Contents March 2002, Vol.97, No.3

Editorial – An invitation to study the claims of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad – the Promised Messiah...... 3

Comments – Acceptance of the Promised Messiah(as) ...... 4

The future of Life on Earth – Our feature length article looks at the remarkable way Holy Qur’an deals with the scenario of continuous evolution on earth, resulting in the creation of a species belonging to an order higher than man: Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad...... 7

Assessment of Belief (prt IV) – The time appointed for the advent of the Mahdi has arrived. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) ...... 17

Ahmadiyat – A brief introduction to Ahmadiyat: By Bilal Atkinson – UK...... 24

QUESTION & ANSWER: Belief in the Hereafter – Some issues concerning heaven and hell, life after death and re-incarnation are answered. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad¡...... 29

Fasting in Religions – A brief look and comparison at the religious aspects concerning fasting of the major religions. By Dr. Abid Ahmad – UK ...... 33

Islam for the Modern Woman – A brief look at how Islam have always provided rights for women long before western cultures introduced them. By Mrs Mansoora Hyder-Muneeb – UK. 42

Are the mountains Moving like the Clouds? – Mountains may appear to be finally fixed but their motion is similar to the movement of the clouds. A fresh look at the verses of the Holy Qur’an and their current scientific interpretation. By Dr.Mian M Abbas – USA. . . . 50

Chief Editor and Manager Chairman of the Management Board Mansoor Ahmed Shah Naseer Ahmad Qamar Basit Ahmad. Bockarie Tommy Kallon Special contributors: All correspondence should Daud Mahmood Khan Amatul-Hadi Ahmad be forwarded directly to: Farina Qureshi Fareed Ahmad The Editor Fazal Ahmad Proof-reader: Review of Religions Shaukia Mir Fauzia Bajwa The London Mosque Mansoor Saqi Design and layout: 16 Gressenhall Road Mahmood Hanif Tanveer Khokhar London, SW18 5QL Mansoora Hyder-Muneeb United Kingdom Navida Shahid Publisher: Al Shirkatul Islamiyyah © Islamic Publications, 2002 Sarah Waseem ISSN No: 0034-6721 Saleem Ahmad Malik Distribution: Tanveer Khokhar Muhammad Hanif

Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. 1 consider whether reason affirms that a Prophet or Editorial Reformer should appear at that time and whether or not the condition of mankind 113 years ago, on 23 March demands a Reformer. 1889, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community commenced its Second, prophecies of nascent development at the previous Prophets i.e. we hands of its Founder, Hadhrat should see whether or not Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian any of the past Prophets had (1835-1908). He claimed that he prophesied concerning his had been commissioned by God appearance or concerning Almighty as the Pr o m i s e d the appearance of some Messiah and the Promised World Prophet at the time of his Reformer awaited by followers advent. of all revealed religions of the world. Third, Divine help and heavenly support i.e. it The truth of his claim was to be should be considered whe- found in the method prescribed ther or not the claimant is from time immemorial and in accompanied by heavenly the words of the Founder of the support. worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community as follows: These three conditions have been laid down from ancient ‘If you doubt my claims and times for discerning the wish to know the truth, then truth of the claims of one it is very easy to remove any commissioned by God. God doubts because the truth of has had mercy upon you and a prophet might be known in has established all three three ways: conditions in my support and it is up to you to accept me First, through reason i.e. or not. If you want to test when a Prophet or Messenger from the point of view of claims to have come, reason, then reason is most

2 Review of Religions – March 2002 Editorial

certainly pointing out that nection with me by having Muslims stand in need of a pledged allegiance to me nor Reformer from on high. The did anyone undertake any state of affairs within and journey to meet me. That without are both dangerous. sign is that Allah says that It is as if the Muslims stand the time is coming when on the precipice of a cliff or financial help would come are caught up in an eddy. If towards me from all you search past prophecies, directions and thousands of Prophet Daniel, peace be people will flock to me. The upon him, has prophesied He adds that people would concerning me and this age come in such multitudes that and the Holy Prophet, peace you would be amazed by and blessings of Allah be their numbers, so be not upon him has also said that unkind to them nor tire in the Promised Messiah would meeting them.’ appear from amongst his (Lecture Sialkot, pp 50,51; followers. If somebody does Roohani Khazain Vo l . 2 0 not know this, he can study pp.241,242) the Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim and see the prophecy There are millions of people about the appearance of a who join this growing Reformer at the beginning of community of true believers each century. If you want to each year and one of the search for divine help with articles in this edition provides regards to me, then a brief introduction to this remember that thousands of dynamic movement. We are signs have manifested privileged that Hadhrat Mirza themselves in support of my Ghulam Ahmad also initiated claims. this magazine, in its centenary year of publication. We invite Amongst those signs is the everyone to study his claims. one written in the Barahini Ahmadiyya 24 years ago and was written when not a single person had any con-

Review of Religions – March 2002 3 Notes & Comments

ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROMISED MESSIAH(AS) by Basit Ahmed – UK

Opposition of the non-Ahmadi empires has become nothing but Muslim to the Ahmaddiyya the stuff of memories for the Community has grown intensely Muslims. Their empires have over the last hundred years. crumbled, having become subject Ho w e v e r , the greater has been nations of Western Imperialism the hostility, the greater has been and the subsequent independence the progress of the Ahmadiyya has been assured only with the C o m m u n i t y. The correlation support and complicity of the between the advancement of the Western powers, who have Ahmadiyya Community and the maintained their political and opposition shown to it by its military hold over these opponents has been so consistent countries. None dare to oppose and apparent that we wonder why them. Those who do are quickly it has not been registered by cut down. those who oppose it. The plight of the Muslims is sad to Mo r e o v e r , the past hundred years see. Currently, although we feel has also witnessed the decline of for the anguish of the Pal e s t i n i a n s the power of Muslim States. At and the injustices they continue the time of the Promised Messiah, to endure, we cannot condone that is the during the latter part the un-Islamic response to such of the nineteenth and beginning injustice. Palestinians have of the twentieth centuries, the reached such a point of Ottoman Empire was still in desperation that even Pal e s t i n i a n existence, though showing signs women are prepared to blow of degeneration in the sphere of themselves up in support of their its social and moral values. cause in order to avenge in some small way the tyranny of their No w , the past glory of the Islamic rulers, as has been witnessed only

4 Review of Religions – March 2002 Notes & Comments re c e n t l y . However, in the process their powerful oppressors. it is the lives of innocent men, Rem e m b e r , also the fire that was women and children that are lit for the Prophet Abraham(a s ) an d being threatened. Such acts of put out by the hand of God. The desperation lead only to ever condition is only that the greater suffering for other suffering people should obey the innocent Palestinians, since the commands of God. Israeli government will always take its revenge, ‘ten eyes for Thus it is that Muslims will find it one eye and ten teeth for one well nigh impossible to regain to o t h ’ . their lost power and glory unless they begin to obey the commands It is regrettable and sad that of God as prescribed in the Holy Muslims who are the followers of Qu r ’an and made clear by the such a great Prophet, the Holy Holy Prophet Muhammad of Prophet Muhammad(s a ) of Islam, I s l a m( s a ). Consequently, the that they seem unable to find prophecy of the Holy Pro p h e t (s a ) support and sustenance from the regarding the appearance at the great teachings and advice of the head of the fourteenth century Holy Founder of Islam. In Hijri of the Promised Mesiah and circumstances such as theirs, Mahdi needs to be given due care where they are without power to and attention. Until they accept resist tyranny with force, they and follow such an Imam would do well to turn to God and promised to the Muslim Umma by seek justice from Him and Him God and His Prophet, for Muslims alone—instead of reacting to there can be no hope. injustice with injustice. The Holy Prophet of Islam(s a ) advised the It is such an Imam, who in the rulers to be wary of the prayer of guise of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam the wronged and the oppressor to Ah m a d (a s ) of Qadian, has claimed be mindful of the All-Seeing God to be the Reformer of this age. It Almighty who helps and supports is he who claims to be the Imam those who turn to Him. It was He Mahdi and the Promised Messiah who released the Jews from the for the Muslims. He makes such a clutches of the great Pharaoh and claim based on revelation and it was the Almighty God who gave supports his claim with nothing the early Muslims victory over other than the Holy Qur’an and

Review of Religions – March 2002 5 Notes & Comments

the Ahadith. The numerous pro- phecies made by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(a s ) of Qadian that have come true can only provide strength to the believers. They also provide good reason to believe that the many other prophesies made by him for the future would also be fulfilled. For the one who doubts his truth, the fulfilment of his very numerous prophecies should provide ample grounds to accept the truth of his claim to be the Promised Messiah and Islam will spread swiftly in and Mahdi. the West. It will be the people who accept the Promised Messiah The Promised Messiah(a s ) was once and become true Muslims, be they asked by a non-Ahmadi Muslim: of the West or of the existing Muslim nations, who will rule over ‘What will be the fate of the Egypt, Syria and India. Then Muslims living in Arabia, Syria, Promised Messiah( a s ) f u r t h e r Egypt and India, who are opposed stated that this work is being to Mirza Sahib— will they ever done by God and it has been progress in the world or would decided in the heavens that the they be destroyed?’ Community of the Pr o m i s e d Messiah will spread and no one The Promised Messiah(a s ) re p l i e d can halt its progress. that [as stated in the Ahadith] at ‘Unfortunate are those who have the time of the Messiah only those stayed away from our Jama’at. will be saved who follow the Within three hundred years it will Promised Messiah. Those who come to pass that the Ahmadi reject and oppose him will slowly Muslims will replace [the nations be wiped out. The remaining few of] non-Ahmadi Muslims and the will suffer disgrace like the Jews remaining non-Ahmadi Muslims [who rejected their Messiah]. The will be of no consequence’, Muslims who reject the Pro m i s e d (being so small in number) . Messiah will lose their Empires

6 Review of Religions – March 2002 The Future of Life on Earth

This is an extract taken from the book Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Tr u t h, written by Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad.

Does man represent the final stage of development or will there be another creation after man? Is there any possibility of a new species evolving from Homo sapiens with improved or added senses, that is able to perceive new dimensions, with the capacity to develop a higher intelligence? Again, could it be possible for that new species to appear in a completely different form and shape with an entirely new life pattern? To the best of our knowledge, these questions have not been examined as such by any religion other than Islam.

For the philosophers or scholars of previous ages, this was entirely beyond the scope of their intellect. Even modern science can only discuss this issue in a vague way. No serious methodology within a scholastic framework has been developed to examine these possibilities.

It is an amazing distinction of the Holy Qur’an that it raises and resolves such questions and predicts such possibilities. The issue of life after death is different, discussed traditionally by almost all major religions. None, however, has even hypothetically examined the possibility of other forms of life here on earth evolving before or after Doomsday.

Having said that, we beg to remind the reader that although other scriptures also share the description of Doomsday, the Qur’anic terminology is much wider and varied in its application. There are many prophecies in the Qur’an regarding some epoch-making future events like great revolutions and upheavals. All these are referred to by the same term Al-Qiyamah or its synonym Al-sa’ah. All the same,

Review of Religions – March 2002 7 The Future of Life on Earth

these terms also cover that which is commonly understood by the expression ‘Doomsday’ which indicates the coming to an end of the entire mankind. It is this meaning which is shared by the other scriptures when they speak of Doomsday.

But although the term ‘Doomsday’ is generally interpreted by the adherents of these religions to be the be-all and end-all of the universe, the Holy Qur’an does not employ the term entirely in the same sense. The earth according to it, is a small part of the vast universe. A great upheaval of gigantic global dimension can create vast destruction, wiping out all life from the face of the earth. Yet, it does not imply that the entire earth itself will be completely annihilated nor can it result in the total annihilation of the entire universe.

Before proceeding further, let us give an outline of what is to come in this chapter in relation to the future of man here on earth, or elsewhere in the other worldly existence, according to the Qur’anic teachings. There are some verses which speak of events to take place in this world, beyond the occurrence of Doomsday. These mention the changing of man’s form into something different after death as he is raised into a new life. Then there are verses distinctly apart from them which speak of a future beyond Doomsday, but not in the Hereafter. They clearly present the scenario of continuous evolution here on earth, resulting in the creation of a species belonging to an order higher than man. This latter concept is not to be confused with, or linked to the former, i.e. resurrection after death.

