June – September 2003

In this issue CHAPTER 82 AL-INFITAR (THE CLEAVING)

Al Infitar (The Cleaving) Commentary by Dr. Basharat Ahmad Commentary by (Translated by Imam Kalamazad Mohammed) Dr. Basharat Ahmad 1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the (The Folding Up), it proves, through Crime and Violence Merciful. prophecies, that man will have to ac- When the heaven is cleft asunder, – The Remedies count for his deeds. There is one dif- And when the stars become dispersed, Naseer Ahmad Faruqui 4 And when the rivers are made to flow forth, ference, though. In the previous chap- And when the graves are laid open - ter (The Folding Up), the fulfillment Birth of Jesus in the Light Every soul will know what it has sent be- of the glorious prophecies mentioned of the Holy Qur’an – Part I 7 fore and what it has held back. there relate to the Last Age, whilst O man, what beguiles thee from thy Lord, the extraordinary signs contained in the Gracious? Opening Speech at Annual Who created thee, then made thee com- this chapter (The Cleaving) were rel- Prayer Congregation plete, then made thee in a right good evant to the life of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Ameer Dr. Abdul Karim state - Muhammad (sas). Their fulfillment Saeed Pasha 12 Into whatever form He pleases, He casts was clearly witnessed in his lifetime thee. and their glory and grandeur were Nay, but you give the lie to the Judgement, In the Light of the And surely there are keepers over you, also extended to the centuries that im- Holy Qur’an Dr. Muhammad Honourable recorders, mediately followed his advent. As Ahmad Hami 17 They know what you do. mentioned several times before, Surely, the righteous are in bliss, prophecies are couched in subtle, And the wicked are truly in burning Fire - The Prophet Muhammad (sas) metaphorical language and their true They will enter it on the day of Judgement, Nerissa Ali 22 And will not be absent from it. significance is disclosed only at the And what will make thee realise what the time of their fulfillment. Poem day of Judgement is? Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Again, what will make thee realise what When the heaven is cleft asun- the day of Judgement is? der, Ahmad Sahib 23 The day when no soul controls aught for another soul. And the command on that day is Allah’s. This verse carries a deep metaphori- cal meaning. That is, the heavens will 4th Year of This is an early Makkan chapter, and rain signs and divine help as if they like the preceding one, At-Takwir were created for that purpose and Publication PASS ON THE MESSAGE

1 were only awaiting the command of And when the graves are laid a small measure, with a picture of the their Lord, and when the time was open. day of Resurrection so that people ripe, so torrential would be this may witness with their own eyes the downpour of divine signs and heav- That is, the dead will come alive. In results of their actions in this life, and enly help as if a huge vessel were bro- other words, those people who were that this may further strengthen their ken and had scattered its contents far suffering a death of illiteracy, barbar- faith in the Great Resurrection when and wide. ism and misguidance, and were bur- man will witness the full manifesta- ied in the grave of ignorance and pa- tion of the consequences of his deeds. And when the stars become dis- ganism, would receive a life (of faith persed. and knowledge). And wherever the This is why Allah has used in the Holy message of Islam will reach, one will Qur’an the word As-Sa’ah (The This, too, is another subtle metaphor. find there a resuscitating breath of life Hour), which is another name for the The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) breathed into erstwhile savages. day of Resurrection, to depict the is reported to have said: “My com- success of the virtuous and the de- panions are like the stars.” They were Bear in mind that these four hidden struction and failure of the wicked in likened to stars because they were signs mentioned here were proph- the very lifetime of the Messenger. filled with the heavenly light which esied at a time when Islam was in its Allah’s purpose in affording man this the Holy Prophet brought. The mean- infancy and was undergoing a period preview is really for it to serve as an ing is that when these showers of di- of extreme destitution and helpless- incontestable proof of the Great Res- vine assistance and heavenly signs fall ness. How vividly they unfolded in urrection. In other words, when, in upon the earth and Islam becomes tri- just a few years and how rapidly Is- accordance with Allah’s design, the umphant, then another sign will come lam occupied the world stage have results of deeds are disclosed in this into effect and that is the heavenly been written large in golden letters very life and everyone, good or bad, stars, that is, the companions of the on the pages of world history. receives his just recompense - a fact Holy Prophet, and other Muslims which was foretold before the event who will be filled with this same light, Every soul will know what it has - then, if it is also revealed before- will travel all over the earth to dis- sent before and what it has held hand that in the next life, good and perse this divine light, that is, to back. evil will each acquire its correspond- propagate the religion of Islam world- ing reward in the fullest measure, than wide. After describing the four signs above, what alternative is there but to ac- Allah, Most High, then says that if cept the truth of Allah’s promise? And when the rivers are made to those signs turn out to be true, then, flow forth. consequently, it is also true that ev- Indeed, we have witnessed the true ery man will be shown the results of fulfilment of these matters in this life Rivers in figurative language refer to his actions, whether he sees them in and we have seen with our own eyes knowledge. That is, rivers of knowl- the future life or, whether as a doer the repercussions of both good and edge will flow in abundance all over of good deeds, he has left behind him evil. Thus, according to Allah’s plans, the world. This third sign tells us that a mark of his benevolence. And it is whatever goodness the group of holy as the companions traverse the earth beyond dispute that these four proph- companions worked, and whatever and spread the religion they will also ecies mentioned above indeed con- footprints they left behind, serve to initiate a flood of knowledge and wis- stitute the beautiful legacy that the prove that they were a community dom in every sphere of human en- Islamic community bequeathed to the with exalted morals and great benefi- deavour. In addition, the Arab nation world. cence, and in the next world their will be the blessed community that deeds will bear immeasurable fruit. will teach the world knowledge and It has already been mentioned in Forcefully indicated also is the fact science and will inspire and lay the chapter 78 (An-Naba - The An- that man’s every deed contains its foundation of a new civilisation and nouncement), that the age of every own consequence whether it becomes culture. prophet or messenger provides us, in visible in this world or in the next.

2 Thus, man ought to be very circum- his noble and magnanimous Lord, be requited for his deeds, then he spect concerning his actions and that is, if he always keeps in mind the would never be disobedient to his should conduct himself in such a way fact that his Lord has created him to gracious Lord. The result of his re- that not only does he send forth good acquire excellence and perfection, fusal to believe in the certainty of ret- for the next world but also leaves and if he ponders over his creation ribution on a day of punishment has behind a legacy of goodness in his and realises the extent of the sublime led him to the pit of heedlessness and wake. qualities with which he has been disobedience. And this is, in truth, a blessed and he should then follow the denial by way of deeds of the day of O man, what beguiles thee from path of moderation, then there is no Judgement. However, man should thy Lord, the Gracious? limit to the excellences and degrees always remember that his actions will Who created thee, then made of perfection he can acquire. Yet, un- not be lost, for every deed is well- thee complete, then made thee fortunately, he does not suppress his guarded in a safe record. in a right good state. sensual desires and animal passions in favour of his spiritual perfection And surely there are keepers over This means that man is born in this and progress in the next life. Further, you, world and quickly forgets the purpose he must never ever turn away from Honourable recorders, of his creation and his attention is riv- obedience to his Lord, for herein lies They know what you do. eted solely on satisfying his animal the secret of his nobility. desires, like eating, drinking and other In other words, Allah has appointed sensual passions. He drifts away from Into whatever form He pleases, such keepers who record the deeds his Lord Who brought him into be- He casts thee. of man and they never allow any ac- ing in order to shower His tion to be lost. Instead, they keep on Rububiyyat (Providence) on him, that That is, the diversity in form and ap- recording every single thing. Those is, to lead him to acquire, step by step, pearance is, in Allah’s wisdom, a keepers are noble and venerable an- all-round progress and perfection, wonderful and extraordinary matter. gels who are quite unlike some and Who, in His infinite generosity, This is so to enable human beings to wicked officers of this world’s secret bestowed on him such resources and recognise one another and to develop police who write down whatever evi- talents as to make him attain the high- their unique personalities. Regardless dence they feel to. On the contrary, est excellence and so become an of the shape in which Allah, Most whatever those pure recorders write honoured servant of his generous and High, has cast each person, the same is completely genuine and trustwor- noble Lord. path to spiritual perfection is equally thy. Today, in this scientific age, the available to everyone, whether black latest researches have disclosed that This is the same Lord Who created or white, or handsome or not. Fur- no word or action of man is ever lost. him and fashioned him in the best ther, no one can prevent another from Instead, everything is being continu- make. That is, whatever faculties travelling on this path of spiritual per- ously recorded in the sound waves were bestowed on him were the most fection, which is the purpose of life of the ether. If we can devise a means appropriate, the most suitable and the on earth. by which we can read these records, most perfect so that he could attain then we will be able to read the com- to the fullest degree the purpose of Nay, but you give the lie to the plete history of the world, and what- his creation. Further, He fashioned Judgement. ever habitation we choose to exam- him in the right measure. In other ine, we will be able to tell what work words, man’s advancement is depen- In other words, nothing has really was done there and what words were dent on moderation and balance deceived man from the straight path. spoken there. which are free from extremes and Indeed, the true cause of his devia- which his Creator has embedded in tion is that he feels no fear for the Uspan, an English Muslim convert his very nature (fitrah). responsibility and consequences of his and former editor of the Outlook and deeds. If he were sure that a day the Light (two magazines), has made Thus, if man focuses his attention on would surely come when he would an incisive remark on this matter,

