WINTER 2008 AYESHA 1

There is no deity but Allah, is Allah’s Messenger

Volume 39 Winter 2008 Issue 1

In this issue: Khulafa and Divine Election Wives of the Khulafa Muhammad the Liberator of Women An Invitation on the Occasion of the 100th Anniversary of Ahmadiyyat Lajna Imaillah’s Pledge of Allegiance to the Institution of Khilafat

A Publication by Lajna Imaillah, Auxiliary of Movement in

WINTER 2008 AYESHA 3

In the Name of Allah , the Gracious, the Merciful Vol. 39 ISSUE 1 The Ayesha IN THIS ISSUE Magazine The Glorious Qur’an 4 So Said the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of God be on him) 5 From the Writings of the Promised (peace be on him) 6 Editorial 8

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF KHILAFAT Dr. Shanaz Butt National President, Khulafa and Divine Election 10 Lajna Imaillah, Khilafat and the Virtue of Truth 19 USA A Timeline of Khilafat 28 Historic First Addresses 31 Ruqaiya Asad Wives of the Khulafa 44 Editor Life Sketch of Hadhrat Asma Siddiqui 59 Associate Editor, “Beauty of Khilafat” 64 Layout Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV’s

Advice to His Children 65 Asma Siddiqui Circulation Preaching Peace and Tolerance 67 Establishment of Khilafat as a Source of Spiritual Guidance 70 Printed and Muhammad the Liberator of Women 76 distributed by An Invitation on Occasion of the Fazl-I-Umar Press 100th Anniversary of Ahmadiyyat 85 Chauncey, Ohio Lajna Imaillah’s Pledge of Allegiance 45719 to the Institution of Khilafat 89

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THE GLORIOUS QUR’AN

ﻭَ ﻋَ ﺪَ ﺍ ﻟ ﻠﱠ ﻪُ ﺍ ﻟﱠ ﺬِ ﻳ ﻦَ ﺁﻣَﻨُﻮﺍ ﻣِ ﻨ ﻜﹸ ﻢْ ﻭَ ﻋَ ﻤِ ﻠﹸ ﻮ ﺍ ﺍﻟﺼﱠﺎﻟِﺤَﺎﺕِ ﻟﹶﻴَﺴْﺘَﺨْﻠِﻔﹶﻨﱠﻬُﻢ ﻓِﻲ ﺍ ﻟﹾ ﺄﹶ ﺭْ ﺽﹺ ﻛﹶﻤَﺎ ﺍ ﺳْ ﺘَ ﺨْ ﻠﹶ ﻒَ ﺍ ﻟﱠ ﺬِ ﻳ ﻦَ ﻣِﻦ ﻗﹶ ﺒْ ﻠِ ﻬﹺ ﻢْ ﻭَ ﻟﹶ ﻴُ ﻤَ ﻜﱢ ﻨَ ﻦﱠ ﻟﹶ ﻬُ ﻢْ ﺩِ ﻳ ﻨَ ﻬُ ﻢُ ﺍﻟﱠﺬِﻱ ﺍﺭْﺗَﻀَﻰ ﻟﹶ ﻬُ ﻢْ ﻭَﻟﹶﻴُﺒَﺪﱢﻟﹶﻨﱠﻬُﻢ ﻣﱢﻦ ﺑَ ﻌْ ﺪِ ﺧَ ﻮْ ﻓِ ﻬﹺ ﻢْ ﺃﹶ ﻣْ ﻨ ﺎﹰ ﻳَﻌْﺒُﺪُﻭﻧَﻨﹺﻲ ﻟﹶﺎ ﻳُ ﺸْ ﺮﹺ ﻛﹸ ﻮ ﻥﹶ ﺑﹺﻲ ﺷَﻴْﺌﺎﹰ ﻭَﻣَﻦ ﻛﹶ ﻔﹶ ﺮَ ﺑَ ﻌْ ﺪَ ﺫﹶ ﻟِ ﻚَ ﻓﹶ ﺄﹸ ﻭْ ﻟﹶ ﺌِ ﻚَ ﻫُ ﻢُ ﺍ ﻟﹾ ﻔﹶ ﺎ ﺳِ ﻘﹸ ﻮ ﻥﹶ “Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them; and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear; they will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then whoso is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious.” (Al-Nur, Verse 56)

ﻭَ ﻳَ ﺴْ ﺄﹶ ﻟﹸ ﻮ ﻧَ ﻚَ ﻋَ ﻦﹺ ﺍ ﻟﹾ ﺠﹺ ﺒَ ﺎ ﻝﹺ ﻓﹶ ﻘﹸ ﻞﹾ ﻳَﻨﺴِﻔﹸﻬَﺎ ﺭَﺑﱢﻲ ﻧَ ﺴْ ﻔ ﺎﹰ