Let us begin with the study of the verses relating to the Hereafter, other than those which discuss the possibility of a completely new form of intellectual life here on earth. Addressing those who are sceptical of the idea of life after death, the Qur’an reminds them that they should be more sceptical of their own existence here on earth than their life after death. One thing which they most certainly know is that they came from nowhere. It was non-existence which preceded them. Having been created from nothing, why should they doubt that they may be created again from something which they now are. The proposition of their being re-born out of what they are today, is evidently far more logical than the

8 Review of Religions – March 2002 The Future of Life on Earth proposition of their materializing out of nothing. This is the import of many verses of the Qur’an on the subject of man’s scepticism regarding life after death, but it is merely like the opening of a door for further investigation. In itself, it is never meant to be an argument to prove the existence of life in the hereafter: it is only meant to disprove the justification of scepticism. The Qur’an further reminds man that the high level of consciousness which he has gained should have been a source of light for him rather than that of darkness. His awareness of his surroundings and what lies beyond should have convinced him of the existence of his Creator to whom he raises his head in defiance instead. Yet if he believes in Him his denial of the hereafter could have sprung merely from his amazement – it is far too wonderful to be true. In reality ho w e v e r , his first creation is far more amazing and unbelievable than his second creation.

Turning to a deductive argument, the Qur’an first lays its foundation by declaring that no direct witnessing of the hereafter is possible for humans on earth. Beyond the end of his life, from man’s vantage point, nothing can be seen but utter void and emptiness. Look at the wisdom of man: he believes himself to be born out of this total void and does not raise an eyebrow in incredulity. Yet, when he is told that he will rise again after death, he refuses to accept this suggestion as absolutely absurd and senseless. The comparison is so powerful that it does not require a great philosopher to comprehend the strength of this argument.

No better witness therefore, than man himself, can be brought to testify against his own denial. The Holy Qur’an in dealing with this subject first builds precisely and accurately, the viewpoints of the disbelievers in the clearest terms, then it turns to their rebuttal. The following are some of the relevant verses:

And they say, 'There is nothing but this our present life; we

Review of Religions – March 2002 9 The Future of Life on Earth

die and we live here; and nothing but time destroys us.' But they have no knowledge of that; they do but conjecture.1 (Ch.45:v.25)

Does he promise you that when you are dead and have become dust and bones, you will be brought forth again? Far, far from truth is that which you are promised. There is no life other than our present life; we were lifeless and now we live, but we shall not be raised up again. 2 (Ch.23:vs.36-38)

And says man, ‘What! When I am dead, shall I be brought forth alive?’3 (Ch.19:v.67)

And they swear by Allah their strongest oaths that Allah will not raise up those who die. Nay, He will certainly raise them up a promise He has made binding on Himself, but most people know not. He will raise them up that He may make clear to them that wherein they differed, and that those who disbelieved may know that they were liars.4 (Ch.16:vs.39-40)

10 Review of Religions – March 2002 The Future of Life on Earth

And he coins similitudes for Us and forgets his own creation. He says, 'Who can quicken the bones when they are decayed?5 (Ch.36:v.79)

Have We then become weary with the first creation? Nay, but they are in confusion about the new creation.6 (Ch.50: v.16)

And they were wont to say, 'What! when we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we indeed be raised again, 'And our fathers of yore too?’7 (Ch.56:vs.48-49)

We ordained death for you and We shall not be prevented. From changing your forms altogether and raise you unto something of which you have no knowledge. And you have certainly leamt as to how you were raised during your first creation, why then do you not contemplate?8 (Ch.56:61-63)

Review of Religions – March 2002 11 The Future of Life on Earth

Thus the Qur’an facilitates for man his belief in the hereafter, but that is not all the argument there is to it:

Your creation and your resurrection are only like the creation and resurrection of a single self. Verily Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.9 (Ch.31:v.29)

This is the verse which builds the subject further and opens up a new vista for man’s understanding of the life after death.

The phenomenon of resurrection is related to the phenomenon of the birth of each individual. If one visualizes the initial embryonic stage of the fusion of the sperm with the ovum and tries to conceive from that vantage point the end product — the birth of a fully developed child, it would seem impossible to believe that it would happen. Imagine the gigantic transformation from that insignificant fertilized egg into the live and kicking wonder of a baby, delivered at the end of nine months. A viewer who has not witnessed this transformation repeatedly could not at all imagine it to have happened just by looking at the first few stages of fused embryonic cells. Life after death is likened to this amazing process — a transformation from almost nothing to a highly developed and organized form of life.

The difference between the origin of man as a mere bio-unit to what he has become, is a fantastic transformation. It is impossible for the rudimentary life forms to envision the future of evolution culminating in man, even if granted the sense to do so. Their awareness of what they are is so insignificant, that it is extremely difficult for humans to refer to it as awareness. This is a profound statement, so short yet so far-reaching, covering the entire span of evolution from end to end. The message given here is that between you as you exist now, and you at the time of resurrection, the difference will be as vast as the difference between the origin of life on earth and you in your present form. The transformation will be colossal. It is impossible for you to

12 Review of Religions – March 2002 The Future of Life on Earth

THE WHOLE UNIVERSE IS BUILT WITH THE TRUTH, SO ALSO IS THE CREATION OF MAN – THE VERY SUMMIT OF CREATION. QUITE DISTINCT FROM THE SUBJECT OF LIFE AFTER DEATH, THE HOLY QUR’AN ALSO SPEAKS OF A DIFFERENT FORM HERE ON EARTH WHICH WILL SUPERSEDE HUMANS: comprehend the nature of what you may be raised into after death. Yet, you can in no way escape the inevitable conclusion that your first creation is far more unbelievable than the second one that you reject. Perhaps it will take a billion years or so for the resurrected soul to reach its final perfected form of spiritual evolution. We draw this inference because the resurrection is likened unto the first phase of human creation from nothingness. We know now that it took at least one billion years, if not more, for man to evolve from his first ancestral elementary form of life. Hence, if this phase of his creation is similar to the second phase of his resurrection, it is not unlikely that the similarity may also cover the span of time between the first and the second creation.

To prove the point further the Holy Qur’an enters a unique style of deductive logic. We do not plan to fully illustrate this point here with reference to the relevant verses because many of them have already been discussed in other chapters. Here we only want to explain the style of this argument. Speaking of some future events of this world at a time when no human could envisage them, the Qur’an simultaneously begins to speak of the life after death, sometimes in a language which has two concurrent meanings. The prophecies contained in these verses can be read as applicable to here as well as to the Hereafter. When the events of this world, mentioned therein, clearly and irrefutably become realized, the fulfilment of the events of the Hereafter becomes only a matter of time. The same superhuman agency which is proved right with the unfolding of the events of this world must also be trusted concerning that which remains to be fulfilled in matters pertaining to the Hereafter. This is as far as any argument can go regarding the life to come, otherwise it is impossible to prove by any other means before death.

Review of Religions – March 2002 13 The Future of Life on Earth

Having discussed the possibility of an evolved form of existence after death, some verses of the Qur’an clearly depict the appearance of a new form of life here on earth, replacing humans and being distinctly different from them.

Seest thou not that Allah created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the requirements of truth (Haq)? If He so pleases, He can remove you and put in your place a new creation. And that is not at all hard for Allah.10 (Ch.14:vs.20-21)

These verses simply cannot be applied to the case of life after death. The use of the conditional preposition in which means if, clearly implies that life after death is not intended otherwise this condition would put to doubt the definite existence of the hereafter — while the entire Qur’an speaks of it as an absolute unconditional reality. The verse under discussion does not speak of replacing man with others like him. It clearly mentions the bringing into being of a new creation, khalq and speaks of the whole of mankind to be changed into a different entity.

The whole universe is built with the Truth, so also is the creation of man – the very summit of creation. Quite distinct from the subject of life after death, the Holy Qur’an also speaks of a different form here on earth which will supersede humans:

We created them and strengthened their make; and when We will so decide, We will change their form to something completely different.11 (Ch.76:v.29)

14 Review of Religions – March 2002 The Future of Life on Earth

And again:

But nay! I swear by the Lord of the easts and of the wests, that We have the power to substitute in their place others better than they, and We cannot be frustrated in Our plans.12 (Ch.70:41-42)

The substitute creation is not mentioned as another nation qaum nor as another generation of humans. The conditional use of if implies that if man reforms himself and begins to behave properly, he may not necessarily be wiped out as a species to make room for another better one.

Thus, the Qur’an raises the possibility of more advanced forms of creation developing, with superior sensory faculties or even new senses in addition to our five. Although the Qur’an does not state that this will definitely happen, yet it affirms God's power to produce such changes as are within His plan. It does not present an idea of blind evolution based on accidental events. This possibility of continuous evolution, as mentioned here, is one of the greatest tributes to the Wisdom and Knowledge of the Qur’an’s Author. It further proves that all that has been attributed to the Qur’an in the previous chapters concerning the evolution of life must have been true. Otherwise, it could not have mentioned the possibility of man evolving into another species – a subject not discussed in any other secular or religious literature. Such statements could only be made from a platform of absolute knowledge and certainty.

We may not yet completely grasp the possibilities of our continuing evolution or that of a completely new chain of evolution beginning with a fresh start. Our understanding can only reach the periphery of present knowledge and for us it remains a part of the unseen. However, the unknown is constantly being transformed into that which is known

Review of Religions – March 2002 15 The Future of Life on Earth

or understood. This is the natural process of education. God is the Lord of all that is seen and all that is unseen. Gradually He broadens our horizons so that our vision is constantly enlarged with the coming into view of that which previously lay beyond the curtain of darkness.

References 1. Translation of Ch.45:v.25 by Maulawi Sher Ali. 2. Translation of Ch.23:vs.36-38 by Maulawi SherAli. 3. Translation of Ch.19: v.67 by Maulawi Sher Ali. 4. Translation of Ch.16:vs.39-40 by Maulawi Sher Ali. 5. Translation of Ch.36:v.79 by Maulawi Sher Ali. 6. Translation of Ch.50:v.16 by Maulawi Sher Ali. 7. Translation of Ch.56: vs.48-49 by Maulawi Sher Ali. 8. Translation of Ch.56:vs.61-63 by the author. 9. Translation of Ch.31:v.29 by the author. 10. Translation of Ch.14:vs.20-21 by the author. 11. Translation of Ch.76:v.29 by the author. 12. Translation of Ch.70:vs.41-42 by Maulawi Sher Ali.

16 Review of Religions – March 2002 Assessment of Belief – Part IV

Presented below is a translation of the address delivered by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, the Promised Messiah(as) and Mahdi, on 31 August 1901 on the occasion of the visit to Qadian of the Municipal Commissioner of Vizirabad, Janab Babu Ghulam Mustafa Sahib. For the purpose of translation, the original Urdu script of this address has been taken from Malfoozat, vol. 4, pp.15-20.

[Translator’s Note: All references to the verses of the Holy Qur’an are given in Arabic as they occur in the text. The English translation, presented in Italics is taken from the translation of the Holy Q u r’an by Hadhrat Maulvi Sher Ali Sahib(ra). Where the Promised Messiah(as) has himself stated a certain inter- pretation of the Arabic verse, this is incorporated in the main body of the text]. Translated by Amatul Hadi Ahmad

(Continuation of address given on 31 August 1901 by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah(as) and Mahdi) The founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was Without doubt, falsification of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. God becomes a necessary In 1891, he claimed, on the basis consequence of rejection of me of Divine revelation, that he was the Promised Messiah and Mahdi and my acceptance indicates whose advent had been foretold acceptance of God’s Truth and by the Holy Prophet of Islam leads to a firm and consolidated (peace be upon him) and by the belief in the existence of scriptures of other faiths. Almighty God. Moreover, rejec- His claim constitutes the basis of tion of my claim is not merely a the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya falsification of me, it is a Muslim Community. falsification of the Holy Prophet

Review of Religions – March 2002 17 Assessment of Belief – Part IV

IT IS MY FIRM BELIEF THAT IF A PERSON TURNS TO GOD FOR THE MANIFESTATION OF TRUTH, HAVING PURIFIED HIMSELF OF ALL PREJUDICE AND STUBBORNNESS, FORTY DAYS WOULD NOT PASS BEFORE THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS MADE CLEAR TO HIM. HOWEVER, THERE ARE VERY FEW INDEED WHO SEEK A JUDGEMENT FROM GOD HAVING FULFILLED THESE CONDITIONS AND DUE TO THEIR STUBBORNNESS AND PREJUDICE THEY REJECT A MAN OF GOD, THUS NEGATING THEIR OWN FAITH.