3 boldly declaring that the day the light the horror and the grandeur of records conserved in the book of na- that day of Judgement. Crime and Violence - ture are decoded the result would be The Remedies the immediate collapse of Christian- ity, for the false stories relating to the The day when no soul controls by Naseer Ahmad Faruqui Godhead of the Messiah, Prophet aught for another soul. And the Jesus, and his being taken up alive to command on that day is Allah’s. The increase in crime and violence is heaven will be exposed and conse- world-wide. It is now becoming al- quently the doctrines of the Trinity Power and command are always in most a nightmare. Unless effective and the Atonement will vanish from the hands of Allah, but here the ob- steps are taken to suppress and crush the face of the earth. jective is to draw attention to the fact these evils, mankind will revert to the that, in this life, Allah has given man law of the jungle and no civilisation In short, scientists are engaged in the the gift of choice: to do good or not can survive. We are immediately con- task of discovering means by which to, or to help one another in some cerned with the alarming rise in our we can read the record of nature and way or the other, or to confer benefit own country (Pakistan). Everyday they may or they may not succeed. on others or to defend them. How- one reads of murders, dacoities, bur- In any case, that record is in the pos- ever, on the day when the results of glaries, robberies, thefts, abductions, session of Allah - a record from which deeds are disclosed, no one will have kidnappings, molestation of women, no word or deed of ours will be con- the option to bear the consequences and so on. cealed or omitted. Thus, the result of of his deeds patiently or not, neither this will be as follows: will anyone be able to save another For prevention, we adopt two con- from punishment, nor be of help to flicting courses of action: Surely, the righteous are in bliss, another in any way. This is why the a. We are enhancing the existing pun- And the wicked are truly in burn- Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) ishments and the existing strength ing Fire - warned his daughter, Lady Fatimah of the courts. They will enter it on the day of (ra), in the following words: b. We are making jails and prison life Judgement, more and more sophisticated and And will not be absent from it. “Dear daughter, on the day of comfortable in the interest of hu- Resurrection, it will avail you manitarianism. That is, the hell which they are mak- naught that I am your father. ing with their own hands through It is only your deeds that will The enhancement of punishments, their evil deeds is ever present with be of use to you.” which usually adds up to a longer them in this life, but they are blind to term of imprisonment, is a self-defeat- it. However, after death, on the day GRATITUDE TO ALLAH ing method. In the U.S.A., where sen- of Requital, they will perceive it with tences run to hundreds of years, the certainty of sight, and that is the Fire increase in crime and violence is so that they will enter. The great Sa‘di of Shiroz , a alarming that it is causing nation-wide Persian poet has said that man concern. In our country, the maxi- And what will make thee realise should be prayerful and thank- mum limit of life imprisonment, with remissions of various kinds, comes to what the day of Judgement is? ful to Allah twice at every breath: Again, what will make thee five to seven years of actual impris- realise what the day of Judge- first, because when he breathes onment. Also, in the conditions ob- ment is? out he sends out the air which taining in our country, life inside the was harmful to his health; sec- jail is now, for the ordinary criminal, more comfortable, and full of ameni- The repetition of this question is a ondly, because when he form of linguistic style, the purpose ties than outside. So the effectiveness being to make clear the importance breathes in he inhales life-giv- of this method of punishment cannot of the subject matter and also to high- ing oxygen. be any better. Besides, inside the jail the criminal comes into daily contact

4 with other more hardened and more Qur’an, which excels all other re- the activities of their daily lives. experienced criminals. They compare vealed books even in this respect. notes and evolve more detection- Now, the animal has no moral or spir- proof methods of crime. There is no According to the Holy Qur’an, man itual values. No police force, magis- hard labour left now; the food is bet- has been given animal instincts, emo- tracy or prisons can change its na- ter and more regular than outside, the tions, desires and passions to provide ture. Economic and psychological clothing is better, and the prisoners the motive power for the human treatments cannot make him any bet- while away their spare time in gam- body’s efforts and hard work. But like ter. The animal, which is not amena- bling, smoking (though both are offi- all other motive power (such as in a ble to curbs and controls, has to be cially prohibited) and listening to the car engine, railway engine or aircraft physically punished to make it be- radio, if not watching television. The engine) unless that power is effec- have. There is no other remedy. percentage of detection, and ultimate tively controlled and steered, man is bound to come to grief and even to We have reformatories and Borstal conviction, is so small that no crimi- institutions. They have had no appre- nal is now deterred by these consid- death. The animal within man has to be tamed, reined and driven accord- ciable success. That is because we erations. Even if he is caught, which teach the first offenders trades and is unlikely in most cases, and eventu- ing to the will of the human spirit, which must act as an effective rider. occupations, thinking that their ten- ally convicted, life in jail has no ter- dency towards crime is due to eco- rors for him, particularly as he can The human spirit, drawn from the Divine Spirit, cannot remain healthy nomic reasons. No trade or occupa- now come out even on parole and tion can pay as handsomely as crime. visit his family. and strong enough to control the ani- mal, unless it draws its nourishment So the teaching of skills is not the fi- The more sophisticated thinkers ar- and strength from its Source (the Al- nal answer. gue that crime really has a psycho- mighty) through prayer five times a The first offenders should be also re- logical and economic origin, and day. He needs this spiritual sustenance formed morally and spiritually. That should therefore be tackled on those just as he needs physical food regu- requires enlightened and modern in- grounds. Western thinkers also larly to nourish the body. The mov- struction, but must include regular thought so. And they had all the ing spirit of man must also act on prayers, fasting and the teaching of means to cure their criminals on those moral and spiritual principles that are the Holy Qur’an with translation, lec- lines which they have tried now for explained by the Creator in the Holy tures on man’s responsibility for his several decades. But the situation in Qur’an. actions, which make his life heaven the West is much more alarming than The above sublime truth needs no or hell, even in this world according in the East, in spite of the latter’s to what he does. poverty and lack of psychological explanation. Those who “believe and treatment facilities. The richest coun- do good deeds” as explained in the But if a first offender is not reformed try in the history of the world so far, Holy Qur’an do not need a police and he continues to be swayed by his and the most advanced in psychologi- force, a magistracy or jails to keep animal urges, then his animal has to cal and psychiatric treatment, namely them on the right path. The Holy be tamed through corporal punish- the U.S.A., has the highest incidence Qur’an teaches us how to tame and ment. It is no use imprisoning the of crime and violence. So let us not control the animal within us, so that millions and millions of criminals who delude ourselves by that kind of we can ride on it to great moral and are a financial drain on society, and thinking. Western criminologists and spiritual heights. become worse criminals when they authorities feel more baffled than we But there are those who do not care come out. In any case, the opportu- do, because they have tried all the for moral and spiritual values. Their nities for making easy and plenty remedies they could think of and spirit weakens and may even ap- money through crime, with very lit- failed. They do not possess the light proach death. Their animal within tle chance of being caught or eventu- which we have available to us, but then becomes headstrong and mas- ally convicted, and the comfortable which we do not take advantage of. terful. And they begin to lead the life jail life, all come into the criminal’s It is the Divine light and guidance of the animal that drives them in all calculations. He naturally decides to given to us by our Creator in the Holy

5 take the easy lucrative course. the hand to be cut off on the very first black cloth (not more than a foot or occasion. The verse in question reads: two high) was tied across the door Furthermore, a fine has no deterrent And (as for) the man and the when the shop was left unattended. I effect. It falls usually on innocent asked the Arabs why this was done. parents or members of the family. woman addicted to theft, cut off their hands as a punish- It could not stop a thief. “No,” they With no terrors left in jail life, the said, “it is meant for stray dogs or criminal prefers to spend a little more ment for what they have earned an exemplary punish- cats.” I know of a Haji [one who has time there than pay heavy fines. The performed the Hajj] who lost an little possibility of detection and even- ment from Allah. And Allah is Mighty, Wise. But whoever attaché case while travelling from tual conviction again weigh against Jeddah to Mecca. It fell off the bus reformation. A fine can easily be paid repents after his wrongdoing, and reforms, Allah will turn top. When he went to the police in in any case from the much bigger Mecca, they advised him to be at the gains of crime. to him (mercifully). Surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful bus stop when later buses arrived. The man who is ruled by the animal (5:38- 39). Sure enough, the next morning he found a Bedouin with his attaché case within him cannot be reformed, un- It is thus quite clear that the criminal less the over-powering animal in him enquiring aloud whose it was. When first has to be given an opportunity the Haji claimed it, the Bedouin in- is tamed and reformed through cor- to repent and reform which can be poral punishment. That is the only sisted that they go to the police first. by binding him over, sending him to At the police station the Haji found language the animal understands a reformatory or by flogging him. when it has got the devil controlling that in falling off the roof to the it. If he persists in crime, then his left ground, the attaché case had broken hand has to be cut off in the first in- open. But not a single pie was miss- During my long years of public serv- stance. No case is known where the ing! What could have stopped a ice, I have had several occasions to second hand had to be cut off also. Bedouin in the desert from appropri- watch the salutary effect of corporal In fact, it does not even reach so far ating the money? This is a shining punishment when appeals to reason as having the first hand cut, once the example of the effectiveness of the and the better side of man fail. When criminal world knows the exemplary punishment provided by Islam. I was serving in Bombay City long punishment that may be imposed on before the Partition, communal riots Theft, with its more complicated them. The proof of the pudding is in forms of burglary, robbery, dacoity, broke out. Nothing the police, the the eating. Saudi Arabia has chosen magistracy and even the army could etc., constitutes nearly eighty per cent to implement this penalty. Millions of of the crime in the world. In spite of do would stop them. The rioting our people have by now been to Saudi (stabbing, arson, etc.) lasted for more security personnel, dogs, burglar Arabia for Hajj [pilgrimage], ‘Umra alarms, police patrols, and other than two months. Then the army (shorter pilgrimage or visit) or busi- asked for public whipping to be in- measures, nobody can go to sleep ness. Have they seen a single man with the assurance that he will not be troduced. Then rioting stopped with a hand cut off? I have stayed within two days! robbed during the night and, what is there for nearly two months and trav- worse, stabbed or killed in the bar- Several criminals I dealt with begged elled all over. I did not see a single gain. Considering this, is it fair to call me to send them to jail, but not to man with his hand cut off. And what the punishment provided by Islam whip them. But I found that even six does one see instead? Shops glitter- “barbaric”? Such a contemptuous stripes cured budding criminals who ing with silver and golden clothes, epithet has been used by Western na- had previously learnt no lesson from ornaments, etc., left with doors open, tions who, in the name of their civi- reformatories or jails. and electric lights blazing on these lised culture and good sense, do not shining goods, and no security-guard hesitate to bomb millions and millions Let us take the much-maligned pun- or even a closed door throughout the of innocent men, women and chil- ishment of the cutting off of a hand night or when the shopkeeper goes dren, killing and maiming them, and of the thief. Let me make it quite clear out for prayers five times a day. I only burning them with their incendiaries that the Holy Qur’an does not require found occasionally that a band of and napalm bombs. Our westernised