ﻓﹶﻴَﺬﹶﺭُﻫَﺎ ﻗﹶ ﺎ ﻋ ﺎﹰ ﺻَﻔﹾﺼَﻔﺎﹰ ﻟﹶﺎ ﺗَﺮَﻯ ﻓِﻴﻬَﺎ ﻋِ ﻮَ ﺟ ﺎﹰ ﻭَﻟﹶﺎ ﺃﹶ ﻣْ ﺘ ﺎﹰ

ﻳَ ﻮْ ﻣَ ﺌِ ﺬٍ ﻳَﺘﱠﺒﹺﻌُﻮﻥﹶ ﺍ ﻟ ﺪﱠ ﺍ ﻋِ ﻲَ ﻟﹶﺎ ﻋِ ﻮَ ﺝَ ﻟﹶ ﻪُ ﻭَﺧَﺸَﻌَﺖ ﺍ ﻟﹾ ﺄﹶ ﺻْ ﻮَ ﺍ ﺕُ ﻟِ ﻠ ﺮﱠ ﺣْ ﻤَ ﻦﹺ ﻓﹶﻠﹶﺎ ﺗَ ﺴْ ﻤَ ﻊُ ﺇﹺﻟﱠﺎ ﻫَ ﻤْ ﺴ ﺎﹰ

“And they ask thee concerning the mountains. Say, ‘My Lord will break them into pieces and scatter them as dust. And He will leave them as a barren level plain, wherein thou wilt see no depression, or elevation. On that day they will follow the Caller whose teaching is without crookedness; and all voices shall be hushed before the Gracious God and thou shalt not hear but a subdued sound of footsteps.” (Al-Taha, Verses 106-109) WINTER 2008 AYESHA 5

SO SAID THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (peace and blessings of God be on him)

“Bless, O Allah, Muhammad and his people as Thou didst bless Abraham and his people. Thou art indeed Praiseworthy, the Exalted.”

“Prosper, O Allah, Muhammad and his people as Thou didst prosper Abraham and his people. Thou art indeed Praiseworthy, the Exalted.”

Hadith

Hadhrat Huzaifa (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates

that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of

Allah be on him) said: “O Muslims, this will

remain with you as long as Allah wishes it to remain. Then it

would come to an end, to be replaced with Khilafat which would

be in the pattern of Prophethood and would remain as long as

Allah wills. Then this Khilafat would also come to an end. The

rulers who are cruel to people will replace them for as long as

Allah wills. Then this period will also come to an end. Then

there will be the rule of usurpers, and that period too will come

to an end. After that the Khilafat on the pattern of

Prophethood would re-emerge.” Masnad Ahmad 6 AYESHA WINTER 2008

THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND

Hadhrat (1835-1908) WINTER 2008 AYESHA 7

FROM THE WRITINGS OF THE PROMISED MESSIAH (peace be upon him)

“It is necessary for you to witness the Second

Manifestation whose coming is better for you, for it is everlasting and unending till the Day of Judgment. The

Second Manifestation cannot occur until I depart, and it is only when I depart that God shall send the Second

Manifestation for you which shall abide with you forever.

It is, therefore, necessary for you to see the day of my departure so that the day may follow which is the day of everlasting promise…. I have appeared from God as a glory and I am one of His glories duly personified, but there shall be other persons after me who shall bear the glory of His Second Manifestation.” (Al-Wasiyyat, page 6)

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Dear Reader,

Assalamo Alaikum!—Peace be with you.

Over the past year, we have heard in the news about Iranian President Ahmadinejad’s push to ready the people of his nation for the arrival of the Imam Mahdi, the twelfth Imam of the Shia Muslims. According to Ahmadinejad, this Imam has been in hiding for the past 1100 years and is expected to return in his original state. The West fears Ahmadinejad’s “irrational” motivations will lead to violence. During the Pope’s 2008 visit to Washington, D.C., one of the main goals on his agenda was to apologize for the sinful behavior of some priests in his Church. And recently on public television, an expert on the Dalai Lama explained the significance of his role as a political leader as well as spiritual leader of millions of Tibetan Buddhists in the ongoing difficulties with the Chinese government. These are the international religious leaders of today. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 31, the angels question Allah about a Khalifa causing disorder in the earth. We know from this Verse that the Khalifa cannot be true whose followers create disorder, whose leaders engage in grievous sin and who are caught in political turmoil. We can see that even those religious communities with millions of members and a powerful leader are in need of true Khilafat. In a question and answer session, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about WINTER 2008 AYESHA 9 the need for Khilafat, especially in the Muslim world. He answered clearly: “By discord and disharmony the power of the Muslim world has not only disintegrated, but also they are using this broken strength against one another…this is happening in every Muslim country…What will they gain from all of this? It is incumbent that Muslims should unite at the hand of one Imam. Without Khilafat, it is just impossible. How can we live without an Imam today when the condition of Muslims is crying for it?” Everywhere in the world we find turmoil, violence and loss of faith in God and morality. The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) claimed, “Those who are outside my community are all disunited in their ways and thoughts. They do not follow a leader whose obedience is incumbent upon them.” The need is ever greater for a spiritual leader who can unify everyone and guide to the teachings of the true faith. The Khulafa of the Ahmadiyya community have spread peace, education and genuine service to people all over the world. There has never been oppression or violence under their leadership. 2008 marks the 100th year of Khilafat under the Promised Messiah (peace be on him). It is a time for gratitude and celebration that we have been granted the blessings of Khilafat. Equally, it is a time for retrospect on our grave responsibilities: purification of ourselves to continue to be worthy of Khilafat and service and education to all those around us who have not yet found its blessing. Wasalaam, Ruqaiya Asad Editor Ayesha Magazine 10 AYESHA WINTER 2008

