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MANAGEMENT BOARD September 2007, Vol.102, No.09 Mr Munir-ud-din Shams (Chairman) CONTENTS Mr Mansoor Shah (Secretary) Mr Naseer Ahmad Qamar EDITORIAL Mr Mubarak Ahmad Zafar Mr Mirza Fakhar Ahmad The significance of fasting in Ramadan. Mr. Abdul Baqi Arshad By Bockarie Tommy Kallon – UK...... 2

CHIEF EDITOR AND MANAGER Mansoor Ahmed Shah ESSENCE OF ISLAM – Part 23 – Revelation, Inspiration, Visions and Dreams EDITORIAL BOARD The door of converse and communion with Basit Ahmad Bockarie Tommy Kallon. Allah remains open today as it was before. Fareed Ahmad Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) ...... 4 Fazal Ahmad Fauzia Bajwa Mansoor Saqi Mahmood Hanif AHMADIYYA MUSLIM CENTENARY Mansoora Hyder-Hanif ADDRESS – (1889-1869) Navida Shahid Sarah Waseem A keynote address to an audience of dignitaries Saleem Ahmad Malik at a Thanksgiving Dinner to mark the First Tanveer Khokhar Centenary of the founding of the Ahmadiyya

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS Movement in Islam. Amatul Hadi Ahmad Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad(ru) ...... 16 Farina Qureshi

PROOFREADERS Abdul Ghany Jahangeer Khan THE SIGNIFICANCE AND BLESSINGS Shaukia Mir OF KHILAFAT DESIGN AND LAYOUT Startingoff with our articles on the blessed Tanveer Khokhar institution of Khilafat: Understanding the PUBLISHER great Divine bounty in Khilafat and our Al Shirakatul Islamiyyah responsibilities in this regard. DISTRIBUTION By Dr Iftikhar Ayaz Khan, OBE – UK...... 28 Muhammad Hanif

All correspondence should be forwarded to the editor at: The Review of Religions THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE The London Mosque 16 Gressenhall Road PROMISED MESSIAH(AS) WITH London, SW18 5QL United Kingdom ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY Email: As with all Prophets of Allah, the Promised [email protected] Messiah(as) enjoyed a special relationship with © Islamic Publications, 2007 ISSN No: 0034-6721 Allah Almighty. By Bilal Atkinson, UK...... 49

Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Cover photo from Dreamscape Photo Library Sept 2007.qxd 10/10/07 22:11 Page 2

EDITORIAL Bockarie Tommy Kallon – London UK

The Significance of Fasting in experience, discipline what hunger, Ramadan poverty and discomfort mean to the Once again we have entered into less fortunate sections of society the Holy Month of Ramadan to and is better able to empathise with which Muslims the world over them. Thus fasting goes a long way always look forward with a joyous to minimise and remove the pains surge of anticipation that inspires and sufferings of humanity. the hearts of the young and the old alike. During Ramadan, the ninth Ramadan is a season of closer month of the lunar calendar current communion with Allah Almighty, in Islam, fasting – complete providing numerous opportunities abstention from food, drink and to seek His pleasure. As such, the conjugal relations from dawn till birth of the new moon which sunset – is obligatory upon every signifies the start of the lunar adult Muslim, subject to certain month is greeted with excitement. permissible exemptions, notably Felicitations are exchanged all for the sick, infirm, pregnant around as mosques begin to be women, nursing mothers and those filled with eager worshippers. An travelling on a journey. extra prayer service is held every evening during which the The purpose of the fast, as of all congregation is privileged to listen forms of Islamic worship, is to to the recitation of the Holy Qur’an draw people closer to Allah. It is a from beginning to end over the physical, moral and spiritual course of the month. Numerous exercise designed to promote people read the Holy Qur’an righteousness and guard against through by themselves. Others hear evil. By abstaining from the lawful, it inter-preted and expounded it becomes much easier to avoid the during discourses held and a unlawful. Among other things, the reflection over the Divine signs Muslim learns, through personal contained therein take up a large

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EDITORIAL

portion of one’s time. Abandoning the Holy Qur’an and the remem- the comforts of beds, most of the brance of Allah. This period of night is passed in supplication and complete devotion is the culmi- glorification of Allah. The day may nation of the physical, moral and be spent in worldly pursuits as spiritual discipline instituted by usual but, more than during other Islam. months, the hearts remain tied in the remembrance and praise of Fasting is the only form of worship Allah. Greater attention is directed in which the only audience is none towards philanthropic causes such other than God himself. In other as caring for the poor, the needy, forms of worship, one could allege the widow, the orphan, the sick, the that someone is praying or giving distressed, the neighbour and the alms to be seen as amongst the wayfarer. Towards the close of each faithful but a fast is only day, the heart experiences a glow of undertaken for God – there is no gratitude to the Divine that His showing-off. The spiritual grace has enabled one to approach recompense of the Islamic fast and the end of the fast having spent the its con-comitant activities is night and the day striving to beyond the fancy of the materialist. conduct oneself in conformity to The Holy Prophet of Islam(saw) is His will. reported to have said:

Numberless people experience “There are appropriate spiritual closer communion with their rewards for all worship and Maker and Creator during this righteous action; the ultimate blessed month, the intensity and reward of a person who frequency of which continue to observes the fast solely for increase as the month progresses. winning the pleasure of Allah is During the last ten days of Allah Himself.” Ramadan, many people go into retreat, as it were, into a mosque, devoting their entire time not occupied by obligatory and volun- tary prayer services, to the study of

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ESSENCE OF ISLAM: Part 23 – Revelation, Inspiration, Visions and Dreams This series sets out, in the words of the Promised Messiah(as), Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a summary of his exposition of four outstanding topics: ISLAM; ALLAH, THE EXALTED; THE HOLY PROPHET(sa) and THE HOLY QUR’AN. The original compilation, in Urdu, from which these extracts have been translated into English, was collated with great care and diligence by Syed Daud Ahmad Sahib, Allah have mercy on him and reward him graciously for his great labour of love. Amin. The English rendering is by the late Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, may Allah be pleased with him, and is quoted from The Essence of Islam, Volume 1. All references throughout, unless otherwise specifically mentioned, are from the Holy Qur’an.

I tell you truly that every door hundreds of false notions and can be closed but the door of the mistaken philosophies and vain descent of the Holy Spirit is discourses. This shows that it is never closed. Open the doors of impossible to arrive at the truth your hearts so that it might enter of every matter and to determine into them. the correct doctrines as the result of one’s own research without There is no safeguarding law making a mistake. We have never through following which we can known any individual, nor heard secure ourselves absolutely of one or read of one in any book against mistakes. That is the of history, who was free from reason why the philosophers, error in the whole field of his who framed the rules of logic and vision and reflection. It follows, invented the methods of therefore, that it is basically discussion and built the argu- impossible to find people who, ments of philosophy, fell through the study of the laws of continuously into error. They left nature and squaring their as the legacy of their ignorance conscience with the circum-

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stances of the world, carried their research to the highest level of truth, without any possibility of mistake…

Obviously, if man cannot escape error through his own knowledge and if God (Who is Gracious and Merciful, and is free from every mistake and knows the truth of every matter) does not help His servants through His true revelation, how could we humble The founder of the Ahmadiyya creatures emerge out of the Muslim community was Hadhrat (as) darknesses of ignorance and Mirza Ghulam Ahmad . error, and how could we be The founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community was Hadhrat delivered from the calamities of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as). In 1891, doubt and suspicion? I, therefore, he claimed, on the basis of Divine affirm with full conviction that revelation, that he was the Promised the wisdom and mercy and Messiah and Mahdi whose advent had been foretold by Muhammad, sustaining love of God Almighty the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace demand that from time to time, and blessings of Allah be upon him) when He deems it right, He and by the scriptures of other faiths. should create men who should be The founder’s claim constitutes the recipients of revelation for the basis of the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. purpose of ascertaining true doctrines and establishing correct morals, and who should for true guidance, should not be have bestowed upon them the deprived of their needed good capacity of impressing their fortune. teachings upon others so that (Purani Tehrirain, Ruhani mankind, who have been created Khaza’in, vol. 2, pp. 20-21)

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The Hidden World of that we have mentioned He has Revelation bestowed upon man different God Almighty has divided His types of faculties and powers. In wonderful universe into three the same way, the Absolute parts. Bounteous One has appointed a means for man for the discovery (1) The world which is manifest of the third world; and that and can be felt through the means is revelation, inspiration eyes and the ears and other and visions. This means is not physical senses and through allowed to be wholly suspended ordinary instruments. at any time; indeed, those who comply with the conditions for (2) The world which is hidden achieving it have, throughout, and which can be understood been its recipients and will through reason and continue to be such. conjecture. As man has been created for (3) The world which is hidden unlimited progress and God beyond hidden, which is so Almighty is free from deficien- imperceptible that few are cies, miserliness and holding- aware of it. That world is back, it would be an unworthy entirely unseen; reason has thought that He put into the heart not been granted the ability of man the eagerness to learn the to reach it, except through secrets of all the three worlds and mere conjecture. This world yet has deprived him wholly of is disclosed only through the knowledge of the means of visions, revelation, inspi- acquiring knowledge of the third ration, and not by any other world. This impels wise people means. to believe in the permanent need of inspiration and visions and As is well established, it is the they do not confine revelation, way of Allah that for the like the Aryas, to the four Rishis discovery of the first two worlds beside whom it is impossible for

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a fifth person to arrive at that and the truthful people adopt it excellence. Instead, wise people, with great conviction and follow believing in the absolute bounty it and obtain its fruits. of God Almighty, deem the door of inspiration ever open and do The wonders of this third world not confine it to any country or are numberless. In comparison religion. It is true, however, that with the other two worlds, they it is limited to the straight path. are like the sun as compared to a By treading along this path these grain of poppy seed. To insist blessings can be achieved, that the mysteries of that world inasmuch as it is necessary for should be wholly revealed the achievement of everything to through reason would be like follow the rules and methods shutting one’s eyes and insisting which are necessary for its that visible things should become achievement. Wise people do not perceptible through the sense of deny the wonders of the world of smell. visions. They have to admit that the Absolute Benefactor, Who The wonders of the third world has bestowed upon man faculties totally frustrate reason. No one and powers for the discovery of need be surprised at the creation every little matter in the first of souls for in this very world world, would not deprive man of such mysteries are revealed to the means of discovering the those who have experience of grand affairs of the third world visions, that reason wholly fails through which a true and perfect to penetrate their reality. At relationship with God Almighty times, a person who has a can be established, and true and capacity to see visions can see certain understanding having someone from a distance of been achieved, the lights of hundreds of miles despite heaven become manifest in this numberless intervening obstruc- very world. This method is also tions. In fact, on some occasions, open, like the methods of in a state of complete wakeful- discovering the other two worlds, ness, he can hear his voice also,

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and it is even more wonderful denial of those who altogether that sometimes the other person reject the wonders of the third can hear the voice of the first world. I have witnessed the one. On occasions, in a vision wonders and rare visions of that resembling the state of world with my own eyes wakefulness, he can meet the approximately five thousand souls of those who have passed times and have experience of on. As a general rule, meeting them happening to myself. with all dwellers of graves – blessed or benighted – is possible It would take a large volume to in this manner. I myself have had record details of these expe- such experiences. riences. One wonderful aspect of these experiences is that some This refutes entirely the doctrine matters which have no external of the transmigration of souls existence come into being current among the Hindus. The through Divine power. The greatest wonder is that author of Futuhat and Fusus and sometimes one possessing the other great Sufis have recorded a capacity for vision, through number of their own experiences concentration, appears to another of this kind in their compilations. person, with the permission of But as there is a great difference God Almighty, at a distance of between hearing and seeing, I hundreds of miles in a state of could not have obtained that complete wakefulness without certainty by merely reading these his body moving from its place. accounts which I have acquired Reason holds that a person through my own experience. cannot be at two places at the same time, yet this impossibility I recall that in a vision I saw that becomes possible in the third I had drawn up with my own world. In the same way, a person hand certain Divine decrees of understanding witnesses which related to the future and hundreds of wonders with his then presented the paper to God own eyes and is surprised at the Almighty, the Omnipotent, the

