Gemany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain where he met eminent personalities and also had several press conferences. During this tour, he laid the foundation of the first Ahmadiyya mosque (Baitul Islam mosque) in Canada. 1987 During his visit to America in October-November, 1987, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh performed opening ceremonies of three mosques which included Bitul Rizwan, Portland, OR and laid the foundation stones of five mosques which included Baitur Rahman Mosque, Silver Spring, MD and Baitul Hamid Mosque, Chino, CA. National Majlis-e-Shura was held at Baitul Zafar Mosque, New York, NY which was presided by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih 1yrh. 1988 In January 1988, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih 1yrh set foot in West Africa for the first time. The tour of six countries (Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria) spanning over five weeks was highly successful. A joyous welcome greeted Hazoor everywhere. Various Presidents, Ministers, Parliamentarians and Paramount Chiefs met Hazoor. 1989 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh came to the USA and visited several Jama' ats in the Northeast region which included, the New York and the New Jersey Jama'ats. He also per­ formed the opening ceremony of Baitul Hamid Mosque, Chino, CA and the Mission House in San Francisco, CA. 1991 1991 marked the 100th Jalsa Salana to be held in Qadian. This was a historic event and Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih Jyrh blessed the occasion by himself attending this Jalsa. Since 1947 this was the first occasion that Qadian was once again blessed with the presence of a Khalifatul Masih. The residents of Qadian and the visitors were overjoyed to have Hazoor among themselves. Thousands of Ahmadis from India, the UK, Germany, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Pakistan and Africa came to Qadian to attend this blessed event. Hazoor' s May - June 2008 44 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA wife, Hadhrat Sayyeda Asifa Begum Sahiba accompanied Hazoor during this trip and showed remarkable courage to go on the trip despite the fact that she was suffering great pain due to cancer. 1992 During this trip Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh performed the opening ceremony of Baitul Islam Mosque, Toronto, Canada (on October 17, 1992) 1994 During his trip to the USA in 1994, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh performed the opening ceremony of Baitur Rahman (on October 14, 1994) and Baitus Sadiq Mosques (on October 23, 1994). He also laid foundation of Baitul Nasr Mosque in Willingboro, NJ (on Oc­ tober 18, 1994) and performed the opening of the Earth Station next to the Baitur Rahman Mosque, Silver Spring, MD. 1998 During his trip to the USA in .1998, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh performed the opening ceremony of Baitul Basir Mosque, San Jose, CA, Baitul Hadi Mosque, Central Jer­ sey, NJ and the Mission House in Boston, MA 2000 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh was the first Khalifah to visit Indonesia, the largest Islamic country. Hazoor's visit lasted from June 19th to July 11th, 2000. This was truly a historic and momentous occasion during which Hazoor met the President of Indonesia. During this visit Hazoor laid the foundation stone of a mosque as well as a secondary school. On June 28, 2000, Hazoor had a meeting with the President of Indonesia and later addressed a large crowd of TV, Radio and Press reporters. Hazoor also met the Chairman of the National Assembly. Hazoor gave an inspiring lecture on the topic of "To Find Again the Prophetic Vi­ sion of Religion", to the students of Gadja Mada University which was followed by a Question/ Answer session. Hazoor also participated in the Jalsa Salana of Indonesia and addressed large crowds.

Publications Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh completed the Urdu translation of the Holy Qur'an and wrote many books both in Urdu and English. His comprehensive book, "Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge, and Truth", covers various religious topics of interest to people of to­ day. He was a prolific writer. Some of the books written by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh are: Christianity: A Journey from Facts to Fiction Islams Response to Contemporary Issues Shariah Relationship Between Religion and Politics in Islam The Philosophy of Revival of Religion May - June 2008 45 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Finality of Prophethood The Truth About the Alleged Punishment for Apostasy in Islam With Love to the Muslims of the World - The Ahmadiyya Prospective Swaneh Fazl-e- 'Umar Homeopathy "Like cures like" Majlis-e-Irfan with Lajna Imaillah, Karachi The Seal of Prophets - His Personality and Character Kalam-e-Tahir( Collection of Urdu poetry) The Initiation of Waqf-e-Nau An Elementary Study of Islam Murder in the Name ofAllah Some Distinctive Features of Islam Universal and Moral Values, Politics and World Peace Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth Gulf Crisis and New World Order Zahaqal Batil - Replies to Some Allegations Khutbat-e-Tahir (Vol. 1, 2 and 3) Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship Hawa Ki Baityan and Jannat Nazeer Mu' ashra Mash'al-e-Rah. Zauq-e-Ibadat aur Adab-e-Dua

Demise of Wife

Hadhrat Sayyeda Begum Sahiba, wife of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, and a granddaughter of the Promised Messiah, passed away on April 3rd, 1992. The fortitude of Hazoor was examplary as he went about carrying on the affairs of the Jama' at with an unrivalled and unique demonstration of commitment.

Demise of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih 1vrh

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih 1vrh delivered his last Friday Sermon and held his last Question/Answer session on April 18, 2003 at the Fazl Mosque, London. He passed away on April 19, 2003 at 9:30 am due to heart failure. His body was placed at the Mahmud Hall, Fazl Mosque, London where thousands of Ahmadis, who came from all over the world, viewed his face. Then his funeral cortege was brought to Islamabad, Tilford, where on 22nd April, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih yaba led the funeral prayers of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih 1vr\ and he was buried. More than 40,000 Ahmadis from all over the world took part in the funeral prayers. ******* May - June 2008 46 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

MTA Question/Answer Session:Answer to An Important Question: IMPORTANCE OF KHILAFAT Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IVrh

The following question was asked by an Arab brother in "Liqa'a Ma'a/ Arab" (Meeting With Arabs) Program.

Question: In this age, the world, especially the Muslim world direly needs the Institution of Khilafat. What is its importance?

Answer: The Muslims who should have been united and be in harmony, are divided in countless sects and divisions. It is not only in the religious field but in politics too. When there is schism, they can achieve nothing in the world, which a united and harmonious peo­ ple can do. By discord and disharmony the power of the Muslim world has not only disinte­ grated, but also they are using this broken strength against one another. When such are the conditions, the aggregate will be below zero. The groups may be very powerful, but if they will oppose and counteract each other in minor and major issues and remain busy in fighting, their power will be scattered and their strength broken.

This is happening in every Muslim country. Unfortunately it is being named as Jihad. What will they gain from all this? What resources will remain for their own nation building, defense of Islam or fighting the enemy? Therefore, it is incumbent that Muslims should unite on the hand of One Imam. There should be one Imam of the Muslims of the whole world. But without Khilafat, it is just impossible. Khilafat is the successor after the prophet in the form of a person who is representing the deceased prophet and the Khalifah is the vicegerent and his subordinate. He is the central authority. This is the basic principle of Khilafat. Muslims do understand its need as well as importance. This need was felt after the sad demise of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) also. In Islam this is quite clear like broad daylight and is a part of Islamic teaching that without unity and har­ mony you cannot rightly work on the teachings of Islam. When you go to the mosque for Namaz five times a day, there must be an Imam. Standing behind an imam is a demonstration of unity among people. That is why the Holy Qur'an especially emphasizes the need of con­ gregational prayer. Imam is given so much importance that if the Imam falters, the entire congregation must follow his mistake even if they know that a mistake has been committed. What better instance can be presented for the need of an Imam and unity in his following? If Imam is mandatory in a small mosque, then how can the whole of the Muslim Ummah sur­ vive without an Imam. As far as the Ummah is concerned, there is a commandment in the Holy Qur'an to tum their faces towards Qiblah. For the Muslims throughout the world, there is one and only one May - June 2008 47 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Qiblah. You may go anywhere in the world, the Qiblah remains the same. This is a pointer that it is incumbent for the Muslim Ummah that they should be united under one Imam. Had this not been the sole purpose, there would have been no Khilafat at all because the spiritual condition of Muslims in the days of the Holy Prophetsaw was a thousand times better than the Muslims of today. If they need to follow an Imam, how can we live without an Imam today when the condition of Muslims is crying for it. This is the answer why Khilafat is needed. The issue is that once Khilafat is terminated, then it is not within the power of the people to introduce it again themselves. This is a dilemma, which the Muslim world is facing today. Khilafat starts after the passing away of the prophet and if unfortunately once it is destroyed, it is impossible that it restarts without a prophet. As far as Muslims are concerned, they are vic­ tims of dual issues. According to a large number of Muslims, the chain of Khilafat ended with the Khilafat of Hadhrat Ali. After him, there was no Khilafat-e-Rashida. It was monarchy in the name of Khilafat and majority of Muslims agree that Khilafat-e-Rashida ended after Hadhrat Ali. So how can you start this Khilafat once again?

As far as Shia Imams are concerned, there is no problem for them because majority of them believes that Imamate continued till the twelfth Imam. Some believe it up to the sixth Imam. Some think that it is continuing till today. But majority of Muslims deprived of the blessings of Khilafat. Even if we accept the continuity of Imamate till today, they are unable to unite the whole Ummah on one hand. We are discussing the issue of uniting the whole Um­ mah on one hand and it cannot be achieved by partial or regional Khilafat. It can be achieved only by universal or global Khilafat, which will unite the whole Ummah. Muslims believe that no prophet, of whatever category, can come now. This means that the single avenue to open the way of Khilafat has been barred. This is the big issue, which the Muslim Ummah is facing today.

The non-Ahmadi Ulema present the only solution of this problem and say that they also believe in the coming of a prophet. No doubt, he will be an old prophet, but they say that when he will come, he will be a prophet. Thus the lost Islamic Khilafat will once again be re­ vived by Jesus Christ of Nazareth when he will descend with his old form and body. But the problem is that fourteen hundred years have passed, and there is no trace of the second coming of that Jesus. There is no sign visible of his descent. World conditions have totally changed. Muslims have passed and are still passing through their worst phase of decline. But no Jesus has descended from the sky so far. Now, the majority of Muslims are so much frustrated that they say whether he has died or is living, they are the least interested. The scholars of Al-Azhar University have repeatedly expressed their well thought and considered opinion that according to the Holy Qur' an, Jesus Christ has died and his second advent is absolutely impossible. It may be in their fancies, but practically, they have completely closed this door. No one will ever descend from the skies, and this is the big and difficult problem, which the Muslim world is facing today. With this they have not only destroyed the most important institution like Khilafat but they have also blocked the entrance of the beginning of Khilafat.

(Ahmadiyya Gazette, Canada. Khilafat Number, May 2001) May - June 2008 48 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

FIRST HISTORICAL ADDRESSES OF THE KHULAFA OF THE PROMISED MESSIAHas AFTER THEIR APPOINTMENT BY GOD ALMIGHTY TO THE OFFICE OF THE KHILAFAT Translated by Belal Khalid First Address of Hadhrat Maulana Nooruddin, Khalifatul Masih Ira Delivered on May 27th, 1908

After Kalima Shahadah and Tu' awaz he recited the following verse:

• - § ...... ,?i-3-11 ~! &;,:j! ~· • A

and said:

"I praise Allah, who is our God till eternity and from eternity. Every prophet who comes to the world has a task to perform. When it is done, God calls him. It is well known about Mosesas that he died on the way to Syria. Hadhrat Muhammadsaw mentioned that the keys of Caesar and Choesro were given to him, but he passed away without seeing those keys. These matters have hidden secrets of Allah the High. Here also people wonder that many prophecies were made that have not been fulfilled. In my opinion, this is Allah's Sun­ nah that He works in stages. When He addresses someone, sometimes his alike is meant. In the part I (of the Holy Qur'an), it is mentioned that he (the Holy Prophet'aw) asked Mosesas for water, similarly it is also mentioned at other places, however the Holy Prophetsaw did not address those people, so Allah's sayings are fulfilled in a variety of colors. Similarly it is Al­ lah's Sunnah that some divine ominous warnings are delayed till another time. Therefore it is said, , 0 , · ~ <, - . .,, ., , ~ -- . <· .. r-~ CS'-!;-' ~ r -! ·p·.!

Think hard about, cs .µ1 :_, 0 ;~ It has the secret that all promises will not be fulfilled during the life of the prophet. Hadhrat Shiekh Abdul Qadir Jilan{a said,

meaning that sometimes God make promises, but those promises are not fulfilled. Sim­ pleminded people think that He did not keep up the promises, though the promise or its alike is fulfilled at an appropriate time. May - June 2008 49 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Ponder over my previous life, I was never desirous of becoming Imam. When the late Maulvi Abdul Karim was appointed Imam-us-Salat (one who leads prayers), I considered myself absolved of the heavy responsibility. I am well aware of my condition, and my Lord is more aware than me that I am not fond of pretense in the world, and I am definitely not desirous of these things. My only desire is that my Lord is pleased with me, and I pray for this desire. I lived in Qadian, am still living, and will continue to live here for the same rea­ son. I spent many days worrying that what our condition would be after Hadhrat Sahib. Therefore I tried to train Mian Mahmood up to the mark. There are three persons close to Hadhrat Sahib. First, Mian Mahmood Ahmad, he is my brother as well as son, I have a spe­ cial relationship with him. From closeness perspective, Mir Nasir Nawab Sahibra has a re­ spectful position for me and Hadhrat Sahib. Third close person is Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan Sahibra. Similarly from the perspective of the service of religion Syed Muhammad Ah­ san Sahib possesses a high degree of competence. He is Syed, and the things done by him in the service of religion put a person like me to shame. In an elderly age, he wrote many books in support of Hadhrat Sahib. This is a service, which is his sole contribution. After him is Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib, his services are beyond my contemplation and imagination. All these people are present. Among outsiders, Syed Hamid Shah and Maulvi Ghulam Has­ san are included, and there are many others as well.

This is a heavy and frightening burden, and it is the work of a messenger because he has incredibly strange promises of God that are like a cane for the back-breaking worries. Think carefully, what kind of time we are passing through under the current circumstances. It is necessary for the men, children, and women to be united. For the sake of unity, do Bai'at of any of these elders, and I will be with you. I am myself weak, often sick, and not appropriate. Such a big task is not an easy thing.

There were four types of tasks of Hadhrat Sahib, first his own 'aboodiat' (service to God), second care of the family, third hospitality, and fourth propagation of Islam which was his real mission. From these four tasks, we could be absolved of one of them, his 'aboodiat', which would stay with him. He will continue to perform the same kind of services in the hereafter that he performed in this world. Out of the three remaining tasks, the propagation of Islam is very important and a tough one. At this time, in addition to atheism internal dif­ ferences are also present. Allah the High has chosen our Jama' at to remove the differences of his Jama 'at. You may think it is easy, but it is very hard for the one who carries this bur­ den. So I say by God that you pick any one of the leaders I mentioned, and I would be ready to do Bai'at with you.

If you are committed to do my Bai'at, then listen! Bai'at means to be sold out. Once Hadhrat Sahib hinted me not to think of my country so after that my entire honor and thoughts were associated with him. So doing Bai'at is a tough thing, one person gives up his nationality and all high aspirations. Therefore God named his servants 'abd. When it is diffi­ cult to carry the burden of 'aboodiat' for oneself, how and why one would do it for someone else? Considering the differences in the temperaments of people, quite an effort would be re­ quired to unite them. Hadhrat Sahib's work astonishes me, first he was sick, and then there was so much burden; prose, poetry, publications, other important matters, and on the other May - June 2008 50 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

/ . ... ~ hand is beyond description. It is for this reason that it is said, Ul~! ~! 0a:ii}! r--*·;:; · oli that everything is entirely dependent on the blessings of God.

Let me now present an important matter, during the time of Hadhrat Abu Bakrra the Ar­ abs faced such a trial that a great pandemonium and disorder spread everywhere except Mecca, Medina, and Jawatha. Even the Meccans started to revert, but it was a very pious spirit who said to them that they were the last ones to accept Islam, why would they want to be the first one to desert it? Hadhrat Siddeeqa Aisha'a says that the mountain that broke on her father would have shattered anyone else it had fallen upon. An army of 20,000 was pre­ sent in Medina that was ordered to be sent by the Holy Prophefaw, therefore it was sent. This was the state of his own nation, finally God showed his manifestation and the time of

came. Now a similar event has taken place, I want you to unite under one kalima (creed) before the burial. After the Holy Prophefaw during the times of Hadhrat Abu Bakrra, the companions had to carry on many revered tasks. The first important task done was the gathering of the Holy Qur'an. In the current situation, the 'gathering' would be equivalent to be especially attentive towards acting upon the Holy Qur'an. Hadhrat Abu Bakr'a instituted Zakat which was a monumental task. A high degree of obedience was required for the institution of Zakat. Then he provided for the family. In es­ sence, he performed many such tasks.

Now your demeanors may be inclined towards different directions but you would have to obey my orders. If you agree to this, then I would carry this burden

The ten conditions of Bai'at are still in effect. Among these I especially include the learning of the Holy Quran, the arrangement of zakat, providing teachers, and the other mat­ ters that Allah will put in my heart from time to time. Next is the religious training, the train­ ing in the religious schools has to be done according to my wishes and desire. I carry this burden only for the sake of Allah who said,

'Remember that all good is in unity, the community that does not have a chief is dead.

1 (Al-Hakam, Number 37, Volume 12, dated June 6 \ 1908) On listening to Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddin's speech, everyone unanimously said that they would obey his orders, and he should become the Ameer, and the successor to the Mes­ siah. Approximately twelve hundred Ahmadis did Bai'at on his blessed hand on this occa­ sion, and thus the second manifestation appeared.

On March 14th, 1914, after the death of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih rra, at Asr time people May - June 2008 51 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA gathered in the Baitul Noor for the election. In a gathering of approximately 2000, first Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan read the will of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih ya in which the Ja­ ma'at was advised to gather on one hand. On hearing it everyone started shouting 'Hadhrat Mian Sahib', 'Hadhrat Mian Sahib', and Maulana Syed Muhammad Ahsan Amrohi Sahib stood up in his support and made a speech. After mentioning the need and importance of Khilafat he proposed that everyone unites at the hand of Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mah­ mood Ahmad Sahib, as he truly deserved this position and was qualified from all aspects. Everyone started shouting in favor of Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad, and the whole gathering insisted on accepting only his Khilafat. On this occasion, Maulvi Muham­ mad Ali Sahib wanted to say something during the speech of Maulana Syed Muhammad Ah­ san Amrohi, and tried to get people's attention by raising his both hands but people stopped him saying that he was a denier of Khilafat therefore they did not want to listen to him on this occasion. People from all directions jumped towards Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad to do his Bai'at; there was such a commotion that people were falling on each other. The words, 'Accept my Bai'at', could be heard from all directions. Hadhrat Sahibzada Mirza Mahmood Ahmad after pausing for few moments offered his hand for taking Bai'at on the insistence of the people, and thus the Bai'at started. A deadly silence prevailed, and the people who could not get close to him spread their turbans, and repeated the words of Bai'at by putting their hands on each others back. After the start of the Bai'at, Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib and some of his companions departed from this gathering, and thus left the house of God as well. The First Speech of Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad, the Promised Reformer, 1 Khalifatul Masih lira delivered on March 14 h, 1914

Friends, listen! I have a belief, an absolute belief that Allah the Most High is one and has no partner. My dears! I believe that the Holy Prophetsaw was Allah's Messenger, and the final Prophet. I believe that no one could come after him who could annul an iota of the Shariah given to us by him. My dears! My beloved Lord, the Chief of Prophets possesses such magnificent gran­ deur that a person after entering into his service could attain the status of prophet by showing perfect obedience and loyalty. It is true that the Holy Propheeaw has such grandeur and honor that a prophet could be borne out of his perfect obedience. This is my belief and I say it with full conviction.