M u h a m m a d( s a ). Hence, before present but the Imam is not. Does someone now dares to falsify me, it not then follow that a person he should think deeply and ask who chooses not to accept me [as for a fatwa from his own heart as the Reformer of this age] to whom exactly is he falsifying. becomes in practice a falsifier of the Holy Prophet(sa) himself? [The question here arises as to] how it is that the falsification of the Holy Prophet(sa) is implicit [in I, therefore, say it again and falsification of my claim]? It is so state it clearly that falsification in view of the fact that the Holy of my claim is no easy matter. Pr o p h e t( s a ) prophesied the Before accusing me of being a appearance of a Reformer at the Kafir [an infidel] such an accuser head of every century and would have to become a Kafir [rejection of me as the Reformer himself and before accusing me of the present century] implies of being faithless and misguided, that, God forbid, his promise was he would have to acknowledge not fulfilled. Furthermore, the himself as being misguided and statement of the Holy Prophet(sa) disgraced. Before anyone can Imamukum minkum, that is, accuse me of having abandoned ‘your Imam [Mahdi] would be the Qur’an and the Hadith, they from among you [the Muslims]’ would themselves have to would also, God forbid, appear to abandon the Qur’an and the be incorrect. In addition, the Hadith—and such people would prophecy of a Messiah and Mahdi certainly have to abandon the who would appear at the time of Qur’an and the Hadith. I am the the threat posed by the Cross, one who is the Verifier and Proof would also, God forbid, appear to for the Qur’an and the Hadith—I be false because the threat is am not misguided. I am the one

18 Review of Religions – March 2002 Assessment of Belief – Part IV who is the Mahdi [that is, one clear to him. However, there are who has been divinely guided]. I very few indeed who seek a am not Kafir—in fact, I am the judgement from God having actual proof of Ana awwal-ul fulfilled these conditions and due Mo’mineen, that is, I am first to their stubbornness and among the believers. I state only prejudice they reject a man of that which God has made God, thus negating their own manifest to me as the truth. He faith. This is so because when who holds a firm belief in God there is no belief in the fact that and believes His Pr o p h e t there are men who are close to [Muhammad](sa) to be true, for God, who are referred to as Wali, such a one it is sufficient as a then their belief in Prophethood complete argument based on the is also negated because a Wali truth that he should hear what I [provides a firm link to have to say, and hearing it remain Prophethood and as such] acts silent. However, what cure can like a ‘nail’ to the [concept of] there be for him who is without Prophethood and, consequently, any sense of honour or shame and rejection of a Prophet is a dares to speak [against me]? God rejection of God and in this way will attend to him and his the faith of a person is totally understanding. That is why I wish negated. that you should ponder carefully over this matter for the sake of At this time it is necessary that God and advise your friends to do serious consideration is given to the same that they should not the question as to whether the deal with this matter in haste. threat posed by the Cross is such They should consider it with that it represents the prophecy sincerity and with a clear mind. contained in the Qur’anic verse: You should turn to God and pray for His guidance in this matter that He should make the way of truth abundantly clear. It is my firm belief that if a person turns to God for the manifestation of They shall hasten forth from truth, having purified himself of every height. all prejudice and stubbornness, (Ch.21: v.97) forty days would not pass before the truth of the matter is made

Review of Religions – March 2002 19 Assessment of Belief – Part IV

The challenge posed by the Cross Messiah’, bestowed upon him and is that it is leading astray the task he would be entrusted thousands of people with the help with would be Kasr-e-Saleeb, that of different forms and methods it is ‘to break the Cross’, [in other has adopted for publicising its words to defeat the challenge message. Now is the time to posed by the Cross]. provide an answer to the question C o n s e q u e n t l y, every [Muslim] as to what title has been given by person who possesses a good and the Holy Pr o p h e t( s a ) to the wholesome nature would have to Reformer who would meet this accept here that there is no way challenge? The influence and out of this argument except to strength of the ‘cross’ is ever affirm that a divinely guided increasing and its bases are being person should appear and his task established all around. Its should be that of Kasr-e-Saleeb. Missions are being formed and H o w e v e r, the matter that being established in far off lands requires further attention here is and it is spread wide to the to consider the use of the phrase corners of the earth. Hence, even K a s r- e - S a l e e b—what exactly is if there were no other proof, we meant by this phrase, [which, in a would have had to acknowledge literal translation, means that at this time there is a grave ‘breaking of the Cross’]? When it need for a Reformer who would is stated that the task entrusted put out the fire of this to the Promised Messiah would be tribulation. However, we are ‘the breaking of the Cross’, does eternally grateful to our God that it mean that he will break a he has not limited the wooden cross and moreover what commission that I have been will be the purpose or benefit of entrusted with merely to the such an act? It is evident that if observed needs of the time. For [the Promised Messiah] were to the manifestation of the high go about breaking up wooden esteem and noble status of the crosses, he would be undertaking Holy Pr o p h e t( s a ), God had a task that is not of any great previously vouchsafed many esteem nor can there be any prophecies for this time from apparent benefit in it. If he did which it is clearly deduced that break wooden crosses, the the one who is to come will have Christians could make crosses of the title of Masih-e-Ma’oud, that gold, silver and other metals. is, the title of the ‘Promised Moreover, [in history, it has been

20 Review of Religions – March 2002 Assessment of Belief – Part IV the case that when some aspects [of the prophecies Christian people accepted Islam, already vouchsafed] that there their crosses were broken and would be no wars and breaking of leaders such as] Hadhrat Abu the cross would be the task of the B a k r, Salahuddin and Bayazid Promised Messiah. A careful broke many such crosses. Did consideration of these points they, as a result, become the would reveal the truth of my Promised Messiah? No, they most argument that by ‘breaking of the certainly did not! cross’ is not meant the physical destruction of the wooden or Hence, we now know that by the metallic crosses of the Christians. term Kasr-e-Saleeb is not meant On the contrary, the use of the the wooden cross that some term [K a s r- e - S a l e e b] points to Christians wear round their necks another truth that has been and these are not the crosses that taught by me. I have openly the Promised Messiah is to go proclaimed that jihad, that is, around breaking. On the contrary, fighting for religion, is no longer there is a very deep truth permissible—it is not permissible contained in this phrase and that because one of the tasks of the truth is supported by the words of Promised Messiah is to end war. If a Hadith in which the phrase breaking of the cross is the task Yaza-ul-Harb, meaning ‘he would of the Promised Messiah so is lift war or end war’ has been ending of war. In view of the task used. Here, the point that needs of ending war, it was necessary to be carefully considered is that that I, [as the Promised Messiah] on the one hand the task of the should issue the fatwa o f Promised Messiah is to bring an religious war now being imper- end to war such that fighting in missible. Hence, I state that at the name of religion would be the present time raising the considered impermissible while it sword or any other weapon of war is also clear that the time of the in the name of religion is Promised Messiah would be a impermissible and is a grave sin. time of peace when there would be rule of a just government. The I feel deep regret when I hear of latter fact in itself supports the incidents taking place almost point that fighting at that time every day in the region of the would be considered impermis- Frontier which are nothing but sible. Consider now the two acts undertaken for financial gain

Review of Religions – March 2002 21 Assessment of Belief – Part IV

but in so doing they not only Christian religion is not a religion disgrace the name of Islam, they that can become the source of also interfere in the peace of the mercy for human beings. This is land. A true Muslim should not the reason for all my attention have any sympathy for such being focused on the ‘Cross’ and unruly and unprincipled people. is there any doubt still remaining in the defeat of the ‘Cross’? The In view of the above, what then is issue of the death of the Messiah to be the meaning of the term alone has ‘broken the Cross’ into Ya k s a r- a s - S a l e e b, that is, ‘he smithereens because when it has would break the cross’? The been proved that the Messiah did answer to this should be paid very not even die on the Cross and careful attention. The time of that he died a natural death in appearance of the Pr o m i s e d Kashmir, having journeyed to that Messiah was to be the time of land, then some wise person widespread power of the Cross should tell us what remains of the and he was to be appointed to Cross after this! break the [power of the] Cross. The meaning is very clear—that If prejudice and stubbornness has the purpose of the appearance of not totally darkened the heart of the Promised Messiah was to be a person and rendered his mind the total falsification of the unable to discern, then even a religion of the Christians [who Christian would have to admit worshipped the Cross instead of that with this issue the whole of the one true God]. The Promised the Christian religion becomes Messiah was to bring wisdom, totally untenable. supported and strengthened by divine signs, such that the truth In short, [from the previous and logic of his argument would prophecies] this much is very be complete, leaving no room for clear that God was to appoint the doubt. He would thus prove the Promised Messiah at a time when worship of the Cross to be a the Cross would have supreme falsehood in such a manner that power which means that the it would become evident to the challenge posed by the religion of world and thousands upon the Cross would be at its height. thousands of souls would For the spread of this religion, acknowledge that in reality the there would be employed all

22 Review of Religions – March 2002 Assessment of Belief – Part IV forms and methods of publicising Moreover, this defeat is to be a their teachings. There would be clear and evident defeat through spread in the world the zulm clear argument based on truth as [injustice], a word that also has God has stated in the Holy the meaning of ‘darkness’, that Qur’an: would be spread through shirk, that is worship of things other than God the Almighty. At such a time, God was to appoint a So that he who had already person whose task would be to perished through a clear sign purify the world of such darkness may perish. and to save it from the acts of (Ch.8: v.3) worship of the dead and worship of the Cross. Such acts have the In any case, our opponents are consequence of distancing man given to making great exagger- from God—it is in this sense that ations on this issue. If they were the Promised Messiah was to to consider this matter with a ‘break the Cross’ cool head and with a firm belief that they would one day face The two tasks of the Promised God, they most certainly would Messiah may appear to be have followed me, realising that contradictory in that he is to end the head of the century was upon war as well as ‘to break the them. Nineteen years have now Cross’ when ‘breaking of the passed since the start of the Cross’ would in itself require war. fourteenth century [of the However, such a contradiction is Islamic calendar]—and it is present only for shallow minded essential that a Reformer of this people who have clearly not century should appear. otherwise understood the purpose of the [God forbid] the Holy Prophet(sa) appointment of the Pr o m i s e d would appear to be falsified [as it Messiah. The term Yaza-ul-harb was he who had prophesied the in itself reveals the true nature of appearance of a Reformer at the the term Kasr-e-Saleeb that it head of every century]. cannot imply the breaking up of crosses made of wood or other materials—it refers to the defeat of the people of the Cross.