6 people, hypnotised by whatever rising crime and violence by the other trolling on foot is out of date and comes from the West, also repeat that methods, all tried by Western coun- too expensive. A policeman can- remark. They have not been robbed, tries and those of like mind. Why not cover a sufficient distance on stabbed, or killed yet. That is why should we be soft to the criminal and foot. And it is too expensive to they utter this calumny so lightly. ignore the fact that he robs and stabs engage a police force large Western nations justify their whole- his innocent victims without any com- enough to cover the whole area sale slaughter, maiming and burning punction? of towns and cities on foot. On of innocent people on the plea of self- the other hand, motorised patrols defence and the need to defend soci- Apart from the vital importance of are also too expensive. Besides, ety against communists or aggressors enforcing the Qur’an and the Sunnah, they forewarn the thief slinking or terrorists, the new “buzz” word. which our new Constitution obliges in the dark. And they cannot go Why can’t the same plea be available us to do, we may also take the fol- everywhere. to a Government which is conscien- lowing steps: tious enough to realise that it has a a. Films showing crime and violence So the answer is police patrols on responsibility before man and God to should be totally banned from cin- bicycles. I had experimented with it save the peaceful innocent citizens emas and television. Our censor as a district officer and found it most under its care from a thief or a bur- code already provides for it. But effective. A small police force glar who gets away with their life’s in actual enforcement we are lax. equipped with bicycles can cover savings in almost no time, and who Not only do such films incite the large areas. They approach even more stabs or kills them in the process? young to be violent, but they also silently than a policeman does on teach those already thinking of, foot. And the element of surprise is The objection is sometimes raised or addicted to crime, ingenious there. Lastly, it is easier to chase a that a man may have been falsely im- methods of crime and violence. thief on cycle than on foot, as the plicated in a charge of theft. In that Let us be totally firm in banning thieves are usually fleet-footed. The case, the question is asked whether it these films. expense of this scheme is nominal, but would be fair to send him even to jail. the benefit is enormous. In any case, in the beginning nobody’s b. Police patrols at night are effec- hand is to be cut off. So how can a tive. But the old method of pa- (Taken from The Light, December 1, 1976.) false accusation lead to any irrevo- cable miscarriage of justice? A decent (This is the first of three parts of the book, Birth of Jesus in the Light of the Qur’an. man cannot easily be implicated The other parts will appear in the forthcoming issues ofThe Message falsely and convicted. However, let us propose that only a thief who is caught red-handed and who is a ha- BIRTH OF JESUS bitual thief should have his hand cut IN THE LIGHT OF THE QUR’AN off. That is safe enough. In any case, a hand can get cut off even as a result of a disease or in an accident in a fac- Dr. BASHARAT AHMAD tory, car, train, or aeroplane. Besides, a surgeon can cut off the hand of the FOREWORD to a Muslim, is the highest of honours. habitual thief after giving the thief an I think a word concerning the motive My sole idea in putting before the anaesthetic. As experience has shown behind these pages will not be amiss. public these conclusions of my inves- in Saudi Arabia, the occasion never In bringing Jesus down to the human tigations into the sacred records of arises, because the Islamic punish- pedestal, nothing could be farther Islam and Christianity, is to rid all ment is totally effective. from my heart than detracting in any- earnest seekers-after-truth of what to way from the universal love, esteem my mind is a superstition, pure and If we are afraid that this is too harsh, and veneration he commands. Every simple. If, in this humble attempt in then remember that we will never be Muslim looks upon him as a true the interest of Truth, the readers able to tackle the serious menace of Prophet of God and that, according should find any points still obscure

7 or unconvincing, I shall be glad to the universal law of the Creator. It is and female seeds. This is the law of entertain further questions and, to the for him to prove his case or his claim God, and the laws of God, the Qur’an best of my knowledge, further eluci- must be summarily dismissed. Not a elsewhere tells us, are immutable: date them. single instance can be cited anywhere And you shall find no altering in the in the world where conception with- law of God (33: 52). I may also mention that the original out a male agency has been possible. of these pages appeared in the form In fact, any such suggestion with re- The absolute fixity of this particular of a series of articles in the columns gard to any woman is to cast a most law may be judged from the fact that of The Light of Lahore, India. This serious slur on her honour. the Qur’an advances it as a refuta- should explain the repetitions in some tion against the Christian doctrine of places. So far as the Qur’an is concerned, the Divine Sonship of Jesus: How can this universal law of procreation ad- there be a son to God while He has mits of no exception. Beyond all no mate? (6: 102). PART I shadow of a doubt and in terms most unequivocal, the Book lays down: O This again emphasises the law of pro- BIRTH OF JESUS ye mankind, We have created you of creation through pairs, so much so IN THE LIGHT OF THE QUR’AN a male and a female (49: 13). that even in the case of God it is not possible for a son to be born to Him CHAPTER I And: Verily, We have created man unless He takes someone for His out of a mixture of seeds (i.e. male mate. According to the Qur’an, there- NO PROCREATION WITHOUT A PAIR and female seeds) - (76: 2). fore, the immutable law is: No birth without a pair. Was Jesus born of a human father? This should suffice to show that no However silly it may look on the very procreation is possible without a male The law knows no relaxation even in face of it, there are not a few Mus- agency. In fact, this latter has been the hypothetical case of God. Even, lims, even among the educated class, specially mentioned as playing a far supposing for the sake of argument, who actually ask the question in all more important part in the creation if He were to have a child born to earnestness. An average Muslim gets of man than the female agency: Let Him, He must have a wife. A Divine positively shocked at any suggestion man ponder what he has been cre- pair must be there before a Divine son that indeed he was. As a matter of ated of. He has been created of wa- can make his appearance. Jesus must fact, the question should be just the ter that comes out from between the be subject to that law too. He was a other way about, that is, “Was Jesus back and the ribs (86: 6-8). man and no man can be born except not born of a human father?” And the through a pair - mother and father. matter for alarm and anxiety should Is it not conclusive on the point? No be if someone were to say, “ No! Jesus male agency, no conception. Yet Much stress is laid in this connection was born without a father.” again, it has been said that human on the creation of Adam. It is con- birth takes place only when the male tended that Adam was born without As our own daily observation should seed gets access to the womb: He a father and a mother. Why cannot tell us, there is no man who is born indeed it is Who has created the pair Jesus, in whose case only one factor without a father. Fatherhood is an of male and female out of the geni- is missing, take birth? But it is again indispensable factor in the process of tal seed when it is transmitted into a mere claim to assert that Adam was all procreation. It is a law of nature. female womb (53: 44, 45). born without a father and a mother Why make an exception in the case and a thing that lacks substantiation of Jesus? Whoever comes forward This should leave no room for any itself cannot be advanced as an argu- with the theory that Jesus had no fa- doubt whatever. The birth of a child, ment to support another. To say that ther, on him lies the burden of proof according to the Qur’an, cannot take the Qur’an speaks of him as having to substantiate his contentions; for he place except through the interaction been created out of clay is to betray is forcing upon us a thing contrary to of a pair, the intermingling of male lack of due scrutiny of the Qur’anic

8 verses. It is no doubt mentioned that only a highly developed stage of the This is said to be the allusion in the Adam was created of turab (dust), but evolutionary process beginning with words, He created him out of clay, elsewhere the same has been said of dust. The argument, therefore, that whereas the following words And all mankind: Verily, We have created because Adam was created without then He bade him, Be! and he be- you out of dust (12: 5). both parents, Jesus could have been came are taken to imply the breath- created without a father, falls to the ing of life or soul into that clay-work. Surely the statement cannot be taken ground. Such a construction, however, is not in the sense in which it is commonly warranted by the words in question. taken, that is, that out of clay a statue How was the first pair of man and The word khalaqahu (He created was made and then life was infused woman created is a question yet en- him) clearly completes the whole pro- into that statue, thus bringing Adam veloped in mystery. No satisfactory cess of creation of Adam, body and to human form. The Qur’an says that solution has so far been forthcoming. soul. When it is said, He created him, all men are created out of dust and The theory goes that in the beginning obviously there should be no more yet we know that they are born of there was a species of creation mid- question of Adam’s creation. It would male and female parents. The expres- way between man and monkey. When therefore be redundant on the part of sion therefore only refers to the ori- it took a step onward on the ladder the Qur’an to say that thereafter God gin of man which, obviously, is no of evolution it assumed the form of breathed life into him. Khalaqahu has other than dust. It is out of dust that man. When it degenerated, it was already brought him into full exist- we derive the food on which we live. transformed into the ape. Maybe, the ence, and there he is in flesh and This food, when subjected to the reference in the Qur’anic verse, Be blood. Life has already been breathed chemical process in man’s internal converted into base apes, is to some into him. It is thus incorrect to inter- machinery, is converted into blood such stage of the evolution of animal pret the words Be and he became as and then into serum which, when life. However that may be, the fact referring to the process of transmitted into another appropriate remains that even the first pair was soul-breathing. The soul had already apparatus, brings man into being. In the product of the intermingling of been breathed into Adam; otherwise the last analysis, thus, the lord of cre- the genital seeds of a male and a fe- the word khalaqahu could not be used ation owes his origin to dust. This is male The Qur’anic law that man is of him. what creation out of dust implies, in born of a pair of male and female still the case of Adam as much as in that holds good. Jesus could be no excep- Why then, it may be asked, has the of any other man. This point is fur- tion to this law. He must have had a case of Jesus been compared to that ther cleared up in the verses: And the human father. of Adam? If uncommon birth was not creation of man began with wet dust, the point of similarity between the then his species was made out of an two, in what other respect is Jesus extract of contemptible water (23: 7, likened to Adam? A little pondering 8). CHAPTER II over the wording of this very verse should enable us to get over this ap- Unless dust is mixed up with water, JESUS’ BIRTH COMPARED TO parent difficulty. The verse likens it cannot produce vegetables without ADAM’S Jesus to Adam in two respects. which there can be no animal and Firstly, each was born out of clay. human life. In this sense, science bears Secondly, each becomes something out the Qur’anic statement that man The common conception, however, after birth under the Divine order Be! was created out of dust. Taken in this identifies Adam with the first man and (kun) The word thumma clearly im- sense, which is the only true sense, the story goes that God first made a plies the order in which the two things the fact remains that without male human statue of clay and then infused happened. First came the creation of seed there can be no human life. The life into it. Thus was the first man each. Subsequently, after that came reference to it is in no way inconsis- created. Like a common potter, God about the other thing in which Jesus, tent with the law that man is created first prepared proper clay and then too, was quite like Adam. The first out of the genital seed. This latter is fashioned out of it the form of man. point of similarity is not difficult to