It is also my belief that the Holy Qur' an is the glorious book that was sent to the Holy Prophetaw, and is the final book, and the final Shariah. May - June 2008 52 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

It is also my belief that the Promised Messiahas is the same prophet who was men­ tioned in the Muslim, and the same Imam who was mentioned in the Bukhari. I again say that no part of the Islamic Shariah could be abrogated. You should follow the deeds of the com­ panionra, they were the perfect recipients of the prayers, and received the perfect training from the Holy Prophe(aw. The second Ijmah (general agreement) that took place after the Holy Prophet'aw was about the system of the Rightly Guided Khilafat. Think carefully, and read the history of Is­ lam, the progress made during the time of the Guided Khulafa diminished when the Khilafat got reduced to a mere government to the point that you can now see the present state of Is­ lam and its followers. After 1300 years, Hadhrat Promised Messiahas was sent by God the Most High on the path of prophethood according to the promises made to the Holy Prophefaw, and after his de­ mise the same system of Khulafa-e-Rashida ensued. May Allah grant rank to Hadhrat Khali­ fatul Masih, Maulana Nooruddin Sahib among the most highest, and may Allah bestow mil­ lions of mercies and blessings on him. As the love of the Holy Prophe(aw, and Hadhrat Promised Messiahas was filled in his heart, and flowed through his blood stream, may Allah bestow him closeness to these pious beings in the hereafter. He was the first Khalifah of this chain, and all of us entered into his Bai'at with this conviction. As long as this system con­ tinues, Islam will materially and spiritually progress. Now that you have vociferously in­ sisted for me to carry this burden, and expressed it by entering into my Bai' at, I thought it appropriate to describe my beliefs to you. I honestly say that I have a fear in my heart, and I find myself really weak. A Hadith says that you should never assign a task to your slave that he cannot perform. Now that you wanted me to become a slave, do not give me a task that I could not do. I know that I am weak and sinful, how could I pledge that I could guide the world, and spread the truth, and righteousness? We are small in number and our enemies are numerous, but we have bound­ less faith in Allah the High's Blessings, Generosity, and Kindness for the distressed. Since you have put this burden on me, so listen! Help me in fulfilling this responsibility by asking Allah the High's blessings and capacity, and obey me in winning Allah the High's pleasure, and obedience. I am a human being, and a weak human being, so overlook my shortcomings. I sol­ emnly pledge by God that I will overlook and forgive your shortcomings. Yours and mine joint mission is the progress of this movement, and to work towards meeting its purpose and objectives. Now that you have established a relationship with me, so stand by it with full fi­ delity. You overlook me and I will continue overlooking you with the blessings of God. You will have to obey, and follow me in whatever is good. If God forbid, I tell you that God is not one, by God, who has the control over our lives, who is -L.. r ::., ~ - . _ ~~ .. b...J,...::o,....!'J , . - ,,,, 9 • .s. t:. ~ , -- '.: I y 1· And is ~ ~; • 9~ ..Y"+' ou must not 1sten to me. If God forbid, I tell you a shortcoming of prophethood, do not listen. If I tell you a shortcoming of the Holy Qur' an, by God do not listen to me. You must not listen to me if I say anything against the teachings imparted to us by the Promised Messiahas based on the May - June 2008 53 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA revelation of God the Exalted. I say it again, do not disobey me in Amrul-Ma'roof If you are obedient and dutiful, and you bolster your covenant, then remember, Allah the High's bless­ ings will support us, and our united prayers will succeed. I have great trust in my Generous Lord, and I have an absolute belief that I will be helped. The day before yesterday, on Fri­ day, I narrated a dream that I got sick, and felt pain in my leg. I thought I might get plague; I closed my door and started worrying over what had passed. I thought that the promise of I.ill . ·. , ~ ti J ~ 0-"'° ~I< ~Ld, .C..,-, made by Allah, the High to the Promised Messiahas was fulfilled during the life of the Prom­ ised Messiahas, and this promise is no longer with us after Allah's Messiah, as that pious per­ son is no longer among us. In this state of worry, I noticed that this was neither a dream, nor a state of wakefulness, my eyes were open, and I could see the walls and the doors of the room, and I could see the things in the room. In this state, I saw Allah the High that He is a white and remarkably shining noor (heavenly light), it comes from below and goes up, it has neither a beginning, nor an end. A hand came out of this noor holding a ceramic cup of milk that was fed to me. It instantly cured me, and the pain was completely gone. I narrated my dream up to this point the other day, but not the later part which I will narrate now. When that cup was fed to me, I inadvertently said, "My nation will also never go astray". I do not have a nation, however as you are my brothers, these words were with respect to the relation­ ship that the Promised Messiahas has with the Holy Prophefaw. The sacred work that was started by the Promised Messiahas was given to me as a trust at its appointed time. So pray, strengthen the relationship with me, and try to come to Qadian, and come often. I have heard from the Promised Messiah3 S, and heard it repeatedly, that it is feared that the one who does not come often to Qadian that he may have developed an imperfection in his faith. Propaga­ tion of Islam is our foremost responsibility, therefore work collectively so that Allah the High' s favors and blessings shower upon us. I say to you again, and again, and again, since you have entered into my Bai'at, and have established a relationship with me after the Promised Messiahas, therefore show fidelity in this relationship, and remember me in your prayers, and I will definitely remember you. I have always remembered you in my prayers, and have not made a single prayer where I did not remember the people of the movement, but now I will remember them even more than before. Even before, I never had an urge to pray where I did not pray for the Ahmadi Com­ munity. Listen again! Do not perform any such action that is done by the infidels of Allah the High. Our prayers should be that we live as Muslims, and die as Muslims. Ameen. (Al Fazl Qadian Darul Aman, dated March 2P1, 1914, pages 2,3) First Speech of Hadhrat Sahibzada Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Illrh delivered on November 9th, 1965

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih Ilra passed away on the night of November 7th, 1965. Accord­ ing to the rules of the successor election, under ordinary circumstances the new Khalifah should be elected within 24 hours. So the members of the electoral board were notified, and the announcement was also published in the newspaper. The electoral board's meeting was May - June 2008 54 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA held on Nov 8th after Isha prayers in the Masjid Mubarak, and Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahib was elected Khalifah III with a heavy majority.

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih rrra after reciting Tashahad and Surah Al-Fatiha in a somber voice recited the pledge of the Khilafat which is a must for an elected Khalifah before taking Bai'at. After repeating the pledge, he said:

I have repeated this pledge in front of you with a pure heart considering Allah the High the witness and the beholder, and with the belief that He is the Knower of the unseen, and the one who is dishonest is cursed. I will work for the propagation of Islam to the best of my abilities, and treat each one of you with compassion, and good intent. As you have put a heavy responsibility on me therefore I also expect you to help me with your prayers, and ad­ vice, so God the High may enable a meek and humble person like me to perform the work necessary for preaching Ahmadiyyat, the propagation of Islam, and the Unity of God, and pray that Allah the High through His Sheer Mercy bestows the heavenly light on my heart, and teach me the things that a human cannot learn by himself.

I am very ignorant, incapable, have no power, and knowledge. I trembled when my name was suggested, and I said in my heart that I am worthless. The thought also occurred to me that our dear Imam, Hadhrat Promised Messiahas in spite of the fact that God bestowed many of his gifts and bounties on him said: ,.,, 0 .r .),j r.)' ~ ~J ~ ~..,... 0 .r Jl>- r.? My dear, I am an earthly worm, not from the progeny of humans

Our dear Imam addressed his God in the above words, and considered himself kirm-e­ khaki in his court, and here I have no worth in comparison to the one who called himself karam-e-khaki. At the same time the thought came to me that though I am nothing, and I could be equated to worthless dirt, but if God desires He could bestow light on the dirt, and pack such powers and strengths in it that are beyond imagination. He could produce such shine and glimmer in it that is not found even in gold and diamonds.

In short I do not have words to describe my weaknesses, therefore help me with your prayers. I will try my best to do good to each one of you. Differences could arise even among brothers, but we should not let differences become a source of animosity, grouping, and division in the Jama' at.

During the life and also after the death of Hadhrat Khalifatul Massih rrra every member of the family of Hadhrat Promised Messiahas promised that they would not let conflicts ap­ pear in the Jama' at, and will not refrain from any sacrifice to avoid them. They will never sacrifice Jama'at's interest for their own interest, and always give preference to Jama 'at.

Allah the Exalted bestowed great success to Hadhrat Khalifatul Massih rrra, and he completed all the requirements of the task assigned to him by Allah the High. Now it is our May - June 2008 55 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA tum to progress it, and let not any weakness slow it down.

Yesterday when someone wanted to talk to me, I told him to rest assure that no one from the family could ever sacrifice the Jama'at's interest for the sake of personal interest. Every member of the Promised Messiah'sas family belongs to God, Hadhrat Promised Messi­ ahas, and the Jama'at. There will not be any weakness or dispute among us.

Since Allah the High has put this responsibility on my shoulders, and you elected me for this job, as I am a very weak person therefore it is your duty to help me with your prayers, that God the High enables me to fulfill this responsibility, and that there is no ob­ structions in the service and the propagation of religion, and Islam progresses forward with the special blessings of Allah the High to the point that it overcomes all false religions of the world.

You will find me your sympathizer and well-wisher because this is how Hadhrat Khali­ fatul Masih nra trained us. I was little, now I have reached this age, but I felt that Hazoor al­ ways desired his children to become a source of well being for the world and no one is ever pained by them. Hazoor expressed this desire in one of his verses as below:

God, may these eyes only see good.

Then I was trained by Hadhrat Ummul Momineenra as my mother, there is no other mother like her excluding the azwaje muteharat (pure wives). Her training was such that no psychologist in the world could match her in training.

I remember Hadhrat Ummul Momineenra raised two orphan children (brother and sis­ ter). She bathed them with her own hands, removed their lice out. I remember the room where the meals were served, and Hadhrat Amma Jan sat those children right next to her, but I do not know what came to my head that one day I did not sit with them. As a result Amma Jan did not serve me food that day till the evening when I myself asked for food. There was a lesson in it that the men of God the High consider it their responsibility to protect and ward the ones who are considered orphans, and destitute by the world. (Daily Al-Fazl Rabwah, Dated Nov 17th, 1965, page 2-3) First Speech of Hadhrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Massih IVrh 1 Delivered on Jun 10 h, 1982

On Thursday, June 10th, 1982, on the death of the Hadhrat Khalifatul Massih mrh after Zuhr Prayers at Masjid Mubarak Rabwah Hadhrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Massih IV, immediately after being appointed Khalifatul Masih IV recited Tashahud, and May - June 2008 56 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Ta'awaz and said:

The secretary (Majlis-e-Shura) told me that when Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III' srh may Allah's blessings be on him, may all his objectives be fulfilled, and may Allah enable us to complete all the good schemes founded by him in the spirit of obtaining pleasure of Allah the High election took place, he first made a brief address, and then took the Bai'at.

I do not want to say anything but to pray for yourselves and me,

.. E. .tJ ~_, 1;: tii ~lb ;,La ti h,.;,- 1 ;,_, .. ~...,-...

- I .- .- .-- • ~ liJ,.;_..i ~, ... ~jf_, ~ liJ j~ ;..f _, ~ lie Z:,-i~~r ~_;ijr ~ t.i~u

(Sura Al-Baqarah, verse 287).

This responsibility is so hard, extensive, and heartrending that it reminds us of the words of Hadhrat Umar'a in his final moments at the death bed,

It is true that Allah makes a Khalifah, and I always had this faith, and by God's Grace will have this faith till my death. It is true that no human hand has anything to do with it, and from this perspective I am not answerable to you as a Khalifah, or to anyone else, or any member of the Jama'at. But this is not liberty either, as I am directly answerable to my Lord. You could be ignorant of my mistakes, you cannot see inside my heart, you are not aware of all visible and unseen things, but my Lord knows everything hidden in the deepest trenches of my heart, and will not accept false excuses. Only the decision made with full sincerity, faith, and with full consideration of righteousness will reach Him. Therefore my neck is spared of the weak, but is bent in front of the most powerful Being of the universe and is in His hands. This is not an ordinary responsibility, and my entire self is trembling with the thought that my Lord be pleased with me, He may keep me alive till the time I am capable of treading on the path of His Pleasure, and He enables me in such a manner that I could not even think for a second or do anything without His Pleasure, and I may not even dream of any such thing, and that I take care of everyone's rights, and establish justice as required by Islam. I know that without justice, it is not possible to establish benevolence, and without be­ nevolence it is not possible to establish the Heavenly Community which is called Itaa-e-zil­ qurbaa, therefore everyone should pray. Before I begin the Bai'at, I request Hadhrat Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrulla Khan Sahi­ bra to please come forward, and put the first hand for Bai'at in the representation of the com­ panions (of the Promised Messiahas). It is my wish and heart's desire that the first hand that comes to my hand be the one that has touched Hadhrat Aqdas Promised Messiahas. I request Hadhrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan Sahibra to please come forward, and then we will start the Bai'at. (Daily Al-Fazl Rabwah, June 19th, 1982) May - June 2008 57 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

First Address of Hadhrat Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih vaba, Delivered on April 22nd, 2003

Syedna Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Massih yaba made a brief address before the general Bai'at which was transmitted live by MTA to the entire world. Hazoor"ba after the recitation of Tashahad, Ta'awuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah said:

I have only one request for the respected members of the Jama'at, pay special attention to prayers these days, pay special attention to prayers, pay special attention to prayers, and pray a lot, pray a lot, pray a lot. May Allah help and support us, and the caravan of Ahmadi­ yyat continues moving forward on the path of success. Ameen." (Al-Faz! International, dated April 25th, 2003)

(Published in Al-Faz{ International, May 21\ 2005) ******* THE CALL OF KHALIFATUL MASIH \fclba FOR THE £AGER VOTARIES

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih'saba call in his own words:

"It is my ardent desire. I want to appeal earnestly that for the purifi­ cation of your lives and the lives of your descendants join this heavenly scheme. Come forward, there should be fifteen thousand new Wasaya within this year. So that we can claim fifty thousand Wasaya within this centenary ... It is my ardent desire that in year 2008 on the centenary of the estab­ lishment of Khilafat in Jama'at Ahmadiyya (lnsha Allah), there should be at least 50 % of the subscribers (Chanda paying) from among the earning member of every Jama'at of every country of the World who would have joined in this grand system of Hadhrat Promised Messiahas and would have arisen to such high standards of spirituality and sacrifices. This would be a modest offer to Allah the Almighty in thankfulness, which Ja­ ma'at would be offering on the occasion of the centenary of Khilafat."

(Address of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih yiba on the occasion of Jalsa Salana 2004 UK) May - June 2008 58 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Khilafat-e-Rashida (The Guided Khilafat) Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih lira Translated by Belal Khalid

[At the Jalsa Salana mad Ali Sahib and his com­ Need to Discuss Qadian of 1939, Hadhrat panions against the system Khalifatul Masih lira deliv­ of Jama'at. Different Aspects of ered a very important Khilafat speech on the topic of In this speech, Ha­ 'Khilafat-e-Rashida' at the zoorra also discussed in de­ After the recitation of auspicious occasion of the tail the organizational sys­ Tasha'hud, Ta'uwwuz and Khilafat Jubilee which con­ tem of the Jama'at, and the Suratul Al-Fatiha, Hadhrat tinued for 2 days from De­ status and the powers of the Musleh Mau'oodra said: cember 28th to 29th. This Khalifah. Further he has momentous speech was first given well reasoned and It has been my tradition published in the form of a solid arguments from the to make one scholarly speech book in 1961. This book Holy Qur'an and the at every Jalsa Salana. In the having a celebrated status Ahadith to some of the re­ same tradition, today, I want in the scholarly circles by lated objections and ques­ to express my views on an the blessings of God throws tions. Similarly, basing the important subject. And since light at the need, impor­ discussion regarding differ­ this Jalsa has the distinction tance, and all other aspects ent aspects of the organiza­ of being related to Khilafat of the organizational system tional system of the Khila­ Jubilee, its speeches are also of the Khilafat with refer­ fat on the Ayat-e-Istikhlaf, related to the issue of Khila­ ence to the Holy Qur'an, he has given detailed expla­ f at. Therefore, I think my Ahadith, and the practice of nation of this verse and ad­ speech should also mostly the companionsra. Further, it dressed the objections deal with different aspects of discusses the brief history raised on the Istikhlaf Khilafat. It may be overbear­ and the events of the Khila­ Verse. This year, in 2008, ing for some people to see fat-e-Rashida after the de­ we are celebrating the Cen­ that every person who gets mise of the Holy Propheeaw. tenary Khilafat Jubilee. up starts speaking about Further, it contains a de­ From this perspective, the Khilafat. But the importance tailed discussion regarding Ahmadiyya Gazette is hon­ of this topic and the Jalsa the establishment of Khila­ ored to present this impor­ Salana demand that all types fat-e-Ahmadiyya, especially tant speech in different of details related to this topic the events related to the parts. Some parts have been are discussed in an appropri­ time of the election of the published earlier in this ate manner. As it is part of Khalifatul Masih If\ and year's issues. Editor] human nature that it benefits the schemes and the propa­ by eating different things, ganda of Maulvi Muham- similarly sometimes the same ******* thing has to be eaten again May - June 2008 59 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA and again. As the Holy the Holy Creed, this issue which this issue is based, Prophetsaw told us about the will occupy the highest which is that certainly the two Eids that these are our place among all the issues government is a worldly days to eat, and especially, in that exposition. There is matter, and when the gov­ mostly meat is eaten during no doubt about it that the ernment is worldly in na­ the Eidul Adha. So during Holy Creed is the founda­ ture, and not a religious the days of Hajj, goats are tion of Islam, but among matter, then what is the sacrificed in abundance, the details contained in this need to associate the or­ and their meat is eaten as Creed and the matters re­ ganization of the Muslim much as possible and the ferred to in it, the biggest Community to a religious rest is thrown away. Simi­ among them is the issue of matter? larly, sometimes it is neces­ Khilafat. Hence I decided to sary to discuss the same present my views in detail Since this is a political topic in different ways. in front of the Jama'at so issue and religion has noth­ we could absolve ourselves ing to do with it, therefore, At this time, among of our responsibilities re­ what is the need to consider the schemes devised by the garding our opponents, and it from the religious per­ enemies against our move­ witness the scene of: spective? Allah the Exalted ment, and how they want to sent His religion, and we damage the dignity of accepted it, now no one has Ahmadiyyat, one of the a right to intervene in it to plans and the schemes is the select a governmental sys­ incessant effort of finding tem for us. In every age, it faults with the Khilafat. (8:43). should be dependent on the There desire is to revive the wishes of the Muslims and Satan of someone's heart if So that we lay open all they should decide accord­ it could be revived. There­ the arguments for the one ing to their wishes. If they fore, I have decided to ex­ who would respond to argu­ agree, they could choose an press my views about ments, and the one whose independent king, or a de­ Khilafat for the benefit of faith is based on enlighten­ mocratic system. They may those who wanted to draw ment could get such bright accept Bolshovik princi­ benefit from it, and so it arguments that may revive ples, or they may choose a could be a source of bless­ his faith. constitutional ruler, and ings and guidance for the there is no use and benefit ones who have a love for The Need to Associate in adopting and establishing religion. the Organization of one principle way for the The Issue of Khilafat, the Muslim sake of religion. The real objective is the propagation One of the Most Community With a Religious Matter of religion; therefore there Important Issues of is no need to discuss the re­ Islam quirements of the govern­ First, let me take up mental system to be the question that is raised In my view, Khilafat adopted. In this age, the under the influence of is one of the most important newly educated westernized Western teachings, and it is issues of Islam. Actually, I youth have raised this issue, a principle question on think in the exposition of and actually the false spirit May - June 2008 60 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA of freedom is working be­ a book form by an Egyptian the issue are discussed, and hind it that has been pro­ scholar Ali Ibn Abdur it is not objectionable to do duced in the Muslims influ­ Razaq, a scholar of Al­ so. For instance if someone enced by different philoso­ Azhar University and a asks us about washing phies. They again and again Qazi Uudge) of the Shariah hands m the wudu and raise this question, and say (Islamic Jurisprudence) de­ while answering him we that it defames the religion, partment in his book 'Al­ tell him the complete and becomes a cause for the /slam wa Asul al-Hakm '. method of doing wudu, disenchantment of the The motivation behind this there would not be any newly educated sector. It is book was the great anxiety harm in it, and it would be better to leave alone both, created in the Islamic world rather useful for him to un­ the religion and the politics. and especially in the Ara­ derstand all aspects of the These views have existed bian countries by the abol­ wudu. Similarly, though the for a long time under the ishing of the Khilafat. Ahmadiyya Jama'at is only influence of the West, but concerned about the reli­ no Muslim had the courage Answer to a Question gious Khilafat, there is no to openly express them. harm if the Khilafat with When the Turkish Khilafat It may be asked, what statehood is also included was destroyed and Kemal the relationship of this dis­ in this discussion, actually Ataturk abolished the cussion is with the Khilafat­ it would be necessary to do Khilafat, chaos appeared in e-Ahmadiyya which is the so for the closure of the the Muslim world, and the topic of my address, since topic. people with the older views the topic of the book men­ came up with Khilafat tioned is the Khilafat with Politics is not Only Committees. Khilafat Com­ statehood, and the Ahmadi­ Concerned With the yya Jama'at is only con­ mittees were also organized Government in India and people said that cerned with the religious they would fight these Khilafat. Turks have the The second answer is views. But the people who rule and Ahmadis do not that in fact politics is the had given home to the have the rule. So the argu­ other name for organiza­ doubts in their hearts that it ments in support of the tion, and politics is also re­ is a political issue, when Turkish Khilafat and agai­ lated to the state, and poli­ they saw that the actions of nst them would have a dif­ tics could exist without the a victorious and well re­ ferent nature. What is the state too. It is people's mis­ spected king of the Mus­ relationship of that Khilafat take to think that politics is lims supported their views, with the Ahmadiyya Khila­ only related to the state, in they got emboldened and fat which does not have the fact politics could exist some of them published rule of any state, and its without the state, and an or­ journals about it. These Khilafat is only religious in ganization could also be es­ types of journals have been nature? tablished without a state. published by the Muslims, The answer to this For instance the Holy the Europeans, and some question is that sometimes Prophet5aw said that when Russians. But these views not only the aspect of the three persons are going on a have been presented with issue in question is dis­ journey, they should ap­ the supportive arguments in cussed, rather all aspects of point one person Ameer May- June 2008 61 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