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Glorious, for His signature. (It became materialised and became should be borne in mind that it visible externally. often happens in visions and true dreams that some Divine I have seen several other visions attributes of beauty or glory of the type which it would take appear in human form to the too long to set down, but person seeing the vision and he whereby my own experience imagines the form to be God confirmed that sometimes a Almighty. This experience is matter that is observed in a vision well-known to those who are assumes external form by the favoured with visions and cannot command of Allah. These be denied). In short, I presented matters cannot be appreciated that book to that personification through reason alone. Indeed a of beauty, which appeared as person who is afflicted with the God Almighty, the Omnipotent, pride of his reason hears these the Incomparable and the things and affirms arrogantly that Unfathomable, in the state of my they are impossible and false and vision. On my presenting that that the person who claims to document, God Almighty, Who have had such experience is appeared in the form of a ruler, either a liar or is mad or is self- dipped His pen in red ink and deceived and for lack of proper sprinkled it in my direction and research, has not been able to with the ink that remained at the penetrate to the reality. Such a point of the pen He signed the one does not reflect that these document. Thereupon the vision matters are testified to by came to an end and when I thousands of the righteous from opened my eyes I saw several their personal experiences, and drops of red ink fall on my of which they undertake a clothes and two or three of them demonstration to those who fell on the cap of one ‘Abdullah might keep company with them. of Sannaur who was sitting near Can they be set aside with mere me at the time. That red ink verbal denials? which was part of the vision

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The truth of the matter is that, at full certainty. This is the way apart from the wonders of the of Allah, to guide to which world of vision, reason has not Prophets have appeared in the been able to comprehend fully world. Without treading this even that which pertains to the path, no one has ever arrived at world of reason and there are true and perfect understanding. millions of Divine mysteries But a poor dry philosopher is in which are still hidden and such a hurry that he desires beyond the reach of the wise. everything to be disclosed at the (Surmah Chashm Arya, Ruhani stage of reason. He does not Khaza’in, vol. 2, pp. 175-181, know that reason cannot carry a footnote) burden beyond its strength, nor can it step further than its Man’s Ability to Receive capacity. He does not reflect that, Revelation to carry a person to his desired As God has invested man with excellence, God Almighty has the faculty of reason for the bestowed upon him not only the understanding, to some degree, faculty of reason but also the of elementary matters, in the faculty of experiencing visions same way God has vested in him and revelations. It is the height of a hidden faculty of receiving misfortune to make use of only revelation. When human reason the elementary means out of arrives at the limit of its reach, those that God has, out of His then at that stage God Almighty, Perfect Wisdom, bestowed upon for the purpose of leading His man for the purpose of true and faithful servants to the recognising God, and to remain perfection of understanding and ignorant of the rest. It is certainty, guides them through extremely unwise to let those revelation and visions. Thus the faculties atrophy through lack of stages which reason could not use and to derive no benefit from reach are traversed by means of them. A person who does not use revelation and visions, and the faculty of receiving seekers after truth thereby arrive revelation and denies its

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existence cannot be a true that is set out in the Surah philosopher, whereas the Fatihah (Ch.1:Vs.6-7). He has existence of this faculty has been also designed to bestow upon established by the testimony of them the bounty that was thousands of the righteous and all bestowed upon the Prophets; that men of true understanding have is to say, the bounty of converse arrived at perfect understanding with the Divine which is the through this means. fountainhead of all bounties. Has (Surmah Chashm Arya, Ruhani God Almighty merely cheated us Khaza’in, vol. 2, pp. 87-90) with this prayer? What good can there be in a useless and fallen Non-Prophets Can also Receive people who are even worse than Revelation the women of Israel of the past? Some ignorant clerics go so far in their denial that they assert that Obviously, the mother of Moses the door of revelation is and the mother of Jesus were altogether closed and that it is not both women and, as our open to a Muslim to enable him opponents also believe, they to perfect his faith through this were not Prophets. Yet they were bounty and then to act favoured with Divine revelation. righteously under the urge of his Is it to be imagined that if a faith. Muslim were to have such a pure soul as that of Abraham and were The answer to those who think to be so obedient to God like this is that if the Muslims are Almighty as to cast aside his ego so unfortunate and blind and are altogether, and were to be so the worst of people, why have absorbed in the love of God they been named the best of Almighty that he should entirely people by God Almighty? The lose his own self, yet he cannot truth is that those who think like be the recipient of revelation like this are themselves foolish and the mother of Moses? Can any stupid. As God Almighty has reasonable person attribute such taught the Muslims the prayer miserliness to God Almighty?

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My only response to such people Europe? Who would be foolish is: enough to fall in love with a dead religion that is bereft of all Curse of Allah be upon the blessing and spirituality such as liars. appeared in the religions of the past? In those religions even The truth is that when these women received revelation, as people became the insects of the was the case with the mother of earth, and the only insignia of Moses and the mother of Jesus, Islam left in them were their but your men are not equal even turbans, beards, circumcision, a to those women. O ye stupid and few verbal affirmations, and blind ones, our Holy Prophet, our mere formalities of observing lord and master (thousands of Prayer and fasting, God blessings be on him) was ahead Almighty deadened their hearts. of all Prophets in his spiritual Thousands of dark veils covered grace. The grace of previous their eyes and they lost all signs Prophets came to an end at a of spiritual life. They thus denied certain stage and now those the possibility of converse with peoples and their religions are the Divine. This denial is, in dead. There is no life in them. truth, a denial of Islam; but since But the grace of the Holy their hearts are dead, they do not Prophet(saw) continues till the Day realise their own true condition. of Judgement. That is why it is (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part V, not needed that a Messiah should Ruhani Khaza’in vol. 21, pp. come from outside for his 310-311) people. To be brought up under the shadow of the Holy O ye Muslims! Beware that such Prophet(saw) can convert a humble thinking is sheer ignorance and person into a Messiah, as God stupidity. If Islam is such a dead has done in my case. religion, whom can you invite to (Chashma-e-Masihi, Ruhani it? Will you carry its corpse to Khaza’in, vol. 20, p. 389) Japan or will you present it to

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Revelation: the Highest Stage peace with Him and removes the of Divine Understanding intervening veils in between, he Our claim is true and is clearly will surely find Him; and when established that by treading along he finds Him truly and perfectly, the straight path a true seeker can then God will speak to him. become the recipient of Divine revelation. My own experience The Vedas have denied man this testifies to it. Besides, every stage and have confined it to the reasonable person can four Rishis, who, according to understand that there is no higher the Arya Samajists, are the stage of the understanding of the authors of the Vedas. This is an Divine in this world than that a error of the Vedas like the other person should converse with his great errors contained therein. It Gracious Lord – glory be to Him. is obvious that all human beings This is the stage where souls are are alike in their nature and what completely satisfied and all is possible for one man is doubts and suspicions are possible for all, and the closeness removed. Having arrived at this to the Divine and His stage of purification a person understanding, which is permis- achieves the understanding for sible in the case of one human which he has been created. This being, is permissible in the case stage is truly the key to salvation of all, for they all have the same and to solving the problems of nature. It is true that there is ephemeral existence. It proves diversity in respect of the degrees how close the True Creator is to of excellence, but no one is shut His weak creation. We have out from the kind of excellence learnt of this stage by the light which is open to others. Should which is the Qur’an. That light there be a person who should not gives us the good news that the have the slightest capacity to fountain of revelation never runs acquire human excellence then dry. When any dweller of the that person cannot be included East or the West, searches for within the category of human God Almighty and makes his beings. In short, there can be a

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difference in capacities, but there understanding. Their recognition cannot be a total absence of of the Divine should not be capacity. limited to the affirmation that (Surmah Chashm Arya, Ruhani there should be a Creator of this Khaza’in, vol. 2, pp. 239-240) universe. Rather, by being perfectly graced with the honour The Gracious and Merciful Lord, of Divine converse, they should Who has invested human nature be able to behold His with the hunger and thirst of His countenance directly through own complete understanding has having observed His great signs endowed human nature with two and should thus be able to see types of faculties for the purpose with complete certainty that that of arriving at that understanding. Creator truly exists. But as the One type is the intellectual nature of most people is not free faculties, the source of which is from obstruction, they are the brain, and the other type is afflicted with the love and greed spiritual faculties the source of of the world, pride, arrogance, which is the heart. The purity of self-esteem, hypocrisy, self- spiritual faculties depends upon worship, and other moral delin- the purity of the heart. That quencies, and are deliberately which cannot be discovered neglectful of the obligations due through the intellectual faculties to Allah and to His creatures, and is reached through the spiritual purposely turn away from faculties. Spiritual faculties can sincerity and fidelity and love of develop such purity that the God and devotion to Him, and graces of the Source of Grace can cut asunder deliberately from be mirrored in them, but the God Almighty. condition is that they should be eager for the acquisition of grace On account of all types of and all intervening veils and obstructions, veils, desires and obstructions should be removed passions, they are not qualified so that they might become the that the grace of converse with recipients of the grace of perfect the Divine should descend upon

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them which should exhibit the sample of it before their eyes. lights of their being acceptable to Therefore, from the beginning it God. has been the way of God that irrespective of a person being Yet the eternal bounty of God, good or bad or righteous or which does not wish that human disobedient, or being the nature should go to waste, makes follower of a true faith or of a it possible for most human false one, he is shown true beings to see occasionally true dreams or is vouchsafed true dreams or to receive true revelation so that his conjecture revelation so that they should which derives from hearing of realise that the way for their such matters may be converted stepping forward is open. But into certainty and he may have a their dreams and revelations do sample in his hands which should not indicate their being help his spiritual progress. The acceptable to God and are not Wise Creator has so fashioned accompanied by signs of the love the human brain and has so and grace of God, nor are such invested it with the spiritual people purified of the impurities faculties that it can see some true of their egos. They see these dreams and can receive some dreams so that they might be true revelations. But these furnished with an argument for dreams and revelations are not an believing in God’s Prophets, for indication of any spiritual rank or if they were to be deprived greatness, but are only a sample altogether of the understanding of the way through which of true dreams and true progress could be made. revelations, and they should have (Haqiqat-ul-Wahy, Ruhani no certain knowledge of them, Khaza’in vol. 22, pp. 8-10) they could plead before God Almighty that they were unable to understand the reality of Prophethood for they had no knowledge of it. They had no

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Ahmadiyya Muslim Centenary (1889-1989)

Keynote Address by Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IV(ru)

Delivered at a After recitation from the Holy Thanksgiving Centenary Qur’an by Mr Laiq Ahmad dinner attended by Tahir; its translation by Mr several leading MPs, Bashir Ahmad Orchard; a MEPs, Mayors, welcome introductory address by Councillors, Mr Aftab Ahmad Khan, then Ambassadors and other National President of the distinguished guests at Ahmadiyya Muslim Association the Grosvenor House UK; a poem recited by an Hotel, London W1, on 23 Armenian leader; and a speech March 1989 (100 years by Lord Avebury, Joint- after the foundation of Chairman of the Parliamentary the Ahmadiyya Muslim Group for Human Rights; Jama’at on 23rd March tashahhud, ta’awwudh and 1889). bismillah, Huzur(ru) said:

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Your Lordships, Rt. Hon. Mr. single out the country Pakistan, David Mellor, MP, Your which is my country (and my Lordships the Mayors, Your beloved country for that matter); Excellencies the Diplomatic but, unfortunately, there is an Representatives of various attitude of intolerance towards countries and all the Ahmadis – but there are other Distinguished Guests countries in the world which have been intolerant. There First of all I thank you for would always be other countries gracing this occasion with your (that are intolerant): it only presence and for being so kind to depends on how far you have us. I shall speak on just a few created a threat to the old order. points as I know the night is From then on, once the message ripening rapidly and I see the is delivered, a potent force of signs of fatigue on some faces revolution starts striving ahead, already, so I will not take much or forging forward, to change the longer of your time. order of things which have become obsolete and bring about Now, we have been discussing a new order. When this sort of the subject of tolerance and revolution is challenged – persecution. whether it is a challenge of coercion to be carried out or to be According to my study tolerance achieved with the help of the has always been an outstanding sword or whether the challenge is feature of the British character. through persuasion, love and The only thing the British cannot continuous sacrifice, regardless tolerate is intolerance. It is there of this – this challenge is always where there is a parting of the met with hatred and utmost ways between them and us. hostility. Human history bears me out that there is no change in We have somehow learnt to live this relationship. This relation- with intolerance not only in ship between the challenger of Pakistan – it will be unfair to the old order and those who

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belong to the old order is a number and so weak in their constant in the history of human social status. They were all affairs. fishermen; in fact almost all of them, as far as I remember, were Religion particularly has been looked down upon and belonging posing this challenge in various to the lower status of society. On parts of the world. Now, top of it, add this teaching that sometimes this challenge in the you are not permitted to hit back beginning is so humble, so at your offender. Yet that insignificant to look at that it is message was taken very impossible for anybody to seriously. It posed a threat. That believe that religion poses a real message was understood by the threat and can usher in a new era, whole society. What was there in a new order of things, a new that humble message – that most system or a new religious code of meek attitude in life – which values and so on and so forth. created such turmoil and threat to that region? It was the basic Look at the history of potential of truth. Christianity, for instance. How humble was Jesus Christ, peace It is the truth which the people be upon him? How helpless were fear. Whether it is meek, humble, his few disciples? The teaching softly spread or boldly delivered was amazing, yet so powerless to to the opponents, it still remains look at from the point of view of true. It is only the truth which the Roman Emperor and his people of an age who are untrue deputies, governors etc. The hate. So the prophets and the teaching was that if somebody messengers of this entire world smacks you on the right cheek, come in an age which is living a offer the other one. How could lie, such as, unfortunately, this this small insignificant section of age today. society, looked down upon by their own people, by the Jews, I do not want to hurt the react? They were so small in sensibilities of any human being.

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We have been on the receiving It is not a question of Pakistan or end as far as hurting the sensi- India, even in Britain we have bilities are concerned. We fully seen hard days. We have been understand. We know what the persecuted here. The gentleman suffering is, to be hurt and to be sitting before you, an lashed many times. So it is not in Englishman by birth, accepted that spirit at all that I am saying the Ahmadiyya Community and that the world is living a lie he was beaten up miserably in today; it is because this is true. the streets of Batley here in England. I am a man of truth. I know I am a man of truth from my own So the persecution does not inner personal experience and belong to any particular country from my long relationship with of the world. It all depends on human beings and with God, my how far the challenge of truth has Creator. So when I express truth, gone. That challenge may not be even if it sounds bitter to some so vocal. It may be inherent and ears, I express it with humility latent as a quality in some and with softness. people. But the truth is the most hated thing in the world which I do not say that Ahmadis are lives a lie as I have repeatedly true. Never in my sermons or any said. declaration of mine have I made that tall claim. I keep telling By living a lie permanently, if Ahmadis that all your sacrifices you penetrate deeply in the fabric are for the sake of truth; for of all human organisations and upholding truth. If you yourself the human philosophies which lose the battle within yourself support those organisations, you then you have no right to wage a will find, unfortunately, that battle outside you, without you, there is nowhere any com- in the society, to cause any mitment to absolute truth in disturbance at all. So this is the human affairs today. real plight of Ahmadis.

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I know there are politicians in advance about this coming. sitting on my right and on my Nobody was moving; nobody left, and I love them both. They was taking any steps to alleviate are wonderful human beings in the forthcoming suffering of their personal relationships, but I Africa. am sure that as representatives of Great Britain, they can play Preparations should have been havoc with the peace of other undertaken far ahead of time countries if their interests clash when this was about to or dare to clash with those of materialise, because it is not Great Britain. possible to start helping people just like that in these great This is what I mean: there is a famines scouring thousands of lack of adherence to absolute miles of difficult territories and values. There is no value such as in an area which cannot be loyalty to truth, justice and fair communicated with easily. But play. There is no truth even in a nobody was moving. Why? It country being philanthropist and was because you were dealing kind to the requirements of the with not just the sheer reality of needy. the suffering but with politics, foremost and uppermost. What happened in Africa a few years ago? What is happening There were countries that were today in Sudan? The entire rich friends of Russia. If America had world knew what was coming by started helping them, while way of drought and famine and America could, these countries by way of deaths of hundreds and would still enjoy the friendship thousands of people out of of Russia yet beg America for merciless hunger. They knew it bread. That was not acceptable to in advance, because the United politicians. Russia was wreaking Nations special experts had further suffering on those areas predicted it. The entire world’s because that would have brought governments had been informed such countries closer to the leftist

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philosophy. Suffering and hunger true religion and civilization. At always deliver the message of times religion appears to be more communism better than an heinous, cruel and backward than opulent society could ever do. So the polished sheen of civilization the Russians were wreaking the but in real terms of human values worst that was to come. Things and real periods of crises, it is started happening. It was already always true religion which comes too late and the conditions to support humanity at large. So worsened. Even if committed, Christianity has been performing the powerful nations could not an immense task of human help to remove to any real degree service not only in Europe but in the suffering that humanity, as Africa and in other Third World we know from the news, is countries. suffering (sic) in large areas of West Africa. So we as Ahmadis belong to that part of the world which is So that is what I mean by living a considered religious, but it is so lie. We stick to values in misunderstood unfortunately. principle. We speak very highly People claim that it is religion of civilization. We want to which creates disorder; it is project our image as a people religion which is a cause of understanding the human values persecution. We have been on the and really intend to promote receiving end; we should know those values. It is good as far as better. I know and I bear witness all this does not conflict with our to this fact that it is not religion, own personal interest. The it is politics which plays havoc moment that values begin to with religion and begins to conflict with personal interest, exploit religion. It is the ulterior the entire superstructure of these motive of certain people – values falls apart. Nothing is left whether they are in religious out. garbs or political garbs – it is still politics in the wider sense of the This is the difference between word “politics” and not in the

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limited sense in which you know Would it be fair to judge where politics is in Great Britain. Christianity in the reign of Queen I mean that personal ulterior Elizabeth I; or during the period motives must be served and that of persecution in Spain; or the is what is understood to be the Black Death in Europe when politics at large in the world. thousands of Jewish houses were And, as such, it is the corrupt burned and Jews occupying those human beings who exploit houses were burnt alive? Was it religion. religion? Is that how you judge Christianity? Certainly not. So Religions have never meant the please, for God’s sake, do not use of force. Religions always judge Islam through the stand for absolute values. The reflecting mirrors of Khomeini or best test for that is to go closer to Qaddafi or any other political the sources of religion. They leader of modern times who must be purest at the source. happens to be a Muslim.

If you look at Islam through the As far as Islam goes we know reflecting mirror of Khomeini that the Holy Prophet today I would not call it a fair Muhammad(saw), the founder of attitude because Khomeini is Islam, and his followers were standing 1400 years from the most mercilessly persecuted. source of Islam, which emanated They never persecuted a single from the revelation to Hadhrat soul in the first era of Islamic Muhammad Mustafa(saw). So if history even after they became you are passing political powerful. judgement, you have every right to pass a judgement and censure Talking of Salman Rushdie’s what Khomeini stands for but for book, which was incidentally God’s sake do not mix it with mentioned, of course, it is not the religion. Religions must be fixed subject for today’s topic, judged at sources. but because it was brought up earlier let me refer to it briefly.

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It is said that in Islam the position of becoming the leader punishment for blasphemy is of all the united tribes who death. No, not at all indeed, occupied Madinah at that time. because in the time of the Holy So Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul Prophet of Islam(saw) himself, thought he had a chance of a blasphemy of the highest order lifetime. So in company he was committed against he declared that, “when we return to himself and this fact was Madinah, the one most recorded in the Holy Qur’an as honourable will surely drive out well in the Tradition. therefrom the one most mean” (Ch.63:V.9) and vilest in The fact to which I am referring Madinah and banish him from to is more of an episode in Madinah forever. These are the Islamic history but a very words used by him recorded in brilliant episode. Returning from the Holy Qur’an and also the an expedition which was Traditions. unfortunately a very unfruitful and a very tiring expedition, Of course everybody understood considered to be a total failure by the message. The lovers of the some; an erstwhile leader of Holy Prophet(saw) were infuriated Madinah known by the name beyond control. One after the Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul, other, they approached the Holy who had been deprived the Prophet of Islam(saw) for per- opportunity of becoming the mission to murder this man who common leader of the entire had committed this blasphemy of Madinah because of the the highest degree. And the migration of the Prophet answer every time was, “No! Not Muhammad(saw), was a member of only would I not permit you to that expedition. Abdullah bin murder him but there is no Ubayy bin Salul kept needling punishment for that person.” the Holy Prophet(saw) for what he Abdullah b. Ubayy’s own son had done to him by depriving approached the Holy Prophet(saw) him of acquiring that eminent to build his case in a very

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interesting manner. He said, “O values. If a religion has these Prophet of God! I know why you qualities, these are the challenges are not permitting others to to the old order which make such murder my father because you people who stand for such values know that I am a true Muslim. It most hateable. would hurt me and I may at some unguarded moment remember So it is not only Pakistan; it is this and take a vengeance against unfortunately the distorted some other Muslim who had attitude of mankind towards truth murdered my father. But I have which is causing us all this. But I come to seek permission to am not afraid. I do not believe in murder my own father. I am self-pity at all. I tell my followers seething with indignation for never to indulge in pitying what he has done to you. Please themselves. permit me.” The answer was, “No, no question of any The other day, in fact yesterday, I punishment.” Long after that received a message from when Abdullah bin Ubayy died, Rabwah, the Headquarters, that despite the strong advice of the Government of the Punjab others including those who has issued an order that no became Caliphs of Islam later on, Ahmadi in the Punjab is the Holy Prophet(saw) led permitted to celebrate the 100th Abdullah bin Ubayy’s Janaza anniversary year in anyway (funeral) prayer himself. The whatsoever and it went on to burial rites were led by the Holy mention in detail what was to be Prophet(saw) himself. a final deciding factor in the eyes of the law. If you distribute This is Islam as known to sweetmeats to your children, it is Ahmadiyya Community. This is a crime. If you distribute alms to why we are so sure we are bound the poor, it will be considered a to become victorious. These are crime punishable by rigorous values which know no defeat. imprisonment. Even if you are These are surviving human neutral or near-joyous in some

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way you will be imprisoned. The that spirit to live and conquer person, a responsible officer whether there is opposition of all from Rabwah, who informed me sorts.” That changed the whole was on the verge of breakdown. attitude. His voice suddenly His voice was shaking and I acquired a steel edge to itself. thought he would have a breakdown and start crying. Ever since I have been receiving reports from all over the Punjab I told him: “What is this non- that, “whatever may happen to us sense? You are taking pity on we are enjoying ourselves. They yourselves. Those people who are imprisoning some youths, have to take pity on others, they arresting them from here and cannot indulge in the luxury of there for defying the public pitying themselves. Those people order. But they have their rights. who begin to pity themselves Even in prison, they go out become weak in character and kissing their handcuffs and become nincompoops. They are shouting “ALLAH-O-AKBAR! incapable of bringing about a (Allah is Great) What a great great revolution. So my order to achievement? You have failed to you is to respond in a completely suppress us! You have failed to different way. Tell them that we make us unhappy!” reject your attempt. We will frustrate your attempt to make us This is the spirit. These are the unhappy. What we have earned is human values which must God’s mercy in the last 100 emerge conqueror in the end. years. It is making it incumbent And that is what we know and upon us to express our joy at stand for. We positively know God’s mercy. So even if we are this takes time: sometimes clothed in rags and tatters, we are centuries of quiet sacrifice, going to walk the streets of generation after generation. We Rabwah laughing and joyous. have steeled ourselves for that Whatever you may do, you and are not expecting any quick cannot defeat a people who have results anywhere in the world.