Review of Religions – March 2002 23 Ahmadiyyat

By Bilal Atkinson – UK

The name Ahmadiyyat indicates many teachers, instead of the renaissance of the religion of promoting unity, peace, accord the Holy Qur’an and is a and spiritual fulfillment, would r e-statement presented under only foster hostility, discord, Divine guidance by the Founder enmity and chaos. of the Ahmadiyya Movement. The names Ahmadi and Ahmadiyyat The Holy Qur’an, like the Holy are meant only to distinguish Books of other faiths, contains Ahmadi Muslims from other grand prophecies of the appear- Muslims who still await the ance of a universal teacher and Promised Mahdi and Messiah. reformer in these latter days, Ahmadi Muslims believe the who will revive and rejuvenate Founder of their Community to be belief in God and bring about the Promised Messiah(as). u n i t y, peace and spiritual fulfillment. The Muslims, like the Today, the followers of all the Christians, were looking forward great religions of the world are to the return of the Messiah and awaiting the second coming of also the advent of the Mahdi. The their founders. Will the message Buddhists were expecting Buddha and function of every one of them and the Hindus were expecting be identical? Or, will each of the return of Krishna. All these them have his own message, prophecies were to find their different to and in conflict with fulfillment in the advent of one the messages of the other great person. For God is One, truth is teachers in their Second Advent? indivisible and guidance for If the messages of all of them are mankind and the remedy for the to be identical, then not more ills of the age must be uniform, than one would be needed to comprehensive and consistent. convey that message and to set an example in conformity with it. In 1835, in the village of Qadian, If the messages were to be in the Punjab area of India, was conflicting, the advent of so born a boy named Ghulam

24 Review of Religions – March 2002 Ahmadiyyat

Ah m a d (a s ) , who in later life was Hadhrat Ahmad ( a s ) began to hailed as the Reformer of the age receive revelation from God by many Muslim scholars. The Almighty at an early age and as child was no ordinary child. His time passed his experience of parents were Muslim and he grew revelation multiplied progres- up to be no ordinary Muslim. From s i v e l y. Every one of his reve- early life, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(a s ) lations was clearly fulfilled had been deeply interested in the according to its due time, some study and service of Islam. Often relating to future events, still he met Christians, Hindus and await fulfillment. His announce- Sikhs in public debate and spoke ment of being the Mahdi and and wrote about them. This made Messiah in late 1890 was all religious communities inter- published throughout the world ested in him and he became well and his claim was received, as known to the leaders of the has always been the case of the co m m u n i t i e s . Divine Reformers such as Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon All of them, Sikh, Hindu Christian them, with widespread oppo- and Muslim, agreed that he had sition. Prior to his announcement always led a blameless life, had of being the Promised Messiah(as), shown the utmost kindness and God Almighty assured him with consideration to others and had the revelation: been consistently truthful and honest in all his dealings. He was ‘I shall carry thy message to universally trusted. In short, the ends of the Earth’ those who knew him knew him as the most honourable and This revelation set forth assur- trustworthy person, one who ances of Divine support and the would never compromise with progressive spread of the truth and justice. Though Movement initiated by him within Christians, Hindus and Sikhs the body of Islam. In obedience strongly disagreed with him on to God’s command, Hadhrat religious matters, they testified A h m a d(as) claimed to be the to the purity of his personal life Messiah for the Christians, the and character. Even great Islamic Mahdi for the Muslims, and scholars looked upon him as the Krishna for the Hindus etc. In Champion of Islam. short, he was the Pr o m i s e d

Review of Religions – March 2002 25 Ahmadiyyat

Describing the object of his advent the Promised Messiah(as) said:

‘The task for which God has appointed me, is that I should, by removing the obstacles which have been set up between man and his M a k e r, re-establish in the hearts of men, love and devotion to God and by making manifest the truth, should put an end to all religious wars and strife, and thus lay the foundation of abiding peace and should acquaint mankind with the spiritual truths which it had forgotten and should demon- strate to the world the true The Promised Messiah(as) spiritual life which had been displaced by material desires and should, in my own life, Prophet of every nation and was manifest those divine powers appointed to unite all mankind with which man has been under the banner of one faith. endowed, but which can be (sa) Muhammad , the Holy Prophet manifest only through prayer ( s a ) of Islam was a universal and devotion and above all, prophet with a universal teaching that I should permanently and this man Hadhrat Mirza re-establish the bright pure (as) Ghulam Ahmad who claimed to Unity of God, purified from all be the Promised Messiah, also polytheistic ideas which had claimed to be subordinate to and entirely disappeared from the a reflection of Muhammad, the hearts of men.’ Seal of all the Prophets. (Lecture on Islam, p.34)

26 Review of Religions – March 2002 Ahmadiyyat

The Promised Messiah(as) stressed Mirza Tahir Ahmad, is based in the cultivation of moral and London and was elected as the spiritual qualities and conforming fourth Khalifa of the Pro m i s e d to them strictly in every sphere Me s s i a h (a s ) in 1982. He is spiritually of life. The result was that he gifted and divinely guided, full of succeeded in building up a knowledge, wisdom and humility. community whose members, His knowledge of history and the under his instructions and Muslim world spring from a following his example, illustrate lifelong study of Islam. He is a in their daily lives the widely travelled man and a keen beneficence of Islamic teachings observer of other cultures and according to their faculties and societies. He has delivered capacities. The patterns and countless lectures on religious traditions established by him topics and has answered many have become like the natural thousands of questions on key texture of their lives, so that it issues of the contemporary age. might be said that the Community founded by him is With the guidance of the Khalifa, today the only one that illus- the community has always trates in the lives of the greater remained at the forefront of the part of its members, the true service and welfare of humanity. purpose of human life and the It has established many schools, manner of its achievement. hospitals and clinics in many countries. In these hospitals the After the death of the Pro m i s e d poor and less well off are treated M e s s i a h( a s ) in 1908, Ahmadi free of charge. At times of Muslims have elected his natural disasters and calamities Successors or Khalifas. Khilafat is throughout the world, the a great Divine blessing, which community has always worked on follows a prophet and brings about a voluntarily basis and helped the s o l i d a r i t y, cohesion and unity affected, both financially and among the believers. The Khalifa physically, irrespective of their is the spiritual and administrative faith colour or creed and will, Head of the Ahmadiyya, God willing, continue to do so. Movement in Islam. The present The Community has also estab- Supreme Head of the Wor l d - w i d e lished its own global satellite Ahmadiyya Community, Hadhrat television station, MTA Inter-

Review of Religions – March 2002 27 Ahmadiyyat

national, and broadcasts twenty- The Promised Messiah(as) was told four hours per day in several that his message would reach all languages. This service is corners of the earth. From such a provided free of charge to any remote area, Ahmadiyyat has, by viewer. In whichever country they the Grace of God, spread to more reside, Ahmadi Muslims obey the than 170 countries of the world laws of that land and are faithful and its population is ever to that land and to the people of expanding; so much so that 80 the land. million people entered the fold of Ahmadiyyat last year. I myself This world, which has seen so accepted Ahmadiyyat more than much tragedy during the last 14 years ago and I have never century and is facing further regretted it for one moment; tragedies at the moment, is on indeed, I thank God every day for the brink of a catastrophe, which leading me to the universal is sure to take place, due to teaching that is Islam. I was not greed, selfishness, prejudice and attracted to it by force, because most importantly because of lack you cannot force a heart to love. of true and absolute justice. I was attracted by the beautiful teachings of Islam and the people The Promised Messiah( a s ) h a s who put those teachings into guided the people of these latter practice and who call themselves days, on how we should conduct Ahmadi Muslims. ourselves within our worldwide communities in order to attain The Ahmadiyya Muslim peace and harmony. The Community believes it is an Promised Messiah(as) has said: embodiment of the true Islam. It seeks to unite mankind with its ‘My advice to you is that you Creator and to establish peace at should become a model of both individual and collective every virtue. You should levels. I commend it to those who neither be negligent in doing seek the true meaning of life. your duty to God nor you should be negligent in doing your duty to your fellow beings.’ (Malfoozat Vol. II, p.298)

28 Review of Religions – March 2002 Belief in the Hereafter

Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the Fourth Head of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, from time to time offers to people of all nationalities, faiths and beliefs the opportunity of asking questions and raising issues that are of interest to them. Presented below are answers to questions that were asked in a session held in London, on 25 February, 1998. Prepared by Amatul Hadi Ahmad

of special instruments, even QUESTIONER though they belong to the four Could you, please, explain dimensions that we know of here the concept of heaven and on earth. Moreover, scientists hell—where are they and have begun to understand and what are their chara c - believe in the existence of things teristics? that are of yet different dimen- sions. Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad: In what terms would you describe According to the Holy Qur’ a n the concept of waves that exist which was revealed about all around us? Are you able to fourteen hundred years ago, this touch them? Are you able to smell was exactly the concept of them or feel them in any way heaven and hell presented to the when it is a fact that this room is world. It is amazing that the Holy filled with thousands of such Qur’an speaks of Jannah, that is waves which can be received by heaven or paradise, as occupying television or radio and other the whole of the universe. It was similar instruments. However, amazing for a book of fourteen one cannot deny their existence hundred years ago to have simply because one is unable to declared that the heaven or actually see them without the aid paradise is everywhere, even at

Review of Religions – March 2002 29 Belief in the Hereafter

‘WE BELIEVE IN LIFE AFTER DEATH AS AN ESSENTIAL AND INTEGRAL PART OF OUR BELIEF. IF ONE DOES NOT BELIEVE IN LIFE AFTER DEATH, ONE DOES NOT BELIEVE IN ANYTHING’.

the places which people of that other does not but they can still age occupied. It was so extra- coexist. This is the idea of heaven ordinary a declaration for the and hell that has been presented people of that time who had very in the Holy Qur’an. limited understanding of the universe, that one of the QUESTIONER Companions of the Holy Pro p h e t (s a ) stood up and raised a question. Do you believe that there His question was posed in a very is life after death? Belief different but interesting way. He in life after death is asked that if paradise is spread c e n t ral to the Christian all over the universe, where then faith. What form does is hell? The Holy Prophet(sa) was so spiritual life take? enlightened by Allah that he understood the concept of Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad: different dimensions otherwise We believe in life after death as he could not have given the an essential and integral part of a n s w e r, which he gave. He our belief. If one does not believe replied that ‘hell is also present in life after death, one does not here in the same universe but you believe in anything. This is so can not understand’. Indeed the because not believing in the people of that time were not able hereafter gives license to do to understood such a notion but whatever one likes here on earth the man of today can understand and death is seen as a road to this to a degree that if there are redemption. things possessing differing dimensions, they can coexist in Whatever crime is committed the same, so called, space. They here by a person, if he does not do not interfere with each other believe in the hereafter, he will and they do not relate to each not see himself as being answer- other. It is as if one exists and the able to anyone and in this way it

30 Review of Religions – March 2002 Belief in the Hereafter is his road to redemption. A criminal may have murdered ‘THE BELIEF IN LIFE AFTER hundreds of people and at times, DEATH, IN MY VIEW, IS OF by exploding bombs, one person GREAT IMPORTANCE AND ITS can be responsible for killing thousands of innocent people. SIGNIFICANCE IS A REALITY. IF When he is hanged or other forms IT WERE NOT A REALITY, THEN of capital punishment need to be RELIGION WOULD NOT BE A applied only once, he cannot be R E A L I T Y—I T W O U L D B E hanged a hundred times or a MEANINGLESS’. thousand times. Hence he gets away with all the damage he has done in life. This is the reason earth, unless forgiven by God, why in Islam there is such a great would face a punishment that will emphasis on the belief in the be an extension of his life here on hereafter and that is why, as I earth. It is the case that such have stated before, all the people are given numerous divinely revealed religions do pay chances and options during their special importance to the life to turn to God and to question of life after death. abandon their evil way. These options appear before them The ideas may, however, differ repeatedly but if they continue to and the ideas may become greatly ignore the voice of their distorted because it is the case conscience and continue to live a that people do not wish to be life of sin, how should they be punished for long. For instance, dealt with? Despite the numerous many Jewish people believe that chances and opportunities they if they are punished at all they are granted, they do not return will be punished for three days to a life of goodness and in such a and that will be all. This is a wish case we can say that death ended on their part but God does not their vicious life—a life that may follow human wishes. have continued in its evil ways till eternity had they been permitted Allah knows best whom He would to live for an eternity. forgive and whom He will not, but generally speaking, a man who Hence, the belief in life after has lived a life of sin here on death, in my view, is of great

Review of Religions – March 2002 31 Belief in the Hereafter

importance and its significance is acts performed here on earth. a reality. If it were not a reality, Hence, there is no return from then religion would not be a the hereafter. reality—it would be meaningless. This is the belief that Jesus(as) held —this is the belief that all QUESTIONER the divinely revealed religions What is the Islamic vie w hold. Against this, the rest is just about re-incarnation? Does mythology and wishful thinking— our spirit exist before we that is all. are born? If so, can it choose its parents?

Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad: We do not believe in re- incarnation in any form. We do not believe that souls live with God permanently and eternally. This is a Hindu mythology and the western people tend to believe in it only because they do not fully understand this mythology. They wish to be able to live and re-live among their friends and relatives. This desire is wishful thinking on their part and it leads them to want to believe in this mythology. There are no souls existing independently—all the souls occupy a body and are born of the body that we have here. However, once they leave the body, then they go to God. They do not have any choice to return to this earth. They go to God and He decides as to how they are to be judged in accordance with the

32 Review of Religions – March 2002 Fasting in Religions

By Dr.Abid Ahmad – UK

Fasting is the practice of Islam. So which are these abstaining from food, either religions and how does the fasting completely or partially, for a compare to that undertaken in specified period. It is an ancient Islam? practice found in most religions of the world. Recent scientific ‘O you who believe! Fasting is research suggests that fasting is prescribed for you as it was healthy for a person and when prescribed for those before engaged in carefully, may bring you, so that you may guard about heightened states of against evil.’ consciousness and sensibility. (Ch.2: v.184) Traditionally, fasting has been a widely used practice observed for Fasting in Christianity the purpose of purifying the The ssubject of fasting in person or of atoning for sins and Christianity is very difficult to wrongdoing. Most religions discuss, simply because designate certain days or seasons Christianity as a whole is short on as times of fasting for their religious laws. Besides, there is adherents. Prayer is supposed to fundamental disagreement among accompany fasting in most the scholars to whether Jesus(a s ) religions. commanded fasting. Fasting in Christianity seems to have Fasting is also an excellent form changed with time and is affected of training for the physical, moral by social, political, and economic and spiritual development of fa c t o r s . man. Although fasting exists in some form or another in most Lent is the period of fasting for world religions, none of the other 40 days and penitence tradi- faiths attach so much importance tionally observed by Christians in to it as Islam. According to the preparation for Easter. The Holy Qur’an, fasting had been historical significance of the forty commanded in religions prior to days may be traced to the time of

Review of Religions – March 2002 33 Fasting in Religions

the prophets Moses(as) and Elias be regarded by some as a means who, only approached God on of getting things from God (Isaiah Sinai and Horeb after purifying 58:3). Fasting may be substituted themselves by a fast of forty days. for genuine repentance (Isaiah (Exodus 24:18, Kings 19:18). 58:5) and become a mere convention (Zechariah 7:5). Jesus fasted 40 days (Matthew Fasting also performed the wrong 4:2) before starting his way may be seen as a parade of preaching. He would also have religion or an act of showing off fasted on the Day of Atonement, (Matthew 6:16-18), which should which was an established tra- never be the true intention of any dition in Judaism. There are fa s t . traditions of fasting which differ greatly according to the country Fasting in Judaism in which Christians live. Some Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is abstain from meat, while others the holiest day of the Jewish from fish. Some will not eat year. Yom Kippur is a day of ‘self- fruits, eggs or luxury foods; some denial’ (Leviticus 23-27) so that just fast on white bread. Some Jews may be cleansed of their will abstain from all these items. sins. It is observed eight days The intake of fluids is allowed after Rosh Hashanah (start of the during the fast. Jewish New Year). It is believed that on Rosh Hashanah God Fasting in Christianity is inscribes all of the Jews names in particularly linked with self- the ‘books’, and on Yom Kippur humiliation in repentance (I Kings the judgement entered in these 21:27, Psalms 35:13). It is also books is sealed. Yom Kippur is, brought into a close connection essentially, the Jews last chance with prayer (Matthew 17:21) to demonstrate repentance and especially in the seeking of God. change the judgement. Christians also view fasting as a time of temptation (Matthew 4:1) Yom Kippur is the only fast day and therefore of testing with a decreed in the Torah. It is a view to gaining greater strength. complete 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening The Bible also warns of the before Yom Kippur and ending dangers of fasting. The fast may after nightfall on the day of Yom

34 Review of Religions – March 2002 Fasting in Religions

THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE BEHIND FASTING IN HINDUISM IS FOUND IN AYURVEDA. THIS ANCIENT INDIAN MEDICAL SYSTEM STATES THE BASIC CAUSE OF MANY DISEASES IS THE ACCUMULATION OF TOXIC MATERIALS IN THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. REGULAR CLEANSING OF TOXIC MATERIALS KEEPS ONE HEALTHY. BY FASTING, THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS GET REST AND ALL BODY MECHANISMS ARE CLEANSED AND CORRECTED. A COMPLETE FAST IS GOOD FOR HEALTH.

Ki p p u r. Jews are supposed to little salt and seasoning in the refrain from eating and drinking soup as possible. Most Jews break all fluids. It is a day set aside to the fast with dairy food. Family ‘afflict the soul,’ to atone for the and friends often break the fast sins of the past year. together at someone’s home.

On Yom Kippur the focus is on Fasting in Hinduism (including spiritual elevation. One way to do Buddhism and Jainism) this is to abstain from food, work, Buddhism and Jainism were both material possessions, and super- founded around 500BC in India ficial pleasures. More specifically, and can be regarded as off-shoots five physical activities forbidden from Hinduism. Hence the fasting on Yom Kippur are eating and in these three religions is very drinking, marital relations, similar. washing, wearing leather shoes and applying lotions. Fasting in Hinduism indicates the denial of the physical needs of According to the Talmud, eating the body for the sake of spiritual the day before Yom Kippur is a gains. According to the blessing equal to the blessing of scriptures, fasting helps create fasting on the day of Yom Kippur. an atonement with the gods by The festive meal before the fast establishing a harmonious rela- is called Seudah Mafseket (final tionship between the body and meal). Meat is not eaten during the soul. This is thought to be this meal, but poultry can be imperative for the well-being of a eaten. It is traditional to have human being as it nourishes both soup, but important to put as physical and spiritual demands.

Review of Religions – March 2002 35 Fasting in Religions

Hindus believe it is not easy to fast on Tuesdays the auspicious pursue the path of spirituality in day for Hanuman, the monkey on e ’ s daily life. Worldly indul- God. On Fridays devotees of the gences do not allow Hindus to goddess Santoshi Mata abstain concentrate on spiritual attain- from taking anything citric. ment. Therefore worshippers must Fasting at festivals is common. strive to impose restrains on Hindus all over India observe fasts themselves to get the mind on festivals like Shivratri and focused and one form of restraint Karwa Chauth. Navaratri is a is fasting. However, fasting is not festival when people fast for nine only a part of worship, but a great days. Hindus in West Bengal fast instrument for self-discipline too. on Ashtami, the eighth day of the It is a training of the mind and the festival of Durga Puja. body to endure and harden up against all hardships, to persevere Fasting in Hinduism can also under difficulties and not give up. mean abstaining from taking According to Hindu philosophy, certain things, either for religious food means gratification of the reason or for the sake of good senses and to starve the senses is health. For instance, some peo- to elevate them to contem- ple refrain from taking salt on plation. Hinduism teaches that particular days. It is common when the stomach is full, the knowledge that excess salt causes intellect begins to sleep, wisdom high blood pressure. Another becomes mute and the parts of common kind of fast (known as the body restrain from acts of phalahar) is to forego taking ri g h t e o u s n e s s . cereals and only fruits are eaten.

Hindus fast on certain days of the The underlying principle behind month such as Purnima (full fasting in Hinduism is found in moon) and Ekadasi (the 11th day Ayurveda. This ancient Indian of the fortnight). Certain days of medical system states the basic the week are also marked for cause of many diseases is the fasting, depending on individual accumulation of toxic materials choices and on one’s favourite in the digestive system. Regular god and goddess. On Saturday, cleansing of toxic materials keeps people fast to appease the god of one healthy. By fasting, the that day, Shani or Saturn. Some digestive organs get rest and all

36 Review of Religions – March 2002 Fasting in Religions

ISLAM RADICALISED THIS DOOM AND GLOOM CONCEPT OF FASTING, INTO AN ENLIGHTENED CONCEPT OF SELF PURIFICATION. THE MONTH OF FASTING IN ISLAM IS A MONTH OF WORSHIP MUSLIMS WELCOME EACH YEAR WITH ENERGY AND HAPPINESS. THIS IS CONTRARY TO THE ATMOSPHERE OF MOURNING. body mechanisms are cleansed context fasting functions as a and corrected. A complete fast is societal gain wherein people share good for health. Additionally, with each other a similar feeling since the human body, as of hunger. Fasting provides an explained by Ayurveda, is com- opportunity for the privileged to posed of 80% liquid and 20% solid, give food to the less privileged. like the earth, the gravitational force of the moon affects the Fasting in Sikhism fluid contents of the body. It Sikhs do not participate in any causes emotional imbalances in form of fasting, as they regard it the body, making some people as a pointless act with no benefit. tense, irritable and violent. It is worth pointing out that the Fasting acts as antidote, for it Sikh founder, Guru Nanak was lowers the acid content in the actually a Muslim, who did body which helps people to retain regularly fast. It wasn’t until the their sanity. 10th Guru or successor of the Sikh faith, Guru Gobind Singh came From a matter of dietary control, into power in 1675, that fasting fasting has come to be a handy was dropped from the practices tool of societal control. It is a non- of Sikhism. violent form of protest (Gandhi often fasted as a means of COMPARISON TO FASTING IN peaceful protest). A hunger strike ISLAM can draw attention to a grievance Islam, has taken the lead in and can bring about a remedy. The reforming the institution of pains of hunger that one fasting. This was a radical reform experiences during fasting make in the meaning, rules and purpose one think and extend one’s of the fast. It made the fast easy, sympathy towards the destitute natural and effective. Fasting who often go without food. In this was a symbol of sadness, mourn-

Review of Religions – March 2002 37 Fasting in Religions

RELIGION WHEN THEY FAST HOW THEY FAST WHY THEY FAST

Bahai During Ala, the 19th Abstain from food and To focus on love of God month of the Baha'í year, drink from sunrise to and spiritual matters. March 2-20. sunset. Buddhist Catholics fast on Ash On Ash Wednesday & Good Teaches control of worldly Wednesday, all Fridays in Friday, 2 small meals and 1 desires, penance for sins, Lent, and Good Friday. regular meal are allowed; and solidarity with the Catholics were forbidden meat is forbidden. On p o o r. The Lenten fast to eat meat on all Fridays, Fridays in Lent, no meat is prepares the soul for a but since the mid-1960s, allowed. For the optional great feast by practising Friday fasting has been a Friday fast, some people discipline. The Good Friday matter of local discretion. substitute a different fast commemorates the penance or special prayer day Christ suffered. instead of fasting. Catholic Several fast periods, Lent, In general, meat, dairy Strengthens resistance to Apostles' Fast, Dormition products and eggs are greediness; helps open a Fast, and the Nativity Fast. prohibited. Fish is person to God's Grace. Several 1-day fasts. Every prohibited on some fast Wed and Fri is considered a days and allowed on fast day, except those that others. fall during designated ‘fast-free weeks.’ Eastern Several fast periods, Lent, In general, meat, dairy Strengthens resistance to Orthodox Apostles' Fast, Dormition products and eggs are greediness; helps open a Fast, and the Nativity Fast. prohibited. Fish is person to God’s Grace. Several 1-day fasts. Every prohibited on some fast Wed and Fri is considered a days and allowed on fast day, except those that others. fall during designated ‘fast-free weeks.’ Hindu Commonly practised on Depends on the individual. A way to enhance New Moon days & during Fasting may involve 24 concentration during festivals such as Shivaratri, hours of complete absti- meditation or worship; Saraswati Puja, and Durga nence from any food or purification for the system; Puja. Women in N. India drink, but is more often an sometimes considered a also fast on the day of elimination of solid foods, sacrifice. Karva Chauth. with an occasional drink of milk or water. Jewish Yom Kippur is the best- On Yom Kippur and Tisha Atonement for sins and/or known fast day. The Jewish B'Av, eating and drinking special requests to God. calendar has 6 other fast are forbidden for a 25-hour days as well, including period, from sundown to Tisha B'Av, the day on sundown. On the other fast which the destruction of days, eating and drinking the Jewish Temple took are forbidden only from place. sunrise to sundown. Mormon The first Sunday of each Abstaining from food and Closeness to God, concen- month is a fast day. drink for 2 consecutive tration on God and Individuals, families, or meals and donating food or religion. Individual or wards may hold other fasts money to the needy. After family fasts might be held at will. the fast, church members to petition for a specific participate in a ‘fast and cause, such as healing the testimony meeting.’ sick or help with making a difficult decision.