(leader) so that he could statehood, similarly the istence of Khilafat in the lead the Salat at its time, Muslims would be free in a beginning of Islam would and he could be consulted religious organization, and be proven false, then estab­ in the matters related to the they would be free to lishing it later cannot be journey. Now this is an or­ choose an organization of counted as a religious mat­ ganization, but it is not re­ their choice and shape and ter. Therefore if the issue of lated to the state. Organiza­ form in each age and in Khilafat is denied, it would tion, in fact is a permanent each country. not only invalidate the thing, and if the state is part Khilafat of Turks, it would of it, it engulfs it, if it is not The Aggregation of invalidate the entire founda­ there, then other people Statehood and the tion of Khilafat, therefore need to obey it. So the issue Religious we, who are convinced of of the Khilafat is related to the issue of Khilafat would the Islamic Organization Organization in the also be impacted. It is like irrespective of whether it Beginning of Islam as if an objection is raised includes a state or not. against Hindus and Chris­ The importance of this tians that also applies to Is­ Objection on the question is further height­ lam, in that case it cannot Religious Khilafat ened when we see that in be said that it only affects the beginning of Islam, the Hindus and Christians but statehood and the religions not Islam. Because if the Third answer is that if organization were com­ root cause is also found in someone proves that Islam bined together. The reli­ Islam, it is our responsibil­ does not present any spe­ gious organization was ity to answer that objection cific system of government, there, but the armies were because if people get disen­ it would not only be applied also present with it, and chanted with religion be­ to the Khilafat of statehood, they had Qazis (judges) cause of it, they would not but also on the Khilafat that who enforced laws, and include only Hindus and we present, or in other they charged Qissas, ap­ Christians, Muslims would words it has to be applied to pointed officials and dis­ also be included in them. both, the Khilafat of state­ tributed stipends. Similarly hood and the pure religious the system of Salat, fasting, The fourth answer is organization. Therefore, Hajj, and Zakat was also that we present the Khu­ though those arguments initiated, so both the sys­ lafa-e-Rashidin of the Holy were presented against the tems were aggregated in the Prophet5aw as a proof for the Turk Khilafat, but they im­ initial period of Islam. So if Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya and pact the Ahmadiyya Khila­ no organization is proved say that as Hadhrat Abu fat in the same way as they by Islam, then the begin­ Bakr\ Hadhrat Umar'"\ impact the Khilafat of the ning of the religious Khila­ Hadhrat Uthmanra, and statehood. Therefore, it is fat would also be declared Hadhrat AWa became Khu­ necessary for us to analyze as a temporary measure of lafa after the demise of the these arguments and their the Muslims, and it would Holy Prophetsaw, similarly reasoning that if Islam did not be correct to justify it the existence of Khilafat is not present a fixed organ­ for future and give it per­ essential after the Promised izational system, then as manence. And when the ex- Messiahas. If the entire Muslims would be free in a May - June 2008 62 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Khilafat is denied, then the (Tutba') was also done for ered related to Shariah, Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya will temporal needs and would rather they were done to also be invalidated. not be considered obliga­ meet a temporal need, then tory for us from a Shariah they would not be obliga­ Another thing worth perspective. On the con­ tory for us. At the most we considering it that if the trary if the acts of the Holy could say that since the op­ doctrine presented by Ali Prophetsaw related to the ponents had lost the rule in ibn Abdul al-Razaq is ac­ government had a religious Arabia, and all of them be­ cepted, which is also pre­ basis, then we would have came Hazoor' ssaw followers, sented by those who did not to conform to them. There­ therefore Hazooraw was enter Bai'at, it raises an im­ fore this question does not compelled to establish a portant question about those remain contained to the state. And as it was neces­ acts of the Holy Prophet5aw Khulafa, it also extends to sary to establish some rules that are related to the estab­ the Holy Prophetsaw. If the for the state, Hazooraw also lishment of organization, principle behind the organi­ enacted some rules, and his which is that whether those zation of Khilafat is not re­ purpose behind them was acts were religious or non­ ligious, but since it is a only the reformation of religious in their nature. Be­ copy of the acts of the Holy those people. His purport cause if we conclude that Prophet5aw, therefore his was not to establish a state Islam does not present a deeds related to the estab­ which would have a reli­ certain organization, rather lishment of the state were gious basis for ever. So, the the Khilafat of Hadhrat Abu also not religious in their acceptance of this doctrine Bakr\ Hadhrat Umara, nature, and we are not obli­ also forces us to accept that Hadhrat Uthmanra, and gated to follow them. It is the group of the acts of the Hadhrat AWa was because just like as no one says that Holy Prophetsaw related to of a temporal decision, and the Holy Prophetsaw used a the establishment of an or­ the work done by them for particular kind of dress, or ganization is not religious strengthening the govern­ ate a certain food; therefore in its nature, rather it was ment of the state was only we must dress similarly or only done because of a tem­ done to assist the Holy eat the same food. For in­ poral need, and it did not Prophet5aw, it naturally rais­ stance, no one says, since have any religious basis. It es the question that the acts the Holy Prophetsaw used to would be considered a Sun­ of the Holy Prophet5aw that wear a waist cloth, there­ nah and obligatory for the he carried out for the estab­ fore we must also wear a later people only if it had a lishment of the rule and the waist cloth, or since the religious basis. This is a state, were they done only Holy Prophetsaw used to eat natural outcome of this doc­ for the need of that time, or dates, therefore we must trine, but the deniers of did they leave any religious also eat dates. Rather a Khilafat always try to hide basis behind them? If they principle conclusion is this natural outcome from were done only for a tem­ drawn from it, which is that the eyes of people because poral need, then anything we should lead a simple they know that the Muslims done by Hadhrat Abu Bak­ life. Similarly, if the acts of would not tolerate it if they ra, Hadhrat Umara, Hadhrat the Holy Prophetsaw that are say that the group of acts Uthmanra, and Hadhrat related to the establishment carried out by the Holy AW\ and their companions of the state are not consid- Prophetsaw related to the May - June 2008 63 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA matters of state were only only for a short term need. that if the Holy Prop het saw worldly acts and were done took part in things to because of a temporal need. A Dangerous Result of strengthen the matters re­ And they will accuse them the Denial of the lated to the state, it was of being blasphemous to the Khilafat done only because of tem­ Holy Propheeaw, therefore poral needs, like one may the deniers of Khilafat will sit on the floor if there is no The truth is that with always resort to illogical chair in the house. So, as the denial of the Khilafat, methods, but Ali bin Abdul there was no government at we also have to say that the al-Razaq who is one of the that time, therefore he de­ rule of Muhammad saw was Shayukh of Al-Azhar Uni­ vised some rules to estab­ not religious - irrespective versity has freely and lish a temporary state. Thus of how politely this is pre­ boldly discussed this topic, his work related to the state sented because of the fear and therefore he naturally was only worldly in nature of the Muslims - it not only came to the same conclu­ and had no relationship leads to the denial of the re­ sion that I presented in front with the religion and there­ ligious nature of the organi­ of you. So this is a strange fore we cannot consider it a zation of the statehood of coincidence that here when model for us. Khulafa, we are also forced I started compiling my not­ to say that the part of the es for this article, while So accepting this prin­ life of the Holy Prop het saw writing notes I thought that ciple not only forces us to related to the establishment if I start going backwards reject the religious nature of of the matters related to with this argument, it exte- the organization of the Khu­ state was also worldly in nds to the Holy Prop h et saw , lafa, we also have to accept nature and done because of and we have to accept that a the actions of the Holy the temporal needs of the part of Hazoor' ssaw li~e was Propheeaw related to the es­ time. Besides Salat, fasting, worldly in nature which he tablishment of the state as Hajj, and Zakat, he left led because of a temporal worldly, and we have to ac­ things at the disposal of the need. So I first concluded cept that they were not part people, and they had full this, and later when I read of the Sunnah and obliga­ liberty to adopt a govern­ that book, I saw that he also tory for the later people. mental system of their own reached exactly the same liking according to their conclusion, and because of After this prelude, let me needs. Ali bin Abd al­ the fear of the Muslims, he take up the issue of the Razaq has also discusse.d did not openly describe it, Khilafat and the Islamic this issue, so he says that if rather covered the poison in governmental system. the Holy Prophetsaw would a sugar pill, but still it is have possessed the real quite clear from his book 1\vo Types of Religion rule, he would have estab­ that that the system of Qaza lished courts at every place, (Islamic courts) is not I think, before under­ but they were not estab­ proven and nor the other standing this issue, it is im­ lished, and similarly budg­ requirements like budgets portant for us to understand ets should have been estab­ are proven. So it proves that that religions of the world lished but they were not things done at those par­ are of two types. done either during his time. ticular times were done Similarly, he tried to prove First those religions May - June 2008 64 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA whose sphere of influence ders, rebellion, thefts, bur­ Shariah a curse, they meant is restricted to a few acts of glaries, or if the nations en­ that to ascertain a govern­ worship, and remembrances ter into treaties, or how to mental system for the na­ and they consider the issues control the economies. tion is a curse, and the re­ related to the worldly acts a They claim that Shariah has ligion has no right to enact separate matter, and do not nothing to do with these commandments with re­ interfere with them. These matters. If the question of spect to the worldly mat­ religions will tell you how inheritance of boys and ters, and rather every nation to say Salat, how to keep girls is raised, they will say is free to choose rules of fast, how to give charity that Shariah has nothing to their own choice. In this and alms, and how to treat do with it, and it is for the way, they freed themselves people. So they will de­ parliament of the country to from the restrictions of the scribe commandments re­ legislate laws for the bene­ Mosaic Shariah related to lated to the acts of worship fit of people. Similarly they the matters of the state. No and remembrances, but say that if they decide to doubt, when the Messiahas would not give any com­ take interest, whether it is said it (on the condition that mandment related to the in a monitory form or in the it could be attributed to governmental system, or form of commodities, relig­ him), he only meant that the economics, or international ion has no right to say that Jews had emphasized the matters, or matters that re­ interest in the form of cur­ outwardly commandments late to business, or inheri­ rency is unlawful. So they so much that they had for­ tance. They will have no have strong revulsion for gotten the inner truths and teachings related to these the commandments of the the spirituality, and this matters. religion related to the state. matter had become a curse Therefore they call Shariah for them, and it had thrown The Real Motivation a curse. It does not mean them far away from the re­ for the Declaration of that keeping fast is a curse. ality. But when Christianity If fasting was a curse, it spread to Rome, since those the Shariah a Curse in would not have been in­ people were not ready to let the Christianity cluded in the older editions go their national constitu­ of the Bible: tion, and considered the Ro­ Christianity is also in­ man law the best law, and cluded among the religions "One cannot get rid of in fact until today the Euro­ of this type, and the motiva­ such Jinn without prayer pean governments benefit tion for stressing Shariah to and fasting." from the Roman law, there­ be a curse in Christianity is fore as they had a great cul­ to keep people's acts sepa­ (Matthew, chapter 17, verse ture and were the legislators 21, North India Bible Society, rate from the bounds of re­ of those laws, they thought Mirzapur, 1870) ligion. They consider the that no one in the world sphere of religion only to could legislate better laws tell people to say Salat, Is it possible that on one side the Gospels have then them. On the other keep fast, perform Hajj, pay hand, they appreciated the Zakat and consider Christ these kinds of words, and on the other hand they call good teachings of Christi­ as God. They have no con­ anity about the love of God sideration for the com­ Shariah a curse? In reality, when the Christians called the Exalted, about the mira­ mandments related to mur- cles and the signs, about May - June 2008 65 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA supplications, and about the These are not the words ideas, therefore Zakat also sacrifices of the Messiah. of Hadhrat Messiahas; rather became a curse for them. The Christian teachings in­ these are the words of Pi­ So, as the Jews focused on clined their hearts towards late. But they found an ex­ the outward deeds, and had the Christian religion and cuse, and they extended the completely forgotten the they confessed that this re­ meanings of these words to reformation of the inner­ ligion deserved to be ac­ declare that the religion has self, therefore Hadhrat cepted. On the other hand, no right to issue commands Messiahas or his apostles they were not ready to en­ about the worldly matters, had to say that the mere force upon themselves the and each nation is free to outward following of the Jewish law that they con­ choose rules according to Shariah, and the inatten­ sidered inferior to the Ro­ its own needs. The Messia­ tiveness towards the refor­ man law. They were in a has (if we assume that he ac­ mation of the inner-self was strange dilemma. On one tually said these words) or a curse. It did not mean side they were attracted by his apostles only meant that that Shariah was a curse, the charming teachings of the Jews only emphasized rather it meant that acting the Christianity, and on the the outward commands and outwardly on the Shariah other side the sense of supe­ completely ignored the and the ignorance of the riority and supremacy of spirituality, and hence it be­ reformation of the inner­ the Roman law did not al­ came a curse for them. self had become a cause of low them to bow their They, no doubt performed curse for them. But the Ro­ heads before the Jewish the Salat, but they had no mans found an excuse and Shariah. They were in this fear and love of God the they claimed that those quagmire when they no­ Exalted and no inclination words meant that the relig­ ticed the following text of towards God the Exalted in ion should be followed as the New Testament: their hearts, and hence this far as Salat, fasting, and Salat became a curse for other injunctions are con­ "All those who rely them. If seen outwardly, cerned, but it should not be upon Shar'i acts are under they would sacrifice goats followed in worldly mat­ the curse." while doing charity and ters, and has no right to is­ (The Bible, Numbers, chapter alms, but they never sacri­ sue orders related to these 3, verse JO, British and For­ ficed the goat of their inner­ matters. It is up to us to eign Bible Society, Lahore, self, so the charity and alms choose the legislation of 1922) also became a curse for our own choice. Therefore, them. While worshiping the Romans who call the And: God the Exalted, apparently Christian religion and "The Messiah who for they bowed their heads but Shariah a curse, they them­ our sake became the ac­ their hearts never bowed, selves forced the people to cursed, he took our heart therefore their worship also follow the laws enacted by but freed us from the curse became a curse for them. them, if the existence of of Shariah." No doubt, they gave Zakat, law was a curse, they would so they sacrifice their not themselves have en­ (The Bible, Numbers, chapter wealth for the sake of God acted laws. But on one hand 3, verse 13, British and For- the Exalted, but they never their calling of the religion eign Bible Society, Lahore, cared to sacrifice their false a curse, and on the other 1922) May - June 2008 66 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

commits a murder, he hand enacting of various should be punished, if PRAYER laws for themselves tells us someone commits a theft, that they concluded from he should be punished, if Hadhrat 'Uthman bin these words that people had there is war, then certain 'Affanra relates that he once the right to enact appropri­ rules should be followed, if sent for water. First he ate laws for themselves, but sacrifice has to be done, it washed his hands thrice. the religion has no right to should be done in a certain Then he took water in his present commandments to way, similarly it gives guid­ left hand from the water­ people in worldly matters. ance regarding business jug, rinsed his mouth, and In this way, they freed dealings and trading. So the cleansed his nostrils. Then themselves of the restric­ Jewish religion interferes in he washed his face thrice tions of the Mosaic Shariah the matters related to state. his arms up to elbows thric~ that it imposed on people in So when someone carefully and passed his moist hands the state related matters. considers the Mosaic back and forth over his Shariah, he will conclude head. Then he washed both Intervention of the Jewish th~t as religion has the right feet up to his ankles thrice. Religion in the Govern­ to mterfere with the matters After performing ablution mental Affairs of the State ~elated to people, similarly like this, he said: "The one it has the right to interfere who performs ablution like In contrast, there are with the national and the I have done, then offers two some other religions that state related matters. ~ak'at Prayer with humility have extended the sphere of m the heart and without any the religion and have en­ apprehensions, all of his acted rules regarding hu­ ******* previous sins will be man actions, and mutual re­ forgiven." lationships, and the govern­ HUMANITY ment of the state and the ( Bukhari kitabal wudu' babal wudu 'thalathan thalathan) people who follow those FIRST religions had to accept that Hadrat Anasra relates ~he religion has the right to that the Holy Prophet88 said: mterfere with the matters NEEDS: "I have impressed upon you related to the state. Further repeatedly the importance the obedience to these com~ of brushing your teeth." mandments is as much VOLUNTEERS obligatory for the individu­ ( Bukhari ktabul jumu 'a babussawak yaumul jumu 'ah) als and the groups as the obedience of the doctrines AND Hadhrat Abu Hurai­ and individual acts like rahra relates that the Holy Salat and fasting and oth­ Prophetsaw said: "If I did not ers. The Jewish religion apprehend that it would be could be presented as an ex­ MONETARY burdensome on my people ~mple of this type of relig­ DONATIONS (or on people) I would pres­ ion. If someone reads the cribe the brushing of teeth Mosaic Shariah, he would before every Prayer." often read that if someone ******* ( Bukhari ktabul jumu 'a babussawak yaumul jumu 'ah) May - June 2008 67 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