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What the last one hundred years best men will emerge victorious have shown us is that the next with us. one hundred years have great things in store for us. May Allah bless you. Let me thank you all once again with all When I compare this time with my heart for coming this evening the first century of Christianity I and spending this precious time do sympathise with those with us. Christians who used to make these claims and people looked I know there are many festivals down upon them as mad men and feasts where people go and even at the end of the first bask in the light and glory of that century. They were not found in event because they think to be more than a few countries and there is to achieve something, to they were put to the beasts of the come into the limelight. But jungle. In the Colosseum, people there are others who visit such roared with laughter when a poor occasions and bring their light helpless Christian was devoured and glory along with them. They by a beast and the crunching of enlighten the atmosphere when the bones was the most dry sound they are in such places. To me, in their ears. I remember all that you belong to that category. and I knew that the entire Roman Empire and their might could not It was said by the Amir UK, defeat Christianity, because the Ambassador Mr Aftab Ahmad will of the people, its dedication Khan, that he thanked all the to truth, and its readiness for distinguished guests. To my sacrifice were what were insur- dictionary of religious termi- mountable. And so this juncture nology, all guests are distin- in history that we are passing has guished. So I take up from there re-assured me in the light of the and turn to those who might past human endeavours that we consider themselves left out as will emerge victorious in the end undistinguished guests. No all of by the Grace of Allah and all the you are very, very dear guests as

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most distinguished guests. Thank wonderful time with us. Allah you once again, one and all, for bless you. coming and sharing this

Verse references to the Holy Qur’an item count ‘Bismillah...’ (In the Name of Allah...) as the first verse of each Chapter. In some non-standard texts, this is not counted and should the reader refer to such texts, the verse quoted in The Review of Religions will be found at one verse less than the number quoted.

In this journal, for the ease of non-Muslim readers, ‘(saw)’ or ‘saw’ after the words, ‘Holy Prophet’, or the name ‘Muhammad’, are used. They stand for ‘Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam’ meaning ‘Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him’. Likewise, the letters ‘(as)’ or ‘as’ after the name of all other prophets is an abbreviation meaning ‘Peace be upon him’ derived from ‘Alaihis salatu wassalam’ which are words that a Muslim utters out of respect whenever he or she comes across that name. The abbreviation ‘ra’ or (ra) stands for ‘Radhiallahu Ta’ala anhu and is used for Companions of a Prophet, meaning Allah be pleased with him or her (when followed by the relevant Arabic pronoun). Finally, ‘ru’ or (ru) for Rahemahullahu Ta’ala means the Mercy of Allah the Exalted be upon him.

In keeping with current universal practice, local transliterations of names of places are preferred to their anglicised versions, e.g. Makkah instead of Mecca, etc.

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The Significance and Blessings of Khilafat By Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz, OBE

(Based on a speech delivered at blessings of Khilafat. The Jalsa Salana, Mauritius, on 17 institution of Khilafat is that September 2006.) heavenly system of leadership which Allah the Almighty grants Allah has promised those to the body of believers for their among you who believe and spiritual prosperity and progress. do good works that He will The institution of Khilafat is that surely make them Successors cohesive factor, that binding in the earth, as He made aspect, which brings together Successors from among those people of all races, nations and who were before them; and backgrounds, under the unity of that He will surely establish One Creator. This is a great for them their religion which bounty of Allah Almighty which He has chosen for them; and is conditional upon the faith and that He will surely give them righteous deeds of the believers. in exchange security and This heavenly lifeline is, in fact, peace after their fear: They the rope of Allah. To hold on to will worship Me, and they will this Divine rope is a verifying not associate anything with feature for the Community of the Me. Then whoso is ungrateful believers and is a guarantee of after that, they will be the their peace, sanctity and spiritual rebellious. prosperity. The truth is that the (Ch.24:V.56) progress and glory of Islam is linked with Khilafat. From the beginning of the known history of mankind, God has The verse quoted above from bestowed upon humanity the Surah Al-Nur (Chapter 24)

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mentions the wisdom of the Prophet Muhammad(saw) said: Divine system of succession. It is a unanimous consensus of all ‘O Muslims! This prophet- commentators that this verse hood will remain with you as pertains to the Islamic Khilafat. long as Allah wishes it to Allah has promised to appoint remain. Then it would come to Khulafa; He will transform an end, to be replaced with situations of fear into peaceful Khilafat which would be on ones. But Allah expects the the pattern of prophethood, believers to promulgate the Unity and would remain as long as of God on earth and strive to Allah wills. Then this Khilafat refute any religions that associate would also come to an end. partners with Allah. This is a Then there will be the rule of conditional promise; if the the oppressors and that period Muslims fulfil the conditions laid too will come to an end. After by Allah, and as long as they that, Khilafat on the pattern of continue to fulfil them, Khilafat prophethood, would re- will remain amongst them. Belief emerge.’ in the Unity of God necessitates (Musnad Ahmad: Vol.5, unity among the Muslims. This P.404) unity can only be maintained as long as there is only one Imam After saying this, the Holy (leader) for the entire Muslim Prophet(saw) did not add any further nation. Khilafat provides us with comments, inferring that it would a system to have one Imam for the continue till the Day of entire Ummah (Muslim nation). It Judgement. is therefore implied in the verse that was recited that whenever the At the time of the demise of the Muslims cease to have only one Holy Prophet(saw), the Companions Imam among them, Khilafat will were overwhelmed with insur- be taken away from them. mountable grief and Allah the Almighty blessed them with the In this connection, the Holy institution of Khilafat. During this

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golden era, Islam spread far and wide with full glory. The Holy Prophet(saw) had already spoken of this when he had said: [to] Revive the faith and establish the Law. ‘O Muslims! It is essential for you to follow my Sunnah, that That is, the revival of Islam and is, my practice, and the enforcement of its teachings, its practice of my Khulafa, law, its rules and regulations, to because they will be granted ensure the spiritual and moral guidance from Allah the prosperity of Muslims. All the Almighty.’ commentators of the Holy Qur’an agree that the verse, Within a span of just thirty years, during Khilafat-e-Rashida He it is Who has sent His (rightly-guided Khilafat), Islam Messenger with the guidance gloriously spread not only all over and the Religion of truth, that Arabia, but as far and wide as He may cause it to prevail Afghanistan and the borders of over all religions… China, Cyprus and Northern (Ch.61:V.10) Africa; the banner of Islam was fluttering all over with the prophesises the supremacy of blessings of Khilafat. Then after a Islam over other faiths and its long spell of tragic events for victory is to be fulfilled with all its Islam, the Mercy of Allah surged grandeur during the time of the once again and in accordance with Imam Mahdi(as). His promises, Allah Almighty raised the Reformer of the Latter Hadhrat Syed Muhammad Ismail Days – the Leader, the Imam, the Shaheed(ra) writes in his book, Saviour, the Guided One, raised ‘Status of the Imam’ that: to the status of the Promised Messiah. The purpose of his “The advent of faith was coming was: initiated by the Holy

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Prophet(saw) and its final the Unity of God. The fact is victory will be at the hand of that it is not possible for any Hadhrat Mahdi(as).” (Mansab- human being to have eternal i-Imamat, P.76) life, therefore, Allah Almighty devised the system of Khilafat Today we witness that that Imam so that at no time would Mahdi and the Promised Messiah mankind be deprived of the is none other than Hadhrat Mirza blessings of Khilafat.’ Ghulam Ahmad(as) of Qadian who, as the most loyal and devoted ‘Nabuwwat’, that is, prophethood, spiritual son of the Holy differs from Khilafat because Prophet(saw), with his prophethood comes when there is immeasurable love for the Holy absolute spiritual darkness. But Prophet(saw), dedicated each Khilafat comes when that initial moment and breath of his life to darkness has been eradicated by the revival and consolidation of the prophet and there is a body of the mission of the Holy righteous followers established by Prophet(saw). And as a single soul, the prophet. That Community of totally unknown to the world, he the righteous people then elects a raised a voice from a remote and leader with the guidance of Allah. isolated corner of India, which It is abundantly clear that it is God was blessed by Allah, and the Who makes a Khalifa. The words Jama’at of the Righteous which in the Holy Qur’an, ‘He will he founded, soon grew to over a surely make them Successors in hundred thousand within his the earth, as He made Successors lifetime. from among those who were before them’, clearly point to the The Promised Messiah(as) says: fact that it is indeed God Almighty Who makes the ‘This is the reason Allah the Khalifa. A person cannot become Almighty has sent me, so that a Khalifa by being a candidate for those who have righteous the job or by canvassing of any souls may be drawn towards kind. Even when apparently a

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majority of the people are associated with it, Allah the choosing a Khalifa, it is God Who Exalted once again, by the power puts in their minds whom to of His second manifestation, choose. reassured the believers. Once again in the heavily overcast skies In his book, Al Wasiyyat [The of Islam, the blazing sun of Will], in which the Promised Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya rose on the Messiah(as) informed of his 27th of May 1908, effusing the nearing departure from this world, light of peace and calm in every he explained this point further by heart with the election of Hadhrat saying: Maulana Nur-ud-din(ra) as the first Khalifa. He spoke in glorious ‘When this has always been terms about the institution of the way how the Will of Allah Khilafat. He said: works, showing two manifestations of His Power, “After 1,300 years this bounty you should not therefore has been granted and we grieve over what I have told should be grateful for that. you, nor should you let This shall not be given to yourselves be heartbroken, for anyone again until the Day of you are destined to see the Judgement, so be grateful for second manifestation of God’s it, because those who are powers as well. And the grateful, for them the bounty coming of that manifestation is always increased.” would be better for you, for it would be everlasting, of which We, who have the honour to be the chain shall not break until within the fold of this Khilafat, the Day of Judgement.’ witness and experience its blessings day in, day out, and we Accordingly, Allah’s decree was have absolute faith in the second fulfilled and after the unbearable part of this prophecy that the grief of the demise of the Divine institution of Khilafat will Promised Messiah(as) and the fears continue to the Day of Judgement.