9 understand. The origin of all mankind, divinity, the Church holds that Jesus done by some Muslims, is to endorse according to the Qur’an, is clay. Thus was born in a supernatural manner, the very argument of the Church Jesus and Adam both were alike in that is, of the Holy Ghost. Not so, which the verse undertakes to demol- this respect, both having sprung from says the Qur’an. He was born, just ish. If Jesus was really born in some dust, like all other people. This is as Adam was born, out of dust, the superhuman way, he must have been quite clear. But what was the other common origin of mankind. How superhuman in nature too. The whole thing in respect of which also Jesus could he be Divine? The Qur’an has point of the Qur’anic argument is that is likened to Adam? To each, says the to refer to his birth, because it was Jesus was born in quite a human way verse, God said, Be! and each became on the theory of his that the Chris- and hence he could not but be hu- something. What was this something? tians base his divinity. They say it was man. The no-father theory takes the To find this out, we have only to take supernatural and hence Jesus was whole bottom out of the argument into consideration another verse of Divine. The Qur’an meets them on and is therefore anti-Qur’anic. the Qur’an where the purpose of their own ground and denies the very Adam’s creation is given, that is: I supernaturalness of his birth. He was Even granting, for the sake of argu- want to make a vicegerent on earth born in the common way, it argues, ment, the common mullah concep- (2: 30). as any other man is, that is, out of tion that the first man was made lit- dust. Thus the main prop of Jesus’ erally out of clay in the form of a Thus the Divine purpose with regard divinity falls to the ground. He was statue into which life was breathed, to Adam was that he must become not God or the son of God, says the it lends no support whatsoever to the His caliph or vicegerent on earth. Qur’an; he was only the vicegerent no-father theory of Jesus. The And when God wills a thing, what is or prophet of God, just as Adam was. self-same verse upon which the the way it is done? He simply says, The verse thus sums up two things. mullah bases his statue-theory lays it Be! and the thing is done. So, says It refutes the Christian doctrine of down in so many words that whereas the Qur’an: Whenever God wills a Jesus’ divinity. It also gives the true the origin of man is clay, all subse- thing, He simply says, Be! And it is position of Jesus, that he was a hu- quent procreation takes place in the done (36: 82). man being and a prophet of God. This common course, that is, out of hu- is exactly the position ascribed to him man seed. And Jesus comes under this In the verse in question, which com- by the advanced wing of the Church latter category. Says the verse: The pares Jesus to Adam, this very ex- known as the Modernist Movement: creation of man originated in wet pression is used. God had a definite “Jesus was human in every sense of dust, then He made his progeny out purpose, both in the case of Adam the word, physically, intellectually and of an extract of dirty water (32:7, and Jesus. To each He said, Be! and spiritually. He was the son of God 8). each became, that is, fulfilled that only in the sense in which any man purpose. We know in the case of may become the son of God, that is, Whatever, therefore, the various con- Adam what that purpose was. He was in a moral and spiritual sense.” What jectures as to the creation of the first to become, and so he became, the a literal corroboration of the Qur’anic man, the universal law of procreation vicegerent of God. And so, too, did verse: Indeed, the case of Jesus is the mentioned in the second part of the Jesus become the vicegerent of God. same with God as that of Adam. That verse admits of no exception in favour This is the second point of similarity is, he was human in every sense of of Jesus. One fails to understand how between Adam and Jesus. the word as put by the Modernists - in the face of this categorical Divine “He bade him, Be! and he became.” law, it is alleged that Jesus was not Now comes the question, What is the In other words, he was only the born out of human seed. Are the laws idea underlying this comparison be- vicegerent of God, or, to put it in the of God susceptible of any change? tween Jesus and Adam, and with what words of the Modernists, the son of Decidedly not. Thou shalt find no purpose has the comparison been God in a moral and spiritual sense. change in the law of God, says the made? As the context will show, the Qur’an. The law has been stated and idea is to refute the Christian doctrine To interpret the verse as referring to it must have its course, irrespective of Jesus’ divinity. To establish that any uncommon birth of Jesus, as is of persons. It is immutable and must

10 affect Jesus as anybody else. was man. How could he flout this authentic saying of the Holy Prophet explicit will of the Lord? He must which throws a flood of light on this have been born of an extract of dirty point. When discussing Jesus’ Law of Origination and Law of Pro- water too. so-called divinity with the Christian creation priests from Najran, he advanced the As a matter of fact, every species of Furthermore, these are the only two conclusive argument: “Don’t you creation is governed by two laws - laws of creation - the law of origina- know that Jesus was conceived by a the law of origination and the law of tion and the law of procreation. There woman just as any woman conceives procreation. Take the case of a com- is no third law, so far as the Qur’anic a child?” mon wheat plant. It grows out of a light guides us. Jesus must have been wheat grain. This is the prevalent law. subject to either of these two. If, pre- Mark the words “just as any woman But what about the first plant, when suming the impossible, he was cre- conceives a child”. Everybody knows there was no grain? How did that ated in accordance with the law of that no woman can conceive without grow? Obviously in some other way origination, he should have been born a male agency. And even if the saint- which the limited mind of man has without a father and a mother, for that liest woman on earth today were to not yet been able to comprehend. is how the first man was born. But come forward with a similar claim Likewise, the origin of every form of we know he had a mother. So he was made on behalf of Mary, that is, that creation is wrapped in mystery. But not created according to that law. she has conceived without a male once a particular thing has been There is left only the other law, that agency, and instead through some started, no matter how, there is no of procreation, which is that man is supernatural process, her claim would more mystery as regards its created out of a male and a female. be summarily dismissed in any court multiplication. It follows a fixed im- He must have been subject to this law of justice. Conception without a mate mutable course - wheat plant out of and therefore must have had both a is unthinkable in any woman and a wheat grain, barley plant out of a father and a mother. Jesus, according to the hadith, was barley grain. It is to these two laws conceived by a woman just as any that the Qur’an refers in the words Speaking of Mary, the mother of woman conceives. Is it not absurd, God originates and He repeats (85: Jesus, the Qur’an says: Then she con- in the face of such clear testimony, to 13). The science of botany does not ceived him (Jesus). Now, let us see allege that Mary conceived without know of a single instance of sus- how in the light of the Qur’an, con- a husband and Jesus was born with- pension or violation of this law of ception takes place. Says the Book: out a father? (To be continued.) procreation which is all-pervading. God it is Who created you of the Man, bird and beast - it encompasses same species and of the same spe- any and every form of creation. The cies He created his mate so that he origin of things must have been in may feel inclined towards her. Then some uncommon way. when he covers her, she conceives a light conception and she goes But that is no argument to uphold an about with it. Then when it becomes uncommon birth for an individual heavy, they call to God, their Lord: And Allah created you from dust, thing in the chain of procreation. The If Thou givest us a child whole and then from the life-germ, then He first man may have been born with- healthy, we shall be grateful (7: 189). out the human seed, but that privi- The words in bold make it perfectly made you pairs. And no female lege ends with the first man. When clear how conception takes place. bears, nor brings forth, except the law of origination has done its Male agency must come in. If, as the with His knowledge. And no one work, the law of procreation comes Qur’an says, Mary did conceive, she living long is granted a long life, into play and in the case of man, that could not have done so except in ac- law, in the words of the Holy Qur’an, cordance with this universal law of nor is aught diminished of one’s is: Then He made his progeny out of conception, that is, through the in- life, but it is all in a book. Surely an extract of dirty water (32: 8). Jesus strumentality of a man. Here is an this is easy to Allah. (H.Q. 35:11)

11 OPENING SPEECH AT ANNUAL PRAYER CONGREGATION DECEMBER 2002

by HAZRAT AMEER DR. ABDUL KARIM SAEED PASHA

In the name of Allah, the to their offspring with conviction and no hesitation at all in anyone’s mind. Beneficent, the Merciful. By with a sense of pride. the time! Surely man is in I thought that, maybe, I would be loss, except those who be- I have recited Surah al-‘Asr to you. rejected or would escape from assum- lieve and do good, and ex- All of you know its translation and ing this responsibility if the request hort one another to Truth, commentary very well. The word ‘asr of relieving me was turned down my and exhort one another to has several meanings which include: the employing authorities. But noth- patience (103:1-3). age, time, day and night, the time for ing happened. The officers concerned ‘Asr prayer and any moment in time. said that they would not like to be- My dear respected elders, brothers Recently, while studying Hazrat come a hindrance. If Allah has de- and sisters, Allama Hakim Maulana Nur-ud- cided it for you, then we are with you, Assalamu ‘alaikum wa Rahmatullah Din’s commentary of the Qur’an, I they said. Before attending the Gen- wa Barakatuh found out that ‘Asr also means es- eral Council meeting, I had decided sence. Allah solemnly put forward that if the members of the Council I dedicate this address to our re- Islam as an essence of all the religions selected me, I would certainly leave spected elder, Mr. Malik Saeed and also alludes to the phenomenon my job even if I don’t get a single Ahmad, and to young Nurullah of the fleeting time. ‘Asr can include penny as pension or any other ben- Mohsin Saqib as well. Mr. Malik any span of time, ranging from cen- efits and that would not be a loss for Saeed Ahmad is the person who, turies to the smallest fraction of a me in any sense. based on his visions, had been ask- moment. ing me continuously through corre- I did not take this decision for any spondence to take the responsibility Allah always provides man with an monetary benefits. This deal is be- of leading the Jama‘at, but I had opportunity to make a decision, and tween Allah and myself. Hazrat been reluctant to do so. The young if man makes a wrong decision at a Allama Maulana Hakim Nur-ud-Din Nurullah is the grandson of our es- particular moment, he suffers gravely. had made the same deal and was not teemed uncle, Mr. Abdul Ghafur I was also going to make a wrong ruined by Allah. The same was the Saqib. The reason I am addressing decision and I am still wondering case with Hazrat Maulana him is that I envisage a day when whether the decision I have made is Muhammad Ali, Hazrat Maulana this child will grow up and see the a correct one. But it gives me great Sadr-ud-Din, Hazrat Dr. Saeed Ahmadiyya Movement free from the satisfaction when I see that this deci- Ahmad Khan, and Hazrat Dr. Asghar fetters of current legal and constitu- sion was not mine but that of the Hameed. That is why I have complete tional restrictions. And it will be then General Council which has the trust trust in Allah that He will never de- that Nurullah and other children like and confidence of the whole Jama‘at. stroy me. I need your co-operation him will be able to grow up in a free If a single hand out of the fifty mem- and support. You are my strength. A environment. I am also addressing bers had been raised against me, then single person can never do wonders the girls and ladies of the Jama‘at I might have had an excuse that there all by himself. who are bringing up our Ahmadiyya are more able persons than I who treasure. They should educate them should be given the chance. But that The Holy Prophet Muhammad, may properly and look after them with was the moment of ‘Asr as all the peace and the blessings of Allah be full care and attention. They should members present gave a unanimous upon him, was the last prophet and present the Ahmadiyya Movement decision in my favour and there was the most perfect model for mankind.