The Divine Election Amtul Mussawir Ahmad and Nikasha Ahmad

therefore, all come together in I t has been divine practice that prayer, to wait for the second prophets come to establish the manifestation. All communities of word of God and to guide people the righteous people among my towards Him. But when a prophet followers in every land should passes away after completing his remain in prayer together, so that mission, Allah assures the the second manifestation of power continuity of His blessings for the should descend from the heaven believers and spread of His and show you how powerful is your message by a second manifestation God.” of His power. Allah revealed in Even though the Jamaat was Verse 56 of Chapter 24 in the Holy forewarned about the eventuality Qur’an: “Allah has promised to of the passing of the Promised those among you who believe and Messiah through repeated do well that He will surely make revelations in the last few years of them successors in the earth as He his life, his followers were still in a made successors from among those state of disbelief and shock after who were before them and that He hearing the news of his demise. will surely establish for them their Their whole world fell apart. As religion which he has chosen for they flocked towards , the them and that He will surely give grief at the loss of their Shepherd them in exchange security and was beyond description. But peace.” beneath all the emotions of their The Promised Messiah elaborated loss, they had faith that Allah on this issue in his book Al would not abandon them. They had Wasiyyat () in which he belief that God would manifest His gave glad tidings to his followers in power the second time, turning these words: “I appeared from God their grief into comfort and their as a manifestation. I am sorrow into lasting joy and replace personified power of God and after their fear with peace. me there shall come other persons On May 27, 1908 a score of the who will be a manifestation of a leading members gathered and second power of God. You should agreed unanimously that Hadhrat WINTER 2008 AYESHA 11

Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib should be Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib reflected requested to undertake the heavy for a while and then indicated that responsibility of leading the he would give his reply after community as the first successor of prayer. After he finished the the Promised Messiah and as head Nawafal prayer, he suggested they of the Ahmadiyya Movement. This should all adjourn to the garden request was conveyed to Hadhrat where all the people were gathered. Maulvi Sahib in a document which Hadhrat Mufti Mohammad Sadiq bore the signatures of these leading read out the request and Hadhrat personalities of the Movement who Maulvi Nuruddin addressed the had held a consultation over the audience. All those who were matter and wrote: “… According to present made the covenant of the command of the Promised Bai'at at his hand. Messiah mentioned in his testament, we Ahmadis whose signatures appended below are sincerely convinced that first of the migrant Hadhrat Haji Maulvi Hakeem Nuruddin Sahib who is the most learned and most righteous of us all and is the most sincere and most long standing friend of our departed leader and who was declared by him as the best example for us, should take the covenant of Bai'at in the name of Ahmad from all members of the Ahmadiyya community and from all new entrants in the community in future. Every command of Hadhrat Maulvi Sahib would have Hadhrat Mufti the same authority for us as had Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I was at the command of the Promised the helm of Khilafat for six years. Messiah and Mahdi on whom be On March 4, 1914 he wrote a will peace and blessings of Allah.” expressing his desire, “… My On receipt of this request Hadhrat successor should be righteous, 12 AYESHA WINTER 2008 popular, learned and of good uproar, Hadhrat Syed Mohammad conduct …” Ahsan Sahib stood up and A few days later, on March 13, announced very loudly: “I am the 1914, the first successor of person concerning whom the Promised Messiah passed away. Promised Messiah has said that I The faithful started to arrive in was one of those two angles Qadian to pay their last respects to mentioned in Ahadith who the Khalifatul Masih. Later the accompany the Messiah on his same evening Sahibzada Mirza descent from the heaven. I consider Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad that Sahibzada Bashiruddin Sahib, the eldest son of the Mahmood Ahmad Sahib is in every Promised Messiah summoned sixty respect fitted that he should take leading members of the community the covenant of Bai'at from us. I who were present in Qadian for therefore request him to proceed to consultation. It was unanimously do so.” agreed that before the internment Upon this there were shouts of of the Khalifatul Masih, his “Labbaik Labbaik”, and it seemed successor should be elected and that the whole body of people should lead the funeral prayers. It present was pushing forward was also agreed that all of them towards Sahibzada Sahib. should continue to pray during the When Sahibzada Bashiruddin latter part of the night for divine Mahmood Ahmad Sahib found that guidance and should observe the that it was a universal wish that he fast the next day. By afternoon on should assume the responsibilities March 14, 1914, a couple of of the exalted office, he looked for thousand Ahmadis were waiting in Masjid Noor when Sahibzada Mirza Bashiruddin Sahib entered the Masjid. After the Asr prayer, Mohammad Ali Khan stood up and read out the will that Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I had written on March 4. He had scarcely finished when from every direction came loud voices saying, “Mian Sahib,

Mian Sahib!” In the midst of this Hadhrat Maulvi Sayed Sarwar Shah Sahib WINTER 2008 AYESHA 13