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Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (may Likewise, Hadhrat Khalifatul Allah prolong his life) has Masih II(ra) stated: explained this in a beautiful manner. He has said: “Just as only that branch is fruit-bearing that is attached to “The second manifestation of a tree and a severed branch Khilafat that we are witnessing that is cut off from a tree today is an immense gift from cannot bear fruit, similarly Allah Almighty, with an only that person can serve the objective to unite mankind and Community beneficially who protect it from discord. It is that is devoted to the Khalifa. One string in which the Community who does not keep a bond with is threaded like pearls. If pearls the Khalifa, the Imam of the are scattered about, they are righteous, despite having all neither safe nor do they appear the knowledge of the world, beautiful. Indeed, pearls cannot be of any service to threaded in a string alone are Islam, and neither will he secure and at their loveliest. achieve real success in life.” Thus, true faith cannot advance (Reprinted in Al-Fazl, without this second mani- Rabwah, May 2003) festation. Therefore, keep a link of love, sincerity and devotion He further said: with it; make your zeal for obedience to Khilafat ever- “Listen carefully, and remem- lasting. Develop the fervour of ber that Khilafat is the rope of your love for it to such an Allah and it is such a rope that extent that all other rela- you can make progress only if tionships appear trivial you are holding on to this compared to it. All blessings rope. The one who will not are in loyalty to the Khalifa and hold this rope will be this alone is a shield for you destroyed.” against all trouble and strife.” (Dars-ul-Qur’an, March 1921)

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“Accordingly, submission to Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra) Khilafat is not only obedience said: to the commandments of Allah and His Messenger; it is “No one can create any hurdle vital for peace, security and or barrier in the way of the one prosperity in this world. The who is appointed Khalifa by Khalifa is the ladder to Allah. He is given a power and achieve increasing closeness a Divine status and the with Allah.” accomplishment of success (Al-Fazl, September 1947) and victory is inherent in his nature.” (Al Fazl, Qadian, It must be well understood that March 1941) in the verse quoted earlier, the word ‘Yastakhlifannahum’ The fact is that the system of demonstrates that the Khalifa Khilafat which is gifted to the who is chosen is the Successor believers is a very blessed and of the Prophet of Allah, and not magnificent system of leadership. the Successor of the previous Khilafat is instituted by Allah Khalifa. That is why in Khilafat- Himself in the Jama’at of the e-Ahmadiyya, every Khalifa is righteous, laced with the called Khalifatul Masih, that is, ornaments of pious deeds. Khalifa of the Messiah. He is the Khilafat is appended to prophet- vicegerent of God Almighty on hood and is a perfect shadow of the surface of this earth and the the light of prophethood. Khilafat most beloved person in the sight is like the shining moon of of Allah. Being a representative prophethood; it beautifully of the Master of the Universe, reflects the blessings and the successes and victories are laid blazing light of prophethood. before him. With the guidance and succour of Allah the Khilafat is a Divine provision to Exalted, he is blessed with convert each and every fear of the victory. believers into calm. It propounds the worship of One and only One

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God with such brilliance that the yaa Masroor” (I am with you, O concept of worshipping any other Masroor!), is being fulfilled with entity is hard to sustain. It is great glory. Today, the Khilafat that testifies the faith and Ahmadiyya Community is a good deeds of the believers and unique body which has earned unites the entire nation in love and itself a unique honour and a turns them into a beautiful rosary global identity because of its of beads, connecting and service to humanity. Its blessings protecting each other. have encompassed the entire world. We who have faithfully Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) submitted to Khilafat very well strongly urged us by saying: know the fountain of blessings gushing for mankind to benefit. “Tie yourselves up inextri- The services provided in the fields cably to Khilafat till the Day of education, preaching and of Judgement. Surely if you publication have raised the will remain with Khilafat, Jama’at to an unmatchable posi- Khilafat will definitely remain tion. In this turbulent, tumultuous with you. That is the nature of world, the Ahmadiyya Jama’at the relationship between the today is an island of unity, peace two which will result in and cohesion under the shade of sustaining the Unity of God.” Allah’s mercy.

Today, we are witnessing the fifth Today, by the grace of Allah, this chapter of the blessed institution Jama’at is established in about of Khilafat. The great glory 190 countries of the world and the working in favour of Hadhrat number of Ahmadis runs into Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may many millions. It is with the Allah prolong his life) is clearly blessings of Khilafat that the evident. Jama’at has been turned into a solid body and all the blessings The prophecy revealed to the that were promised to the body of Promised Messiah(as), Inni ma’aka believers in Surah Al Nur by

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Allah the Almighty have been Islam. Along with a strong given to Jama’at Ahmadiyya. network of Jama’ats well Wherever enemies attempt to established in over 190 countries create fear, the help of Allah of the world, the Jama’at is descends immediately upon His continually producing literature Jama’at and He dispels all fears in local languages to introduce and grants us help and victory the pristine teachings of Islam with His grace. and in this respect the most significant achievement is the Truly, a great blessing of Khilafat translation and publication of the is the unity, discipline and Holy Qur’an in over a hundred solidarity it has provided to principal lan-guages. In fact, Jama’at Ahmadiyya. The essence within a few decades, the of this blessing is the obedience Ahmadiyya Jama’at has pro- to Allah and His Holy Prophet duced several times more Muhammad(saw). It is that translations of the Holy Qur’an complete obedience which every than were produced during the Ahmadi – wherever he is and previous 1400 years of Islam whoever he is – feels honoured to because of the Divine blessings have wholeheartedly to the showered upon it through Khalifa and to those appointed Khilafat. This work is continuing by him to run the affairs of the at enormous speed by Allah’s Jama’at. grace.

The world can observe that by Similarly, through the blessings Allah’s grace, every moment, of Khilafat, the Jama’at has built everywhere, the world of thousands of mosques in almost Ahmadiyyat is witnessing the every country of the world and glowing light of Allah’s succour that number is growing rapidly. and guidance and, under the Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III(ru) Divine blessings of Khilafat, the established the Nusrat Jehan Jama’at is moving on towards Scheme to serve humanity in all ensuring the ultimate victory of regions of the world in order to

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appease suffering by opening the scenario of the sacrifices of hospitals, schools and centres of the pioneers, the Companions of human welfare. He coined the the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw). slogan ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’. And under another Today, the world is waiting for us charity organisation, Humanity to step forward and call mankind First, established by Hadhrat towards the Word of God. Today, Khalifatul Masih IV(ru), there are there are billions of hearts devoid so many schemes to provide of the love of the Holy clean water and alternative, Prophet(saw). It is up to us to win affordable sources of energy to over those hearts with the love of the poor in Africa and elsewhere. Islam and the love of the Holy Prophet(saw). That is the way to A unique blessing accorded to honour the priceless gift of the adherents of Khilafat is the Khilafat from Allah. capacity for financial sacrifices. The Jama’at is totally self-reliant Another great blessing for us is and accepts no assistance or the prayers of the Khalifa. The support from anyone outside the Khalifa’s prayers are rewarded Jama’at. It is the sheer blessings most by Allah. Hadhrat Khalifatul of Khilafat that the Jama’at is Masih II(ra) says: able to afford services like the twenty-four hour International “When Allah raises someone Satellite Television Station, to the status of Khilafat, He Muslim Television Ahmadiyya also blesses his prayers with (MTA). assured acceptance. In fact, the supplications of the In fact, every Ahmadi has Khalifa are more powerful vowed, for the sake of the than the prayer of any other propagation of Islam, to sacrifice individual.” his life, wealth, time and honour. (Mansab-i-Khilafat, p.32) This is the only Jama’at today that spectacularly demonstrates There is hardly any Ahmadi who

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has not experienced the miracles Assembly. (Al Fazl of the acceptance of the Khalifa’s International, 15 February prayers. Not only that, but there 2002) is also a large number of non- Ahmadis who have unshakeable Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra) faith in the prayers of the said: Khalifa. I will mention here just one event related to the great “There is one for you who has politician of India, Sir Feroz affection and compassion for Khan Noon. It was an you. He has love for you at unforgettable favour of Hadhrat heart. He considers your Khalifatul Masih II(ra) on Sir affliction as his own and your Noon. He had been married for suffering as his own suffering. six years with no child. It was in He fervently supplicates for 1925 that one morning his wife you before Allah. But there is travelled from Lahore to Qadian no such person for those to see Huzur(ra). She arrived as outside the panel of Khilafat. Huzur(ra) was preparing to go for When one person is sick in a Zuhr prayer. She emotionally family, the whole family related her plight to Huzur(ra) and becomes worried and restless. said that she feared that her Just imagine the condition of husband would marry a second the Khalifa who has not one, woman. Huzur(ra), along with but hundreds and thousands of other members of his family, such people to pray for.” prayed for her and by Allah’s grace a son was born one year The Holy Prophet(saw) said, ‘Your later. The Noons had more best leaders are those whom you children later on but this son, love, whom you pray for and who Noor Hayat, who was the fruit of pray for you.’ Our present Khalifa the Khalifa’s prayers grew up to (may Allah prolong his life), in be a God-loving person and a his discourses, and in his sermons, very successful politician and has repeatedly drawn our member of the National attention towards the importance

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of prayer. Huzur has said that the clearly evident from the example blessings of Khilafat are of one such Companion who conditional for those who do good fought in battle at every side of works and are regular in prayer the Holy Prophet(saw) to defend and observe Allah’s com- Islam that his body was chopped mandments with passion. into seventy pieces and only through one part of his little finger It is therefore the responsibility of did his sister recognise his body. every Ahmadi to look into his or Such was the obedience of the her own life and see to what Companions of the Holy extent it is in accordance with the Prophet(saw). Similarly, once ano- teachings of Islam. It is not ther Companion, Abdullah bin merely an observation, nor a Masood(ra), was in the street when custom to say that you have love he heard the Holy Prophet(saw) for the Khalifa. You have to have saying “Sit down.” Abdullah bin the real sentiment and you have to Masood(ra) sat down in the middle then follow it with perfect of the street immediately and did obedience and act upon it in order not wait even for a moment in to be blessed with the special order to obey the Prophet of favours of Khilafat by Allah. Allah(saw).

The Companions of the Holy The same was the obedience that Prophet(saw) demonstrated through- was shown by the Companions of out their lives a most heart- the Promised Messiah(as). We can rendering and awe-inspiring see how Hadhrat Khalifatul example of devotion and sacrifice Masih I(ra) was obedient to the and absolute obedience to the Promised Messiah(as) as wherever Prophet of Allah(saw). They said to he would be, as soon as he the Holy Prophet(saw) that, ‘We will received a message from the fight on your right and we will Promised Messiah(as) to come, he fight on your left and the enemy would stop all that he was doing cannot reach you until they go and set out to be with the over our dead bodies.’ This was Promised Messiah(as). When the

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Promised Messiah(as) once said to forgotten. The point to remember him ‘You should not go to Bhera’ is that whenever we refer to them (his home town), that obedient we must also reaffirm our own servant never even thought once pledge of allegiance to Khilafat. of returning to his homeland. The Every moment we should be Promised Messiah(as) used to say, saying, ‘O our beloved Khalifa, ‘Nur-ud-din follows me like the we are going to sacrifice veins follow the beating of the everything we have for your heart.’ service – our life, our time, our honour – everything is a sacrifice There is also the example of Hafiz for you, whatever you order us to Roshan Ali(ra) who had only one do, we shall oblige.’ Today, the dress. Hafiz Roshan Ali(ra) would time has come for us to truly wash his clothes every Thursday demonstrate the fulfilment of night and then wear the same those pledges that we have made. again on Friday morning. One Our claims of loyalty to Khilafat night, it was freezing cold and his will only be proven right when we dress was hanging on the washing live out our assertions during our line outside. He received a daily lives, bringing about a pure message from the Promised transformation in our conduct and Messiah(as) that said, ‘I need you, acting upon all commands and please come.’ Hafiz Roshan Ali(ra) decisions of the Khalifa. We need got up straight away and put on to form a close bond with the his cold wet clothes and wrapped Khalifa in order to benefit from himself in his quilt and presented the blessings of Khilafat. Every himself to the Promised Ahmadi has the facility to request Messiah(as). a meeting with Huzur. Huzur’s tours to various countries enable The examples of such heart- the people of those countries to rending devotion and dedication partake of those blessings. Every are so many. These incidents are Ahmadi should make it a habit of not mere tales; they are not there frequently writing to Huzur and simply to be related and then seeking his prayers and guidance