12 We firmly believe in the finality of the same height. Then, in the 5th year, Allah has Himself laid down the foun- prophethood and that no prophet, the stem suddenly attains an aston- dation of this Movement. Communi- either new or old, will come after him. ishing height of 80 feet. I hope this ties are ready to join its ranks. These This message should be conveyed to plant of the Ahmadiyya Movement, people will be with you soon. The everyone, that the Lahore Jama‘at which apparently looks small now good news may come from the considers the Holy Prophet due to adverse circumstances, will U.S.A., from Egypt, the Middle East Muhammad as the last prophet. The grow like the Chinese bamboo tree and from other parts of the world. chain of Mujaddids (ordained Re- in the not too distant future. What is You will see that people in great num- formers) will continue. The elders of required is your full co-operation and bers are ready to join us as it has been the Jama‘at carried on the work of devotion. To express to you my feel- destined by Allah. Nothing is impos- defending and propagating Islam en- ings of responsibility regarding the sible for Him. trusted to them by Hazrat Mirza leadership that you have bestowed Ghulam Ahmad, Mujaddid of the 14th upon me, and my state of seeking help Listen to how the Promised Messiah century and Founder of the from Allah, I would like to quote fervently prayed for the devoted Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam. They some verses of poetry from the Prom- members of this Jama‘at: fulfilled their responsibility with con- ised Messiah: viction, sincerity, wisdom and zeal. “May Allah be with every They are respected and remembered O Allah! Help me now with devotee who bears hardship by us in the choicest words. These Your blessings, for undertaking a journey to honourable personalities had not re- So that the ship of Islam may join this annual spiritual gath- ceived religious education at any rec- survive this violent storm. ering. May Allah bless him ognised theological institution. In- Overlook my weaknesses and with great rewards and bless- stead, they had obtained their knowl- short-comings, ings, and have mercy on him. edge and deep understanding of Is- So that the enemy who is ac- May the Beneficent Allah lam through the grace of Allah and cursed may not be happy over solve his problems and re- love for the Holy Prophet this state. move his difficulties. May Muhammad (sas). They had an open O Allah! Shower Your bless- Allah guard him from sor- mind and a broad vision. Their hearts ings on Islam and come to its rows and cure his illnesses had been imbued with spiritual insight rescue Yourself, and fulfil his noble wishes. vouchsafed by Allah. I also pray to Hear the supplications of Such a person on the Day of Allah to provide me with the essen- servants on this wrecked ship. Judgement will be among tial knowledge so that I may be able It is You Alone, my Beloved, persons who shall be blessed to guide you to the best of my ability. Who can do something about and rewarded. O Merciful it,, and Gracious Allah, accept There are numerous varieties of Otherwise the tribulation is our submissions and grant us plants in this world. Our Jama‘at is increasing day by day. resounding dominance over one such blessed plant which had This cool breeze has started the opponents with clear been planted by our Imam in accord- blowing now after a long time signs as it is You Alone Who ance with the will of Allah. It will Who knows when this will has the authority to bestow continue to grow whether we do blow again and spring come. every honour and ability.” something for it or not. In my view, Weak are we, O Allah, lift us its growth resembles that of a Chi- up with Your hands, As far as my personal background is nese bamboo tree. It is said that dur- Feeble are we, so remove all concerned, I am not a student of reli- ing its first year, the stem and roots the burden from us. gion. I am a doctor by profession. of this tree grow at the same rate. When I applied for admission, only During the second, third and fourth (Foreword in Urdu to the Arabic holders of at least second division years, the roots go on growing deeper book, I‘jaz al-Masih, 20th Feb. 1901.) could apply. I had hardly managed to and deeper, but the stem remains at secure this minimum required stand-

13 ard as I had spent most of my time in in discharging my responsibilities to When I consulted persons having activities like body-building, drama, the best of my ability. knowledge about dreams and their college elections etc. Therefore, the interpretation, it was revealed that a outcome was not against expecta- Many people had asked me to be- rock symbolises a nation or a move- tions. I could have missed my admis- come Amir of the Jama‘at but I re- ment, and sitting on it signifies hold- sion in case I had secured even one fused as I loved my profession, and ing an important post. The person number short of second division; or, worldly allurements and prospects of narrating a story to others indicates if I had not been the son of a doctor, promotions in this profession and a that he is likely to get some sort of as I got my admission on seats re- bright future ahead beckoned. I had leadership. The one who recites this served for doctors’ children. my professorship, chances of obtain- particular verse in a dream, will be ing a high post in international organi- rewarded with the blessings promised I started off my medical studies in this sations such as the World Health Or- in it. So, in a way, it was a directive manner. However, at that moment, I ganisation, and also chances of ob- given to me that I should accept the did make a firm commitment to my- taining high grades and various other responsibility and, consequently, the self to work hard. And by dint of this lucrative distinctions and privileges. state of weakness in my mind went commitment, I graduated from medi- These were the hurdles in the way of away and I was provided courage to cal college, became a professor, was my decision. But when I prayed to accept the challenge. Next morning made head of my department, and Allah for guidance and steadfastness when I woke up, I changed my ear- obtained a degree of higher studies during the blessed nights of the month lier decision of not accepting the re- of MRCP from the United Kingdom, of Ramadhan, I had a dream in which sponsibility and here I am standing and was also conferred honorary fel- I saw myself sitting on a huge rock before you just because of that heav- lowship of College of Physicians, which was rocking violently and it enly guidance given to me through London, and College of Physicians was becoming difficult for me to keep that dream. I request all of you to and Surgeons, Pakistan. I also be- myself steady on it. In the meantime, remember me in your daily prayers, came Examiner of post-graduate ex- a person approached me from a dis- and to have faith that the above prayer aminations in Pakistan and abroad. I tance. I thought that he would also really refers to the entire Jama‘at. I was also selected as Principal of my request me to become Amir. He asked a pious lady who observed college but could not continue the asked me angrily why I wanted oth- I‘tikaaf during the last ten days of post because of my affiliation to the ers to take the responsibility and not Ramadan for whom she prayed most Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. assume it myself. Some other persons during those blessed days. She replied followed him and kept on getting on that she prayed most for me as I had You can see how Allah has been kind to the rock and suddenly the shaking become the Amir of the Jama‘at. I to me in various ways and bestowed rock became steady. Then (during the hope and am confident that all of you upon me His mercies and blessings. same dream) I related to the people will pray for me as she did. Though I had to face hardships as an accompanying me a childhood story Ahmadi, yet Allah specially blessed of a shepherd who took wise and As a teacher I know that first an ob- me with patience and firmness. I can correct decisions while sitting on a jective is determined, then a plan is compare my present appointment specific rock but the moment he prepared to achieve it and then ad- with my admission to the medical stepped down from it he became like equate resources and competent per- college and hope to shoulder the an ordinary shepherd. Then I recited sons to implement the plan are se- heavy responsibility put upon me by the opening words of verse 26 of lected. The objectives of our Move- the General Council. I promise that I chapter 3 — O Allah, Owner of the ment have already been outlined by will try to succeed in obtaining ‘fel- Kingdom, Thou givest the kingdom Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the lowship’ for the Jama‘at as well with to whom Thou pleasest. At this point, Founder of the Ahmadiyya Move- the same commitment and hard work I started weeping profusely. Before I ment in Islam, in his books, speeches which I had made at the start of my could complete the recitation of the and exhortations, and he has im- medical career. Your prayers and ac- verse, I woke up and completed the pressed upon his followers with full tive co-operation will surely help me remaining part of the verse. conviction, strong arguments and

14 prophecies that the propagation and youngest son helped me by reading available in most of our homes. So I preaching of true Islam is our first and them out to me every morning and will request parents to spend at least foremost objective. Another impor- replied to them according to my in- 15 to 20 minutes of their time every tant objective is to inculcate deep love structions, for which I am thankful day at the computer with their chil- and devotion for Allah in our daily to him. In this way, my contact has dren and take advantage of the on- prayers and to live a life in complete been established with Jama‘ats in going material available on these accord with the Sunnah of the Holy South Africa, Fiji, Indonesia, New websites. In this way, they will be able Prophet. We should set a noble ex- Zealand, U.S.A., Canada, U.K., Aus- to keep themselves and their children ample for others. Every individual tralia, Holland, Trinidad, Guyana, abreast of matters relating to Islam and each Jama‘at should be a source Suriname etc. and the Ahmadiyya Movement. of inspiration for others in conveying the message of the Ahmadiyya Move- On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, I dispatched More attention is also needed to- ment. Therefore, there is a great need greetings to all the Jama‘ats through wards imparting religious education that we should pay special attention the Internet. A number of people to our women and children and also towards reforming our own selves replied to my greetings and some towards bringing closer ties between and consolidating the Jama‘at and even sent their suggestions and also members of the Jama‘at through mar- putting into action plans for its wel- asked for help. For instance, the riage and other social activities. The fare. Auckland Jama‘at in New Zealand initial work has been started in this requested help to make arrangements regard. A pro forma has been issued Once we have determined our objec- for Dars-i Qur’an and that they are which will collect the following data tives, the next step is to prepare a vi- waiting for Bro. Shaukat Ali of Bang- on every member of the family: name, able strategy. In educational lan- kok to come and do something about age, education, status of service and guage, it is known as Instructural it. I suggested to them that instead of other details. I request all of you who Strategy. All the Jama‘ats, both in- waiting for Bro. Shaukat Ali, some are present here to kindly complete side and outside of Pakistan, will be people should volunteer to do it this form and hand it over to the of- part of this strategy. We will assess themselves. They should study the fice. Similarly, all members living their needs and problems and will try English translation of the Holy throughout Pakistan should make it to plan according to the means avail- Qur’an by Maulana Muhammad Ali, a point to complete the form and send able. We should consider the Central commentary of part 30 of the Qur’an it to the Central office in Lahore. We Anjuman as the master gland which by Dr. Basharat Ahmad, and Dars-i will try our best to tabulate all the provides nourishment and strength to Quran by Mr. Naseer Ahmad data thus collected and chalk out smaller glands in the body to keep the Faruqui, which have now been trans- plans accordingly. body working and in a healthy con- lated into English, and give Dars dition to undertake and accomplish based on these sources. We will help Another important task is to compu- future plans in life. The current situ- in this connection as well. terise all the Arabic, Urdu and Eng- ation must be evaluated afresh so that lish books available in the Saliha deficiencies in attaining our objectives These days, knowledge and informa- Zahur Ahmad Memorial Library of may be taken note of and steps taken tion on different subjects are avail- the Central Anjuman in Darus Sa- to remove them. able on the Internet. All our impor- laam. The treasure of knowledge ly- tant books, booklets and articles, both ing in this library can be made avail- The task of planning and gathering in English and Urdu, are available on able not only to our members here information has become easier these our two websites run by the but also to those in other cities and days through computers and the A.A.I.I.L. of U.S.A. countries. The present librarian, our Internet. During the last one month, (www.Muslim.org), and the Holland worthy elder Qazi Abdul Ahad, has a I have received numerous e-mails Jama‘at (www.aaiil.org). They keep computer-like brain and he knows all from various Jama‘ats and individu- on adding material and information the books and their details. He helps als from all over the world. I could regularly. These sources should be people with his knowledge. All this not manage to attend to them all. My made use of. Computers are now information needs to be put into the