Hadhrat Maulvi Sayed Sarwar events was a testimony of divine Shah Sahib and called him and help for the successor of the said, “Maulvi Sahib, this burden Promised Messiah. has fallen upon me suddenly and On November 8, 1965 Hadhrat unexpectedly and I cannot even Musleh Mauood passed away as recall the formula of Bai'at. Will was stated in the prophecy, “he will you kindly instruct me in it?” Thus, then be raised to his spiritual he took the Bai'at of those who station in the Heaven.” As Ahmadis were present at the time. The grieved over this great loss, in their community was, by divine grace, moment of sorrow, words of the again united and divine mercy and Promised Messiah about the second comfort were perceived as manifestation echoed in their ears, descending upon all hearts. “For it would be everlasting”. Hadhrat Musleh Mauood, Khalifatul Masih II, fulfilled every word of the grand prophecy during fifty-one years of his Khilafat. He established the institution of Majlis Shura in 1922. He started Tehrik-e -Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid. He guided the Jamaat through the Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II’s funeral procession upheaval of 1947 and established (www. alislam.org) the city of as the new Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II had headquarters of the Jamaat. He led established an electoral college for the Jamaat through many difficult the election of the Khalifatul trials and tribulations. Each time Masih. Members of this body Ahmadiyyat came out stronger and gathered in Masjid Mubarak on the more victorious. Each of these evening of November 8, 1965. After Isha prayers, the doors of the mosque were closed. All members took an oath to the institution of Khilafat. Hadhrat Mirza Aziz Ahmad Sahib, Nazir-e-Aala Sadar Anjuman Ahmadiyya, presided the meeting. The members, in keeping with the spirit of this divine Rabwah, (www.alislam.org) 14 AYESHA WINTER 2008 election, were praying for His Ahmadiyyat continued to prosper guidance and mercy. Outside the across the globe under his mosque, thousands of Ahmadis leadership. A few months before he were silently supplicating for was to embark on his travel to Allah’s favor and forgiveness. At Spain to inaugurate the first about 10.30 P.M. the silence was mosque after seven hundred years, broken by the announcement that he passed away in , third successor of the Promised Pakistan on June 8, 1982. Ahmadis Messiah had been chosen. Hadhrat from all over Pakistan and the Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahib was world headed toward Rabwah to elected by the majority of the vote. offer their homage to their beloved He first took covenant of Bai'at departing Khalifa and greet the from the members of the election new Imam. committee and then all the Ahmadis present took Bai'at at his hand. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III stated later about the election of the Khalifa that “Even though there is a process of election, it is God who selects the Khalifa”. Soon after his election, Hadhrat Khalifatul Basharat Mosque Pedro Abad, Spain Masih III received the revelation: “O David, We have made thee a It was June 10, 1982 when 148 vicegerent in the earth,” hence electoral college members who had confirming God’s approval and reached Rabwah gathered in support of the election. Masjid Mubarak. Behind the closed This divine help was manifested doors the members seeking divine throughout his Khilafat and guidance voted for the fourth especially in 1974 when the Khalifa. Sahibzada Mirza Mubarak Ahmadis were declared non- Ahmad Sahib, president of Tehrik- Muslims by the government and e-Jadid, presided over the election. national assembly of Pakistan. He He explained that there were to be steered the Jamaat, with divine no discussions of, nor debate for, help, through one of the most any candidate. They were there to difficult times of its history. elect a new Khalifa and God would WINTER 2008 AYESHA 15 guide them in the election, and voting was to be done by raising a hand. Mirza Mubarak Ahmad then asked for the first name, immediately a group of some fifty people shouted out a name. Then he asked for another name, again there was another name proposed by a group of electors. He asked for another name and a third name was presented. But when he asked for Chaudhry Mohammad Zafrullah Khan the fourth time, there was silence. mosque had realized by now that He stood up and said that they decision had been made and would vote on the first name. The eagerly waited for the doors to hands were raised and tellers open. As the doors of the mosque counted the votes and gave the flung open, the crowd outside result. Mirza Mubarak Ahmad moved like a human sea into the stood up again and announced that mosque. Every one wanted to be there was no need for further the closest to the new Khalifa to voting. had take Bai'at. The Ahmadis were received 130 out of 148 votes to joyous that they had once again become the fourth Khalifa. become recipient of God’s favor and Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad took mercy. They were overwhelmed the covenant of Bai'at from the with two parallel emotions of grief members of the election committee. for the loss of the departing Khalifa He expressed the desire that his and an equally strong feeling of hand should be covered by the tranquility for having the new hand of a companion of the Imam. Promised Messiah while he took Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV had the oath of allegiance. Sir to leave Pakistan in 1984. The Mohammad Zafrullah Khan enactment of infamous blasphemy walked up to the front of the laws criminalizing any Ahmadi mosque and gave his hand to the who called himself Muslim or acted fourth successor of the Promised like one made it impossible for the Messiah. People outside the Khalifatul Masih to carry out his 16 AYESHA WINTER 2008 responsibilities as supreme head of and most of them were in Pakistan. the Ahmadiyya Community. He Within seventy two hours, arrived in London, U.K on April 30, participants of the electing body 1984. From his temporary had reached London. It seemed headquarters in the London that a divine hand was at work to mission house, he launched the facilitate their travel and remove divine plan of world wide Muslim any obstacles in their way. The Television Ahmadiyya. In a few members gathered in Fazal short years his Friday sermons and Mosque London just before Isha other religious programs were prayers and after the prayers the beaming into Ahmadi houses and doors of the Mosque were closed. mosques in all the continents Chaudhary Hameedullah Sahib, twenty-four hours a day. The Vikl-e-Aala Tehrik-e-Jadid, message of Ahmadiyyat was now presided over the election. The reaching four corners of the globe. members took the oath to the The opponents of Ahmadiyyat were institution of Khilafat and the stunned. A new era for the rules and regulations of the process propagation of Ahmadiyyat had were read. While members of the just begun. This giant leap for the electoral college commenced the Jamaat could have not been divine task to choose the next possible without Allah’s grace and Khalifatul Masih, over ten blessing. thousand Ahmadis packed the On Saturday April 19, 2003, Ahmadis all over the world tuned into MTA, but it was not another day of normal programming. We learnt that that Architect of MTA had left us; Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV had passed away that morning. “All that is on it (earth) will pass away.” (55:27) The election of the next Khalifatul Masih was to be held as soon as possible. But almost all the members of the electoral college were outside the United Kingdom The Fazal Mosque in London WINTER 2008 AYESHA 17 streets and any available space around the mosque. There was absolute silence for hours, while everybody prayed quietly. It was a scene to behold, so unique but so expected of the followers of the Promised Messiah. It was also a historic occasion as millions of Ahmadis all over the world watched it live through MTA. The silence was interrupted by the loudspeaker of the mosque. The secretary of the electoral college announced that Sahibzada Mirza Hadhrat prays at the grave of the Masroor Ahmad was elected the fourth Khalifa fifth Khalifa of the Promised selection as successor to the Messiah with an overwhelming Promised Messiah. We are majority. Every heart filled with witnessing that the Jamaat is joy and turned to God with His continuing on the path of progress praise that He once again conferred in every aspect under his divine upon us His blessings. Hadhrat leadership. This is indeed evidence Khalifatul Masih took the covenant that these men of God are chosen of Bai'at by his hand—first from with a divine design and guided by the members of the electoral His command and approval. college and then, after the We are raised to establish the true announcement of his election, from Islam by accepting the Messiah all present. The next day, Hadhrat and following his teachings. We are Khalifatul Masih V led the funeral chosen to be blessed with the prayers of Hadhrat Khalifatul institution of Khilafat after Masih IV, who was laid to rest in fourteen hundred years. We are Islamabad, U.K. also invested with responsibility to Many Ahmadis had dreams long protect and guard this divine favor before the demise of Khalifatul with every fiber of our being. We Masih IV and ascension of are fortunate that we have Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmad completed one hundred years of to the Khilafat. They foretold of his Khilafat in Ahmadiyyat, but that 18 AYESHA WINTER 2008 should not make us complacent. We need to remind ourselves that with greatest reward comes awesome accountability. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II addressed the Jamaat at 1939 on the 25 year anniversary of his Khilafat. At the end he exhorted the Ahmadis, “O. community of believers, O’ virtuous ones, listen to me; Khilafat is a great blessing of God Almighty, so be grateful for it and protect it. As long as the majority of you stay faithful to your beliefs and act righteously, God will continue to bestow this blessing upon you. But if the majority of you would go Khilafat among you, no one can astray and lose its faith then it rests dominate you, and you will be upon His will—either to continue victorious and triumphant in your this blessing or to terminate His every endeavor. This is the covenant favor. Khilafat will be taken away of God made in the following Verse, from you when you become corrupt. ‘Allah has promised to those among So do not be ungrateful to God you who believe and do good works Almighty. But, as the Promised that He will surely make them Messiah has said, pray ceaselessly successors in the earth,’ but also for His second manifestation to stay remember that He warns, ‘Then with you forever. You must whoso is ungrateful after that, they remember that the Promised will be the rebellious’ (24:56). May Messiah has conditioned the God be with you, and may you coming of the second manifestation remain His chosen Jamaat forever.” on prayers. This prerequisite is not limited for one time but it stands for all times to come. So always keep yourself in prayers and remember that as long as you have WINTER 2008 AYESHA 19