38 Review of Religions – March 2002 Fasting in Religions

RELIGION WHEN THEY FAST HOW THEY FAST WHY THEY FAST

Muslim Ramadhan is a mandatory Abstain from food, drink Helps train the mind and fasting period. Muslims and martial rights from body, encourages prayer, may perform optional fasts before the break of dawn reading of the Qur’an and on any other days of the until sunset. This is done giving money to the poor, year except on Eid day. for all 29 or 30 days of helps refrain from evil, Some Muslims fast on Ramadhan. Optional fasts liberates the spirit to Mondays and Thursdays are governed by the same detach from worldly affairs because Muhammad(sa) was rules. to increase ones faith and said to do this, and some develop a closer fast the 6 days after Eid-ul- relationship with God, Fitr. restores ones health. Pagan No organised fast days, but At the discretion of the Intended to purify a person some pagans choose to fast individual. Some totally energetically; used to raise in preparation for Ostara abstain from food, others vibrational levels as (Spring Equinox). reduce how much they eat. preparation for magical work. Ostara fasting is used to cleanse oneself from heavier winter foods. Protestant At the discretion of Though some people not.Fast for spiritual Evangelical individuals, churches, abstain from food or drink nourishment, solidarity organisations, or entirely, others drink only with impoverished people, communities. water or juice, eat only a counterbalance to certain foods, skip certain modern consumer culture, meals, or abstain from or to petition God for temptations, edible or special needs. Protestant Small part of the tradition, Discretion of those fasting. For spiritual improvement Mainline but fasts can be held at the or to advance a political or discretion of communities, social-justice agenda. churches, other groups, and individuals. Sikhism Never Not Applicable View it as a pointless act with no benefit ing, atonement for the sins, a The Islamic laws that govern reminder of disasters as well as fasting are fair and universal. For self-mortification in Judaism and example, fasting was for special Christianity. Islam radicalised this classes of people in the previous doom and gloom concept of religions. For the Brahmin class in fasting, into an enlightened the Hindu religion, fasting is concept of self purification. The mandatory only for the high month of fasting in Islam is a priests. In some Latin religions, it month of worship Muslims wel- is only women who must fast and come each year with energy and there are no exceptions. Islam happiness. This is contrary to the has made fasting for all adults atmosphere of mourning. irrespective of social class or status.

Review of Religions – March 2002 39 Fasting in Religions

The tradition of sehri (meal before They ask thee about the new the fast starts) is a good example moons. Say: They are means of Islam making the fast easy for for measuring time, for the people. One who is fasting is general convenience of allowed eat food until just a few people... minutes before morning prayer. (Ch.2:v.190) Si m i l a r l y , when it is time to break the fast, the rule is to break as And the hadith: ‘Eat until you see soon as the sun sets, with no the crescent and break not until de l a y . Sleeping and resting during you see the crescent. If it is the day are all allowed. Working is cloudy calculate the period of the not stopped and businesses are month.’ (Sahih Muslim) not closed down for the fast. In Judaism, working during the This enables Muslims in every period of fast is prohibited. corner of the earth, east and Ad d i t i o n a l l y , a person who makes west, north and south, and all in a mistake in fasting is not between, in remote villages, on punished, and the one who forgets mountains, in conditions of and eats is forgiven. illiteracy or literacy, in jungles or deserts to start and end the fast ...Allah desires ease for you all at the same time, without and He desires not hardship difficulty. Why the moon instead for you.... of the sun as the basis for starting (Ch.2:v.186) and ending the fast? There are several reasons: Fasting in some other religions is based on a solar (Gregorian) The lunar year is always ten or c a l e n d a r. This demands vast eleven days less compared to the knowledge of calculation and solar. Thus, if Ramadhan 2001 astronomy in the making of a began on November 17th, calendar. Besides, the months are Ramadhan in 2002 would begin fixed in a specific season, they do around November 6th. not rotate or change. Fasting in Consequently, in the course of 36 Islam is based on the lunar years, every Muslim would have calendar and is tied to the fasted every day of the year, the sightings of the new moon. Allah short days of the year, the long states: days of the year, the hot days and

40 Review of Religions – March 2002 Fasting in Religions the cold days of the year. Muslims long been promoted as a spiritual in different regions of the world means for intensifying prayers would have had total equality in and faith. People have fasted as the number of days they fasted, it is an obligation to God, leading and would have had an equal to good health and spirituality. amount of seasonal and climatic Fasting brings great spiritual, changes. They would have an mental, emotional and physical equal amount of cold or mild health. Fasting is now generally weather Ramadhans. If the fast accepted as an effective and safe were based on the solar calendar, method of detoxifying the body, a the Muslims in hot summer technique that men have used for climates would have Ramadhan centuries to heal the sick. It during hot weather every year, purifies the body of the f o r e v e r. Some Muslims would accumulated toxic poison and have fasted long days while waste. Fasting regularly, helps others short days, because solar the body heal itself as well as calendar months are fixed and awakening the mind and soul. immobile. Additionally, fasting Fasting is now medically proven based on the solar system means to be a healthy act and offers one may miss certain fruits numerous benefits to us, some vegetables in certain seasons, but which we know about and some by the end of the circle a Muslim we don’t. As Allah says: would have tasted and tried different fruits during Ramadhan, …And fasting is good for you, whereas fasting based on the if you only knew. solar calendar would have (Ch.2:v.185) prohibited some fruits during Ramadhan, forever. This is why Muslims did not change the month of Ramadhan, nor did they distort it by increasing or decreasing days, nor did they change it to different months.

Conclusion Throughout history, in almost all religions of the world, fasting has

Review of Religions – March 2002 41 Islam for the Modern Woman

By Mrs Mansoora Hyder-Muneeb – UK

Islam is for the modern woman rior to men and enjoyed no and she actually came into freedom. Even the religious laws existence with the advent of that were to follow centuries Islam some 1500 years ago. It may later gave little relief to the surprise you that it is through women of that time: Genesis 3:16 Islam that a woman can become states ‘Your desire will be for modern and attain her full rights, your husband and he will rule rights which unfortunately others over you.’ are still fighting for even today. Again up until the 6th century The common image of a Muslim conditions declined and woman is that of a suppressed worsened. woman, forced into a marriage she did not agree with, tied to ‘In pre-Islamic Arabia, and the the whims and dictates of her rest of the world, their masterly husband and extended (women) condition was equal f a m i l y, not allowed to be to that of slaves and chattels educated nor allowed to voice an with no rights. Women could opinion, nor allowed to leave the neither own nor inherit home without the veil and make- property. In domestic affairs, up totally forbidden. But let me they had no rights over their clarify, this is not the true image children or themselves; in fact of a woman of Islam. they could be sold or abandoned by their husbands What attracts a woman to Islam is at will. If they were abused by simply that Islam is the only their husbands, they had no religion that gives true equality - recourse to divorce. They had true freedom and - rights. no real status in the society, not being respected as wife, As far back as the ancient history mother or daughter. In fact, of the Greek and Roman Empires, daughters were considered women were considered far infe- worthless and were often killed

42 Review of Religions – March 2002 Islam for the Modern Woman

at birth. Women were given in this life and he/she will be little or no education, and had rewarded and dealt with no say in religious matters, accordingly in the life after being regarded as limited in death. God has provided the spirituality and intellect.’ guidance for this life in the form (Pathway to Paradise) of a Holy Book, the Qur’an, and in the teachings of Holy Prophet of Whereas many of these God, Muhammad (peace and conditions still remained in the blessings of Allah be upon him). West up until the 19th and 20th Century, with the advent of Islam To understand the role of a the modern woman came into Muslim woman in modern society existence. one must understand the concept of equality between men and Islam is a religion of peace. The women in Islam. The Qur’ a n name Islam itself means peace categorically declares the equal- and submission – submission to ity of men and women even as far the Will of God. This religion is a back as their point of creation. complete code of life for the whole of mankind, for all times to He has created you from a come. A person who follows these single being; then of the same laws and guidelines is a Muslim. A kind made its mate. Muslim believes that God has (Ch.39: v.7) created us for a purpose and given us His direction and The Qur’an states that women guidance so that we can strive to are equal to men in spiritual worship Him, obey His commands capabilities as well: and to serve humanity. The Holy Qur’an states: But whosoever does good works, whether male or I have not created the Jinn female, and is a believer, and the men but that they shall enter Heaven, and shall may worship Me. not be wronged even as much (Ch.51: v.57) as the little hollow in the back of a date-stone. A Muslim believes that God will (Ch.4: v.125) judge his/her deeds and actions

Review of Religions – March 2002 43 Islam for the Modern Woman

ISLAM HAS ESTABLISHED THE ECONOMIC POSITION OF A WOMAN AND GIVEN HER THE RIGHTS TO POSSESS HER OWN WEALTH AND PROPERTY – A RIGHT ONLY ACHIEVED BY WOMEN IN EUROPE IN 1882 SOME 13 CENTURIES LATER AS BEFORE THIS ANY PROPERTY SHE HAD WOULD AUTOMATICALLY BECOME HER HUSBAND’S.

In Islam a woman is equal in One of the examples of differing status, however, diversity still functions and capabilities is that does exists, and these differences a woman can bear children arise as a result of their design. whereas a man cannot. It is only If this diversity is not taken into she who has the physiological and account then there should not be psychological design to do so. She discrimination: in sporting also has the additional qualities events, for example, a man of patience, tenderness and a should be allowed to compete unique bond established during against a woman, and a woman the pregnancy that makes her should have the right to compete more suitable for the upbringing against a man. For that matter a of the children. Islam therefore female boxer should be allowed encourages a woman to stay at to fight with a male boxer and a home and take care of her family. female football team. But we will not find any such examples. And Men however are designed it is not possible as nature has physically and emotionally created men and woman with st r o n g e r and therefore are better different designs, functions, equipped to sustain the rigour of capabilities and with different the outdoors and as such Islam needs. Thus their tasks and roles assigns them the role of a in society would differ too. The guardian, protector and provider: Holy Qur’an states: responsibilities in line with their needs. As a husband, man is a And follow the nature made guardian over his family and by Allah – the nature in which regarded as the head of the He has created mankind. household. It is not a matter of There is no altering the man’s superiority or a woman’s creation of Allah inferiority; it is about natural (Ch.30: v.31) capacity and proper functioning.

44 Review of Religions – March 2002 Islam for the Modern Woman

It is about the role assigned to is seen as an act of kindness on men and women by nature. her part. This right for a Muslim woman gives her absolute Many Muslim women who follow financial freedom, peace of mind these guidelines confirm that and comfort, a right that many they enjoy a dignity, stability and women of today’s societies would fulfilment in their lives – factors cherish to have. which are often missing from societies of today. Again at the time of marriage Islam further protects the Islam has established the economic status of a woman by economic position of a woman the system of the dowry. Here a and given her the rights to husband is instructed to give a possess her own wealth and certain amount of money to his property – a right only achieved bride. by women in Europe in 1882 some Marriage is perhaps the most 13 centuries later as before this important institution, as the any property she had would family is the basic unit in a automatically become her s o c i e t y. The Holy Prophet of husband’s. Islam, Hadhrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be Islam provides economic security upon him) said: ‘Conjugal life is to the woman and has freed her our way, he who turns aside from from bearing any sole res- our way is not one of us.’ In the ponsibility of being a bread- absence of marriage a woman can winner. Nevertheless, a Muslim be misused as a mere instrument woman can work if she so desires of indulgence. And thus Islam as long as it is within the ensures that through marriage a perimeters of the teachings of bond of commitment is formed Islam and as long as her functions which provides a woman with and her duties towards her home rights that no other form of and family are not affected. If friendship or partnership can she chooses to work, then her replace. The Holy Qur’ a n entire earnings are solely her’s to describes husband and wife as do whatever she wishes. Should garments for each other, that is she wish to contribute to the to say a means of security, dignity running of the household then it and ornament for each other.