15 computer so that whenever anyone when I saw our youth taking active sizes. Some were big, some average- anywhere in the world requires a ref- part in the Annual Prayer Congrega- sized and some were very small. I was erence we can supply it through the tion. We should fully utilise their ca- watering these plants with a big pot Internet in a very short time. Though pabilities and zeal for the Movement. and saying to myself: How cruel are most of our important publications people who do not fear Allah and are already on the website, yet there We should make special efforts for want to see these plants, which were are still many books not scanned so organising Dars-i Quran, the five planted by the Holy Prophet far and which we can supply to peo- daily prayers and religious instruction Muhammad, may peace and the bless- ple by photocopy. and education in all Jama‘ats. Today ings of Allah be upon him, die. the mosque was full at the Fajr prayer, Among the plants, I saw some very I have deputed some young men to which is a commendable thing. In fu- tiny plants and I was afraid even to prepare a list of frequently-asked ture, if we see ro.ws even outside the sprinkle water over them lest I dam- questions and objections about the main hall, then that would be a sign age them. Then, during my dream, I Ahmadiyya Movement. Detailed an- of progress. Similar progress should thought that I should consult my wife, swers with references, when pre- be visible in all aspects of the activi- who is fond of plants and has experi- pared, will be made available on the ties of the Jama‘at. Mere talk or writ- ence of looking after them, on how website as well. ten reports are not enough; some to take care of these small plants so concrete results must be visible. We as not to damage them. This means Similarly, there is a great need to de- must see progress with our own eyes. there is need to nurture the young and velop close contact and frequent This will give encouragement to the we need the whole family, especially communication with members of the members and workers of the Jama‘at women, to make an effort to save Jama‘at within Pakistan and abroad. to go forward even further. these small saplings from withering This year, two of my sons are in the away. U.K. for higher studies. We remem- At the start of my speech I mentioned ber them every day and wish to con- Malik Saeed Ahmad sahib by name. The point is that among the follow- tact them by phone or the Internet or We should pay due respect to such ers of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, to know about their welfare through pious personalities who, through de- may peace and the blessings of Allah letters or otherwise. Why don’t we votion and sincere prayers, have at- be upon him, there are some people have similar concern and anxiety for tained a close relationship with Al- of strong faith, some have average our Ahmadi brothers and sisters scat- lah. I met him last year and he told faith, while the remaining are weak. tered throughout the world, that we me to stick to Tahajjud prayers and Among them also are youths and chil- should be in touch with them, and be repeat the Darud Sharif in them. I dren who will grow in their faith and thinking about how we can help followed his advice all year and saw will in future serve the cause of Is- them? Similarly, they should also be the results in my life. His advice ben- lam with greater zeal and devotion. anxious to keep in touch with us, to efited me very greatly and I hope I We should plan for their spiritual know of our plans and to help us in will find its blessings in the next life training. We should also spend all our them. We should seriously think as well. resources on their proper upbringing about this and take immediate steps in every respect. We will have to save to develop close contact through fre- Now I am going to relate another these plants of the Holy Prophet quent communication. dream of mine, although I do not like Muhammad from the unrighteous, relating my dreams to others. How- anti-faith powers that want these We should establish our identity as ever, sometimes it is useful to do so plants to wither. Ahmadis and should feel proud that when it concerns others. In my dream we have recognised the Imam of the I saw that I was sitting in a beautiful, [Note: This speech was published in age who had been prophesied by the bright, well-decorated office in Darus Paigham Sulh, dated 1st – 15th Janu- Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace Salaam Colony. All around it were ary 2003. Translation from Urdu: and the blessings of Allah be upon placed a number of beautiful ever- Athar Rasool, M.A (Journalism).] him. It gave me great satisfaction green plants which were of different

16 IN THE LIGHT OF THE HOLY QUR’AN Seeking of Allah’s Help and Guidance Through Prayers

by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Hami

To Allah belongs whatever is The topic for this afternoon is com- be a blind and poor lady but would in the heavens and whatever prehensive and has three aspects to be the owner of a big building with is in the earth. And whether it: it is based on a portion of the Holy all kinds of amenities of life in it. In you manifest what is in your Qur’an; what sort of inspiration it the same way today, I am required mind or hide it, Allah will provides for us and how relevant it is to explain to you three aspects of the call you to account accord- to the present century. It reminds me topic in one attempt. My humble ing to it. So He forgives of a short story. The story runs like experience is that whenever we study whom He pleases and chas- this. There was an old lady who had any portion of the Holy Qur’an, it tises whom He pleases. And no children. She was very poor and offers guidance to us. It requires Allah is Possessor of power she was living a life of extreme pov- concentration and complete faith in over all things. erty. She did not possess anything at Allah. The guidance and inspiration all. Besides being poor, she was blind. automatically come to us. It also tells The Messenger believes in But she was an extremely pious lady. us how to imbibe that guidance and what has been revealed to She was very regular in her prayers inspiration in our lives. him from his Lord, and (so to Almighty Allah. One day while she do) the believers. They all was praying, an angel appeared to her You have just listened to the transla- believe in Allah and His an- and said: “My dear lady, your Lord tion of the verses which I will be dis- gels and His Books and His has granted one of your prayers with cussing. I will be concentrating more messengers. We make no dif- a condition that you will make just on the last portion of these verses. It ference between any of His one submission. So you are free to is a very comprehensive supplication. messengers. And they say: make just one wish.” Please bear in mind that whenever a We hear and obey; our Lord, prayer is mentioned in the Holy Thy forgiveness (do we The poor lady begged: “O my Lord! Qur’an, it always bears special sig- crave), and to Thee is the I will like to see with my eyes my nificance. Obviously, it was revealed eventual course. granddaughter drinking milk on the by the Lord to the Holy Prophet second floor of a multi-storey build- (peace and blessings of Allah be upon Allah imposes not on any ing.” him), instructing him to seek Allah’s soul a duty beyond its scope. favours and blessings in these words. For it is that which it earns That was the prayer she made. In So, definitely there is some divine (of good) and against it that fact, she made four demands in one wisdom in these revealed words and which it works (of evil). Our prayer: it also contains instructions on how Lord, punish us not if we for- to supplicate Almighty Allah and get or make a mistake. Our 1. To have her blindness re- what should be the wording. Lord, do not lay on us a bur- moved den as Thou didst lay on 2. To bear children As usual, like all Qur’anic prayers, those before us. Our Lord, 3. To see her daughter-in-law’s the introductory part of this prayer impose not on us (afflictions) children refers to some attributes of Almighty which we have not the 4. To own a multi-storey build- Allah. Here, again, we start the strength to bear! Thou art our ing prayer extolling Allah by mentioning Patron, so grant us victory Him as Our Lord and begging Him over the disbelieving people This meant that she would no longer not to burden us more than our ca- (2:284-286). 17 pacity. The law of accountability is (peace and blessings of Allah be upon ute towards the expenses of this for everybody. The reward for every him) arrived at Madinah after migrat- grand campaign. By saying every soul is what it earns either by doing ing from Makkah. This chapter con- household, I mean all the sub-tribes, good deeds or by committing evil tains a major portion of the rules and clans and families. To raise such a deeds. That is inevitable. But Al- regulations regarding social and reli- huge sum of money, they decided to mighty Allah, being All-powerful, can gious institutions in Islam. It also re- send a trade caravan to Syria and to also forgive in case we commit an act fers to certain important events re- utilise its profit for the expenses of by mistake or do it inadvertently and lating to the period when the Quraish the attack. Every household contrib- we can ask His forgiveness for such of Makkah were extremely frustrated uted whatever it could in the form of acts. That is why this prayer starts at the escape of the Holy Prophet money, goods and services. It is re- with the words: Our Lord, punish us Muhammad and his companions to corded that these contributions came not if we forget or make a mistake. Madinah where they were enjoying a to something like two hundred and The submission is that we, as human comparatively peaceful life. Here, fifty thousand pieces of gold. beings, are likely to make mistakes, people in great numbers started com- or are likely to forget, therefore, we ing into the fold of Islam and they The situation was that the Quraish seek His forgiveness and mercy. found a place to consolidate their had already started to make ambushes position. The Holy Prophet also en- on the outskirts of Madinah. For in- Bear in mind that the Arabic word tered into an agreement with the Jews stance, in a serious incident, Kerz ibn for human beings is insaan. Its root of Madinah and other tribes living Jabir al-Ferri of Makkah attacked a is nisyaan, which means forgetful- around it. The covenant of Madinah Muslim pastureland on the outskirts ness. So insaan is that being who is with the Jews and other tribes living of Madinah, killed some of the cattle likely to forget or is likely to ignore in Madinah can be classed as historic and escaped. When the Holy Prophet things. While admitting our weak- as it contained at that time guaran- (peace and blessings of Allah be upon nesses, we request our Lord to for- tees for the sanctity of freedom of him) came to know about this ex- give us if we make a mistake or for- religious practices and human rights tremely dangerous resolution of the get to abide by His command. for each party. After the migration Quraish of Makkah to launch a mas- of Muslims from Makkah to sive attack, he took serious it seri- Let us now find out when and under Madinah, the Quraish of Makkah re- ously. It was decided to keep strict what circumstances these verses were alised that the Holy Prophet watch on the activities of the Quraish. revealed because only then can we Muhammad (peace and blessings of For this purpose, the Holy Prophet understand the underlying signifi- Allah be upon him) and his compan- dispatched a contingent of twelve cance and true import of each word ions in the days to come would pose persons, led by Abdullah ibn Jahsh, of the prayer. The crux of the suppli- a threat and would be able to gather to Nakhlah with a letter instructing cation is “Our Lord, grant us victory enough power and strength to attack him to open it after two days. When over the host of disbelieving people”. and destroy them if they so desired. Abdullah opened the letter as in- Obviously, this must be an occasion So the chiefs of the Quraish and their structed, he read that he should keep when the Holy Prophet Muhammad allies gathered in the great Council watch on the trade route to Syria and (peace and blessings of Allah be upon Hall, called Dar al-Nadwa, where keep the Holy Prophet informed him) and his companions were in con- major decisions were taken. They about the situation. Incidentally, a flict with their enemies in a battle and decided unanimously that they should trade caravan was passing along that Almighty Allah revealed these words undertake preparations to make a route. Abdullah attacked it and from to the Holy Prophet (peace and bless- massive attack on the Muslims and an arrow shot by Hazrat Waqid ibn ings of Allah be upon him) to beg for finish them once and for all. But for Abdullah Sahmi, Amr ibn Hadrami His help and support at that critical such a grand attack they needed a vast was killed. Two disbelievers were juncture. Please remember that the quantity of weapons and supplies taken as prisoners and some booty second chapter of the Holy Qur’an, which involved a huge amount of re- was captured. When the Holy that is, Al-Baqarah (The Cow), was sources. They then decided that every Prophet came to know about it, he revealed when the Holy Prophet household of Makkah should contrib- condemned it as it was against his