SIR WILLIAM MUIR ON THE COMPILATION OF THE HOLY QURAN

ZiaHShahMD

India in London. He had al­ This detailed descrip­ ways taken an interest in tion is from the Appendix educational matters, and it of his book Life of Maho­ "Verily, We Ourself have was chiefly through his ex­ met from original sources, sent down this Exhortation, ertions that the central col­ 1878 edition. and most surely We will be lege at Allahabad, known as its Guardian." 15:10). Muir College, was built and The text of Muir is re­ endowed. Muir College produced with complete According to the later became a part of the honesty and precision, with Wikipedia, Sir William Allahabad University. In a few exclusions, as men­ Muir (April 27, 1819 - July 1885 he was elected princi­ tioned. The footnotes are 11, 1905) was a Scottish pal of Edinburgh University excluded and few of his Orientalist. He was born at in succession to Sir Alexan­ negative assertions have Glasgow and educated at der Grant, and held the post been removed and the Kilmarnock Academy, at till 1903, when he retired. It places indicated. Modern Glasgow and Edinburgh should be remembered that spellings of proper nouns Universities, and at Hailey­ Sir William Muir was a have been substituted for bury College. In 1837 he proud Christian, as well as ease of reading and the is­ entered the Bengal Civil a missionary who was not sues not relevant to the pre­ Service. He served as secre­ very friendly poised to­ sent discussion have been tary to the governor of the wards the Prophet of Islam omitted. These places of North-West Provinces, and or the Holy Qur'an. Nev­ omissions have also been as a member of the Agra ertheless, he left a detailed indicated. He wrote: revenue board, and during and mostly fair account of the Mutiny he was in the compilation of the Holy "The divine revelation charge of the intelligence Qur'an. Probably, little did was the corner-stone of department there. In 1865 he realize that he unknow­ Islam. The recital of a he was made foreign secre­ ingly has also become an passage from it formed an tary to the Indian Govern­ important witness to the essential part of daily ment. In 1867 he was truth of one of the prophe­ prayer public and private; knighted, and in 1868 he cies of the Holy Qur' an, and its perusal and repeti­ became lieutenant-governor ' ' " o • ., ,,• ,, ,, o· tion were enforced as a of the North-West Prov­ o~ 'ti tJJj ~_µ1 WJi ~ G! duty and a privilege inces. In 1874 he was ap­ fraught with religious pointed financial member "Verily, We Ourself have merit. This is the univer­ of the Council, and retired sent down this Exhortation, sal voice of early tradi­ in 1876, when he became a and most surely We will be tion, and may be gathered member of the Council of its Guardian." 15:10). also from the revelation May - June 2008 68 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA itself. The Qur'an was ac­ nearly the whole, were written instructions with cordingly committed to made by Muhammad's them on the latter point, memory more or less by followers during his life. and they would naturally every adherent of Islam, Writing was without provide themselves also and the extent to which it doubt generally known at with transcripts of the could be recited was one of Makkah long before Mu­ more important parts of the chief distinctions of no­ hammad assumed the pro­ the Revelation, especially bility in the early Muslim phetical office. Many of those upon which the empire. The custom of Ara­ his followers are ex­ ceremonies of Islam were bia favored the task. Pas­ pressly mentioned as em­ founded, and such as were sionately fond of poetry, ployed by the Prophet at usually recited at the pub­ yet possessed of but limited Madinah in writing his lic prayers. Besides the means and skill in commit­ letters or dispatches . .. . reference in the Qur'an to ting to writing the effusions its own existence in a of their bards, the Arabs Some of the poorer Mak­ written form, we have ex­ had long been habituated to kan captives taken at Badr press mention made in the imprint these, as well as the were offered their release authentic traditions of tradition of genealogical on condition that they Umar's conversion, of a and other tribal events, on would teach a certain copy of the 20th Sura be­ the living tablets of their number of the ignorant ing used by his sister's hearts. The recollective fac­ citizens of Madinah to family for social and pri­ ulty was thus cultivated to write. And although the vate devotional reading. the highest pitch; and it was people of Madinah were This refers to a period applied, with all the ardor not so generally educated preceding, by three or of an awakened spirit, to as those of Makkah, yet four years, the emigration the Qur'an. Such was the many are distinctly no­ to Madinah. If transcripts tenacity of their memory, ticed as having been able of the revelations were and so great their power of to write before Islam. made, and in common application, that several of The ability thus existing, use, at that early time Muhammad's followers, ac­ it may be safely inferred when the followers of Is­ cording to early tradition, that the verses which were lam were few and op­ could, during his life-time, so indefatigably commit­ pressed, it is certain that repeat with scrupulous ac­ ted to memory, would be they must have multiplied curacy the entire revela­ likewise committed care­ exceedingly when the tion ...... fully to writing. Prophet came to power, and his Book formed the However retentive the Arab We also know that when a law of the greater part of memory, we should still tribe first joined Islam, Arabia .... have regarded with distrust Muhammad was in the a transcript made entirely habit of deputizing one or Such was the condition of from that source. But there more of his followers to the text of the Qur' an dur­ is good reason for believing teach them the Qur' an and ing Muhammad's life­ that many fragmentary cop­ the requirements of the time, and such it remained ies, embracing amongst faith. We are frequently for about a year after his them the whole Qur' an, or informed that they carried death, imprinted upon the May - June 2008 69 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA hearts of his people, and therefrom. Now, there­ Qur' an in the presence of fragmentary transcripts fore, my advice is, that Muhammad. The original increasing daily. The two you should give speedy copy prepared by Zaid sources would correspond orders for the collection was probably kept by Abu closely with each other; of the Qur' an.' Abu Bakr Bakr during the short re­ for the Qur'an, even while agreed, and thus made mainder of his reign. It the Prophet was yet alive, known his wishes to Zaid then came into the pos­ was regarded with a su­ ibn Thabit, a citizen of session of Umar who perstitious awe as contain­ Madinah, and the Pro­ committed it to the cus­ ing the very words of phet's chief amanuensis: tody of his daughter God; so that any varia­ 'You art a young man, and Haphsa, the Prophet's tions would be reconciled wise; against whom no widow. The compilation by a direct reference to one amongst us can cast of Zaid, as embodied in Muhammad himself, and an imputation; and you this exemplar, continued after his death to the origi­ were wont to write down during Umar's ten years nals where they existed, the inspired revelations of Caliphate to be the stan­ or copies from the same, the Prophet of the Lord. dard and authoritative and to the memory of the Wherefore now search out text. Prophet's confidential the Qur' an, and bring it friends and amanuenses. together.' So new and un­ But variety of expression expected was the enter­ either prevailed in the pre­ It was not till the over­ prise that Zaid at first vious transcripts and throw of Moseilama, shrank from it, and modes of recitation, or when a great carnage took doubted the propriety, or soon crept into the copies place amongst the Mus­ even lawfulness, of at­ which were made from lims at Yemama, and tempting that which Mu­ Zaid's edition. Mussul­ large numbers of the best hammad had neither him­ mans were scandalized. reciters of the Qur'an self done nor commanded The Qur' an sent down were slain, that a misgi v­ to be done. At last he from heaven was One, but ing arose in Umar's mind yielded to the joint en­ where was now its unity? as to the uncertainty treaties of Abu Bakr and Hodzeifa, who had warred which would be experi­ Umar, and seeking out the both in Armenia and Azer­ enced regarding the text, fragments of the Qur'an baijan and had observed when all those who had from every quarter, the different readings of received it from the origi­ 'gathered it together, from the Syrians and of the nal source, and thence date-leaves, and tablets of men of Iraq, alarmed at stored it in their memo­ white stone, and from the the number and extent of ries, should have passed breasts of men.' By the the variations, warned away. 'I fear,' said he, ad­ labors of Zaid, these scat­ Uthman to interpose, and dressing the Caliph Abu tered and confused mate­ 'stop the people, before Bakr, 'that slaughter may rials were reduced to the they should differ regard­ again wax hot amongst order and sequence m ing their Scripture, as did the reciters of the Qur' an, which we now find them, the Jews and Christians.' in other fields of battle; and in which it is said that The Caliph was per­ and that much may be lost Zaid used to repeat the suaded, and to remedy the May - June 2008 70 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA evil had recourse again to Islam. Contending and unimportant variations. Zaid, with whom he asso­ embittered factions, tak­ There is the fullest ground ciated a syndicate of three ing their rise in the mur­ for believing that it was Qura-ish. The original der of Uthman himself so. No early or trustwor­ copy of the first edition within a quarter of a cen­ thy traditions throw suspi­ was obtained from tury from the death of cion upon Uthman of tam­ Haphsa's depository, the Muhammad, have ever pering with the Qur' an in various readings were since rent the Muhamma­ order to support his own sought out from the dif­ dan world. Yet but one claims. The Shiahs of ferent provinces, and a Qur' an has been current later times, indeed, pre­ careful recession of the amongst them; and the tend that Uthman left out whole set on foot. In case consentaneous use by certain Surahs or passages of difference between them all in every age up which favored Ali. But Zaid and his coadjutors, to the present day of the this 1s incredible. He the voice of the latter, as same Scripture, is an ir­ could not possibly have conclusive of the Qurai­ refutable proof that we done so without being ob­ shite idiom, was to pre­ have now before us the served at the time; and it ponderate; and the new very text prepared by cannot be imagined that collation was thus assimi­ command of the unfortu­ Ali and his followers (not lated exclusively to the nate Caliph. There is to mention the whole Makkan dialect, in which probably in the world no body of the Mussulmans the Prophet had given ut­ other work which has re­ who fondly regarded the terance to his inspiration. mained twelve centuries Qur' an as the word of Transcripts were multi­ with so pure a text. The God) would have permit­ plied and forwarded to the various readings are won­ ted such a proceeding. chief cities in the empire, derfully few in number, and the previously exist­ and are chiefly confined In support of this position ing copies were all, by the to differences m the the following arguments Caliph's command, com­ vowel points and diacriti­ may be adduced. First: mitted to the flames. The cal signs. But these When Uthman's edition old original was returned marks were invented at a was prepared, no open to Haphsa's custody. later date. They did not breach had taken place exist at all in the early between the Omeyads and The recension of Uthman copies, and can hardly be the Alyites. The unity of had been handed down to said to affect the text of Islam was still complete us unaltered. So care­ Uthman. and unthreatened. Ali's fully, indeed, has it been pretensions were as yet preserved, that there are Since, then, we possess undeveloped. No suffi­ no variations of impor­ the undoubted text of Uth­ cient object can, therefore, tance -- we might almost man's recension, it re­ be assigned for the perpe­ say no variations at all -­ mains to be inquired tration by Uthman of an among the innumerable whether that text was an offense which Muslims copies of the Quran scat­ honest reproduction of regard as one of the black­ tered throughout the vast Zaid's edition, with the est dye .... bounds of the empire of simple reconcilement of May - June 2008 71 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Third: At the time of the sition, palpably absurd at revelations of God him­ recension, there were still the time, is altogether an self, his first object would multitudes alive who had after-thought of the mod­ be to secure a pure and the Qur'an, as originally em Shias. complete transcript of delivered, by heart; and of them. A similar argument the supposed passages fa­ We may then safely con­ applies with almost equal voring Ali -- had any ever clude that Uthman's re­ force to Umar and the existed -- there would cension was, what it pro­ other agents in the revi­ have been numerous tran­ fessed to be, namely, the sion. The great mass of scripts in the hands of his reproduction of Abu Mussulmans were un­ family and followers. Bakr' s edition, with a doubtedly sincere in their Both of these sources more perfect conformity belief. From the scribes must have proved an ef­ to the dialect of Makkah, themselves, employed in fectual check upon any and possibly a more uni­ the compilation, down to attempt at suppression. form arrangement of the the humblest Believer Fourth: The party of Ali component parts -- but who brought his little shortly after assumed an still a faithful reproduc­ store of writing on stones independent attitude, and tion. The most important or palm-leaves, all would he himself succeeded to question yet remains, viz., be influenced by the same the Caliphate. Is it con­ Whether Zaid's collection earnest desire to repro­ ceivable that either Ali, or was itself an authentic and duce the very words his party, when thus ar­ complete collection of which their Prophet had rived at power, would Muhammad's Revelations. declared as his message have tolerated a mutilated The following considera­ from the Lord. And a Qur'an -- mutilated ex­ tions warrant the belief similar guarantee existed pressly to destroy his that it was authentic and in the feelings of the peo­ claims? Yet we find that in the main as complete as ple at large, in whose soul they used the same at the time was possible. no principle was more Qur' an as their opponents, deeply rooted than an aw­ and raised no shadow of First -- We have no reason ful reverence for the sup­ an objection against it. to doubt that Abu Bakr posed word of God. The The insurgents are indeed was a sincere follower of Qur'an itself contains fre­ said to have made it one Muhammad, and an ear­ quent denunciations agai­ of their complaints against nest believer in the divine nst those who should pre­ Uthman that he had origin of the Qur' an. His sume to 'fabricate any­ caused a new edition to be faithful attachment to the thing in the name of the made, and had committed Prophet's person, con­ Lord,' or conceal any part the old copies of the sa­ spicuous for the last of that which He had re­ cred volume to the twenty years of his life, vealed. Such an action, flames; but these proceed­ and his simple, consistent represented as the very ings were objected to sim­ and unambitious deport­ worst description of ply as unauthorized and ment as Caliph, admit no crime, we cannot believe sacrilegious. No hint was other supposition. Firmly that the first Muslims, in dropped of alteration or believing the revelations the early ardor of their omission. Such a suppo- of his friend to be the faith and love, would have May - June 2008 72 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA dared to contemplate. of Abu Bakr came into have been noticed by the immediate and un­ Deity, all with evident Second -- The compila­ questioned use, it is rea­ faithfulness entered in the tion was made within two sonable to conclude that it Qur'an .... years of Muhammad's embraced and corre­ death. We have seen that sponded with every extant If the text of Abu Bakr's several of his followers fragment; and therefore, Qur'an was pure and uni­ had the entire revela­ by common consent, su­ versally received, how tion .. .. . by heart; that perseded them. We hear come it to be so soon cor­ every Muslim treasured of no fragments, sen­ rupted, and to require, in up more or less some por­ tences, or word intention­ consequence of its varia­ tions in his memory; and ally omitted by the com­ tions, an extensive recen­ that there were official pilers, nor of any that dif­ sion? Tradition does not Reciters of it, for public fered from the received afford sufficient light to worship and tuition, in all edition. Had any such determine the cause of countries to which Islam been discoverable, they these discrepancies. They extended. These formed a would undoubtedly have may have been owing to living link between the been preserved and no­ the various readings in the Revelation fresh from ticed in those traditional older fragmentary tran­ Muhammad's lips, and the repositories which treas­ scripts, which remained in edition of it by Zaid. ured up the minutest and the possession of the peo­ Thus the people were not most trivial acts and say­ ple; they may have origi­ only sincere and fervent ings of the Prophet. nated in the diverse dia­ in wishing for a faithful lects of Arabia, and the copy of the Qur' an: they Fourth -- The contents different modes of pro­ were also in possession of and the arrangement of nunciation and orthogra­ ample means for realizing the Qur' an speak forcibly phy; or they may have their desire, and for test­ for its authenticity. All sprung up naturally in the ing the accuracy and com­ the fragments that could already vast domains of pleteness of the volume be obtained have, with Islam, before strict uni­ placed in their hands by artless simplicity, been formity was officially en­ Abu Bakr. joined together. The forced. It is sufficient for patchwork bears no marks us to know that in Uth­ Third -- A still greater se­ of a designing genius or man' s revision recourse curity would be obtained molding hand. It testifies was had to be original ex­ from the fragmentary to the faith and reverence amplar of the first compi­ transcripts which existed of the compilers, and lation, and that there is in Muhammad's life-time, proves that they dared no otherwise every security, and which must have more than simply collect internal and external, that greatly multiplied before the sacred fragments and we possess a text the same the Quran was compiled. place them in juxtaposi­ as that which Muhammad These were in the posses­ tion...... himself gave forth and sion, probably, of all who used .... could read. And as we Again the frailties of Mu­ know that the compilation hammad, supposed to The conclusion, which we May - June 2008 73 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

may now with confidence draw, is that the editions PRAYER of Zaid and of Uthman were not only faithful, Hadhrat Mughirah bin Sha 'bahra relates: "I was with but, so far as the materials the Holy Prophetsaw one night during a journey, when he went, complete.... We asked me: 'Do you have some water with you?' I replied in may upon the strongest the affirmative. Then he dismounted and walked away into presumption affirm that the darkness. When he returned I poured out water from a every verse in the Qur' an vessel and he washed his face. He was wearing a woolen is the genuine and unal­ long coat and could not extract his arms from his sleeves till tered composition of Mu­ he pulled them inside the coat and brought them out from hammad himself, and below it and then washed his forearms. Then he passed his conclude with at least a hands over his head. I stretched out my hand to take off his close approximation to the socks, but he said: 'Leave them.' I put them on after I had verdict of Von Hammer: washed my feet; and he passed his hands over them." That we hold the Qur' an (Bukhari ktabullibas bah labisajubbatussauffil ghazw) to be as surely Muham­ mad's word as the Mus­ Hadhrat Abu Dharf3 relates that the Holy Prophetsaw lims hold it to be word of said: "When a Muslim makes his ablutions and washes his God." face the water carries away all sins committed by his eyes, and when he washes his hands the water carries away all The very fact that no sins committed by his hands and when he washes his feet other versions of the Holy the water carries away all sins towards which he had Qur' an exist is an over­ walked, and he emerges cleansed of all his sins." whelming evidence of its Divine Protection. Such a (Muslim bah khurujul khataya ma'a ma'al wudu) privilege is not enjoyed by any other scripture. When Hadhrat 'Uthman bin 'Affanra relates: "The Holy we compare the process of Prophetsaw said: He who makes his ablutions carefully will compilation of the Holy find that his defaults depart from his body, even from below Qur' an with that of the his nails." Holy Bible the truth be­ comes glaringly self­ (Muslim kitabuttaharat bah khurujul khataya ma'a ma'a[ wudu) evident. Hadhrat Abu Hurairahra relates that the Holy Prophetsaw said: "Shall I tell you something whereby Allah ******* would wipe out your sins and raise your status? Those HELP present said: 'Certainly, Messengetaw of Allah.' He said: 'Performing the ablution carefully even in difficulty, frequent walking to the mosque, and waiting eagerly for the HUMANITY next Salat after one is finished. This is your striving in the cause of Allah.' " FIRST ( Muslim kitabuttaharat bab fadl isbaghul wudu 'alal makarah) ****** ****** May - June 2008 74 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF JALSA SALANA In the words of the Promised Messiahas