Review of Religions – March 2002 45 Islam for the Modern Woman

THE CURRENT MISCONCEPTION SURROUNDING POLYGAMY THAT IS MERELY FOR LUST AND FUN IS INCORRECT. IN FACT, ISLAM PERMITS POLYGAMY ONLY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS AND A MAN HAS TO UNDERTAKE FULL MORAL AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY WOMAN AND SUBSEQUENT CHILDREN HE MAY HAVE....THUS ISLAM PREVENTS THE UNOFFICIAL POLYGAMY THAT IS PRACTISED IN THE MODERN SOCIETIES OF TODAY.

The purpose of marriage in Islam are a grave sin. A Muslim man is: cannot go to any woman and merely satisfy his physical ‘1. to enable a man and a desires; he has to do so through woman to live together and a legal contract of marriage, experience love and which carries with it the happiness, fulfilment and additional responsibilities, contentment within Islamic duties and liabilities of family law; and children for the rest of his life’. The result of this 2. to produce children and restriction is a creation of a provide a stable and society whose morals and righteous environment for stability is safeguarded.’ their upbringing; (Pathway to Paradise)

3. to provide a legal union On the issue of divorce Islam gave which safeguards society a woman the right to seek a from moral and social divorce. Nowhere else in the degradation. world had any woman enjoyed such independence at this time Islam regards marriage as the and it was not until as recent as means by which man’s natural the 19th century that women in urges and needs, both physical France and the UK were able to and emotional are controlled gain this independence. and satisfied at the same time. Uncontrolled and uninhibited Islam permits plurality of wives satisfaction of physical desire but restricts the number to only is simply not permitted in four whereas in many other Islam. Adultery and fornication societies and religions the

46 Review of Religions – March 2002 Islam for the Modern Woman number of wives is not specif- compulsory for both men and ically prohibited. The current women. The Prophet of Islam, mis-conception surrounding Hadhrat Muhammad (peace and polygamy that is merely for lust blessings of Allah be upon him) and fun is incorrect. In fact, Islam said: ‘it is the duty of every permits polygamy only under Muslim man and every Muslim certain conditions and restric- woman to acquire knowledge’. tions and a man has to undertake full moral and financial Knowledge enables one to think responsibility for any woman and with logic and reason. Through subsequent children he may knowledge one gains under- have. The Holy Qur’an states: standing which enhances wisdom. In fact education is very And if you fear that you will important for a woman, as she is not deal justly with them responsible for the upbringing of marry only one. the future generation. While (Ch.4: V.4) education was being promoted amongst the women of Islam, if a Thus Islam prevents the unofficial woman in the West displayed any polygamy that is practised in the type of knowledge, she was modern societies of today where labelled as a witch and hundreds a man may have any number of of thousands were burnt alive at mistresses, one-night-stands, and the stakes. affairs etc. In the absence of moral restraint, monogamy is In fact it was not until 1866 that abused. any woman could sit on the Cambridge Exam Board and not The two world wars led to a until 1948 that she could attain a moral degradation in Europe and degree from Cambridge. Most of America where the ratio of men you would be surprised to learn and women at some places was that no woman was admitted in reduced to 1 man to 3 women. Oxford university before 1920. With the system of polygamy, Until 1953, women teachers were Islam, therefore, safeguards the paid less as compared to their moral and spiritual values of a men counterparts working in the woman and society as a whole. same faculty for the same period In Islam, acquiring knowledge is of time. And until 1955, an

Review of Religions – March 2002 47 Islam for the Modern Woman

educated woman working in the temptation of a man towards a civil services was paid less than woman and consequently she is her male counterparts and such protected from a host of battles are still continuing today. problems that today’s society is facing, for example, victims of Nothing generates more rape and date rapes, early discussions than the piece of pregnancies, abortion, AIDS etc. cloth that a Muslim woman wears over her head. There is a Also, the veil provides peace of misconception that the veil is a mind for both partners. As sign of repression and restrain gatherings are segregated, but to a Muslim woman it is a sign women do not have to worry as to of protection, respect and who may be making advances at dignity. The veil is not a sign of their husbands and vice versa. man’s authority over a woman. It The aspects of segregation and is meant only for her protection the veil reduces the jealously and and to guard her against the inferiority complexes between harms of society. The Holy Qur’an women which otherwise arise states: naturally in the presence of men.

And say to the believing History and facts have led me to women that they restrain believe that Islam is a modern their eyes and guard their religion and it is the society private parts and that they which keeps on drifting away on a disclose not their natural and trial and error basis and then artificial beauty except that finally keeps reverting back to which is apparent thereof, what Islam had advised centuries and that they draw their head ago. coverings over their bosoms… (Ch.24: v.32) What seems modern to us in fact was given to us 1500 years ago. Islam provides the precautionary So contrary to modern beliefs a measures so that a woman is not Muslim woman has dignity, misused. Prevention is the better fulfilment and contentment and cure. The guidelines on adopting is not stopped from pursuing a modest dress and coverings helps career or any form of healthy to reduce the attraction and activity. She can play sports, run

48 Review of Religions – March 2002 Islam for the Modern Woman marathons, run businesses, large References: co-operations, become a doctor, 1. The Holy Qur’an. Arabic Text and lawyer, engineer, diplomat, she English Translation by the late Maulavi Sher Ali. 1989 Islam can even stand for president. She International Publications Ltd. UK. has the right to choose a partner of her choice, who is bound to 2. The Holy Bible. New King James’s provide for her and her family Version. Thomas Nelson. USA needs, she can choose to divorce, she can marry again, she can 3. Pathway to Paradise. A guidebook to Islam. Lajna Immaillah U.S.A. come and go as she pleases and Wo m e n ’s Auxiliary. Ahmadiyya can partake in anything her heart Movement in Islam. desires - as long as she remains within the limits of the veil and 4. Al-Fazal. 18th January 2002: Address on Status of Women in Islam by abides by the teachings of Islam. Hadhrat Kahifatul Khalifatul Masih IV She can just choose to relax at at Jalsa Salana on 26th July 1986. home and enjoy her economic freedom. 5. Review of Religions. ‘My Role and Rights as a Muslim Woman’ by Mrs Aziza Rahman. September 1999, pp. I am a British born Muslim. I am 29-45. not suppressed. I am not restrained. I am not backwards. I 6. Woman in Islam. Sir Muhammad have complete freedom and Zafrullah Khan. Islam International Publications Ltd. liberation through Islam and thus I conclude: that Islam is for the modern woman and she came into existence with the advent of Islam some 1500 years ago.

Review of Religions – March 2002 49 Are the Mountains Moving like the Clouds? – Amazing Revelations of the Holy Qur’an about Mountains

By Dr. Mian M. Abbas – Alabama, USA

Frequent references to the earth’s the existence of God and His divine mountains have been made in the attributes. Holy Qur’an with graphic descriptions about their nature and This is a perfect book; there is usefulness for human life. The no doubt in it; it is a guidance purpose of this article is to present for the righteous. a brief discussion of some verses (Ch.2: v.3). about the mountains in view of the recent scientific investigations It recognises the superiority of about their origin and formation. those with knowledge over those Since this topic is intimately related who do not have knowledge to interpretation of the verses of (Ch.39: v.10), and encourages the Qur’an about the creation of reflection on the vast natural the universe and the natural phenomena around us as a proof of phenomena in general, we begin the existence of a Creator and with a discussion of the more Sustainer. It is estimated that there general subject of the conformity of are about 750 verses of the Qur’an the Qur’anic verses with scientific that exhort the readers to reflect knowledge. on and study the natural phenomena around us with The Qur’an and Science frequent examples referring to The Holy Qur’an claims to be a subjects dealing with many fields book of guidance for the righteous of knowledge including astronomy, as revealed to the Holy Prophet of cosmology, physics, and biology. Islam(sa) more than 1400 years ago. It presents its teachings in a In the creation of the heaven rational and philosophical manner and the earth and in the in order to create a firm belief in alteration of the night and the

50 Review of Religions – March 2002 Are the Mountains Moving Like the Clouds

day, there are indeed Signs for phenomena. Some of the verses people of understanding. Those may have literal interpretations, who standing, sitting or lying while others may be considered to down on their sides bear Allah be only metaphorical in nature in mind, and reflect over the with spiritual interpretations or creation of the heavens and dealing with prophesies about the the earth, and say ‘Our Lord! future. More often, however, the Thou has not created this Qur’anic verses have literal as well without purpose.’ as spiritual interpretations. When (Ch.3: v.191). dealing with topics that are either poorly understood or about which It is one of the basic premises of only speculative knowledge exists, the teachings of the Qur’an that a literal interpretations that may be deep study of the nature of the acceptable are made in accordance earth, the heavenly bodies, the with the know-ledge of the times. origin of the universe, and the With acquisition of new know- origin of life, leads to abundant ledge, the interpretations are sub- evidence of the existence of God. sequently revised with deeper The more one studies the creations insight into the subject. and the natural phenomena in the universe, the more reasons and The interpretations of the Qur’anic proofs one will find in support of verses, however, are not arbitrary. the belief in the existence of God The general guidance and rules for and His attributes. The funda- inter-pretation have been laid mental assumption here is that down by the Qur’an(1) itself by there cannot be any conflict identifying two classes of verses: between our discoveries of the laws those that are clear in meaning and of nature, or science, and the decisive, and others that are not revelation from God or the Qur’a n i c definitive and may have different teachings and descriptions of the interpretations. We have: phenomena of nature. He it is Who has sent down to While exhorting the readers to thee the Book; in it there are ponder over God’s creation of the verses that are decisive in universe and all that exists therein, meaning (muhkam) – they are the Qur’an provides many graphic the basis of the Book – and descriptions and insights into the there are others that are creation of the earth, the heavenly allegorical (m u t a s h a b i h a ) . bodies, and the diversity of natural (Ch.3: v.8)

Review of Religions – March 2002 51 Are the Mountains Moving Like the Clouds

The allegorical verses falling in the Have we not made the earth a second category may involve bed, and the mountains as spiritual analogies or may contain pegs? prophecies whose exact nature and (Ch.78: v.8) time of fulfillment are yet be determined. The general rule And when the mountains are emphasized by the Qur’an for made to move. interpretation of such verses that (Ch.81: v.4) may be indecisive or subject to different interpretations, is that And the earth – We have spread their meaning must be corroborated it out, and made in it firm by the decisive verses and must not mountains and caused be in contradiction to any other everything to grow in it in verse of the Qur’an. The Holy proper proportion. (Ch.15: Qu r ’an is the ultimate commentator v.20) and interpreter of itself. And He placed in the earth firm Qur’anic Verses on the Nature of mountains, rising above its Mountains surface, and blessed it with The purpose of this short article is abundance, and provided to discuss some verses of the therein its foods in proper Qur’an referring to the nature of measure in four periods, alike the mountains, in the light of for all seekers. recent scientific knowledge of (Ch.41: v.11) their origin and evolution. Frequent references to the nature And you see the mountains as if and usefulness of mountains have they were firmly fixed, been made in the Qur’an, and we whereas they are moving like draw particular attention to the the clouds. This is the work of following verses in view of their Allah who has perfected graphic descriptions, and different everything. interpretations that they have (Ch.27: v89) been subjected to: The above Qur’anic verses may be He has set in the earth firm interpreted in a spiritual sense, mountains lest it roll beneath with the mountains referring to you, and rivers and pathways worldly powers or spiritually great that you may find your way. personalities such as the prophets (Ch.16: v.16) of God, and thus contain

