Riview of Religions
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
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.