AIMS AND jective of the Jalsa was that "Let it be abundantly OBJECTIVES members of our Jama'at, clear to all the adherents of through process of frequent my Jama'at that the real "One of the major ob­ audience ('mulaqat'), should purpose of the Bai'at jectives of this Jalsa is that undergo a significant inter­ (Pledge of Initiation) is sup­ sincere members should de­ nal change, enabling them pression and cessation of rive spiritual benefit di­ to concentrate on matters excessive absorption in rectly, thus enriching their pertaining to the hereafter, worldly things, so the love religious knowledge, and so that Allah's pious fear is of Allah, the Almighty, and by the grace of Allah, at­ instilled in their hearts, that of the Holy Prophet taining state of God­ molding them into models Muhammadsaw, should satu­ realization. of devotion, righteousness, rate their hearts. The sub­ sympathetic consideration, lime and serene condition There are other advan­ meekness, and brotherhood. thus created, should facili­ tages too. The Jalsa would Moreover, their humility, tate a transition to eternity. provide an opportunity for sobriety and uprightness This tranquil state cannot brothers to introduce them­ should be worthy of emula­ be achieved with out spend­ selves, consequently con­ tion, and that they should ing time in my company tributing to the strengthen­ be in a state of readiness for and devoting a better part of ing of bond of brotherhood. rendering services in the life for that purpose, so that cause of faith". the witnessing of faith­ In addition to the inspiring signs should en­ above benefits, the Jalsa ( Shahadatul Qur'an, Roohani hance faith and inculcate Khazain, Vol. 6 P. 394) would provide a forum for Divine love, by removing presenting useful proposals "It is not my wish that spiritual disability and dull­ for religious and spiritual like contemporary 'Pirza­ ness. Every member should welfare of Europe and das' (descendants of Mus­ aspire for, and fervently America. Lately it has be­ lim saints), I should sum­ supplicate to attain that come evident that the un­ mon multitude of my fol­ goal. Unless that state of prejudiced individuals from lowers, with the view of mind has been vouchsafed, those continents are exhibit­ staging a show of my sway the members of the Jama'at ing a genuine interest in Is­ and grandiosity, rather the should endeavor to see me lam". real purpose of the gather­ periodically . Such contacts (lshtihar, dated December 7, ing is to use it for the refor­ should be frequent; other­ 1892, Majmua lshtiharat mation of mankind." wise the 'Bai'at' would be Vol. 1, PP. 340-341) reduced to a mere fonnal­ (Shahadatul Qur'an, Roohani ity, practically devoid of all "The purpose and ob- Khazain, Vol. 6 P.395) blessings. May - June 2008 75 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Since, it is not feasible for self, who has designated na­ AN EMPHATIC each and every member to tions, which are destined to EXHORTATION travel again and again, on merge in it. This has been FOR account of physical weak­ decreed by the Omnipotent ness, or a long stretch of God for Whom nothing is PARTICIPATION IN distance, or financial con­ impossible to achieve." JALSA straints or a heavy schedule 7, "It is my ardent wish of engagements, it appears ( lshtihar, dated December 1892) that all initiates should appropriate to fix three days travel (to Qadian), to spend annually, for Jalsa so that some time in my company, all sincere members, in the BLESSINGS AND ADVANTAGES OF with the view of undergo­ absence of all obstacles, ing a spiritual change. Note should endeavor to partici­ JALSA that death can cut short any pate in the proposed gather­ life at any time. Even a ing." "All sincere mem­ bers, as far as humanly pos­ glimpse of me is beneficial (Aasmani Faisla, Roohani sible, should endeavor, to for members, but only those Khazain, Vol. 4, P. 351) reach here (Qadian), on would see me in reality, specified dates, for listening who truly seek religious to Godly discourses and for enlightenment with patie­ PRAYERS FOR participating in supplica­ nce, and the faith, in the THE DECEASED tions. The Jalsa would be real sense of the word, is dedicated to present facts their real goal. Note that "Special prayers, for and verities, which would traveling on the part of the forgiveness and salvation ' strengthen their faith and people, gifted with a pious would be offered for those enhance certainty. intention, is always reward­ members of the Jama'at ing." who have departed thi~ Special prayers, cou­ Shahdatul Qur'an, Roohani transitory world, during the pled with profound atten­ Khazain, Vol. 6 P.395) course of the year." tion, would be offered, for "Our religion demands sincere friends, so that the (Aasmani Faisla, Roohani that people should benefit Gracious and Most Merci­ Khazain, Vol. 4, P. 352) from the company of the ful Lord accepts them for a righteous again and again. lasting transformation ... Avoidance of this compan­ DISTINCTIVE ionship means a negation of On the eve of Jalsa STATUS OF JALSA ' hope and the will to achieve the Jama'at adherents would an advanced state of piety. "Do not treat this Jalsa be united in a spiritual fra­ I have repeatedly advised like other worldly gather­ ternity. Help would be our friends to come here ings. This institution is be­ sought form Allah, the Gra­ again and again, for reli­ ing founded on behest of cious for the dismantling of gious and spiritual benefits God Almighty, with the barriers of estrangement, but adequate attention has view of preaching Islam. aloofness and hypocrisy" not been paid. People, The foundation stone of this while making the pledge of dispensation has been laid (Aasmani Faisla, Roohani Khazain, Vol. 4, P.352) initiation, solemnly promise by the hand of God Him- to prefer religion to worldly May - June 2008 76 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA pursuits, but in practical life SAVING FOR speeches attentively, be­ they fail to honor it. Be cause he who fails to lend warned that graves are anx­ PARTICIPATION IN an attentive ear cannot iously awaiting their consign­ JALSA benefit from a beneficial ments and death is approach­ personage, despite staying ing stealthily. With every "It would be appro­ in his company for a long breath, in reality, it is the life priate for members, manag­ time." span that is being shortened ing with limited means, to but lo the people take it as a carefully plan for participa­ (Al-Hakm, March JO, 1902) lease for leisure. A believer tion in the Jalsa. Employ­ should never attempt to out­ ing wisdom and frugality, if FAILURE TO wit his Creator. Remember, they embark upon saving PARTICIPATE IN when death overtakes, one some money on a daily or JALSA cannot defer it for a second. monthly basis for the needs Mind not those who have not of the Jalsa, they would be The number of par­ joined the fold of the Jama'at able to set aside a reason­ ticipants in the 1898 An­ because they have failed to able fund, enabling them to nual Jalsa was far below comprehend the significance undertake this journey prac­ expectations. Expressing of the Divine dispensation. tically free of charge." his pain and distress, the The most unfortunate is the Promised Messiahas is re­ (Aasmani Faisla, Roohani ported to have said: one who recognized the Ja­ Khazain, VOL. 4, P. 352) ma 'at but wronged his soul "It appears that the by not becoming the real part AN ESSENTIAL people have not taken cog­ of it in practical terms. The IMPORTUNITY nition of our aims and ob­ people who do not see me jectives. They are not frequently and miss the op­ "All should listen with aware of what we expect portunity to hear and witness deep thought and close at­ from them on behest of the signs, which Allah, the tention because this matter God. The anticipated great Almighty, is showing in sup­ deals with faith. Dullness, change cannot be wrought port of this Jama'at, however languor and lack of reflec­ in them, unless they come virtuous and righteous they tion in such matters, often here, again and again, with­ might be by their own dint, precipitates serious reper­ out an iota of reluctance. have failed to appreciate the cussions. The people, who significance of this Divine are not serious about faith, He who thinks that his dispensation ... I have earlier do not listen attentively re­ visit (to Qadian) would re­ said that theoretical advance­ ligious discourses. Such sult in a burden on us or his ment must be followed by people do not appreciate the stay might cause some in­ practical perfection. Practical speaker's wealth of knowl­ convenience, is actually perfection cannot be edge, and subsequently fail guilty of 'shirk'. I believe achieved without theoretical to derive benefit. About that if all the people inhab­ advancement, which cannot such people it has been said iting this planet, become be attained without frequent that they have ears but lis­ my dependents, Allah's visits." ten not; and have hearts but providence would gra­ (Al-Hakm, September 17, 1901) cannot understand. You are ciously empower me to take advised to listen to all care of all of them and I will not feel the slightest May - June 2008 77 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

pinch of that demanding GIVE PREFERENCE should be overlooked. In situation. The presence of TO OTHERS that case I should never our friends is always a make fun of his vulgarity source of great pleasure. "I tell you truly that and embark upon fault­ Brothers should repel this one's faith is not perfected finding. Remember that this evil suggestion. Some unless he prefers his attitude leads to spiritual members have opined that brother's comfort over his death and that no one can why should they become a own. The existing condi­ experience true faith with­ nuisance by prolonging tion of my faith deserves out a docile and clement their stay? Some people condemnation, if my heart. A believer must truly say that being idle-folks, brother, despite his physical consider himself the lowest good for nothing, why weakness and indisposition, of the low. He must get rid should they behave like is compelled to sleep on the of all traces of arrogance parasites? Let them under­ bare floor and I, being fit and haughtiness. He, who stand that such ideas are sa­ and strong, hastily and serves others, is destined tanic suggestions. Satan forcibly seize a bed so that for elevation and grandeur, would like that they should the sickly brother might not and one day would be held not stay here (i.e. Qadian)." claim it for his use. In this in esteem. He, who speaks scenario, my duty is that I gently to the poor and the (Malfoozat, Vol. 1, P. 455) should give that bed to the downtrodden, is surely a sick brother, with love and beloved of God. He, who AN INSTRUCTION sympathy, and instead pre­ reacts with virtue and good­ CONCERNING fer to sleep on the floor. If ness in the face of evil and BEDDING AND a brother of mine, out of wickedness, is truly en­ LINENS selfishness and arrogance, dowed with signs of auspi­ treats me harshly, even then ciousness. He, who eschews "This Jalsa, which is a I should not resort to re­ anger and bitter utterances, combination of many taliation, rather, I should try indeed displays a high de­ blessed considerations and sincerely to demonstrate a gree of bravery. But I have advantages, should be at­ high degree of self-restraint noted with distress, that tended by all those who can and self-denial. Nay, one­ some members of our Ja­ afford to participate in it. step further, I should not ma'at lack these character­ They should come here only exercise patience, but istics." with the necessary bedding also should supplicate for and linens according to the him, in my daily prayers, (Shahadatul Qur'an Roohani Khazain, Vol. 6, PP 395,396) requirements of the wea­ with tearful eyes, because ther. Minor losses and dis­ he is still spiritually sick, PRAYERS FOR turbances should not deter (otherwise he would have them from marching for­ not exhibited harsh and THEJALSA ward in the cause of Allah sharp edges of his personal­ PARTICIPANTS and his Beloved Prophet ity). Muhammadsaw. II "May Allah, the The unmanned y be­ Exalted, be with those who (lshtihar, dated December 7, havior of an unlettered and embark upon the journey 1892) uncouthly clad brother for this spiritual gathering. May - June 2008 78 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

May He reward them abundantly and shower His Seeratun-Nabisaw Day mercy on them and relieve them from their difficulties and anxieties, and remove North New Jersey Jama'at from them every trace of pain and distress. May On Sunday April 6t\ 2008, the North Jersey Allah grant them their J amaat celebrated the Seerat-un-Nabtaw day at the wishes and raise them, on Regency House Hotel, Pompton Plains, presided by the Day of Resurrection, Respected Munir Hamid Sahib, Na'ib Ameer USA. with those, who are entitled to His Mercy and Grace. Among the speakers were Missionary Inamul Haq May He be their Protector Kauser Sahib, who talked on the excellence of the and Guardian up to the end Holy Prophet5aw, and the deep bond of love that ex­ of their journey, coming ists between him and every Muslim. Imam Amir and going. Salahuddin of the Islamic Center of Paterson, spoke 0 Allah, 0 Ye the on the positive role that Shariah could play in our Possessor of Dignity and lives. He also mentioned the Hadith of the Holy Graciousness, 0 the Merci­ Prophet5aw about the splitting of Islam into seventy­ ful and the Remover of all two sects who would face the displeasure of God difficulties! Accept all these and the one Jama' at which would be righteous. supplications and grant us prevalence over our oppo­ Imam Abdul Karim Muhammad of Masjid Al nents with manifest signs. Haque of Newark, mentioned the status of Khata­ Indeed Thou hast all Power man-Nabiyeen of the Holy Prophet5aw signifying the and Strength. Ameen! completion of the rank of prophethood in him. Re­ Ameen!" spected Munir Hamid Sahib, spoke of the change (lshtihar, Dated December 7, that comes about in one's life when one attaches 1892) himself to the Master Prophet5aw. He also men­ tioned how Islam was introduced to America by "All the participants Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra. Participants of this Jalsa, who have un­ dertaken this journey, were also given the opportunity to ask questions solely for Allah's pleasure, from the respected panel. Replying to a question on are in my thoughts and how the seventy-third righteous Jama' at would be prayers. May Allah bless identified, Maulana Inamul Haq Kauser Sahib them generously and re­ elaborated that when the same question was also ward them on every step. put to the Holy Prophet5aw he said that these people Ameen!" would be in the same situation as himself and his (Aasmani Faisla, Roohani companions. Attendance exceeded 150, with 30 Khazain, Vol. 4, P.351) non-Ahmadi guests. ******* ******* May - June 2008 79 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

SOME DIRECTIVES FOR GUESTS AND WORKERS OF JALSA SALANA

In the Words of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih vaba

Some of the directives pate in it fully. Instead ADVICE FOR given by Hadhrat Khali­ of roaming about aim­ HOSTS fatul Masih yaha to the par­ lessly, they should de­ ticipants of Jalsa Salana, rive the maximum bene­ UK, which are applicable fit from it. • To honor and serve our to Jalsa Salana, USA, are guests should be our aim, and we should briefly given here: • Care should be taken serve them with love that the ladies and the and sincerity and in a children sit and listen to PURPOSE OF spirit of sacrifice. JALSA SALANA the Jalsa proceedings quietly and try to derive the maximum benefit ADVICE FOR • This is not a festival but from it. GUESTS a Jama'at convention. Do not think that you are participating m a BLESSINGS OF • Guests should remem­ festival and do not JALSA ber that all these ar­ waste your time in per­ rangements are tempo­ rary. The volunteers sonal meetings or in • This 1s your Jalsa work very hard to serve buying or selling or Salana. Do not be ab­ the guests, but occa­ showing off the latest sent without any valid sionally if there is any designs. objection. Some people shortfall, it should be only come for one day, overlooked. • Greet each other with instead of all three days smiles. If you have any and then their objective bad feelings end them is to meet friends rather • If any guest finds a with smiles in these than gain the blessings shortfall, they should three days. Secondly, of the occasion. If the gently draw the atten­ spread the good deeds blessings of Jalsa are tion of it to the workers. and urge others to per­ kept in mind, then atten­ There is no need to get form good deeds and dance on all three days angry. The arrange­ tell them to desist from is essential. Listen to ments are large scale bad practices. After all, the speeches and other and there are bound to that is the prime pur­ programs m silence, be some deficiencies. pose of Jalsa Salana. paying full attention. They should be toler­ Those who come to at­ Do not waste this pre­ ated and ignored. tend Jalsa, must partici- cious time. May - June 2008 80 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

ADVICE FOR 'Durood' (invoking the CELLPHONES WORKERS blessings of Allah upon His Holy Prophet) and • Please switch off your • Treat your fellow work­ regular performance of cell phones during the ers with respect and Salat (Prayer). The Prayer. Some people honor; and perform all guests have come from have the habit of bring­ your duties together in far and wide. If they do ing in their phones and an atmosphere of love not perform Salat regu­ leaving them switched and friendship. larly and at their ap­ on. When the phones pointed times, they will begin ringing, it causes • The hosts must perform lose the real purpose of a great deal of distur­ their duties of hospital­ their coming to Jalsa. bance to the worship­ ity with pleasant man­ Similarly, in such pers. ners and continue to do places as the kitchen so as long as the hosp­ area, where it is difficult ETIQUETTES OF tali ty period contin­ for the workers to leave, CONVERSATION ues ... Perform your du­ arrangements should be ties diligently and hon­ made so that they can • Refrain from meaning­ estly. perform their Salat in less talk. Conversation their place of duty. This should be carried out in • Similarly, if the workers is the responsibility of a low voice and with find a guest angry, they those who are in charge due respect. Acrimoni­ should apologize po­ of those areas. ous talk should be litely and try to remove avoided. and solve his difficulty. • Sometimes, children • Some people talk loudly Remember, you should start crying during the and in querulous tones never speak to your Salat, this naturally di­ as a matter of habit, or guests harshly or dis­ verts the attention of sit in groups and in­ courteously. others and spoils their Prayers. The parents, dulge in loud laughter. Try to avoid these prac­ ETIQUETTES OF whether father or mother, should take the tices as much as you THE MOSQUE child away for the sake can during these three of others. days. In fact avoid these • Remember the eti- altogether. This is not quette and sanctity of • Fathers and mothers considered a good habit the place in and around with very young chil­ anyway. the mosque. dren should not try to occupy the front rows DISCIPLINE ETIQUETTES OF during Salat. They THE PRAYER should sit in the back Be mindful of all the row so that if need be, discipline and arrangements • Jalsa days should be they can leave. and cooperate and abide spent in the remem­ fully with the instructions brance of Allah, reciting given by workers on duty. May - June 2008 81 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

CLEANLINESS quested to do so. There that food is wasted by is no need to force or the consumers and not • During Jalsa, some coerce. If there is some by those serving. Please children and adults Ahmadi woman who avoid this practice. throw litter on the has a difficulty to cover grounds and pathways. her face, she should • Demand only as much Irrespective of whose wear a minimum and as you can consume. duty it 1s, whosoever simple make-up. Spread However, those on duty notices any litter should the habit of keeping are instructed that they pick it up and deposit it your head covered. It should never refuse in the litterbin or boxes should be remembered anyone who wants food. provided for this pur­ that we are spending If they see someone pose. Both guests and our time in a spiritual wasting food he should hosts should keep the environment during be gently reminded site free of litter. these days. We should about this fact, but no not try to find excuses worker is expected to • These are simple eti­ not to observe Purdah. use hard words or rude quettes of cleanliness. It is a different matter if language with guests. Remember to keep the there is a genuine rea­ Explain gently that once toilets clean, after all son. Even then the mini­ you finish, you can have cleanliness is part of our mum norms of Purdah a second helping. faith. should be observed. • Some guests leave their dirty plates on the table • We must always keep in • Do not be oblivious to and do not deposit them mind the cleanliness of what was said in the in the waste-bins that the premises. Do not speeches and what Tar­ are provided. It requires provide any opportunity biyyat programs were only a small effort on of complaint to those on discussed. the part of each guest. duty. Put it in the fore­ Dirty plates lying front of your mind that ETIQUETTES OF around look untidy, are come what may we FOOD unhygienic and add to have to maintain unnecessary work for cleanliness. • It has been the trend volunteers already un­ that a lot of food is der pressure when they ADVICE FOR wasted during these can gainfully be em­ WOMEN days. It is generally a ployed elsewhere. good practice to take • Ladies are advised that only so much in the ADVICE they should take care plate as you can finish REGARDING not to roam around aim­ and thus waste nothing. BAZAAR lessly. However, those Teach the same to your ladies who are not children. We should not Another important Ahmadis and do not ob­ be guilty of bad man­ matter to note is that the serve Purdah, they ners that may affect oth­ Bazaar remains closed dur­ should only be re- ers. It is also observed ing the Jalsa proceedings. May - June 2008 82 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

The guests should be you. This is the best se­ aware of this and should curity for Jama' at PRAYER not force the shop own­ Ahmadiyya. ers to open their shops Hadhrat Abu Hurai­ for them or sit there. • When entering (Jalsa rahra relates that the Holy Gah), present your­ Prophetsaw said: "He who TRAFFIC selves voluntarily to the makes his ablutions at relevant staff for check­ home and then walks to one • When parking your ing. of the houses of Allah to cars, make sure you do discharge an obligation not park in front of en­ • Always keep your iden­ imposed on him by Allah, trances to other people's tity card prominently one step of his wipes out a houses and do not park visible. If you notice sin and another step raises 11 in places where parking someone without the his status. card, remind him po­ is forbidden. (Muslim bab almasha­ litely to display his ilassalat) • Observe the traffic rules card. and cooperate fully with Hadhrat 'Abdullah bin the parking teams. • Take special care of Mas 'udra relates that he your valuables and asked the Holy Prophetsaw: • Never commence your cash. This is your own "Which action is most journey if you are tired responsibility. The or­ acceptable to Allah? He or if you are not feeling ganizers cannot be held answered: 'Performing the well. Always have rest responsible for any loss. Salat at its due time.' I and start your journey asked: 'What next?' He said: relaxed and refreshed. PRAYER 'Benevolence towards pa­ rents. I asked: What next? SECURITY • Most important are sup­ He said: Striving in the plications and prayers to cause of Allah.' 11 • It is important that for Allah. Remember to put great emphasis on your (Bukhari kitabuljihad bab the sake of security, you Jadlul jihad wassair) remain watchful all the prayers, when starting your journey, coming to time. Be vigilant and if Hadhrat 'Ali ra relates you notice a stranger, Jalsa and during trav­ els. the Holy Prophetsaw said: inform the relevant de­ "The key to the Prayer is partment immediately. cleanliness (ablution). It is not advisable to in­ (Friday Sermon: 18th July, 2003. Published in Al-Fazl Glorification of the Prayer terfere personally your­ is Takbir and dissolution of self. International 12th Septem- ber, 2003) the Prayer is Salutation." • The best way to be (Tirmidhi kitabuttaharat bab watchful is to keep a ------ma ja' an miftahussala­ sharp look out around tuttahur) yourselves for those who are not familiar to ******* May - June 2008 83 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA Etiquettes of Mulaqat (Audience with Hazooraba)