52 Review of Religions – March 2002 Are the Mountains Moving Like the Clouds prophecies that have been fulfilled moving and their motion is or will be fulfilled in due time. similar to those of clouds. Physical interpretations have also been given in view of the The Qur’anic overview outlined knowledge of the times and have above, in particular the verse been discussed in detail in some ( C h . 2 7 : v.89], appears to be excellent commentaries of the contrary to the commonly held Qur’an (2–4). views about the rigidity of the earth and the mountains, and has In this article, we focus only on the presented considerable diffi-culty scope of the physical or literal to earlier commentators. However, interpretations in view of the during the last few decades an current scientific knowledge. A enormous amount of information careful study and reflection on the has been obtained about the above quoted verses leads us to the e a r t h ’s formation, structure, following general Qur’anic concept geologic history and its interior of the mountains revealed some processes. The earth is now viewed 1400 years ago: not as a solid and rigid body, but as a dynamic, ever changing and 1. The earth’s surface on which living planet. As a result a we live is subject to motions scientific field of study referred to underneath us. as plate tectonics has evolved. The discoveries in this field are 2. The mountains play a role relevant to the subject of the similar to those of pegs or Qur’anic verses under discus-sion, stakes dug in the ground for and we review the basic features of resisting the motion of an this theory that are now well object. accepted by the scientific co m m u n i t y . Although an attempt 3. The formation and existence of has been made to keep this review mountains plays a role in the as simple and brief as possible, creation of pathways, rivers, readers not interested in scientific drinking water, human food, details may wish to skip the next and other needs for existence. section and move on to the following section! 4. The mountains appear to us to be stationary and firmly fixed Plate Tectonics on the surface of the earth, The unbelievable idea that the whereas in fact they are major landmass continents (such as

Review of Religions – March 2002 53 Are the Mountains Moving Like the Clouds

Asia, Europe, North America) are some 5500 degrees. This region not rigidly fixed on the surface of is surrounded by a cooler and the earth and have been moving much thicker region of around was expressed some three somewhat mellow rocky centuries ago. However, it was only material of about 2000 miles in 1912 that the German scientist thickness called the m a n t l e . Alfred Wegener published his The outermost region of the highly controversial view about the earth is a thin region and is continental drift that some 300 referred to as the crust. I t million years ago all the major floats on the mantle much like continents were connected in one a raft floats on a pond of water. big land mass, and have been It is of two types; the drifting apart ever since. The only continental crust, on which we significant proofs of his ideas at all live, is lighter and is about the time were the jigsaw fitting of 60-70 miles thick; and the the geological structures of the oceanic crust consisting of a adjoining continental landmasses denser rocky material that lies and similarities of the plant and under the oceans. animal life. His theory, however, was generally considered to be 2. The crust is divided into at absurd during his lifetime, and it least 12 plates, such as was not until the 1960’s that it Eurasian, African, and North started receiving serious attention. American plates that float on With subsequent investigations the inner mantle. The plates involving many scientific dis- are forced to move in a ciplines including satellite complex circulatory pattern, observations form space, the new with some plates moving field of study of plate tectonics has towards, some away and some evolved. A summary of the basic sliding along other plates. features of the theory and our Although the speed of the current knowledge of the earth’s moving plates is too small to be geological processes is outlined observed by the human eye, below. Detailed descriptions can be being only of the order of a few found in the references [5–8]. centimeters a year, over a period of hundreds of millions 1. The interior of the earth of years it results in very large consists of two inner and outer distances such as we find cores of hot molten iron and between the continents today. nickel at a temperature of

54 Review of Religions – March 2002 Are the Mountains Moving Like the Clouds

3. When two continental plates b u r n e r. Amazing as it may moving towards one another seem, the physical laws and the collide, the mate-rial near the basic processes involved in the edges of the plates rises above circulation of the mantle in the the surface level and moun- earth’s interior are the same as tains are formed, while the in the circulation of air in the oceanic plates moving towards atmosphere rising upwards in or away from each other lead the hot tropical regions and to the formation of ridges and descending in the cooler high trenches under the oceans. latitude regions. Such Thus, the mountains have been processes are also res-ponsible formed by the movement and for the formation and motion of collision of continental plates. clouds in the earth’s The Indian plate having broken atmosphere. off the African plate some 200 million years ago and colliding 5. The interior of the earth has with the Eurasian plate, for been and continues to be a example, has formed the great dynamic and very much alive Himalayan Mountains. The medium ever since its giant continental plates along formation some 4.6 billion with the great Himalayas are years ago, continuously still moving and the mountains changing. The motion of the are still getting taller to this tectonic plates leads to the day. formation and destruction of landmasses, mountains above 4. The exact nature of the forces the surface of the earth, and that lead to the motion of the ridges and trenches under the giant tectonic plates is still not oceans. Without the motion of clearly understood, and is a tectonic plates, the landmasses subject of intense investi- with all its mountains would gations. However, it is have disappeared a long time generally agreed that these ago with the constantly forces arise from convection occurring erosion processes. processes and circulation of the The whole earth would then be mantle material driven from covered with the oceans. The the hot inner core of the earth. land creatures and the human This process is similar to the life as we see it today on the circulation of hot water in a pot surface of the earth, with heated from below with a rivers, drinking water, food and

Review of Religions – March 2002 55 Are the Mountains Moving Like the Clouds

other needs for man’s existence over a period of some 300 million would not have been possible years! without the motions associated with the tectonic plates, and Qur’anic Revelations about the existence of mountains. Mountains A comparison of our most recent Are the highly unusual ideas and knowledge about the nature of processes summarized above mountains based on the basic merely a conjecture, based on element of plate tectonics outlined some newly formulated ‘theory’ here, with the description in the yet to be tested and validated? Do Q u r’anic verses listed above, we have sufficient observational indicates a most astonishing evidence to make such novel and validation of the Quranic verses revolutionary ideas believable? The revealed some 1400 years ago. brief answer is that there is now an Besides any metaphorical interpre- over-whelming amount of evi- tations, we do know the Qur’anic dence, obtained in widely diverse descriptions of mountains have fields of study (such as geological proved to be literally true, structures, mag-netite, fossils, however incom-prehensible they plant and animal life, etc.) that may have been in the past. From the main features of the plate scientific investigations, today we tectonic theory are now well do know that: established. This has hap-pened during the last 50 years or so. The 1. Although the mountains are most persuasive evidence has come stationary, they appear to be in the form of direct observation of physically moving with respect the motion of the continents with to other objects on the surface ground-based and satellite-borne of the earth, despite their instruments. All such observations enormous mass and rigidity. made with great precision, indicate that the continents are 2. The mountains do indeed play a moving with respect to one role similar to that of pegs or a n o t h e r. The North American stakes in the ground to resist continent, for example, is the motion of movable objects, observed to be moving away from even though the pegs or the Europe by about an inch every mountains are moving. year. Although this motion appears to be very small, it leads to the 3. The physical processes leading entire width of the Atlantic Ocean to the motion of the mountains

56 Review of Religions – March 2002 Are the Mountains Moving Like the Clouds

are indeed strangely similar to We conclude with two highly the processes that lead to the prophetic verses of the Qur’ a n formation and motion of touching on these two aspects: clouds, namely the convection and circulation of air mass in We Ourself has sent down this the earth’s atmosphere. Exhortation, and We will most surely safeguard it. 4. The formation of mountains has (Ch.15: v.10) led to the existence of landmasses, pathways and This verse contains in it one of the modes of land borne trans- most wonderful prophesies of the portation as well as the Qur’an, the fulfillment of which is production of rivers and fresh a continuing testimony to its Divine water. Human and other animal origin. It has always been held that life as we see it today on the the promise of safeguarding in this surface of the earth would not verse refers not merely to the have been possible without the preservation of the purity of the processes that lead to the revealed text from subsequent creation of mountains. changes and interpolations, but more importantly to the validity of The revelations and validation of their meanings and interpretations the hidden secrets behind the with the passage of time. That the nature and formation of the physical text of the Qur’an is word mountains are absolutely amazing. by word identical to the Qur’an A clear and graphic description of that was revealed and that existed the nature of the mountains lay at the times of the Holy Prophet of open to the readers of the Holy Islam has been well established by Qur’an for some 1400 years and yet all scholarly studies and is beyond it is only in recent times that the any dispute. It is the promise of interpretations of the Qur’ a n i c preservation of the validity of the verses have become fully clear. interpretations, and the intelle- From another point of view, the ctual content of the verses of the verses of the Holy Qur’an continue Qur’an that is being fulfilled in the to be validated in every age with present age. The accelerated pace new knowledge and discoveries, of accumulation of new scientific continually providing powerful knowledge, is providing testimony proofs and strengthening the belief to its Divine origin in accordance of its Divine origin. with the claim:

Review of Religions – March 2002 57 Are the Mountains Moving Like the Clouds

Will they not then meditate Science, Maurice Bucaille, Dar Al upon the Qur’an? Had it been Ma’arif, Egypt, 1977. from any one other than Allah, 5. This Dynamic Earth, W. they would surely have found Jacquelyne Kious, and Robert I. therein much contradiction. Tilling, U.S. Geological Survey (Ch.4: v.83) Publication, Wadhington, D.C., 1999.

References 6. The Dynamic Planet, W. G. Ernst, Columbia University Press, New 1. The Qur’an: The chapter and the York, 1990. verse references are given with the convention of counting the 7. Continents in Motion, W. Sullivan, first verse (In Qur’ans where the McGaw-Hill, New York, 1991. first verse is not numbered subtract one from the verse 8. Physical Geology, N. K. Coch, and number given). The quoted A.Ludman, Macmillan, New York, English translation has been 1991. chosen by the author from a collection of translations, in paricular: The Holy Qur’an, with English translation and Short commentary, Ed. Malik G. Farid, Islam International publications, Ch.16: v.16 is translated as: ‘And London, 1994; The Qur’ a n, he has placed in the earth firm Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, Curson mountains to sustain you and Press, 1970; rivers and paths so that you keep to the right path’. 2. Commentaries: The Holy Qur’an, with English Translation and C o m m e n t a r y, Vol. 1-5, Alhaj. Likewise Ch.41: v.11 is translated Mirza Bashir-ud-Mahmud Ahmad, as: ‘He set therein firm Islam International Publ., London, mountains rising above its 1988. surface, and placed blessings therein and finely balanced its 3. Revelation, Rationality, means os sustenance in four Knowledge, and Tr u t h, pp.307- periods – alike for all who seek’. 311, Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Islam International Publ., London, 1998. Finally Ch.28: v.89 is translated as” ‘And you see the mountains 4. The Bible, the Qur’an and

58 Review of Religions – March 2002 Are the Mountains Moving Like the Clouds imagining them to be stationary, while they are floating like the floating of the clouds. Such is the worth of Allah, Who has made everything firm and strong. Verily, He knows full well what you do’. (The Holy Qur’an, translation by the late maulvi Sher Ali, published under the auspices of Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, 1997, Islam International Publications.

For an alternative view, the reader is also invited to R e v e l a t i o n , Rationality, Knowledge and Truth by Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad who answered a number of questions on this and related subjects some of which we have featured in the Review of Religions in the past (Editor)

About the Author Professor Dr. Mian Abbas Ph.D is a space scientist/astrophysicist, currently at the NASA marchall Space Flight Centre in Alabama. he has written a number of treatise and his research has been published in a number of scientific and technical journals.

Review of Religions – March 2002 59 Subscription Review of Religions

We hope you have enjoyed reading this edition of the magazine. The Review of Religions will continue to provi d e discussion on a wide range of subjects and welcomes any comments or suggestions from its readers. To ensure that you regularly receive this monthly publication, please fill in your details below and we will put you on our mailing list. The cost of one year’s subscription is £15 Sterling or US $30 for overseas readers (Please do not send cash). Pa y m e n t s should be made payable to the London Mosque and sent to the address below: The Holy Ka’aba The Review of Religions MECCA, ARABIA The London Mosque 16 Gressenhall Road The First House of Worship, and London SW18 5QL The Spiritual Heart of Islam United Kingdom

Please put me on the mailing list for the Review of Religions for 1 year. I enclose subscription payment of £15.00 or US $30.00.

Name: ______

Address: ______

______

______