Khilafat and the Virtue of Truth Nusrat Rashid

“And confound not truth with questioned and observed all of the falsehood nor hide the truth religious scholars who taught him knowingly.” (Al-Baqarah, Verse 43) to make sure that he completely understood the principles of Islam I. Khalifatul Masih I – Hadhrat in which he firmly believed. He Hajji Maulana Hakeem exercised reason and logic, and was Nuruddin (1841-1908) incredibly intelligent. He never In reference to the advent of the denied the truth of Islam and was Promised Messiah and Mahdi, the extremely devout in his practice of Holy Prophet (peace and blessings Islam. of Allah be on him) commanded the following: 1. That his greetings of salaam should be conveyed to the Messiah. 2. That the Muslims should take the Bai’at at the hands of the Messiah, even if it meant that they had to crawl over snow covered mountains to get to him. One Muslim who received notice of the coming of the Messiah and obeyed these commandments of the Holy Prophet was Maulana Hakeem Nuruddin. In 1871, Maulana Hakeem Nuruddin (may Maulana Hakeem Nuruddin was Allah have mercy on him) 30 years old when he returned to happened upon the Promised his hometown of Bhera, India after Messiah (peace be on him) by what completing extensive travels of non-Muslims, would call chance or India and the Holy Land. All of his fate, but in actuality we know that childhood and adult life, he was a it was through the divine plan of seeker after truth – he constantly Allah. He had received a package 20 AYESHA WINTER 2008