Extracted from a Friday sermon delivered by Maulana Daud Hanif Missionary In charge and Na'ib Ameer 1. By the grace of Allah we will be blessed with the visit of our beloved Hazoor. So prepa- rations for Mulaqat should start earnestly right now. 2. Cooperate with the organizers and submit your applications well in time. 3. Use the bathroom etc. before coming to such meetings. 4. Dress should be good, neat and clean. Wear it after taking a bath. Dress should be com­ plete including the head cover. It should show that you are an Ahmadi American. Cover your head with your own cap. Therefore arrange for your cap ahead of time. 5. Nails should be trimmed and filed. 6. If you have made wudu, wipe yourself dry before proceeding towards the mulaqat. 7. Ladies and girls should proceed towards the mulaqat with proper head-covers. Dress should be appropriate and modest. The head covers should not be slippery. 8. Ladies' dress should not have big collars that expose a large part of the neck. An outer cover (burqa!chadder) should be worn appropriately. 9. Children should proceed towards shaking hands with Hazoofba with both hands. 10. Stand upright and pay full attention to Hazoofba. Complete the mulaqat with dignity. 11. If several members of the family have a joint mulaqat, they should meet in turn. They should have a clear understanding of who is going to sit next to the father/mother and in what order. 12. If a request for prayers is to be made during the mulaqat, have a good understanding of what you are going to request before proceeding towards the mulaqat. 13. Whether you are experiencing pain or joy that you wish to share with Hazooraba, men­ tion it briefly without going into the details. 14. Respect the limit given to you for the mulaqat. 15. Do not mention marital disputes or other complaints. Such issues can be submitted in writing as they require more time and attention. 16. If you are only permitted a handshake, limit yourself to that; do not try to embrace. 17. If the mulaqat is in the form of participating in a children's class, make preparations by learning the Prayer, its translation and correct recitation of the Holy Qur'an. Revise your knowledge of religion and basic history with your children as they may be asked ques­ tions about it in the children's class or otherwise. 18. If Hazoofba or his representative calls, proceed towards him with a dignified speed­ neither running, nor sluggish. Listen with attention and act upon what you have heard or give response as appropriate. 19. If offered a prize, accept it with both hands. Say Jazak Allah and return to your seat and focus your attention on Hazoofba. No one should clap. 20. Keep invoking blessings upon the Holy Prophetraw while in the meeting place. 21. Do not make any noise after the meeting. Return to your home etc. with dignity. May - June 2008 84 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

22. Before leaving, make sure that Hazoot1ba has departed already. Etiquettes of the Mosques

1. Cleaning the mosque and surroundings is meritorious; spitting is not permitted. 2. Come to the mosque with a clean body, and pure mind. 3. Take a bath and wear clean clothes. Use perfume. 4. Do not eat raw onion, garlic etc. that produces odor before going to the mosque. 5. Come to the mosque with dignity. 6. Upon entering and leaving the mosque, offer the prescribed prayers. 7. After entering the mosque, offer two najl as Tahayyatul-masjid before sitting in the first row first, then second etc; after the najl/sunnah, spend the time in the remembrance of Allah and Durood upon the Holy Prophetraw .. 8. Do not stand with your arms on your back. Do not sit in a circle; do not sit leaning against a wall; nor spread your legs while sitting. 9. Announcements for articles lost outside the mosque is not permissible in the mosque. 10. To place carved images, or curtains having images or photos is not permissible. 11. After the prayer service is concluded, spent some time in the remembrance of Allah. 12. Conversation, after the completion of Prayer and sunnahs by all, is permitted. Members should introduce themselves to others and increase the circle of acquaintance and broth­ erhood, especially with new faces. Extend your welcome and strengthen the relation­ ship with them. Ladies should adopt a similar approach in their section and enlarge sis­ terhood especially to the new comers. Etiquettes of Jumu 'ah

1. Taking of a bath on Jumu 'ah is a tradition of the Holy Prophdaw which he emphasized greatly. 2. Brushing teeth and performing wudu at home or in the facilities of the mosque before Prayer is obligatory. Using perfume is very meritorious. 3. Arriving at the mosque early is much more blessed than coming later. The Holy Proph­ eeaw says: "He who arrives at the mosque for Jumu 'ah during the first period earns the reward of sacrificing a camel; arriving at the second time earns the reward of slaughter­ ing a cow; at the third time, a goat; at the fourth time, a hen; and at the fifth time, an egg." 4. Sit in the first row first, then the second etc. Sit shoulder to shoulder, with no gap be­ tween two people. 5. If there is a gap in the first row, do not climb over others to get there. The gap should be filled by those who are sitting near it. 6. Rows should be straight. 7. On Friday, observe complete silence, listen to the sermon, and act upon it. 8. Talking during the sermon is prohibited. Even asking someone else to be quiet is not al- lowed, except with a silent gesture. 9. After the sunnah, spend time in the remembrance of Allah. 10. To talk while others are engaged in sunnah or nawafil is not permissible. 11. Do not sit in a place temporarily vacated by someone who has left for an urgent need with the intent of returning. 12. The scholars and the learned should sit closest to the Imam. May - June 2008 85 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA SURAH AL-FATIHAH IN THE LIGHT OF THE WRITINGS OF THE PROMISED MESSIAH35 Atif Munawar Mir in Mississauga, Canada

SIGNIFICANCE OF sweet grace and majesty. many different angles. THESURAH Internally (its message), However, if you look at AL-FATIHAH every phrase of this Surah, Surah Al-Fatihah, even su­ possesses truth and wisdom perficially, it addresses two I will talk about Surah and induces righteousness. main topics: First is the at­ Al-Fatihah in light of the Surah Al-Fatihah starts by tributes of Allah, second is writings of the Promised introducing us to the attrib­ the relationship between Messiahas_ One of the pur­ utes of Allah by informing Allah and humanity. The poses of the Promised Mes­ us who created the uni­ scope of my speech is to siah' sas coming was to help verse, who created the stars briefly touch upon these us to rediscover the teach­ and Earth, who created hu­ two areas. ings and meanings of the manity, and what will hap­ Holy Qur'an. I have chosen pen to humanity after they TRUE to focus on those of his die. After declaring the at­ UNDERSTANDING writings which relate to tributes of Allah, it indi­ OFALLAH Surah Al-Fatihah because rectly emphasizes the role of this Surah 's importance. and insignificance of hu­ Why Understanding The Holy Propheeaw called manity m the cosmos. Allah is Important? Surah Al-Fatihah Ummul Surah Al-Fatihah also The purpose of hu­ Qur'an (Mother of the guides humanity as to how manity's creation is to wor­ Quran)? Why was it called should they ask Allah for ship Allah. But to worship Ummul Qur'an? According help and what is the path Allah, it is crucial to under­ to the Promised Messiahas that leads to the perfection stand Allah? What are his this Surah captures the es­ of their souls. In seven powers? It is only by recog­ sence of the Qur' an in an verses, it covers all the sub­ nizing and acknowledging excellent manner. jects of the Holy Qur' an. In Allah's power and beauty simple words, Surah Al­ The Promised Messiahas that we can pray to him or Fatihah is the introduc­ thank him in the proper has compared Surah Al­ tion or thesis of the Holy manner. F atihah to a rose. Surah AL­ Qur-'an. The depth and F atihah 's external feature breadth of the subjects cov­ Can we Understand Allah? (that is its linguistic struc­ ered in Surah Al-Fatihah ture) is beautiful. It has per­ are infinite and the Prom­ The problem is that fect diction and arrange­ ised Messiahas has explored the human mind is limited ment, an easy flowing style, the various subjects con­ and cannot fully compre­ classical vocabulary and tained in this Surah from hend the nature of Allah. May - June 2008 86 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

That is why Allah sends us veloper of the universe. The ing on its own but under­ his Prophets and books to attribute of Rahman in­ neath that surface, it is sus­ help us grasp the true forms us that it is Allah tained by Allah. What does knowledge of Allah's Exis­ who has blessed all living this mean? tence and of his nature. The creatures with perfect Holy Qur'an is the only "shape and form" and "has The Promised Messiahas preserved book of Allah bestowed its appropriate explaining the concept of and Surah Al-Fatihah pro­ form on everything. " Rabbil-aalameen says that vides us the Essence of the "Even after the creation of Holy Qur' an. That is why When combined, the the universe that Source of Surah Al-Fatihah is incor­ attributes of Rabb and Rah­ beneficence is as indispen­ porated in the five daily man help us realize that it sable as He was before any­ prayers and Hazoor has was not evolution on its thing had come into being asked us to recite Surah Al­ own that transformed raw and the world is as much Fatihah seven times daily energy and matter into dependent on His provi­ with deep concentration. By planets, stars and life. In­ dence for its survival and reciting and pondering over stead, evolution was guided support as it was for its Surah Al-Fatihah, we can by Divine Force, the proc­ coming into being and its begin to understand Allah, ess which Khalifatul Masih taking shape. It is He who our creator and sustainer. IVh refers to as Divine Se­ takes care of the Universe lection. As I stated before, every moment and every Allah teaches His own the meaning of Rabb is Sus­ particle of it is alive and attributes to us tainer that means that Allah fresh because of Him". Let Surah Al-Fatihah starts is actively involved in the me explain this a bit. If you by declaring the four princi­ operation of the universe. ask scientists why planets pal attributes of Allah. move in an orbit, they will These four attributes are: Some say that the uni­ answer that such movement verse is like a watch which is made possible by the I.Rabb Allah has created and like a force of gravity. But they 2.Rahman watch the universe will run can't explain the reason for 3.Rahim on its own until the batter­ gravity's continuous exis­ 4. Maliki Yaum al-Din. ies run out. As such, Allah tence? According to the does not intervene in the Holy Qur' an, the continu­ All other attributes of affairs of the world. The ous existence of the force of Allah are the offshoots of implication of this assump­ gravity is due to Allah who these four attributes. All tion is that the universe is sustains the universe. As these four attributes tell us being run by the natural the Promised Messiahas about Allah's true nature, laws of physics, chemistry says that, as Rabbil­ His Perfect beauty and His and biology. But the attrib­ aalameen, Allah is sustain­ beneficence. ute of Rabb and Rahman ing the entire universe, clears this mistaken notion "without a single moment's Rabb and Rahman about Allah. After creating interruption. " He further life, Allah sustains life and says that "It is His (Allah's) The attribute of Rabb the operation of the uni­ power that descends from informs us that He is the verse. The universe, on the the sky in the form of rain Creator, Sustainer and De- surface, seems to be work- and revives and refreshes May - June 2008 87 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA the dry Earth and provides knowledge about the uni­ nation is moving further drink for the thirsty. It is verse which will explain the and further away from His power that invests fire entire complexity of the them. The point is that hu­ with the quality of combus­ universe in one elegant manity can't find God with­ tion and invests the air with mathematical equation. But out His help. the quality to refresh life, other scientists have begun Stephen Hawking ac­ make flowers blossom forth, to realize that every discov­ lift clouds and convey ery creates a new mystery. knowledges that no matter how advanced human sound. .. Then, are all these Every new knowledge cre­ knowledge becomes, it is things God? Indeed not; ates new ignorance. Scien­ they are only created tists investigate and collect still unreliable. He writes as things. But Divine power facts and figures and try to to how in the past people manifests itself through understand the mysteries of thought that the Earth did them as power of the hand creation but what they for­ not orbit around the Sun but manifests itself through the get is that is it is nearly im­ sat on a tortoise. Once a sci­ pen. We say that the pen possible for us to under­ entist asked an old lady writes but, in fact, it is the stand the source of creation who subscribed to the tor­ hand and not the pen that and future of the uni verse toise theory, as to where does the writing." when we are a part of it. does the tortoise sit. She re­ We dwell in the universe plied that it is tortoise all Rabb and Rahman that, one may argue, limits the way down. He acknowl­ Indicates Divine Force one's ability to investigate edges that it is a humorous it. What is even more inter­ story but at the same time Rabb and Rahman, the esting is that the universe is he says that recent break­ two attributes of Allah in­ expanding. It could be ar­ throughs in physics, made form us about the majesty, gued that scientists have in­ possible in part by fantastic beneficence and beauty of creased in knowledge of the new technologies suggest Allah. But these two attrib­ universe manifold in the answers to some longstand­ utes are not enough to com­ last 400 years. But due to ing questions about the uni­ pletely comprehend Allah's the expanding nature of the verse but someday these beautiful nature. Some sci­ universe, the undiscovered breakthroughs may seem as entists admit that they feel knowledge keeps increas­ obvious to us as the earth sense of awe when they see ing. Think of scientists in a orbiting the sun - or per­ nature. However to them it ship in an ocean trying to haps as ridiculous as a is not enough to believe in reach the shore where they tower of tortoises. Stephen God. are confident that the ulti­ Hawking admits that the mate secrets of the uni verse knowledge acquired throu­ Unfortunately, mod­ are waiting to be discov­ gh human intellect could ern scientists are relying on ered. They are very happy always prove to be nothing their intellect to read the that they are making pro­ but a superstition in the "Mind of Goel' or to dis­ gress but then suddenly eyes of future civilization. cover the ultimate secrets of they discover that the ocean Isaac Newton, one of the universe. Some scien­ is expanding in all direc­ the greatest scientist of all tists believe if we keep tions faster than their ships. times, states the insignifi­ making new discoveries, This means that despite cance of his knowledge in we will reach the ultimate moving forward, their desti- May - June 2008 88 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Allah mentioned in Surah the following manner: "/ fourth attribute. What is the Al-Fatihah, which is Ra­ was like a boy playing on significance of the fourth at­ himiyyat. Unlike the attrib­ the seashore, and diverting tribute? The fourth attribute utes of Rabb and Rahman myself now and then finding is a reward for those who see which come into play with­ a smoother pebble or a Allah with certainty and in­ out any effort on the part of prettier shell than ordinary, ternalize the attributes of Al­ humanity, the third attribute whilst the great ocean of lah into their souls. of Allah, Rahimiyyat, be­ truth lay all undiscovered comes active only when we before me. " The Promised Messiahas pray to Him. Rabb and explains that the ones who Every new discovery Rahman make you feel that benefit from this attribute, should remind us that if na­ there could be a di vine Maliki Yaum al-Din, are ture is a book of infinite force behind the operation those "who had withdrawn pages, then the modern sci­ of the universe. But when themselves from the world ence has enabled humanity we pray to Allah, Allah for His sake". What is their to merely read the first sen­ blesses us with his attribute reward? According to the tence in that book. The of Rahimiyyat that means Promised Messiah as, their re­ Promised Messiahas says that Allah rewards us with ward is nearness to Allah and that the beauty and perfec­ the certainty of his exis­ thus eternal happiness. What tion of the uni verse should tence. does nearness to Allah feel indicate to humanity that a like? The Promised Messiahas The Promised Messiahas Divine Force does exist. says that the feeling will be says: " ... prayer indeed at­ But unfortunately, scientists of "comfort and joy and... the tracts the Grace that saves only study what they can reward will be seen as ema­ us and is named Rahimiy­ see with their own eyes or nating directly from God, yat, impelling man towards with the instruments that with no screen or barrier in continuous progress. It is they have created. They between, nor will there be by means of this Grace that don't believe in the unseen. left any room for any doubt. " a true worshipper reaches However, Allah has said in This attribute of Allah com­ the stage in which Allah be­ the Holy Qur'an that" pletes the journey of human­ comes his guardian, his ity that started with the crea­ faith" and the man reaches Eyes cannot reach tion of the universe. Him but He reaches the the stage where "he be­ eyes. And He is the incom­ lieves in Allah with such WHAT DO THESE pre hens ible, the All­ certainty as if he sees Him ATTRIBUTES TELL with his own eyes. " Aware." (6: 104). US ABOUT THE This is where the at­ The message of the NATURE OF HUMAN tribute of Rahimiyyat comes Promised Messiahas is that EXISTENCE? into play. Prophets and men of God found Allah by virtue of The glorification of the Rahimiyyat His Attribute Rahimiyyat attributes of Allah reminds us and not through Scientific of the insignificance of hu­ According to the Investigations. manity. We didn't create our­ Promised Messiah (as), one selves. We played no part in cannot achieve certainty in Maliki Yaum al-Din the cosmological and biologi­ the belief of Allah until he (Reward of Excellence) cal processes that turned raw attracts the third attribute of Let us come to the matter into the universe and May - June 2008 89 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA human life. We don't con­ help." explains the ocean of reality trol the length of our lives. as a state when "the impres­ We depend on Allah to The Promised Messiahas sion of His magnificence on raise us again after we die. further says that in this the heart should be so deep prayer the worshipper de­ that the entire world should It is not us but Allah clares, "Lord, we have appear dead in contrast who is the center of the uni­ adopted Thee alone for with Him;". verse and we are tiny, insig­ worship, preferring Thee nificant creatures who have over all else and we adore When we were chil­ existed in infinite time per­ nothing save Thy counte­ dren, we liked cartoons. haps for only a moment. nance and we believe in When we became teenagers The Promised Messiahas ex­ Thy Unity. " our preferences change. plains that "when a person Spiritually, we grow in the learns that Allah sustains We should always ask same way. When the love the worlds, all of them, Allah for help in good and of Allah is instilled in our there being not a stage that bad times. If we don't pray hearts, the entire world to Allah for help then it He does not look after, and starts to look like a childish perceives his own self means that we depend on playground. prompting him to evil, he our own efforts to achieve humbles himself and is what we want and not God and thus are violating the How do we reach the filled with anxiety and turns Ocean of Reality for protection to His principle of the unity of door ....". God. The next prayer m We have to rely on Surah Al-Fatihah helps us So when we realize our own efforts. The Prom­ to reach this ocean of real­ the true nature of our exis­ ised Messiahas does point ity. tence, it is natural that we out, that it is "necessary to beg Allah for help and employ all one's faculties" When we reach the guidance and that is why before praying. But we ocean of reality, we realize Allah has taught us in the must complement the per­ the beauty of Allah and we that we Surah Al-Fatihah sonal efforts with prayers. want to become beautiful worship Him and seek His Praying to Allah is the ulti­ like him and hence we sur­ help. In this verse we de­ mate form of submission. render our will to Allah clare that we need Divine when we say guide us to the Help all the time. When we com­ right path because we real­ pletely submit ourselves to ize that only He knows the The Promised Messiahas Allah then we, according to true and worthy path. says "Thou art our only the Promised Messiahas " ... God and in order to reach win... certainty of faith, The Promised Messiahas Thee we choose no other and.. . arrive at the ocean of says, "The reality of Sirat-i­ deity as our medium, nei­ reality" mustaqeem is the servant's ther man nor idol, nor do love for his Gracious Lord, we rely on our wisdom or What is the ocean of and his complete accep­ our knowledge; in every­ reality? tance of the will of Allah thing we implore Thee, the The Promised Messiahas and committing his soul Absolute Almighty, for and his heart to Him, and May - June 2008 90 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA dedicating his whole atten­ all his inner uncleanli­ gance is. Then listen to me tion to Him Who created ness". as I speak under the direc­ man, and praying to no one tion of God. Everyone who but Him, loving Him with The Qur'anic position looks down upon a brother all his heart and supplicat­ is that ego is a veil that because he esteems himself ing Him alone and seeking separates the communion more learned, or wiser, or his mercy and compas­ between God and His ser­ more proficient than him is sion ... and walking straight vant. Once the ego is re­ arrogant, in as much as he and fearing the Gracious moved from the heart of the does not esteem God as the Lord, His love permeating individuals, they are able to Fountainhead of all intelli­ his whole being with Allah perceive the Divine reality gence and knowledge and helping him, strengthening that pervades the universe. deems himself as some­ his belief and faith. Then The primary aim of Surah thing. Has God not the the servant inclines totally Al-Fatihah is to make us power to afflict him with towards his Lord... turning humble and wipe out our lunacy and to bestow upon away from everything ... and egos so that we can get in his brother whom he ac­ he follows ... His wishes .. . touch with the Divine real­ counts small better intelli­ and seeks none but Allah .. . ity, which is the purpose of gence and knowledge and and repents of priding him­ our existence higher proficiency than self or of being fascinated HOW DO THESE him? So also he who, out of by wealth and the a mistaken conception of wealthy ... He gives up the ATTRIBUTES his wealth, or status, or dig­ world and travels away INDUCES RESPECT nity, looks down upon his from it and prefers the FOR OTHERS? brother, is arrogant be­ hereafter and seeks to put cause he forgets that his his trust in Allah and be­ When we have under­ wealth, status and dignity comes His and is lost in stood the attributes of Allah were bestowed upon him by Him ... ". and His infinite power, we God. He is blind and does feel humbled. It changes not realize that God has When we completely our attitude towards other power to so afflict him that submit to Allah, the light of human beings. We realize in a moment he might be Allah starts to shine on our that we should not be arro­ reduced to the condition of souls and we are then com­ gant and envious. When we the lowest of the low, and to pletely transformed. are arrogant we do not con­ bestow upon his brother sider Allah as Rahman. We whom he esteems low The Promised Messiahas feel that we deserve credit says, " ... when a window greater wealth than him. In for what Allah has given us the same way he who takes facing the sun is opened, its without any effort on our rays enter through the win­ pride in his physical health, part. The Promised Messia­ or is conceited of his dow. Similarly when a per­ has says: son faces up to God, the Su­ beauty, or good looks, or preme, and there is no in­ "I admonish my com­ strength, or might and be­ tervening screen between munity to shun arrogance stows a scornful designa­ him and God, the Sublime, as arrogance is hateful in tion on his brother making then at once a luminous the eyes of God, the Lord of fun of him and proclaims flame descends on him and Glory. You may not perhaps his physical defects is arro­ illumines him and dispels fully realize what arro- gant, for he is unaware of May - June 2008 91 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