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at every step in life. We are indeed with regard to Khilafat is that they highly fortunate to have been should respect, love and honour it honoured with this Divine from the depth of their hearts. institution and we should make it Their attachment to it should be our obligation to serve this absolutely solid always, saving it institution in every possible from the slightest scratch. This manner, so that we can become can only happen when it is the deserving recipients of Allah’s matched with the spirit of total favours. Huzur has said that each obedience to the Khalifa. When Ahmadi should try to pray all the we believe with conviction that time for the strength of the Allah chooses the Khalifa and the Khilafat. We should make Khalifa is the vicegerent of Allah changes in our lives so that we on this earth and he is also the can serve the Khalifa and thereby most beloved of Allah in this speed up the march towards the world, then it is incumbent upon victory of Islam. us that we love him with our heart and soul. We should be prepared Even if every particle of our to sacrifice everything in his way. bodies and souls turned in There should be no lack of appreciation towards Allah, we enthusiasm in the obedience of still cannot fulfil the demands of the Khalifa. It should be taken just gratitude. We must develop this as obedience to the Holy sentiment in our hearts that we Prophet(saw). need to be grateful to Allah the Almighty so that He grants us the Obedience means that each and ability to fulfil this responsibility every word coming from the and we may continue to benefit Khalifa should be passionately from the spiritual light that is complied. To forget or neglect an bestowed upon us through this edict of the Khalifa is noble institution. unbecoming of a true Ahmadi. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I(ra) A fundamental and important said: responsibility of the righteous

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“Bai’at, that is the pledge of sermons of the Khalifa and initiation into Ahmadiyyat, is encourage our youngsters to do in reality total submission to so also. This is an absolute the obedience of the Khalifa necessity. The meaning of and never to ignore even the obedience is that we oblige to slightest of his commands.” every call that comes from the (Al-Furqan, June 1967) Khalifa. It is not the dignity of an Ahmadi that he or she overlooks Regarding the relationships and that instruction or bypasses it. the responsibilities of the Our present Beloved Huzur righteous towards the Khalifa, further says: we should bear in mind that the Holy Prophet(saw) said: “If you aim to progress and be triumphant over the world, “If you witness the presence then my advice to you and of the Khalifa on this earth, my message for you is to submit to him, even if your maintain a bond with body is tattered into fine fibre Khilafat and to firmly hold and all your wealth is onto this cord of Allah. All plundered.” our advancements are (Masnad Ahmad bin Hambal, inherently dependant upon a Hadith No. 22353) bond with Khilafat.”

The love that the Khalifa holds The greatest blessing promised for the people of the Community through Khilafat is the is something that we witness protection, the stability, the daily in our lives. What we need spiritual strength and progress of to focus on is the extent of our Islam and the gift of peace and love for the Khalifa. We receive calm from within, accorded to his prayers at every moment and the believers. That is expressed we should also pray for him in the part of the verse of the truly. Every Ahmadi must also Holy Qur’ans: make it his duty to listen to the

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…and that He will surely from the evils of this world is establish for them their submission and total obedience of religion which He has chosen the heavenly appointed Khalifa. If for them… we really have a heart for Islam, if (Ch.24:V.56) our heart cries for what we see happening against Islam in the It is an irrevocable declaration world today, then we should not and promise of the Master of the hesitate even for a moment to Universe that through Khilafat He shed all our doubts for the sake of will provide that strength, Allah’s blessings and move harmony and unity to Muslims forward to pledge our devotion that will enable them to fulfil the and faithfulness to the Khalifa of heavenly decree of Islam’s the day. victory. Implicit in this assurance is also the fact that those outside The present times, with all their the panel of Khilafat will be anxieties and concerns, demand totally deprived of such blessings that every fair-minded person and success and progress will be should assess and appreciate for showered upon those within the himself how Allah the Exalted has fold of Khilafat. honoured Jama’at Ahmadiyya with the gift of Khilafat. Truly, in The world today is a witness that the eyes of Allah, this is the only this great Divine promise is being Jama’at in the whole world beautifully fulfilled in the which, through its word and astonishing accomplishments and deeds, has fulfilled the Divine achievements of Jama’at conditions to deserve Khilafat. Ahmadiyya and the plight of those who are still wondering Accordingly, the claim of the what to do. Let everyone who Ahmadis that they are, in the believes in Allah and His Holy world of today, the true models of Prophet(saw) and the Holy Qur’an the pure teachings of Islam and know full well that the only they are the ones who are moving sanctuary of peace and protection on the path of righteousness and

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the fast track towards the final by the Mahdi and Messiah of the victory of Islam has become an Latter Days, Hadhrat Mirza absolute fact. Today, no one can Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian(as). ever find lasting peace, harmony and prosperity anywhere besides So O ye claiming to be the loyal under the wings of Khilafat-e- and loving servants of the Holy Ahmadiyya. Prophet(saw)! Come forward, shed all your doubts and hesitations Let those out there come out of and move into the sanctuary of the darkness of ignorance, Ahmadiyyat to enjoy the decreed prejudice and negligence and see fruits of Divine Khilafat. for themselves the blazing sun of Khilafat and radiate their souls There are so many Muslim with its light. Let us not be scholars lamenting the depri- destroyed by our ego and false vation of Khilafat. A well known image. non-Ahmadi scholar of Pakistan by the name of Rahmat Ali writes: The Muslim world, with great concern and anxiety, has “The whole nation is guilty of attempted to establish Khilafat to destroying the institution of unite the Ummah. But all such Khilafat. Muslims all over the attempts have met with frustration world today are being and some of those who dreamt of disgraced and humiliated becoming ‘Amir-ul-Momineen’ because they have ignored the (Commander of the Faithful) have righteous faith. There is only met a horrifying tragic end. Let one solution and that is the everyone know that the only God- entire Muslim nation, by gifted Khilafat is Khilafat-e- reviving the institution of Ahmadiyya that will last till the Khilafat, should gather under Day of Judgement and there can one banner.” (Roze Nama Din, be no other Khilafat or Khalifa or 21 May 2002) Amir-ul-Momineen besides the one the seeds of which were sown It is through the blessings of

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Khilafat that the progress of office bearers. The Holy Ahmadiyyat has been really Prophet(saw) said that when you are spectacular especially since unified at one hand and you have Pakistan declared Ahmadis to be an Amir and someone tries to non-Muslims. It is a demons- break your unity and divide you, tration that God is behind this you should completely disas- Community and behind the sociate with such a person and Khalifatul Masih. Efforts to refuse to accept what he says. annihilate Ahmadiyyat have not (Muslim Kitab, Al-Amaarah) succeeded. On the contrary, Ahmadiyyat is on the march with Our beloved present Khalifatul ever increasing vigour. How great Masih has instructed that the is Allah! How Merciful and Jama’at office bearers must work Compassionate is He! He is with diligently and honestly to fulfil Ahmadiyyat. He is with their duties. They have to be just Khalifatul Masih always and we and fair and serve people with are marching forward with ever utmost humility. He said: increasing speed under the able leadership of Khalifatul Masih V. “Remember, if you have made the claim that you love Inclusive in obedience to the Khilafat because of Allah, Khalifa are all those providing then the administration of the services to the Jama’at on behalf Jama’at is part of the Khilafat of the Khalifa. We are blessed and you have to be obedient to with a wonderful and unique it. You have to be faithful to system of organisation and the administration of the management (Nizaam) which Jama’at.” caters for the spiritual and moral needs of all members of the Every Ahmadi must remember Jama’at according to their age and that the Promised Messiah(as) gender. The spirit of obedience in likened his followers to the green Islam flows down from Allah to branches stemming from his own the Amir and down to all the self and he has said that it is only

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by becoming established with this bestowed upon us by Allah during system of Khilafat that you will our lives. It is also a blessing of become the green branches, Khilafat that we have the Waqf-e- otherwise the one who severs this Nau Scheme for preparing our link will see the severed branches children to shoulder, with dry up. So remember the plight of excellence, the future anyone who tries to break this responsibilities of the Jama’at. unity. The youngsters of today will be In less than two years from now the leaders and ambassadors of Insha’Allah (God-Willing), the Jama’at tomorrow. To create Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya will be love for the institution of Khilafat completing its first 100 years. As in their hearts and to bind them we are stepping into the second with this blessed system is a vital century of this Divine era, Huzur duty of the parents. It is a sign of has drawn our attention to the living and progressing nations observing a fast every month, that the future generations are offering two Nawafil (voluntary brought up to keep the flag prayers) everyday and reciting fluttering for which their special prayers to seek Allah’s ancestors sacrificed their lives. In forgiveness and mercy and to view of the significance of this remain under His protection great responsibility, Hadhrat always. Huzur has also instructed Khalifatul Maish II(ra) had taken a us to join the institution of pledge from the Jama’at, the Wasiyyat and be prepared to offer words of which are just as greater sacrifices for the victory important and relevant today as of Islam. We should make sure they were then. The pledge was: that the institution of Khilafat continues to grow stronger and “We will continue to strive till stronger with time so that our the last breath for the stability progeny, generation after gener- and the safeguard of the ation, continues to enrich itself institution of Khilafat and we with the blessings of Khilafat will ensure that our progeny,

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generation after generation, obedience, will envy us. O Our remain solidly attached to God! Grant us the ability so that Khilafat and benefit from it so we can fulfil this promise, for all that Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya excellence and all praise belongs continues till the Day of to you, the Benefactor of all. May Judgement and the work of the He grant us the ability to fulfil all propagation of Islam con- our pledges. tinues through the Ahmadiyya Movement and the flag of So O ye the kindling lights of Hadhrat Muhammad(saw) rises Khilafat on this beautiful island of above all other flags. O our Mauritius! Rise up to the demands Gracious God, enable us to of the time and fulfil your fulfil this pledge!” covenant to our beloved Khalifa to transform yourselves into the Today, we must leave this pristine models of the teachings of gathering with the pledge that we Islam, so that by the charisma of will become the right hand of our your spiritual powers and the beloved Khalifa; that we are magnetic force of your conduct, going to prove every word of our you become the cause of guidance pledge to be true and follow our for all on this island and beyond. beloved master to whichever path Our beloved Khalifa has been of righteousness he will call us. here and is proud of you. So strive We will run to that call and will on and keep the flag of sacrifice everything that we hold Ahmadiyyat flying high. May you dear; our life and our death will be all enjoy everlasting unity, peace, at his feet. Let each one of us hold harmony and prosperity through Allah as a witness that we are the blessings of Khilafat. Allah be going to hold the precious words with you always! of our Khalifa within our hearts and we are going to mould all his directions into true actions in such a way that even the angels who are made of the substance of

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Khilafat Centenary Article COMPETITION The Review of Religions is running a competition for articles on Khilafat to be published during 2007-s2008.

The winning entry will receive a copy of The Review of Religions in which the best article is published and it will be personally signed by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V!

Articles must be unpublished and original and between 4,000 words and 7,000 words on one of the following topics:

1. The blessings of Khilafat in Islam 2. The institution of Khilafat 3. The impact of Khilafat-e-Rashida or Khilafat-i-Ahmadiyya 4. The concept of Khilafat in religious thought

All entries will be judged by the Editorial Board and the Board’s decision will be final.

To qualify for this unique opportunity entries must be fully annotated with cross-references relevant extracts of which should be supplied with the article for verification and submitted in English in MS Word to reach The Review of Religions office in London by 30 November 2007. You must include your full contact details including name, address, telephone number and email address. Late entries will not be entertained. Unless prepaid postage is enclosed, unpublished articles will not be returned.