Messiah was complete and total. … Nuruddin, Maulana Hakeem Nuruddin never means “light had any doubt in his mind that the Promised Messiah was true – he of the faith”... knew very well the signs of the advent of the Messiah and Mahdi, from a chemist wrapped in and nothing, not wealth, fame, newspaper, on which he saw an ad glory or the disapproval from his about Braheen-i-Ahmadiyya that peers prevented him from said that the author claimed that accepting the truth. His name, God spoke to him and that he was Nuruddin, means “light of the prepared to establish the truth of faith”, and he was a light of truth Islam beyond any manner of doubt. in the darkness of falsehood that Maulana Hakeem Nuruddin existed in the Muslim world at that immediately sent for all sections of time. Braheen-i-Ahmadiyya that had He said: "Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam been printed by that time. Ahmad (peace be on him) is on the Then in early March 1885 he met, right path and any one rising for the first time, with the against him would break up into Promised Messiah. Chaudhry pieces. It is the duty of a mo’min Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, in his (believer) to believe in the truth, biography of the first Khalifa and I accepted him because he has wrote: “As soon as he beheld him brought a dynamic truth and I his heart testified that this was the invite others to accept the Mirza and he would lay down his truth." (, January 1892) life for him. It was the end of the Finally the Promised Messiah had search. He had found that which he such deep feelings for the 1st was seeking. He was then forty- Khalifa that he said about him: three years old.” “How fortunate would it be if Under divine commandment the everyone of the Community were Promised Messiah initiated the Nuruddin (light of the faith). If Bai’at on 23rd March, 1889, and every heart is full of truth, then the the very first person who swore the goal is achieved.” (Nishaan-i- pledge of allegiance was Maulana Aasmani, page 47) Hakeem Nuruddin. His devotion and dedication to the Promised WINTER 2008 AYESHA 21

II. Khalifatul Masih II – of his ascendance, advancement Hadhrat Hajji Mirza and achievements. The second Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad Khalifa was the manifestation of (1889-1965) the awesome prophecies of the Holy Prophet, and throughout his long and blessed life exhibited the purity of character befitting his status as the Musleh Mauood, or Promised Reformer. In carrying out his numerous duties as Khalifatul Masih II, he never strayed from the true teachings of Islam as preached by his father, the Promised Messiah. He never allowed anyone, whether in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community or outside of it, to disparage the holy mission of the The Holy Prophet Muhammad Promised Messiah or the (peace and blessings of Allah be on institution of Khilafat. him) had given the tidings of the At the time of the Promised advent of a spiritual, pious and Messiah's demise he was only 19 promised son of the Mahdi at a years of age, and even at that time, time when Islam would be at a he was highly convincing and stage of decline and depression. He silenced criticism with his august had prophesized he would come pen. On 26th May 1908, the with a mission to revive and Promised Messiah passed away at strengthen the Islamic theology Lahore. At that moment, this and, through him, Islam, would promised son stood by the bed of resurge on the surface of the Earth. the Promised Messiah and vowed: So it came to pass that when came "Even if all the people leave you the time of the Promised Messiah and I am left alone I would stand and the advent of the Promised by you and would face all son, Allah revealed, to the opposition to and onslaughts on Promised Messiah, further details your Mission." of this prophecy with happy tidings He kept up his covenant, and, all 22 AYESHA WINTER 2008 through his life, was never swayed world by the time of his death, by anyone's enmity or opposition testify to his love for the truth of and, always actively worked Islam and Ahmadiyyat. In a public towards the progress of Islam and gathering in Delhi in 1944, the Ahmadiyyat. One of his greatest second Khalifa reiterated his claim achievements was the founding of a that he was the Musleh Mauood strong system for propagation and and issued a challenge about his preaching of true Islam within interpretation of the truths and India and abroad. Soon after his wisdom of the Holy Qur’an. He ascension to Khilafat he announced declared: "I do claim now again that his first task would be the that even if thousands of scholars propagation of Islam. According to assembled to compete with me in his mandate dated April 12, 1914, writing commentaries of Qur’an, yet delegates from all over the country the world would accept and were invited to a Majlis-e-Shura to acknowledge that my commentary discuss methods of propagation of was unique in wisdom of divine Islam. In this he expressed his truths in depth." desire that amongst them there should be a band of men who would know various languages so that they could easily propagate Islam the world over. He stressed: "I would like to see the truth of Ahmadiyyat shine far and wide in the world. This is not difficult for our Lord to be achieved." The establishment of the truth of Islam over all other religions and social codes was of utmost importance to the second Khalifa. The establishment of the formal , a corps of devoted missionaries, the building of mosques outside India and Pakistan, and the formation of 46 Ahmadi communities around the WINTER 2008 AYESHA 23