God Who has power to af­ realize "the essence of Di­ treasure is worth having, flict him with such physical vine Unity, and his own even if at the cost of one's defects as to render him lack of knowledge, infonna­ life, and this is a jewel worse than his brother and tion and insight and his er­ which should be purchased to bless the latter so that his ror and helplessness ... A even if obtainable only by faculties should not suffer person who is conscious of sacrificing one's entire be­ decline or be stultified over his own drawbacks and ing. 0 ye that are devoid, a long period, for He has shortcomings, would not run to this spring, for it will power to do all that He embark upon any enterprise quench your thirst. It is the wills." with irresponsible self-ass­ spring of life that shall save urance. His appreciation of you. What am I to do, and Similarly when we are his standing as a creature how am I to impress this envious, we are envious of and servant of Allah would glad tiding upon your mind, what Allah has given an­ impel him to supplicate to with what drum should I go other person. By envying Allah, the All-Powerful for crying through the streets someone we are thankless help. . .. Therefore, before that This is your God, so for what Allah has given us. exercising his own imper­ that all should hear!" There is no harm in wanting fect and ineffective ener­ more. But instead of being gies, he spontaneously May Allah bless us so envious, we should ask Al­ seeks Divine help through that we can also learn and lah for more. The treasure the prayer: In the name of act upon the message of the of Allah is infinite. We Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Holy Qur' an and find Allah should embrace his Rahimi­ Merciful. In response to his in our hearts. yyat and ask him for what humility he is granted we desire instead of being power from the power of ******* envious. 3 God and strength from His Hadhrat Ibn 'Umar CONCLUSION strength and knowledge relates that the Holy from His knowledge, so that Prophetsaw said: "Prayer in The primary function He may thereby achieve congregation is twenty of Surah Al-Fatihah is to success in his objective. " seven times more bene­ remind us of the majestic ficent than Prayer perfor­ attributes of Allah and The Promised Messia­ med by oneself." hence instill in us a sense of has found God in his heart. He wanted everyone to ex­ (Muslim kitabussalat bab fad[ awe, which should inject salatul jama 'at) humility and emotion into perience the joy that he felt our prayers. The sense of after meeting Allah. That is Hadhrat Abu Hurai­ awe and the resulting hu­ why the Promised Messia­ rahra has related that the mility slowly remove ego­ has says "How unfortunate, Holy Prophetsaw said: "Once tistic behavior from our ac­ indeed, is the man who does the Iqamah is called no tions and we thus come to not even know that he has a Prayer is permissible except feel love for Allah. God with power over all the obligatory Prayer." things! Our Paradise, in­ According to the deed, is our God: our high­ ( Muslim kitabussalat bab Promised Messiahas, the at­ est enjoyment is in God, for karahatashsharu 'i fl nafilah ba 'da shuru- 'il mu'adhdhin) tributes of Rahmaniyyat and we have seen Him and all Rahimiyyat, make humans beauty found in Him. This ****** May - June 2008 92 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA HADHRAT FAZL-E-UMAR Sayyarah Mukhtar

He was a manifestation of God. Mighty and strong, he was meek of heart. Bright, pure, steadfast and patient! He was a treasure-house of knowledge and power! A light of God, perfumed with His pleasure!

For his people, he was a prop of affection! He believed in the holiness of heart's affection! A versatile genius, he was the salt of the Earth! An embodiment of courage, wisdom and strength!

On the dark sky, he shone in splendor! Friends and foes were all impressed by his grandeur! Fearless, dauntless soldier of Islam! He walked on his path majestic and bold!

Unafraid of challenges and hostile odds! He smashed the idols of falsehood and infidelity! He developed the bonds of brotherhood and unity! He stood on the highest peak of spiritual glory!

An icon of piety, truth and benevolence! He raised the clarion call of righteousness! A lover of Qur'an, a devotee of Muhammadsaw! He committed his life to the cause of Islam!

He preached Message of God to the four corners! His mission was high, he wanted to reach the stars! He was an answer to the prayers of the Messiahas! A symbol of grace and resilience!

He carried the key to victory and success! He worked day and night against wrong and abuses! Troubled to see the disorder in the world! He believed that the pen is mightier than the sword! ******* May - June 2008 93 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA Do you know a Graphic Designer or Web Developer with a passion for humanity?

Humc,nlty~ F-lr!:)t

The Humanity First USA IT team is looking for Web Program­ mers & Graphic Designers willing to dedicate 5-10 hours per week to work both domestically and internationally. The only requirements are a passion for humanity and ex­ perience in the field. We are looking for:

Web Developers

- Proficiency with PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, XHTML, and CSS technologies preferred; Will also consider candidates with NET and VB/ C++ experience - Experience working with an open source content management system such as Joomla, Mambo, Drupal, and/or phpNuke - Agency experience working with the above technologies under tight deadlines a huge plus

Web/Print Designers

- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Flash, and Dreamweaver; knowledge or experience with XHTML and CSS a big plus. - Portfolio of professional work preferred. If interested, please email the [email protected] May - June 2008 94 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA MENTORING IS NOT A ONE CONVERSATION EVENT

So you kindly are invited to join the monthly conversation with members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Medical Association, USA

Then it is highly recommended that they hear important advice and recent information being provided by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Medical Association (AMMA) in its conference call series dedicated to premedical and medical stu­ dents. By the Grace of Allah, we are now in our third year of providing this service. Monthly calls which occur on the first Monday night of every month are typically attended by numerous premedical and medical students as well as full time practicing physicians from a variety of specialties. These physicians and medical students share their experiences with more junior students and grade school students which is followed by an open question and answer ses­ sion. Students & Professionals of all ages are encouraged to participate.

So many need this advice but are not receiving it-please help us spread the word.

Jazakamullah and please remember this effort in your prayers.

Mon 6/2//08 08:00 PM EST 1-218-936-1600 362867 Mon 7/07/08 08:00 PM EST 1-218-936-1600 362867 Mon 08/04/08 08:00 PM EST 1-218-936-1600 362867 Mon 09/01/08 08:00 PM EST 1-712-580-8020 362867 Mon 10/06/08 08:00 PM EST 1-712-580-8020 362867 ******* May - June 2008 95 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA HADHRAT MUSLEH MAU'OODra ON THE ROLE AND DUTIES OF KHUDDAM

Abdul Rahim, LA East

Hadhrat Mirza Bashi­ one of a kind. There is no gious minority group from ruddin Mahmood Ahmad, other organization in the an unheard comer of the Khalifatul Masih rrra is of world that comes close to sadly backwards Muslim course, dear to all Ahmadi matching this system and world some 90+ years ago. Muslims for all of his the results that it has amazing accomplishments achieved over the past cen­ By the Hand of Allah, and tireless work in the tury. A recent summary of and under the tutelage of cause of Islam and the mis­ the Jama' at accomplish­ the Second Khalifah, this sion of the Promised Messi­ ments cannot fail to impress community has steadily ahas. We have all benefited even the most cynical critic. grown and developed into a from his writings and his The report showed a world­ worldwide establishment wisdom, Alhamdulillah. wide network including and network of true faith Anyone who has read his more than 14 thousand and understanding. It now writings cannot help but ad­ mosques and over 1800 stands alone as the only mit to the power of his in­ mission houses spread out unified Muslim community tellect and his pen. Khali­ over nearly 200 countries, on earth - A great sign for fatul Masih II, or Musleh countless publications in­ all who have eyes to see Mau' oocf3 as he is known, cluding translations of and a heart to understand. not only strove diligently Qur' an into several dozen And while this system that on a personal level to serve languages never before Musleh Mau' oocf3 estab­ Allah's cause, but, more graced with the meaning of lished has touched and importantly, he established the Perfect Book, Interna­ benefitted us all, there is a system perfectly designed tional 24 hour satellite pro­ one particular auxiliary in to serve the Jama'at and gramming, hundreds of the Jama 'at that has a very cause of the Promised Mes­ schools, growing numbers special place of nearness to siah35. So not only did of agriculture programs and him and his work. That Musleh Mau' oocf3 serve as solar energy plants, and on auxiliary was established in a great example for us in and on - this list, in and of 1938 by Musleh Mau'oo

understanding and balance responsibilities properly, their destinies within the in these matters is not really then advance and march Jama'at. This Jama'at of a man at all. They are in a forward along with me step our is of a wholly different state of spiritual sleep by step, shoulder to shoul­ sort and has been named by which the Promised Messi­ der so that we might plant the Promised Messiah as ah85 described as an animal­ the standard of Muhammad, Kashti-e-Nooh - that is istic state. The society at the Messenger of Allah, in Noah's Ark. And while large and the media con­ the heart of disbelief and many still cannot see that a stantly encourage this state wipe out falsehood forever flood of epic proportion is of sleep and animalism, from the face of the quickly approaching, there while Hadhrat Musleh world." (p 300 Renais­ are others steadily building Mau' oocP established a sance, Muhammad Zafrulla this Ark. It is no coinci­ path and a safe-haven for Khanr8) dence that the Promised those intent on developing Messiah85 used the meta­ their highest nature and To join Hadhrat phor of Noah's Ark - this is leaving this animalistic Musleh Mau'oocP in this the same verbiage that Isaas state of soul-sleep. invitation of his is to join used 2000 years ago for de­ and serve Khuddamul scribing this time - Isaas He stated: Ahmadiyya which he cre­ said that we would see a re­ "As God displayed to ated for this purpose. Khud­ turn of the days of Noah. me in my dream that I am damul Ahma-diyya faith­ People would laugh and running forward swiftly and fully serves the mission of ridicule the religious - try to the earth is being com­ the Promised Messiah and make them feel silly and pressed under my feet, in his past and current Khulafa embarrassed and tum them the same, way, God Al­ and it is through this auxil­ from their duties and work mighty had announced that iary alone in which we can that Allah had called them I would go forward quickly. have success. Yet the atti­ to. Hadhrat Musleh Mau­ Thus I am destined to ad­ tude of our society pro­ ' oocP stood up in the mid­ motes distrust, disrespect dle of this trend and stated vance swiftly in the field of 85 progress. This also imposes and ridicule of authority the message of Noah and a duty upon you that you and religion. Religion is called us to work for the should abandon your slow made to look backwards, unseen victory of Islam speed and should step for­ authority is put forth as in­ near at hand and to avoid ward quickly. Blessed is he competent, corrupt and un­ the coming chastisement. who matches his step with just. While there are some mine and advances swiftly legitimate reasons for much Our community de­ in the field of progress; and of this negative attitude to­ pends, of course, on the may God have mercy upon wards many institutions, the dedication and work of all the one who is slothful and baby, as usual, has been of its members alike. It re­ neglectful and does not step thrown out with the bath lies on pious, educated and forward quickly and instead water. It is now upon our dedicated mothers who love of advancing in the field young generation of and train their children, tarries behind like a hypo­ Ahmadi Muslims to under­ make peaceful homes, and crite. If you wish to make stand these trends and take serve the Jama' at. It relies progress, if you realize your back control in fulfilling on informed, pious Ansar May - June 2008 99 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA for their wise counsel and sought by these early patri­ on what to do. Whether direction. And it relies on ots, instead they foresaw you can contribute 3 hours its Khuddam for constant the promise of an improved a week or 30, there is a struggle in developing as future society in exchange place for every Khadim of Muslim men and expanding for their sacrifice. The real good intention. There are the activities of the mission question is 'How much simple, practical instruc­ of the Promised Messiahas greater is our cause then?' tions and tasks that anyone and the Prophet Muham­ Our generation stands to be can follow to be part of the madsas. Musleh Mau'oocf3 recorded in Allah's Ac­ victory of Islam. Hadhrat referred to Khuddam as the count as the generation who Musleh Mau 'oocf3 laid a backbone and the hands of rose above the spell of the groundwork and set forth the community. Our role is Dajjal and struggled and the spirit of the institution relatively simple, but it re­ strove to transform human­ of Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. quires an understanding of ity in a time when it was Before mentioning any spe­ one's true purpose and pri­ most confusing and difficult cific instructions for Khud­ ority in life. to do so. If Allah prospered dam, Musleh Mau'oocI' so much a bunch of Ameri­ was particular in stating the The young men of our can colonists who were an­ spirit and essence of a community - like the people gry about their taxes and Khadim. A Khadim was to of Noahas, were called by worldly plight, what would be humble, self-sacrificing, Hadhrat Musleh Mau' oocl3 he do for us, the children of and fearless. He was to to serve with a spirit of the Promised Messiah and have a heart bent on ser­ faith in the unseen. And Mahdias? How much more vice - not for personal acco­ they overwhelmingly re­ would Allah prosper those lades or awards, but a heart sponded. In 1938, there struggling to defend and es­ deeply moved to please Al­ were not large growing Ja­ tablish the name and mis­ lah alone. A Khadim was to ma'ats with huge, fancy sion of the Holy Prophet have honor in his behavior Masajid and centers. The Muhammadsas? Despite the and demeanor. He was to Khuddam of that day re­ physical death of Hadhrat hold fast to prayer as the sponded to a promise of Musleh Mau' oocla decades single most important what would come and what ago, the young men of this weapon in this great strug­ their reward would be in community are also being gle and mission. It would Janna'at (heaven). This is called by him. His spirit only be through falling on always the way of anything calls from the vault of the one's face in complete hu­ great. Even the foundation Heavens and the ink of his mility, weakness and ser­ of the United States began pen and echoes of his vice that one could gain on a similar such vision. speeches. It calls its Khud­ strength, power, and true The founding fathers of this dam to step up and become guidance. Such is the para­ nation called upon its con­ Muslim men. dox of Islam: Making one­ scious and conscientious self weak and humble trans­ brothers to stand up and And what did Hadhrat forms a person into a vessel strive for what was right Musleh Mau' oa

Hadhrat Musleh Mau­ the same way when God has promised the success to ' oofP designed Khuddamul manifested to me that the those who strive regardless Ahmadiyya to be the or­ earth was being compressed of their abilities. No where ganization of Jihad against under my feet and that I is it stated that we have to the Dajjal in these latter was running rapidly ahead be geniuses and perfectly days foretold by the it meant that when I go for­ evolved souls. Allah has Prophet Muhammadsaw - but ward rapidly God Almighty called us to merely strive not some inane, bloody Ji­ will enable my sincere with good intention. He had as proposed by fanatics companions to traverse the alone would bring about the and terrorists missing the earth quickly and to arrive abilities and actions through true essence of Jihad. In­ speedily at the ends of the us by His command just as stead, this group of ours is earth. So you must create he brought forth miracles an army armed with prayer, an extraordinary change in from the unlettered pagans pens, the Book of Allah, yourselves and should pre­ of Arabia who believed and service and charity. These pare yourselves quickly to made strides in His Cause. weapons throw light on make great sacrifices. Do darkness and melt hearts. not wait too long, for the Many are the ways in As such, they are far more prophecies indicate that the which we can step forward powerful than swords, time has come when you in this cause. All Khuddam bombs and guns could ever will not have to wait for have been given some spe­ be. We are called as Khud­ long. Great changes are cial skills, interests and pro­ dam to this struggle to join about to manifest them­ clivities which can in some Hadhrat Musleh Mau 'oo(P. selves in the world which way serve Allah, His Cause are very important in God's and this Jama'at which He In 1944, Hadhrat estimation. God alone has established. It is up to Musleh Mau' oocP stated knows what will now hap­ us to pray to Allah for guid­ this in his own words: pen but it is clear that the ance and abilities and to be foundations of certain great able to bring these out and "Every member of the changes will be laid soon to apply them to this cause Movement should realize and the heart of him who and for the service of man­ that the revelation received does not keep company kind. If our educational by the Promised Messiahas with me in these great and professional strivings concerning me that I would events and does not ad­ are geared towards making grow up rapidly did not vance rapidly will be rusted money and acquiring mate­ mean that I would stand and he will run the risk of rial gain over finding ways alone before the enemy losing the faith." (p 291 to utilize them in serving hosts, but that, having re­ Ahmadiyyat - The Renais­ the Jama'at and mankind, gard to the importance of sance of Islam, Muhammad then we are sadly missing the work to be done, it Zafrulla Khanra) the call. would be my duty to ad­ Finally, it should be vance rapidly against the Although these duties mentioned that Hadhrat enemy, and when I do so, and this call to action might Musleh Mau'oocP was very God Almighty will enable in some ways seem over­ particular regarding the those who believe in me whelming, we should take manners, habits and behav­ also to advance rapidly. In heart in the fact that Allah iors of the members of the May - June 2008 101 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

Jama'at - He instructed that super-human, we are only just some metaphor. This members should be first asked to do our part. If can be reality for this gen­ given to supplications, every Khadim stepped for­ eration of Khuddam. With Istighfar, praise of Allah ward as Hadhrat Musleh the education level, mate­ and Zikr-e-Ilahi in order to Mau'oocr has called us to rial resources, and opportu­ be considered acceptable to do, how incredibly different nities of our youth, com­ God. He also advised things could and would be bined with the guidance and members and especially the in a short period of time. system of Khilafat and Khuddam to not waste their Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, we money, time, and resources And if we don't step truly stand to fulfill the frivolously, as this was forward to this call, we will prophecies of this age and quickly becoming common only ape the children of Is­ reign in the victory of Islam place as the power and rael who were too cowardly and an era of unrivaled might of the West grew and to follow Moses into battle. peace and true progress. It grew and as members of the Instead of fulfilling the is only now up to us. Jama'at were blessed with great promise given to with material blessings and them, they stayed behind in I would like to end by wealth. Think of how much the desert whining excuses repeating one sentence of bigger of a trial this is in and dying in shame and dis­ Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih this day and age. Instead of grace and then becoming a II, the Musleh Mau'oocr: squandering these blessings group to be ridiculed by all on extravagance and vain coming ages. It was their "Our organization pursuits, he advised that children who would come cannot progress in the real greater sacrifice should be forward to believe and act sense until the new genera­ made in the way of the Di­ faithfully, thus fulfilling the tions have upheld those vine Programs of Waqf-e­ prophecy of Moses. We principles of Islam that the Jadid, Tehrik-e-Jadid, and stand in a very similar Messengers of Allah had other such programs in or­ situation. Allah does not established in the world" der to spread the Message need us. As history has of Allah and His Messen­ shown, we can be quickly May Allah wake us and ger. and easily replaced. But bless us with success. history has also shown that Ameen. If we think about even average people like these things that Hadhrat ourselves can attain great­ ******* Musleh Mau'oocr has ness by having faith the size called us to and reminded of a mustard seed and act­ SUPPORT us of, we see that they are ing consistently to nurture not enormous tasks beyond that grain of faith until its HUMANITY our capac1t1es. They are starts to sprout and grow FIRST simple habits, mindsets and branches and leaves. Before actions that can be devel­ long, our Khuddam can be­ oped by anyone with a sin­ come well rooted trees and WITH cere desire to serve Allah's when all combined: a great, Cause. We are not called to majestic forest for the DONATIONS do it all ourselves and be world to behold. This is not ******* May - June 2008 102 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA LAJNA IMAILLAH TABLIGH ACTIVITY: SILICON VALLEY JAMA' AT Parisa Jaffari

Some calendars had October 27 marked as "Make the World a Better Place". Here in the Bay Area we were invited to give a lecture on Islam on behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The Presbyterian Church in Sunnyvale, CA held a whole day event on how to make the world a better place. The Church Organizer had about 30 speakers from different organizations and different classes were held to instruct and educate the people on how they can make a difference in their community. There were classes on leadership, fundraising, how to be green, social concerns such as hunger, poverty, and Islam: a message of peace or violence?