18 clear instructions. The disbelievers of city to meet the enemy. Hazrat Abu you. Now we have observed you Makkah were furious over the inci- Bakr stood up and said: “My master, from close quarters - your honesty, dent. we have full confidence in you and your truthfulness, your steadfastness, what has been revealed to you by your firm faith in Allah and your deep As already mentioned, a big caravan Allah. Proceed. We will be with you commitment to the noble cause en- went to Syria for the purpose of earn- and will obey your command.” trusted to you by Allah - and we are ing money to meet the expenses of with you even more firmly than our the intended attack on Muslims in Then Hazrat Umar stood up and of- commitment to you in that agree- Madinah. It was the time when that fered his unstinting support at that ment. We are ready to sacrifice eve- caravan was expected to return. As a critical juncture. He said: “We are as rything at your command. Our per- consequence of the recent mishap, a good warriors as those who are go- formance at the battlefield will cool rumour was spread that Muslims ing to attack us. If we are small in your eyes.” wanted to waylay the trade caravan number, do not worry at all. Allah is also. The leader of the caravan, Abu with us. We are not going to with- In other words, that meant that their Sufyan, sent a quick message to hold anything. We are going to sac- performance would please the Holy Makkah through his courier, Zamzam rifice everything we have in the way Prophet (peace and blessings of Al- Ghaffari, that immediate arrange- of Allah.” lah be upon him). ments should be made to guard the caravan from being looted by the The Holy Prophet still said: “Give me Thus, Muhajirs and Ansars both gave Holy Prophet and his companions. more advice.” their unreserved support to the Holy Abu Jahl was looking for an excuse Prophet and were ready to obey him to attack Madinah, and the recent At that point, another eminent in the ordeal about which Allah had mishap added fire to his anger for muhajir (refugee from Makkah to informed him. revenge and persecution of Muslims. Madinah) from Makkah, Miqdad, So a well-organised army consisting stood up and offered total support to At the end of the day, the total Mus- of one thousand infantry men and a the Holy Prophet and strongly en- lim army that the Holy Prophet could cavalry of two hundred horses led by dorsed what the previous two speak- gather consisted of three hundred and Utbah ibn Rabia‘ set out towards ers had said. But the Holy Prophet thirteen people including the old and Madinah. continued asking for guidance and children as young as thirteen to fif- advice. It seemed as he were still not teen years and a couple of women. When the news reached Madinah, the satisfied and wanted both the The cavalry consisted of two horses Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Muhajirs and the Ansars to openly and seventy camels. This untrained Allah be upon him) called an emer- give their support to him. Then one and ill-equipped army of three hun- gency meeting of all his companions of the chiefs of the tribe of Kazraj dred and thirteen was going to face and ansars (helpers of Madiahn). He from Madinah, which constituted an more than one thousand seasoned and repeatedly asked them to advise him important section of the Ansars, who well-armed men with massive support as to how to meet the situation - are called “Helpers” in Islamic his- to keep the supply line intact. whether they should go out or remain tory, whose name was Sa‘d ibn inside the city and fight. Finally, it was Mu’az, got up and said: “You are The key phrase of the Qur’anic rev- decided that they should go out and getting the advice and support you elation: Help us to overcome those meet the Makkan army before it are asking for, but still you are ask- who disbelieve, is quite significant. reached Madinah. We should bear in ing for more advice. Maybe you want It was not like the followers of Mo- mind that the Madinites had made a our open support and assurance. O ses, who, when the time to fight in covenant with the Holy Prophet that Messenger of Allah, when we made the way of Allah came, said: O Mo- they would defend him and other the agreement with you at Madinah ses! We will never enter it so long Muslims from Makkah if any attack a few years ago to defend you, we they are in it; go, therefore, thou and were launched against them. But in were not fully aware of your high stat- thy Lord, and fight; surely here we this case, they were going out of the ure and how Allah was supporting sit (5:24). Here, the companions of

19 the Holy Prophet are filled with faith pray to Allah to destroy the disbe- Battle of Badr. When the leader of and a supreme sense of sacrifice. lievers but he did not like the sug- the trade caravan from Syria, Abu They are ready to do everything pos- gestion and said: “Do you forget that Sufyan, who was a very shrewd and sible in their power. They are ready people before you bore more excru- intelligent person, became aware that to submit to the command of Allah. ciating tortures than you? Their bod- his caravan of one thousand camels They are only seeking Allah’s help ies were torn into pieces and the flesh with valuable goods was likely to be and support to fight for His cause. of their bodies was slashed from their attacked, he changed his route. He The petition is for Allah to guide them bones. Allah mentions the state of took an unknown path along the sea- in planning good strategy, to their extreme torture and trial in these coast and, travelling quite a distance strengthen their faith and to bless their words: Do you think that you will towards the south, reached Makkah. efforts and grant victory over the dis- enter the Garden, while there has not When he felt he was safe, he sent a believing people who are out to de- yet befallen you the like of what be- message to the Makkan people that stroy the believers. So, in this prayer, fell those who have passed away be- there was now no need of coming to the Muslims were commanded to fore you? Distress and affliction be- his rescue. He would be reaching seek Divine help to overcome their fell them and they were shaken vio- Makkah in a day or two. But the enemies through this prayer for a just lently, so that the Messenger and Makkans had left for Madinah and cause against those who were far su- those who believed with him said: some of their chiefs, like Abu Jahl, perior in number, armament and re- When will the help of Allah come? were very proud of their power and sources. Now surely the help of Allah is nigh! might, and were adamant on dealing (2:214).” a crushing blow to the Muslims and In these extremely precarious and did not pay any heed to Abu Sufyan’s distressing conditions, Allah asks the Here, Allah wants the believers to so they paid no heed to Abu Sufyan’s Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and bear in mind the extent to which pre- message. In an earlier incident, one blessings of Allah be upon him) and vious peoples were tried with extreme of the Makkans, Abu Kazeer Mir, was his companions to beg Allah’s help poverty, affliction and tribulations. killed by the Muslims. Abu Jahl went and support to overcome the enemy, The petition which the Holy Prophet to his brother and incited him telling and the last words, Help us to over- and his companions have been asked him that the time had come to avenge come the disbelievers, in a way give to make is that they should not be laid the death of his brother and that they assurance that certainly Divine help with the burden which was laid on should not abandon their plan in spite will come to their rescue. believers before them. In other words, of the fact that the caravan had they are advised to be patient and wait reached Makkah safely. The memory Before I continue with my explana- for the help of Allah which is sure to of the wailing and crying of Abu Mir’s tion of this important prayer, I will come. The other request means that brother aroused the people and they like to explain the significance of two Allah should give the believers decided to continue with their jour- supplications mentioned in it; one is: strength to bear afflictions and trials ney towards Madinah. When the Our Lord, do not lay on us burden as with utmost patience and steadfast- Makkan army reached Badr, where thou didst lay on those before us; and ness because only then would the help some springs existed, they found that the other: Do not impose on us af- of Allah come to make them victori- the Muslims had arrived earlier and flictions which we do not have the ous over their opponents. had occupied the place. The Holy strength to bear. Prophet (peace and blessings of Al- This was briefly the situation when lah be upon him) selected a sand-hill Let me take the first one. It was a this particular prayer was revealed to near the springs and built a hut at the necessary entreaty for the Holy the Holy Prophet and it was, in a way, top from where he could see his men Prophet was very distressed when his calculated to prepare them for the and also keep an eye on the surround- companions were being unbearably difficult time which they were to face ing area. Therefore, he was in an ad- tortured at the hands of the Makkan in the forthcoming battle. vantageous position as compared to disbelievers. Some of them went to the Makkans who arrived late and the Holy Prophet and asked him to Now, I come back to the story of the could not occupy this place.