With the historical publication of was his place as the first Khalifatul his commentary of the Holy Masih to visit the African Qur’an, entitled Tafseer-e-Kabir, continent. For years before his the second Khalifa established arrival, the Ahmadis in West beyond a doubt that he was privy had prayed for the day when to the truths of the divine they might see their Khalifa with knowledge of the Holy Qur’an, and their own eyes, to meet him and with that status he was perfectly obtain blessings at his hand. qualified to lead the Muslim world. His understanding of the truths of divine knowledge coupled with his mission to establish the truth of Islam over all other religions bears witness to his status as the Musleh Mauood, and serves as a shining example of his truthful and virtuous character. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III in Africa (www.alislam.org)

III. Khalifatul Masih III – During that trip, the third Khalifa Hadhrat Mirza Nasir greeted thousands of African Ahmad (1909-1982) Ahmadis, and was never separated The third Khalifa, Hadhrat Hafiz from them throughout his entire Mirza Nasir Ahmad, was a very trip. He often quoted the words in loving and compassionate person. the Qur’an: “I am but a man like He exemplified the teaching of the you” which the Holy Prophet (peace Holy Qur’an that all mankind are and blessings of Allah be on him) brethren – and throughout his said to the Arabs. In the spirit of Khilafat, he worked tirelessly for the Holy Prophet, who never the inclusion of all people in the claimed greatness over anyone, the blessings of Ahmadiyyat and third Khalifa took great effort to Khilafat. make sure that no one group of In 1970, the third Khalifa made an people had exclusive rights to historic trip to the countries of Islam. In Africa, he focused on the West Africa where Ahmadi humanitarian aid of the missions had been established for Ahmadiyya Jamaat and the service decades. What made it historic of the African Ahmadis to the 24 AYESHA WINTER 2008

Jamaat. He emphasized that there for All— is a universal brotherhood between Hatred for all Muslims, and through Khilafat, None” that all Ahmadis, regardless of their even today nationality, are united. continues to He emphasized the Jamaat’s inspire us. He service to the communities of West marveled that Africa, and noticed the following people who differences between the Jamaat had never seen and Christians in Africa: the Mahdi or his deputy could still 1. No monies solicited from the have such a high level of love for native people. the institution of Khilafat—that 2. No requirement that only love and duty came only from Ahmadis or Muslims can acceptance of the truth of the receive the services. Messiah and Mahdi. 3. No requirement of conversion. By attributing such importance to 4. No pilfering of the countries’ the continent of Africa and its natural resources people, the third Khalifa At that time, not a single Muslim manifested the truth of Allah’s leader in the world was publicly prophecy to the Promised Messiah proclaiming the importance of that his message would spread to Africa and the African people to the the corners of the earth. future growth of Islam. In his Friday sermon of July 3, 1970 he IV. Khalifatul Masih IV – said: "On the soil of Africa shall be Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad fought the last spiritual battle (1928-2003) between Islam and Christianity." The fourth Khalifa grew up with People who have power and wealth righteousness and virtue under the and influence never place any guidance of his illustrious father importance or attach any strength and devout mother and with divine to the poor—but the third Khalifa blessings that preceded his birth. recognized that the power of Islam From the beginning of his life, the can transform any people, no fourth Khalifa excelled in the study matter their economic or historical and contemplation of the Holy circumstances. He created the now Qur’an and fostered such a love of well known Ahmadi slogan “Love Allah that at the young age of ten, WINTER 2008 AYESHA 25 he succinctly answered this barriers between East and West; question posed to him by Maulana the older barriers to the spread of Abdul Rahim Nayyer (may Allah Islam such as nationalism, war and be pleased with him), "Which natural borders, were for the most reward would you cherish most for part fading away. His predecessors doing good work?" "Allah—Only had all contributed greatly to the Allah" was his heartfelt and spread of true Islam, but the age of spontaneous answer. the fourth Khalifa was the dawning A watershed event in his life and of a unique technological that of the Ahmadiyya community revolution, most importantly the was his decision to migrate from development of the internet and Rabwah, Pakistan to London, worldwide satellite access. This England as a result of the severe time period was also marked by the persecution against the Ahmadiyya unfortunate acts of terrorists in the community in Pakistan. Although so-called name of Islam. The he was greatly saddened by the fourth Khalifa was especially circumstances mandating his committed to reiterating and departure, the fourth Khalifa, conclusively portraying to both the nonetheless, did not fail to Muslim and non-Muslim world the emphasize the truth of the claims peaceful and loving nature of Islam of the Promised Messiah, so much and of the Holy Prophet (peace and so that he did not attempt to blessings of Allah be on him). disguise his departure in any way. Through the new technologies Through the grace of Allah, he left available to him, he set out on a Pakistan without incident or mission to establish the truth and injury. Successfully completing his purity of Islam in doctrine and trip to London, he never stopped action. preaching the truth of Ahmadiyyat Another important focus of the to the world. fourth Khalifa’s mission was to Hadhrat eradicate falsehood pertaining to Mirza Tahir the practice of Islam in the West. Ahmad He actively encouraged the became commitment of all Ahmadis to keep Khalifa at a fast the traditions of Islamic period of time culture even outside of Muslim when there did not seem to be any countries. He never wavered in his 26 AYESHA WINTER 2008 dedication to the development of alleged that he had been kidnapped Ahmadi Muslim homes filled with and murdered, and the fourth the love of true Islam and pure Khalifa had been falsely and Islamic virtues. He emphasized on maliciously implicated in that plot. the importance of observing Aslam Qureshi's appearance was congregational prayer service. He an ignominious disgrace for the not only refuted the criticisms of opponents. The admonitory the status of Muslim women, he destruction of General Zia-ul-Haq also enunciated the true status of on August 17, 1988 (only nine woman in Islam. He exhorted weeks after the challenge of Ahmadi women to observe Purdah Mubahala) is the manifestation of (modest covering) strictly and to another grand sign of the truth of safeguard Islamic family values. In Ahmadiyyat. his sermon at the Jalsa Salana of 1982, he warned Ahmadi women against the perils of western culture and conveyed to them the significance and importance of Islamic Purdah. In his sermons of March 8, 1985 and May 10, 1985, the fourth Khalifa enjoined