The event was from 9am-4pm. The event started by a welcoming from the church followed by two keynote speakers; state assembly member Sally Lieber, who worked to in­ crease minimum wages, worker rights, and safety of children; and Rev. Noelle Damico a UCC pastor from New Jersey who, ran the successful national boycott of Taco Bell and McDonald's and won higher pay for the agricultural workers. Afterwards the session was broken up to the classes they were having.

Sister Sabuhi Siddique was the representative of Islam from the Ahmadiyya commu­ nity. She held a total of three classes throughout the day. The lecture was for about 20 min­ utes ending with a prolonged Q&A session. She spoke about the fundamental beliefs of Is­ lam, the Oneness of God, belief in the Angels, the Holy books, Day of Judgment, and Mes­ senger and prophets of Allah. The status and rights of women and Hijab were talked about. And, everyone's favorite topic: the concept of Jihad in Islam and Islam's response to terror­ ism was also discussed.

Masha Allah, the class on Islam had the highest attendance where most of the other speakers had to cancel their third class due to lack of audience.

During the lunch break we had a bookstall with a variety of books such as, the Phi­ losophy of Teaching Islam, A Message of Peace, The True Islamic Concept of Jihad etc. There were also copies of the Holy Qura'n with translation in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese. A variety of pamphlets on Islam, Jihad, and Ahmadiyyat were also available. People were very happy that we took part in this event and stopped by to talk about Islam and the current issues in the news. Book marks and bracelets with "Love for All Hatred for None" were handed out both in the class and also during the lunch break.

Alhamdolillah, this tabligh activity was a great success. May Allah help us all to par­ ticipate in many more tabligh events such as this and get the beautiful message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat across to as many people as possible. May - June 2008 103 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA ADVICE FROM THE ISLAHI COMMITTEE ON THE WORK OF REFORMATION Maulana Daud A. Hanif Missionary In-charge and Na 'ib Ameer Translated by Saeed A. Malik

The work of reformation is a very important yet difficult task, which is impossible to execute without special help from God, the Almighty. Its scope is very wide and one aspect of it deals with the relationship between the husband and wife. If the bond between a husband and wife is based on Qur'anic teachings and the prac­ tices of the Holy Prophet5aw, they become models for others. However, if one of the two does not act according to Qur' anic teachings and the practices of the Holy Prophet5aw in this re­ gard, their relationship begins to worsen and deteriorate. If some counsel is extended to mend the relationship, the relationship can be reformed. Firstly, for the purpose of reforma­ tion, the one who is more conversant with the Qur' anic teachings, should make the sacrifice to bring his/her partner nearer. If this person cannot mend the relationship on their own, then a pious person from among the family members should be invited to assist. This person should truly be sympathetic to both parties and not be biased. Both parties should agree to listen to the family member. A member of the Isiahi Committee, on their own or at the direc­ tion of the Jama'at can also help in resolving marital disputes. This committee member should be very sympathetic and should not act as a Jama'at Officer, but as a confidant. The person assisting should deal with both the husband and wife. Attention should be drawn to where the fault lies and work towards reformation. During the counsel, the husband and wife should be praised for their good actions and remind them to repeatedly pray and seek help from Allah. During the process of reformation, it is very important to find the root cause of the dis­ pute and to carefully explore the matter. Determining the cause may not be easy when talk­ ing to the couple together. It is therefore necessary to speak to the husband and wife sepa­ rately and with God-given faculties, it will be easy to find where the fault lies and what the best options are to correct it. Promoting peace is not possible without repeated exhortations and making sacrifices for others. In a dispute, each spouse considers their own rights and feels justified for their actions. They should realize that Islam has safeguarded every per­ son's rights. It should be stressed that each spouse should take care of the rights of one an­ other. The counsel for the two parties should focus on the point of taking care of each others rights. It is advised to the couple that the one who takes care of other's rights ultimately suc­ ceeds. In any case, repeated conversation is needed with both parties. Listening carefully to May - June 2008 104 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA the two-sided view points should be done with patience. There may be cases where some parties will not be truthful, but if great care is given to listening to them, they will be able to comprehend any advice that is given to them. Sometimes there are disputes due to miscom­ munication and wrong assumptions; attention should be drawn to the weakness.

REASONS FOR FAILING RELATIONSHIPS

1. If both husband and wife do not try to understand each other, it leads to worsening of the relationship.

2. If both husband and wife do not make sacrifices for each other, it will weaken the re­ lationship.

3. If the parents and relatives of either side are not taken care of properly, it will create problems.

4. If the relationship between the two is not based on mutual respect, it will sow the seed of deterioration.

5. Sometimes both husband and wife have a good relationship, but the parents think that one is under the influence of the other and they do not approve of it.

6. The control of household expenses also creates problems. In this case, the person in charge of dealing with expenses should make the habit of consulting the other.

7. Spending time on the computer or on other individualized activities which cause ne glect can also create problems.

8. Both husband and wife should not have friends of the opposite sex, nor should they invite them to their homes or parties. The same is expected in exchanging gifts. The counsel should try to bring the distant couple nearer by inviting them to dinner or connecting them with other families for social activities.

9. If there is a third party creating disorder between the two; then contact that party and advise them to stay away from their affairs.

The relationship of a husband and wife is very delicate. Sometimes both belong to differ­ ent cultures, countries or casts and are married because of being members of the same relig­ ion. In such cases, training on Islamic teachings is very essential. This helps them to under­ stand each other and to build a good relationship. In cases, where one is entirely ignorant of the Islamic teachings, it is very hard to reconcile. In these cases, stress the commonalities be­ tween the two. Religious teachings should be revisited by the couple and they should try their best to act upon them. When the couple agrees to act upon the religious teachings; it will lead them to peace and harmony, not only for themselves but for their offspring too. May Allah, the Almighty lead all of us to become true Ahmadis. Ameen ******* May - June 2008 105 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA EAST COAST CAREER PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR WAQFEEN-E-NAU

Mahmood Hanif

The National Waqfe Nau department held its first Career Planning Workshop for the East Coast on April 5th, 2008 at Masjid Al-Nasr in Willingboro, NJ. Twenty-nine boys and twenty-one girls attended the event, which was targeted at Waqifeene Nau aged 15 and above.

The main aim of workshop was to answer any questions that Waqifeen and their par­ ents may have about rededicating themselves to the Waqfe Nau scheme and the implications for their career and other life choices. In addition, advice about career planning in general, as well particular career choices, was given. Individual career counseling was also provided for both Waqifeen and Waqifate Nau. A key goal of the workshop was to be informal and inter­ active and to encourage active participation from Waqifeene Nau.

The workshop was divided into two sessions: the morning session focused on general career advice, with the afternoon session providing information about a few particular ca­ reers before breaking out for individual career counseling.

After starting with tilawat from one of the Waqfe Nau present, Assistant National Sec­ retary Waqfe Nau responsible for Career Counseling and Rededication, Mahmood Hanif, started the morning session with a general introduction to career planning. He outlined a framework for the Waqifeene Nau to think about career planning. Hanif Sahib said that Waqifeene Nau should search for a career at the intersection of their interests and passions, their skills and abilities and what the Jama' at needed.

Next Hafiz Samiullah Chaudhary Sahib, National Secretary Waqfe Nau USA, spoke on the subject of 'Rededication and What It Means'. Drawing from the Holy Qur'an, the writ­ ings of the Promised Messiahas and the sermons of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV'h and Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih v•h•, Hafiz Sahib outlined the spiritual background of Waqf and what it means to dedicate one's self in the service of Islam. Much of the original guidance about the Waqfe Nau scheme was aimed at parents who were dedicating their children to the scheme. Hafiz Sahib that it was now time for those Waqifeen who were 15 and older to pon­ der over and apply the same guidance to themselves and personally confirm their dedication to their Waqf. This was followed by a lengthy question and answers session where Hafiz Sa­ hib answered a variety of questions from the boys directly and written questions from the girls about various practical aspects of the Waqf. May - June 2008 106 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

The morning session was rounded off by a discussion titled. 'What I Know Now that I Wish I Knew when I was 15'. After a short presentation from Assistant National Secretary, Mahmood Hanif, the parents, local and regional secretaries and other elders offered their own advice and pearls of wisdom that they had learnt over the years. Respected Ameer Sahib USA, Dr Ahsanullah Zafar Sahib, joined the session towards the end and was given an over­ view of the morning's proceedings.

Ameer Sahib joined the Waqifeene Nau for lunch, following Zuhr and Asr Prayers, and then graciously presided over the afternoon session. This session began with a more focused look at teaching, journalism and translation and interpreting as careers. Yahya Nashied Mu­ hammad Sahib, a local teacher, talked about his experiences as a teacher, followed by Sister Ismat Mangla, a writer and editor working for Money magazine, who spoke about journal­ ism. Mahmood Hanif then spoke about the twin professions of translation and interpreting highlighting the fact that the US Jama'at has been asked to train 26 Waqifeene Nau as Eng­ lish-Urdu translators/interpreters and 13 as Spanish-Urdu translators/interpreters. Dr Aziza Rehman also spoke about the translation work that she has done for the Jama'at.

Ameer Sahib then addressed the Waqifeene Nau on the topic of career selection. Ameer Sahib reminded that the Waqifeene Nau that they were a "band of brothers", with reference to Shakespeare's play 'Henry V'. Ameer Sahib concluded the formal part of the workshop by leading all present in silent prayers.

Individual career counseling then began on the boy's side, with those boys not being counseled able to talk informally to various professionals who were present. National Secre­ tary Waqfe Nau, Hafiz Samiullah Chaudhary Sahib, and Assistant National Secretaries, Mah­ mood Hanif Sahib and Hammad Malik Sahib, conducted the counseling. The Waqifate Nau were able to hear some more presentations from female professionals before starting their own individual counseling.

The National Waqfe Nau department would like to thank Dr Aziza Rehman, Lajna liai­ son for Waqfe Nau, who came from the West coast to run the workshop for the Waqifate Nau. In addition, many thanks to the Willingboro Jama' at for hosting the event and all the helpers who contributed to the workshop's success.

Another Career Planning Workshop will be held for Waqifeene Nau on the West coast in October, Insha Allah, with more workshops being planned for other regions of the US. ******* Hadhrat Abu Musa Ash'aira relates that the Holy Prophetsaw said: "The case of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not remember his Lord is like that of a living and the dead."

(Bukhari kitabudda'wat bab fadl dhikrullah ta'ala, Muslim kitabussalat bah istihbab salatunnafilah ft baitih wa jawazha- fil masjid) May - June 2008 107 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

April B, 20081 8:12AM Ex-Houston photographer's risky shot wins Pulitzer

By JENNIFER LATSON Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Photojournalist Adrees Latif brought a camera into a country where having one could get you killed. Monks and nuns were under fire for their protests against the Burmese government in 2007 when Latif sneaked in among the fold to document the unrest. Foreign journalists were not allowed inside the country, so the Reuters photographer went without media credentials.

His photograph of the fatal shooting of a fellow journalist, the Japanese videographer Kenji Nagai, won the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news photography on Monday.

Latif, 34, grew up in Houston, where his parents still live.

He called them on Monday from Nepal, where he is covering a turbulent election that has provoked bombings and demonstrations.

His assignments often take him to dangerous places, said his father, Abdul Latif Mahmud. "Sometimes we worry too much, and God saves him, 11 Mahmud said.

Born in Pakistan, Latif moved to Houston with his family at age 7. He impressed teachers with his talent and passion for photography at Jersey Village High School, Mahmud said.

"He has always wanted to be a photographer," Mahmud said. "He takes snaps all the time."

Latif worked at The Houston Post, then as a freelancer at the Houston Chronicle, before moving to Los Angeles to work for Reuters. While working in Houston, he earned a degree in journalism from the University of Houston In 1999. He later moved to Bangkok, where he lives with his wife and daughter, covering international news for Reuters.

University of Houston spokesman Eric Gerber didn't know any other UH alumnus who has won a Pulitzer, although Edward Albee earned the prize while a professor there, Gerber said.

Latif thanked his father Monday for encouraging him to submit his photo to the Pulitzer Board. "When I saw the picture, I told him, 'This is a prize-winning picture,' 11 Mahmud said.

Mahm~-~ hopes his son's next awards come from less dangerous assignments, such as covering the Be1Jmg Olympics this summer.

"He's a very good sports photographer, too, and he's a good writer," Mahmud said.

Latif knew the risks involved when he traveled to Burma last September. "He didn't even tell me he was there until he came back," Mahmud said. Jennifer. [email protected] May - June 2008 108 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

WAQFE ARZI SCHEME Spiritual Correction and Advice is the Responsibility of Every Ahmadi Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih Illrh States:

"There is a great need for a Waqfe Arzi (Shon term or temporary devotion). The fact is that a section of the Jama'at has forgotten that the members of the Jama'at are also the Mu­ rabbis or Missionaries, themselves, and the little increase in the number of Missionaries is not sufficient. The Jama'at conceives that the responsibility for guidance and advice rests with the missionaries. In fact, every Ahmadi must discharge the duty of guidance and correc­ tion diligently. I have introduced the scheme of Waqfe Arzi for the purpose of drawing the attention of the Jama'at towards this duty, and to develop a desire for Islah-o-Irshad. In this are both spiritual as well as physical benefits." (Report of Majlise Mushawarat, Al-Faz/: November 3, 1966) Every Ahmadi Should Join the Waqfe Arzi Scheme "The Missionaries, the office-bearers, in fact every Ahmadi should join the Waqfe Arzi Scheme and should encourage his brother to do so, as well. Undoubtedly, this is a path of sacrifice. In fact it is a very narrow path. Also, it is also a fact that we cannot seek the pleas­ ure of Allah without walking on the path of sacrifice." (Al-Faz/: August 27, 1969) A Source of Self-correction "The second major benefit of the Waqfe Arzi Scheme is that those who wish to join this scheme will have to examine their own souls in certain aspects. Before they embark on this scheme, their attention is directed towards their own weaknesses. Thus, they are immediately inclined towards prayers. This implies that one of the important preparations for those joining this scheme is their devotion for prayers. They should start increasing their religious knowledge. And they should take some books along when they start off for the scheme. They should think and ponder over their weaknesses. They should have a desire that when they go to a new place they should set a good example and should not be source of defect. That is why the Waqfe Arzi groups have benefited from the blessings of prayers.

(Al-Faz/: February 12, 1977)

All those, who are interested in serving the cause of Islam and Ahmadiyyat under the banner of the blessed scheme of Waqfe Arzi, should contact: Dr. Zaheeruddin Mansoor Ahmad, National Secretary Talimul Qur'an and Waqf-e-Arzi: 162 Penwick Cr. Frederick, MD 21072 Tel: (301) 560-2532 May - June 2008 109 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

60TH JALSA SALANA, USA 60th Jalsa Salana, USA will Insha Allah be held on , June 20-22, 2008 at Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center 2300 North Cameron Street Harrisburg PA 17110-9443 Transportation Department Contact Information Primary Contact

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Please leave a voice mail with a call back # if the phone is not answered Secondary Contact

Nazim Transportation, Hibbi Iqbal Primary #: (703) 655-5052 Fax#: (703) 651-9138 Email: [email protected] We look forward to serving you and please remember to pray for a successful J alsa Salana 2008. th Jalsa Salana USA 1ne 20-22, 2008 ff

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525 S. Front St Comfort Inn Riverfront www .comfortinnriverfront.com 717-233-1611 717-233-1611 3.15 miles ..._ Harrisburg, PA. 17104 ..._

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4230 Union Deposit Rd Hampton Inn www .hamptoininn.com 717-545-9595 717-545-9595 5.99 miles Harrisburg, PA. 17111

4921 Gettysburg Rd Courtyard by Marriott Hbg West www.marriott.com/harwm 717 -766-9006 800-321-2211 9.47 miles Mechanicsburg, PA. 17055

2201 Fishing Creek Valley Rd ),.. Felicita Garden Resort www.felicitaresort.com 717-599-7603 717-599-5301 8.55 miles Harrisburg, PA. 17112 [ ~- Country Inn & Suites Harrisburg 4943 Gettysburg Rd www .countryinns.com/harrisbu rgpa_west 717-796-0300 717-796-0300 9.52 miles 1:S West Mechanicsburg, PA. 17055 f;l ~ 800 East Park Dr. Four Points by Sheraton www. fou rpoints. com/harrisburg 717-561-2800 717-561-2800 6.32 miles ~ Harrisburg, PA. 17111 c:: ~ 815 Eisenhower Blvd Best Western Inn & Suites www.bestwestemharrisburg.com 717-939-1600 888-868-5952 10.43 miles Harrisburg, PA. 17057 May- June 2008 112 Ahmadiyya Gazette USA

AHMADIYY A MOVEMENT IN ISLAM, INC., USA NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS: BAITUR RAHMAN MOSQUE 150000000 HOPE ROAD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20905 INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS Ph: (30!) 679-0110 0 Fax: (301) 879-0115 RABWAH, PAKISTAN

RESOLUTION

All of us who are gathered at the 25th Majlis-e-Shura USA, in the year of Khilafat Centenary Celebration, we reiterate our pledge to Khilafat-e­ Ahmadiyya.

We renew our allegiance to Khilafatul-Masih Al-Khamis, May Allah strengthen his hancl. ~~I?>~ J2___.J,) f ~.,-1-; I

We pledge to serve and safeguard this institution of Khilafat.

0 Allah, Bless this Khilafat, our entire Jama'at, and our country, with Your Guidance, Help and Protection. Ameen.

April 27, 2008

~br~ ~~a~A--~~ Note: This resolution was signed by all the delegates attending the Shura, 2008. ft{~E~~ These signatures appear in subsequent pages, not included here. ~kbL.~