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The Relationship of the Promised Messiah(as) with Allah the Almighty

By Bilal Atkinson – Hartlepool, UK

(Based on an address at the UK promise of Allah the Almighty to Annual Convention at Hadeeqatul His prophets has more recently Mahdi in July 2007) been manifested during the lifetime of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Allah the Almighty’s relationship Ahmad(as), the Promised Messiah with all His prophets is clearly and Mahdi of the Latter Days. stated in the Holy Qur’an: There are so many incidents to Most surely We help Our illustrate this close spiritual Messengers and those who relationship during his lifetime that believe, both in the present life it is impossible to recount them all. and on the day when the However, a few events will be witnesses will stand forth. highlighted to describe this Divine (Ch.40:V.52) relationship that was demonstrated so manifestly during the life of the This verse holds out a promise to Promised Messiah(as). all Divine messengers that God’s help, comfort and support will Throughout his life as a Prophet of always be with them and the evil God, the Promised Messiah(as) was designs and plans of their often denounced and received all disbelieving opponents will all sorts of abuse from his opponents ultimately fail. The truth of this and he has remarked: great promise has been demon- strated again and again throughout “When such diseased people the history of prophet-hood and make Prophets of God the especially during the lifetime of the target of their insinuations and Holy Prophet of Islam, think ill of them, God becomes Muhammad(saw). This everlasting their enemy and stands up in

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defence of His Prophets. He of Batala who had recently guards the honour of His dear qualified as a maulvi and whose ones with such jealousy as is views were not approved of or unparalleled. When I was acceptable to his fellow citizens. maligned and assailed in The Promised Messiah(as) different ways, the same proceeded to Batala that same protective jealousy of God evening. Muhammad Hussain was became operative in my in the mosque and opened the defence.” debate with a speech in which the (Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol.20: Al- Promised Messiah(as) found nothing Wasiyyat, footnote p.317) objectionable regarding certain theological points as he found them The Promised Messiah’s(as) in accord with Islamic teachings. relationship with Allah the He openly declared that there was Almighty began in his childhood. nothing in the speech which He related that he felt himself required refutation and refused powerfully attracted towards God further debate. and he was also faintly conscious and aware that some time in the For his open and truthful statement future God would engage him to the Promised Messiah(as) was fulfil some of His Divine plans. ridiculed not only by his Even as a small child he requested opponents, but, alas, also by those his cousin Hurmat Bibi, the who had invited him to support daughter of his maternal uncle, to their views in the debate. Such was pray that he may ‘be granted the his love for truth and honesty that grace of prayer.’ This most humble he was prepared to receive their request from an innocent child ridicule whether they were friend proved that he had a pure heart or foe. He knew, at the end of the filled with the love of God. day, he was answerable to God alone for his actions and not to any In 1869, the Promised Messiah(as) worldly acquaintance or friendship. was requested to hold a debate with and refute certain doctrines He always suffered any humil- expounded by Muhammad Hussain iation with great dignity, cheer-

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fulness and decorum. Only a man when my father died. In a of upright and sterling character dream I had been warned that has the courage to speak the truth his death was approaching. He even when it is very unpopular. In was then in Lahore and this particular incident in his life, hastened to Qadian. He was the character he showed did him then suffering from dysentery great credit, so much so that God but I had no apprehension that was immensely pleased with him. he would die the following day. That same night he received the In fact, there had been some revelation that God was pleased change for the better in his with the course of action he had condition and he appeared quite taken and that He would bless him steadfast. The following day, so much so that, ‘Kings would seek we were all with him at noon blessings from his garments.’ when he kindly suggested that I (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Vol.1V, should go and have some rest, p.520) for it was the month of June and the heat was intense. I retired Today, by the sheer Grace of Allah, into an upper room and a we have witnessed on a number of servant began to massage my occasions the fulfilment of this feet. Presently, I fell into a light Divine promise when kings have slumber and the revelation attended previous UK Annual came to me (Arabic): Conventions and have literally received blessings of the garments ‘By the heaven (We call to of the Promised Messiah(as) from witness heaven where all the Khalifa of the day. decrees originate) and the morning Star (We call to The death of the Promised witness that which will happen Messiah’s(as) father was a critical after sunset).’ point in his life. He described his (Ch.86:V.2) personal situation at his father’s death in the following words: I was given to understand that what was to happen after sunset “I was 34 or 35 years of age was my father’s death, and that

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this revelation was by way of ‘Is not Allah sufficient for His condolence on behalf of God servant?’ Almighty. This revelation conveyed great Holy is Allah! How glorious is comfort and satisfaction to me He that He conveyed His and it found its firm place in my condolence on the death of a heart. I swear by God Almighty person who had died sorrowing in Whose hand is my life that over the waste of his life. He has fulfilled this comforting revelation in a manner which I Most people would be could not have imagined. He surprised at this interpretation has provided for me as no of mine that God Almighty father could have provided for consoled me. It should, how- anyone. I have been the ever, be remembered that when recipient of His continuous God, glorified be His name, bounties which I find impos- treats someone mercifully, He sible to count. deals with him like a friend. We read in the Traditions that on My father died the same day certain occasions God after sunset. This was the first Almighty laughed. This also is day on which I experienced a an expression of the same type. sign of Divine mercy through revelation concerning which I When I received this revelation, cannot imagine that it would which foretold the death of my ever cease to have effect father, the thought passed during my lifetime. I had the through my mind, due to my words of the revelation carved humanity, that some of the on a semi-precious stone and means of income which were set in a ring which I have with available to my father would me securely. Nearly 40 years now be closed and we might be of my life passed under the confronted with difficulties. care of my father and with his Thereupon, I received another departure from this life I began revelation: to receive Divine revelation

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continuously.” reference to some future event.’ [Kitabul Bariyyah, (Qadian, The very same day, Maulvi Rahim Zia-ul-Islam Press 1898); Now Bakhsh(ra) continues, someone printed in Ruhani Khaza’in came from Amritsar and told him (London, 1984), Vol. 13, that the stone for his ring that he pp.189-195, footnote] had sent to Hakim Muhammad Sharif of Amritsar to be inscribed The Promised Messiah(as) often with the revelation: ‘Alais-Allahu used to say that this message, a bi Kafin ‘abdahu’’ (Is Allah not reassurance – Is not Allah sufficient sufficient for His servant?) had for His servant?’ – came to him been lost. He also brought a page with such glory and majesty that it of his book Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya settled firmly in his heart like a which had been very badly printed. steel nail hammered into a block of Hadhrat Sahib(as) was perturbed by wood and from that moment on both these pieces of news and both Allah took care of him in a way of us went to Amritsar. When we that has no worldly parallel. arrived at the house of Hakim Muhammad Sharif he told Hadhrat He often said that after this Sahib that the stone that had been revelation, he received so many lost was recovered and when we favours from Allah the Almighty went to the printing press we found that it was not possible to count that printing of Barahin-e- them. (Kitabul Bariyyah) Ahmadiyya was proceeding satis- factorily. Thereupon Hadhrat Sahib Maulvi Rahim Bakhsh(ra) relates observed: ‘God Almighty had that the Promised Messiah(as) said to reassured me in advance that He him that he had received a would deliver me from sorrow. revelation (Arabic) that Allah This was the sorrow.’ (Al-Hakam, would deliver him from some Vol. XXXVII, no. 29, August 14, sorrow and his Lord was All- 1934, p.3) Powerful. The Promised Messiah(as) had continued: ‘By At Masjid Al Aqsa in Qadian on God’s grace, I have no sorrow but the day of Eid ul Adhia (13th April perhaps the revelation has 1900), the Promised Messiah(as)

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was Divinely directed to deliver a upon the Promised Messiah(as) by sermon in the Arabic language. He the Divine Grace of God. requested Hadhrat Maulvi Nur-ud- din(ra) and Hadhrat Abdul Karim(ra) Maulvi Abdul Karim Sahib(ra) to sit near him and directed them delivered an Urdu translation of to write down what he was going the gist of this sermon and during to say. this translation, the Promised Messiah(as), overtaken by God’s Hadhrat Bhai Abdur Rahman(ra) Mercy, fell into prostration in says, “When the Promised gratitude for this great blessing Messiah(as) took his seat on the and the whole of the congregation chair and started to address, it followed his example. seemed as if he had been transported to the other world. His After prostration, the Promised eyes remained closed and his Messiah(as) mentioned that he had blessed face seemed luminous, as just seen the word ‘Mubarak’ if Divine light, having enveloped (Congratulations) spelt out in it, had illuminated it and made it scarlet letters in front of him. Also, lustrous. At that time, one could regarding this miraculous speech, not gaze at his face. His forehead the Promised Messiah(as) said: radiated bright rays of light that dazzled the eyes of those who “Subhanallah! (Holy is Allah) looked at it.” At that time, a hidden fountain was gushing out. I do not know For more than one hour the whether it was I who was Promised Messiah(as) delivered the speaking, or some angel was sermon which made a deep speaking through my tongue, impression on all who were very for I knew that I had no share fortunate to be present at the time. in this speech. Self-made The main topic of this sermon was sentences came out of my the philosophy of sacrifice. This mouth, and every sentence was sermon – the Khutba Ilhamia – is a sign for me. It is an a unique example of the mastery intellectual miracle shown by of the Arabic language bestowed God, and none can present the

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like of it.” Hadhrat Maulvi Nur-ud-din(ra) (Haqiqatul Wahi, pp.362-363) relates:

Hadhrat Khalifatul Mash II(ra) “On one occasion, in the course relates: of a debate, an opponent asked the Promised Messiah(as) to cite “In 1907 the Promised a reference from Bukhari and Messiah(as) suffered from a the Promised Messiah(as) started severe cough. While he was in turning over its pages very this condition, a friend from rapidly. Then he stopped at one outside brought some fruit for place and said: Here is the him as a present. The friend reference. Everyone was says: ‘I put the fruit before surprised and someone inquired him.’ He looked at it and said: from Hadhrat Sahib(as) how he Say to him: ‘May Allah reward had found the reference so you.’ Then he took up a banana quickly. He answered: ‘When I and asked me how this would took the book in my hand and affect his cough. I answered: ‘It started turning over its pages it is not good.’ He smiled and seemed to me the pages were peeled the banana and began to blank. I turned them over eat it. I submitted: ‘You have a quickly and then came to a page severe cough and this is not where I saw some writing and good for cough.’ He smiled then I was sure that this was the again and continued to eat. reference that I needed.’” Stupidly, I repeated that he (Sirat ul Mahdi, part II, No. should not eat it; on which he 306) smiled again and said: I have just received the revelation The Promised Messiah(as) once (Urdu): ‘Cough has been said: removed’, and since then I have no cough.” “It came to my mind once that I (Al-Fazl, Vol.XXX, No. 164, should write a book setting out p.3, 17 July 1942) the bounties that Allah had bestowed upon me. When I was

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about to start on this project, I In this manner I was informed saw in a vision that heavy rain that Syed Nasir Shah’s transfer was falling and God said to me: had been postponed. It gave ‘If you can count these drops of me great pleasure that God had rain you will be able to number accepted my supplication on My bounties.’ Then I gave up his behalf. I informed him the idea.” (Register of immediately of this and on the Riwayaati-e-Sahaba, Vol. VII, 3rd or 4th day he received a p. 310) letter from some official of the State to the effect that his The Promised Messiah(as) writes: transfer had been postponed.” (Tatimma Haqeeqatul Wahi “A friend of mine, Syed Nasir pp.157-158) Shah, Overseer in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, was Hafiz Hamid Ali(ra) relates: much perturbed at having received orders of transfer to “On one occasion, the Gilgit which would involve Promised Messiah(as) sent me him in great hardship during on an errand to a foreign land. the journey and his stay there, I boarded the ship bound for to which he did not find my destination. About half- himself equal. He took leave way, the vessel was caught in a and came to me and asked me storm and everyone was to pray that he should be terrified that it was going to posted in Jammu and should sink. I tried to reassure all the not have to travel to Gilgit. passengers and stated confi- One night, I supplicated for dently that I belonged to the him and in respect of several Punjab and was going on an other matters including the errand on behalf of one whom glory of Islam. Then I received God had appointed His the revelation: ‘All prayers Prophet(as) for this age and that have been accepted, including so long as I was on the vessel, the one for the strength and it would not sink. God glory of Islam.’ Almighty thereafter stilled the