20 The Muslims filled their utensils and to worship You.” Prophet. This was the strongest containers with water from the weapon the Holy Prophet had. We springs at Badr for themselves and Hazrat Abu Bakr at this point re- find in the Sunnah that at every step their horses and camels. These quested the Holy Prophet to stop of his life – from rising in the morn- springs were totally in the possession making further submissions and en- ing till he went to sleep – he recited of the Holy Prophet, but he allowed treaties saying that Allah had prom- prayers and extolled Allah, invoked the Makkans to use the water. It was ised to help them so they should have His glory and sought His protection night-time and both armies were wait- complete faith in Him and His prom- and mercy. ing for the morning. The Makkans ise. The Holy Prophet said: “I do not spent the whole night in feast, enjoy- doubt Allah’s assurance but I am This is exactly what the Founder of ing delicious food, drink and dances afraid that due to our own weak- the Ahmadiyya Movement, Hazrat performed by dancing girls, and also nesses maybe Allah will withdraw His Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, has strongly recitals made by poets. All this was help. My prayers are to seek Allah’s exhorted his followers: to always turn expressive of their pomp and show protection against such weaknesses to Allah for help and mercy. This has and strength and boastfulness. On the and infirmities.” also been commanded to us in the other hand, the Muslims said their Opening Chapter of the Holy Qur’an: congregational prayers and took Thus, he went on repeating the Thee do we serve and Thee alone do complete rest. Meanwhile, the Holy prayer: Our Lord, punish us not if we beseech for help. Prophet went to his hut along with we forget or make a mistake, and the his companion Hazrat Abu Bakr. The two later entreaties: Our Lord, do not The lesson and the inspiration we get Holy Prophet spent the whole night lay on us a burden as Thou didst lay from this prayer and the success the praying and making tearful petitions on those before us; and: Our Lord, Muslims enjoyed at the Battle of Badr and supplications to Almighty Allah impose not on us afflictions which are that we should put in all our ef- to come to the help of the handful of we do not heave the strength to bear. forts and harness all the resources at Muslims who were the target of per- our disposal and also pray to Allah secution and annihilation only be- It was almost early dawn when the for His guidance, support and bless- cause they believed in one God and Holy Prophet received assurance ing. stood against all kinds of inequalities from Allah and he immediately in- and evils. He passionately recited the formed Hazrat Abu Bakr and said: Sometimes we talk about how mi- prayer, which I mentioned in the be- “Be happy. I have received the rev- raculous is the blessing of Allah to ginning, and especially went on re- elation that Allah’s help is coming.” human beings at the time of difficulty peating its last line: O Allah, grant or in making their efforts successful. help to us against the disbelievers. At this point the Holy Prophet It does not come about by any magic His entreaties and submissions at stopped his prayers. wand. It works in the way natural times were so emotional and passion- laws operate in the world. When man ate that Hazrat Abu Bakr could As I explained in the beginning, Al- makes every possible effort and asks clearly hear his words and sobs. It lah’s help comes by means of natural Allah’s blessings to make it success- continued for the greater part of the laws and not by breaking them. In the ful, then resources conducive to mak- night and during his prayers, even the present situation, the Muslims had ing the efforts successful are so chan- loose mantle over the shoulders of the occupied a place which was very nelled by Allah at a particular point Holy Prophet fell several times and sandy so early in the morning heavy of time that the efforts are crowned Hazrat Abu Bakr had to put it back showers came down and made the with success. So success comes each time. It was during these tense ground on which they were solid and through the working of laws of na- moments that the Holy Prophet is compact. The rainwater flowed to- ture, but at that particular point of reported to have uttered in despera- wards the enemy position and made time of need it may seem that it is not tion the words: “O Allah, if this small it muddy and slippery. Thus, nature possible. It is prayer that attracts Al- band of believers is destroyed today, started helping the Muslims in re- lah’s blessings which work in a way then no one will be left on this earth sponse to the prayers of the Holy in which the human mind cannot con-

21 ceive. This was what happened at the Battle of Badr. In spite of the en- THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAS) emy’s superiority in numbers and ar- maments, nature started working by Nerissa Ali against them and all their planning, instead of helping them, went against Abdul Muttalib, chieftain of the One of Prophet Muhammad’s most them and routed them. Quraysh, had ten sons who were all important roles in world history is the worthy and outstanding, but Abdullah recipient of the Holy Book, Al- The Holy Imam of the Age, Hazrat was the noblest and most prominent Qur’an. Chapter 47, verse 2 states: Mirza, while emphasising the pow- among them. Abdul Muttalib wedded And who believe in that which has erful influence of the prayer, said in Abdullah to Amina. Amina was the been revealed to Muhammad and it an Urdu couplet: most excellent woman in birth and is the truth from their Lord. The stature among the Quraysh at that Prophet first experienced the higher Jo khaak men mi-lay usey time. Through this marriage, revelation while he was alone in the miltaa hai aash-naa Muhammad (sas) was born, after the cave of Hira. Revelation came upon Ay aaz-maa-ney waa-ley ye death of his father, on Monday the him in two ways, both through the th nus-khaa bhi aaz-maa 12 of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the year of the angel, Gabriel. Firstly, in the form of Elephant, and certainly the most aus- a quiet voice, as the angel appeared That is, if one who submits himself picious day in the history of mankind. in the shape of a human being, and in to Allah in the manner that the dust the other case, the words were ut- annihilates itself in the earth, then Since his early youth, the reserved tered like the ringing of a bell, in a Allah becomes his friend. and unassuming young man was harsh tone, which made it a heavier known for his gentle disposition and task for the Prophet to receive it. O you who wish to seek Allah’s guid- grave purity of life as well as for his ance and blessing, try this prescrip- candidness, honesty, integrity, and his Apart from this, the second and un- tion. stern sense of duty. His was the doubtedly secondary source from straight and narrow path and none which the teachings of Islam are Thus, this comprehensive prayer re- could find the slightest fault with him. drawn is the Sunnah and the Hadith, vealed at the time of the Battle of The fair character and honourable being the practice and the sayings Badr contains extremely humble sup- bearing won for him, in the pinnacle respectively of the Prophet plications to Allah and gives us the of his youth, the title Al-Amin, The Muhammad (sas). The two most im- assurance that prayers made with ut- Trustworthy. portant institutions of Islam, for in- most sincerity and reliance are bound stance, are prayer and the compul- to attract Allah’s mercy and blessings. At 25, the Prophet married Khadijah, sory charity of zakah. “Keep up who was noble, intelligent, wealthy prayer” (aqimus salah) is the Successful indeed are the believ- and respected for the purity and in- Qur’anic injunction, and it was the ers., Who are humble in their tegrity of her heart. Khadijah, a Prophet (sas) who, by his own ac- prayers, And who shun what is widow at age forty, had ample expe- tions, gave the details of this service. vain. And who act for the sake of rience of the Prophet’s truthfulness, “Pay the zakah” (atuz-zakah) is again purity, And who restrain their trustworthiness and honourable char- an injunction frequently repeated in sexual passions – Except in the presence of their mates or those acter. He emphasised the good treat- the Qur’an, yet it was the Prophet whom their right hands possess, ment of a wife to all of his followers. who gave the rules and regulations for such surely are not blameable, In fact, to his followers, in his address for its payment and collection. But whoever seeks to go beyond at the Farewell Pilgrimage, he states, that, such are transgressors – And “O my people! You have certain The main mission of the Prophet was those who are keepers of their rights over your wives, and so have to restore the worship of the One trusts and their covenant, And your wives over you…. They are the True God, the Creator and Sustainer, those who keep a guard on their trust of Allah in your hands, so you as taught by Prophet Abraham, and prayers. (H.Q. 23:1-9). must treat them with kindness.” all the other prophets before him. The

22 Prophet began to preach openly about him more sensitive to noble human Islam, much to the distaste of the causes. Such experience makes him POEM Quraish, the leaders of Makkah. The more sympathetic to the plight of the most hostile of these were his uncle, orphans, the poor and the oppressed. Abu Lahab, and Abu Lahab’s wife. It mobilises him to fight for the rights Kyaa zindagee kaa zauq agar woh They tried to bribe him with talks of of those people who belong to the naheen milaa money and power but nothing could lower echelons of society and inces- Can life hold any joy for us if we do deter the Messenger of Allah from santly galvanises him to be good and not meet Him? delivering his message. The Quraish merciful towards them. Every caller then began to persecute Muslims, needs to have a great deal of noble La‘nat hai aise jeene pe gar is se who were weak, poor or slaves. The human feelings, otherwise known as hain judaa Prophet (sas) also was publicly ridi- compassion, which makes him com- Indeed to live far from Him is an ac- culed and abused in the streets and miserate with the state of the weak cursed existence when he went to pray in the Ka’bah. and oppressed. Nothing of such sort After things became worse, he was moulded him better than treading in forced to migrate to Madinah. The his own life most of the pains and Us rukh ko dekhnaa hee to hai Quraish did not leave the Holy angst felt by the poor, orphaned and asal mudda‘aa Prophet alone in Madinah. They gath- the needy. A mere sight of His countenance is ered armies and attacked him and his the cherished goal of life young community time and time In conclusion, we see how important again until, finally, after they had bro- a role the Prophet Muhammad (sas) Jannat bhee hai yehee keh mile ken a solemn treaty, the Holy Prophet played in the society at that time, and yaar-e aashnaa marched with 10 000 soldiers. With- how important it is now to continue For heavenly life is gained through out fighting, they headed straight to his traditions of love, honour, respect, the Ka’bah, which was fraught with sacrifice, commitment to Islam, giv- meeting that beloved Friend statues and idols, and he stated: ing of charity and keeping up pray, “Truth has come and falsehood will among many others. If we all follow Ai logo ‘aish-e dunyaa ko hargiz neither start nor reappear” (17:81). in the Prophet’s footsteps, our name wafaa naheen From that day on, the people of would surely be carved in the walls O people! Place no reliance on Makkah then accepted Islam and the of heaven and we will be assured worldly pleasures Prophet’s truthful words as their own. peace and happiness in this life and in the hereafter. Assalamu ‘Alaikum. Kyaa tum ko khauf-e marg-o- Many who knew the Prophet de- Muhammad is the Messenger of Al- khiyaal-e fanaa naheen scribed him thus: “He was most gen- lah, and those with him are firm of Have you no fear of death, no erous, large-hearted, truthful, clem- heart against the disbelievers, com- ent, lenient and amiable. One who passionate among themselves. Thou thought of leaving this world? saw him for the first time was over- seest them bowing down, prostrating awed, but when one kept his com- themselves, seeking Allah’s grace and Dhoondo woh raah jis se dil-o- pleasure. Their marks are on their pany and came to know him inti- faces in consequence of prostration. seenah paak ho mately, one became attached to him That is their description in the Torah – Search for that path which will like an inseparable companion. Those and their description in the Gospel – cleanse your heart and soul who had seen him say that they never like seed-produce that puts forth its saw a man like him either before or sprout, then strenghtens it, so it be- comes stout and stands firmly on its Nafs-e danee Khudaa kee itaa‘at after him. May Allah have peace and stem, delighting the sowers that He men khaak ho blessings on His Apostle.’’ may enrage the disbelievers on ac- count of them. Allah has promised And through obedience to God It is the tribulation of the caller, who such of them as believe and do good, erase the base desires of the ego . is orphaned and who lives through forgiveness and a great reward. (H.Q. 48:29). hardships in his youth, which makes 23 AVAILABLE FOR SALE Price - $20.00 information on Islam and Available from any member of the Ahmadiyyat: The books, Commentary on Trust. http://aaiil.org; or http:// Chapters 102-114 of the Holy ‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’ ahmadiyya.ws; or http://muslim.sh; Qur’an, Commentary on Chapters Wide selection of books on Islam or http://islam.lt 86-101 of the Holy Qur’an and in general and Ahmadiyyat in Get a FREE e-mail account (6 Commentary on Chapters 78-85 particular available at MB) at aaiil.org of the Holy Qur’an by Dr Basharat USA ([email protected]; or Ahmad. PO Box 3370, Dublin, Ohio 43016 [email protected]; or Translated by Kalamazad Phone: 614-873-1030 [email protected]). Mohammed, BA. Dip. Ed, Nasir Fax: 614-873-1022 Send FREE e-cards from aaiil.org Ahmad, BA. LL.B., and Capt. 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