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waters and the vessel arrived Messiah(as). His Tabligh effort was safe at my destination and I successful in that Munshi Ataa disembarked. After a short Muhammad(ra) was ready to accept stop the ship proceeded on but on condition that the Promised alas on its further voyage it Messiah(as) should pray that not his sank after a short time. When youngest but his eldest wife who the news reached India, was of advanced age, should bear members of my family went to him a son. Only by some mira- Hadhrat Sahib(as) and told him culous means could his wish be that the vessel by which I was fulfilled. travelling had sunk to which Hadhrat Sahib(as) said: ‘I have Accordingly, he wrote to the heard that the vessel by which Promised Messiah(as) and said, Hamid Ali was travelling sank ‘You claim to be the Promised on such and such a day’; after Messiah and Friend of God. The a few minutes he added: ‘But prayers of the Friends of God are Hamid Ali is busy with his accepted. I have now three wives. errand. He is safe.’ It would Twelve years have passed since seem that Hadhrat Sahib(as) had my last marriage, but I have no learnt the truth through a issue from any of them. I desire to vision.” have a handsome, promising and (Al-Hakam, Vol. XXXVIII, auspicious son, and that too by my No.2, p.5, 21st January 1935) first wife. Please pray for the fulfilment of this desire of mine.’ There was a man by the name of The Promised Messiah(as) later Patwari Munshi Ataa intimated that the man’s eldest Muhammad(ra) who belonged to wife would bear him a handsome the village of Nathpur situated and prosperous son provided he near to Qadian. He had been observed the repentance of married for a long time and had Hadhrat Zakariah(as). three wives but, alas, no children. One day an Ahmadi met him and Some months later his eldest wife started to preach to him about the had given up hope of bearing him advent of the Promised any children and in one last

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desperate attempt to relieve her of Messiah’s(as) close connection and her grief, Munshi Ataa relationship with Allah the Exalted. Muhammad(ra) engaged the There was a small but sincere services of a local lady gynae- Jama’at in the state of Kapurthala. cologist who, after making a The members of the Jama’at had cursory examination informed the intense love of the Promised wife that she was incapable of Messiah(as). Once some non- bearing a child, but astonishingly, Ahmadi Muslim opponents she found the woman was sought to take possession of the pregnant and exclaimed that (God Ahmadiyya Mosque of forbid) God must have made a Kapurthala and tried to remove mistake. the Ahmadis from it. Eventually the matter was brought to court. Munshi Ataa Muhammad(ra), The local Ahmadis were greatly overjoyed at this miracle, perturbed and repeatedly entreat- informed the gynaecologist of the ed the Promised Messiah(as) to prayer of the Promised Messiah(as) help with his prayers. One day and soon informed his friends of when requested to pray, the this magnificent Divine blessing. Promised Messiah(as), impressed In due course, Munshi Ataa with the sincerity as well as the Muhammad(ra), was blessed with a perplexity of the brethren, assured handsome son. After the birth of them: ‘Be not anxious. If I am his son, Munshi Sahib(ra), along righteous in my claim, you will with several other people who get the mosque.’ But the attitude came to know of this miracle, of the judge was openly hostile. travelled to Qadian and took He had announced publicly: ‘You initiation at the hands of the have invented a new religion, so Promised Messiah(as). you shall have to build a new mosque too and I will decide This was indeed a great sign of the accordingly.’ He had not yet truth of the Promised Messiah(as) written his judgement as he and especially for Munshi Ataa intended to write it in the Muhammad(ra) and others who now courtroom. While preparing to go acknowledged the Promised to court, he directed his servant to

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help him on with his shoes. The Scotland in 1847. In 1872, after servant was about to do so when studying for the Christian Church, the judge suffered a heart attack he migrated to Australia and soon and died within a few moments. became known as a healer. In The new judge who replaced him 1888 he migrated to the U.S.A. studied the record of the case and and within four years he became found that the Ahmadis were in well known for his powers of the right, decreed the case in their healing and preaching. Some four favour and awarded the mosque to years later he founded a Christian them. (Sirat ul Mahdi & Ashab-e- Catholic sect and attracted many Ahmad – The Promised Messiah followers and amassed great by M.M. Ahmad) wealth, so much so that in 1901 he started to build a town which he No false claimant to prophethood named Zion City for his ever- is permitted to survive for more growing Christian sect. In the same than twenty-three years after year, he claimed to be Elijah (a making his false claim. The prophet) and the forerunner to the punishment for such a false second advent of Jesus Christ(as), claimant is clearly illustrated in who, he claimed, would soon the Holy Qur’an where God has descend on Zion City. declared: His well-published claim attracted And if he had falsely attributed many more followers, especially even a trivial statement to Us, the rich, and soon the number of We would surely have seized his followers exceeded 100,000. him by the right hand, and Dowie claimed that his mission then surely We would have (before Jesus Christ(as) descended), severed his jugular vein and was to destroy Islam. In so doing, a not one of you could have held torrent of abuse poured from his Us from him.. mouth denouncing the Holy (Ch.69:Vs.45-48) Prophet(as) and the religion of Islam. In 1902, he published a John Alexander Dowie was one prophecy to the effect that unless such claimant. He was born in Muslims became Christian they

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would meet with death and “The black spot on the mantle destruction. of man (Islam) will meet its end at the hands of Zion.” Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) came to know of this prophecy and The Promised Messiah(as) issued wrote a leaflet highlighting the another leaflet which ended by beauties of Islam and sent it to Mr. saying: Dowie. He informed him that he had been sent by God as the “Though he (Dowie) may try Promised Messiah(as) and hard as he can to fly from death challenged him to enter a prayer which awaits him, yet a flight duel that each of them should pray from such a contest will be to God that the impostor should be nothing less than death to him punished and destroyed by Him and calamity will certainly within the lifetime of the other. overtake his Zion, for he must The leaflet was also published bear the consequences either of widely throughout the U.S.A. and the acceptance of the challenge Europe where the challenge was or its refusal.” discussed for more than a year. When prompted why he did not Mr. Dowie did not take up the reply to the challenge, Dowie, challenge and continued to pray indirectly referring to the Promised for the destruction of Islam. In Messiah(as), made a claim that he 1903 he published in his paper: would crush him with his foot as he would gnats and flies. It is reported “I pray to God that Islam will that he later wrote: soon disappear from the world. O God, accept this prayer of “If I am not a messenger of God mine. O God, destroy Islam.” on this earth, then no one is.” (Leaves of Healing, 14th February 1903) The prophecy of the Promised Messiah(as) soon began to take Later that same year, he wrote: effect. The feet with which Dowie was going to crush Islam and the

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Promised Messiah(as) suddenly (Announcement of 20th began to crush him. Dowie February 1907. Inner title page suffered an attack of paralysis and of the pamphlet: Qadian ke though a supposed healer he was Arya aur Ham) unable to heal himself and had to go in search of a cure. As his Alexander Dowie died within a human weaknesses began to fortnight of the publication of this surface for all to see, he was prophecy which is a sure proof for accused of illicit and immoral a seeker after truth that it related to practices. His wife and son later him. The prophecy specified that left him as well as many of his the predicted sign would be for the followers and he was eventually whole world and would be expelled from Zion City a broken manifested soon. Dowie did not man. survive it even for three weeks. (Tatimma Haqeeqatul Wahi p.75, On 20th February 1907, the footnote) Promised Messiah(as) issued another leaflet announcing the On 9th March 1907, Dowie died appearance of another heavenly after suffering a paralysing stroke. sign: Almighty God surely cut off the jugular vein of the impostor. (Sirat “God says: I shall manifest a ul Mahdi and Ashab-e-Ahmad) fresh sign of great victory. This sign will be for the whole world The Holy Qur’an clearly and will be wrought by God’s emphasises: hands from heaven. Let every eye wait for it, for God will Allah has decreed: ‘Most manifest it soon, so that surely I will prevail, I and My everyone might bear witness Messengers.’ Verily, Allah is that this humble one, who is Powerful, Mighty. being reviled from all (Ch.58:V.22) directions, is from Him. Blessed are those who would This verse implants an absolute take advantage of it.” faith and conviction into the hearts

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and minds of the messengers of was no exception to any other God reassuring them of ultimate prophet. Allah the Almighty success, support and victory in appointed him a Prophet of God, their noble missions. The story of subservient to Muhammad all the prophets of God is a clear Mustafa(saw), the Holy Prophet of witness to this truth. They stood Islam and in so doing his up against the prevalent customs relationship with God grew and trends of their societies. They stronger and stronger and he was were mocked, ridiculed, humi- re-assured time and again of His liated, persecuted and even thrown nearness, guidance, protection and out of their homes and lands and the ultimate victory of his mission. dispossessed of all their belong- In one of His revelations, Allah ings and worldly wealth. the Almighty announced to However, the outcome of their Hadhrat Ahmad(as): Divine mission always proved successful because God was the “Despair not of the mercy of guarantor of their success. Allah. Hearken, indeed the mercy of Allah is near. The faith which prophets of God Hearken, the help of Allah is have in the truth of their mission, near. It will come to thee by their relationship with God and the every distant track. Allah will unfailing character of His help thee from Himself. Men promises and assurances to them is whom We shall inspire from quite outstanding and dazzling. heaven will help thee. There is Not only are the prophets of God no changing the words of unmindful of the hostility and Allah. We have bestowed upon attacks of their enemies, they even thee a manifest victory and We challenge their opponents to use have bestowed upon him all their powers to destroy them intimate nearness to Us. He is because they are perfectly the bravest of people. Had convinced of God’s help, pro- faith ascended to the Pleiades tection and support. he would have brought it down. Allah will illuminate his Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) arguments. Mercy flows from

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thy lips, O Ahmad. You are standard-bearer of My Unity, under Our care. Allah will restoring the treasure to its lost exalt thy name and perfect His place in the world, you are as bounty upon thee in this world dear to me as My own and the hereafter.” (Barahin-e- Singleness and Unity. And Ahmadiyya part III pp.238- since the Christians, as a false 242 sub-footnote & Tadhkira doctrine, have taken Jesus pp.32-33) Christ as a Son of God, My sense of honour has demanded The relationship of all prophets that I should love you, the with Allah the Almighty is deeply Messiah of the dispensation of cemented and unbreakable. Their Muhammad, like a son, so that deep love for their Creator and the world should know that their deep longing to draw ever among the followers of the closer to Him is unparalleled. Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) Hadhrat Ahmad, the Promised there can be men who can Messiah and Mahdi(as) was no attain as it were the position of exception to this and God Children of God. And since appreciated his love and blessed day and night you are him with His grace, benevolence, absorbed in the service of the mercy and protection. religion of the Holy Prophet, who is My beloved, in the I have only been able to relate a position of a spiritual son of very small number of the this prophet, I bless you thousands of incidents regarding everlastingly with My own the Promised Messiah’s(as) love.” relationship with God. (Tadhkira)

In conclusion, I leave with the All praise belongs to Allah, Lord very words of Allah the Almighty, of all the worlds. Who in one of His revelations to the Promised Messiah(as) declared:

“Since in this age, you are the

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