Ahmadis to eschew giving dowry General Zia-ul-Haq’s sons visit his grave beyond means, exchanging gifts on (www.storyofpakistan.com) New Year’s Day and other similar As a final thought, Sahibzada customs. Mirza Safeer Ahmad, a son-in-law A final example of how the fourth of the fourth Khalifa writes in his Khalifa exhibited the truth and remembrances of the fourth strength of Islam and Ahmadiyyat Khalifa for the Tariq newsletter in occurred on June 10, 1988, when he London, that above all else, he challenged the chief mullahs of taught the members of his family Pakistan to a Mubahala or prayer and the Jamaat to always speak duel. One month after the the truth and never to lie. He challenge of Mubahala, Maulvi writes that the fourth Khalifa said: Aslam Qureshi who had gone “Adopting this simple principle in underground capriciously, life would protect you from reappeared. It had been previously unimaginable loss.” WINTER 2008 AYESHA 27

V. Khalifatul Masih V – righteous person who had devoted Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad his life to the service of Islam was (1950- present) accused of the blasphemous act of Since being elected Khalifa on defacing verses of the Holy Qur’an. April 22, 2003, Hadhrat Mirza This champion of truth was, by the Masroor Ahmad has consistently hand of Allah, released after 10 defended the pure and righteous days of incarceration; however, teachings of Islam. He has nothing stopped him from released official Jamaat positions continuing in his work for the on a number of current world Jamaat. events that directly impact the Since the beginning of his Khilafat, Muslim world and beyond. He has the fifth Khalifa has emphasized spoken out against acts of the reasoning behind the system of terrorism, the offensive cartoons Khilafat, and has not bowed to regarding the Holy Prophet (peace pressure from any individuals and blessings of Allah be on him), regarding the position of Khilafat. the Pope’s remarks on peace and He has consistently maintained the the Holy Prophet, and many other dignity and truth of the institution subjects. He has been firmly of Khilafat and its extreme committed to always presenting importance in the lives of every the truth of Islam, even in the Ahmadi. May Allah grant him tumultuous times of the post 9/11 blessings and grace to continue in world. his blessed position! Even though he has always championed the truest and purest virtues of Islam, in 1999, he became a prisoner in the name of Allah, in Rabwah, Pakistan, when he, along with Colonel Ayaz Mahmood, a general establishment officer, was arrested on a charge of blasphemy and maintenance of public order respectively under the The Prime Minister of Canada with Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (reuters pictures) growing wave of persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan. It is indeed ironic that this truthful and 28 AYESHA WINTER 2008

WINTER 2008 AYESHA 29 A Timeline of Khilafat

30 AYESHA WINTER 2008

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Historic First Addresses Rizwana Khokhar

First Speech by Hadhrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddin, Khalifatul Masih I “And let there always be among you a body of men who should invite to goodness and enjoin virtue and forbid evil.” (Chapter 3, Verse 105) I praise Allah, Who is our Eternal and Everlasting God. Every prophet that comes to the world has a mission that he accomplishes; when he has accomplished it, Allah Almighty calls him back. It is famous about Hadhrat Moses (peace be on him) that, before reaching the country of Syria, he died en route. The Holy Qur’an) He says that you asked for Prophet (peace and blessings of water from Moses, and similarly Allah be on him) mentioned about stated elsewhere; even though the the keys of Caesar and Kisra (King Holy Prophet was not addressing of Persia), that they will be those people. Hence Allah’s bestowed to him; but he never saw statements are realized in various those keys and departed. There are shapes and forms. Likewise, it is hidden secrets of Allah Almighty in also the tradition of Allah that these matters. Here also many certain Divine promises are people will wonder that there were delayed to another time. That is many prophecies which have not why, it is stated: “… some of which yet been fulfilled. In my opinion, it he warns you will surely befall is the tradition of Allah that He you” (Chapter 40, Verse 29) works progressively. And when He Ponder well over the word addresses someone, sometimes it is badullazi which means “some”, meant for his counterpart as well. because in it was the secret that all In the first Part (of the Holy the promises will not be fulfilled in 32 AYESHA WINTER 2008 the lifetime of the prophet. and for Hadhrat Sahib. The third Hadhrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani near one is Nawab Mohammad Ali (may Allah have mercy on him) Sahib. Similarly amongst the stated that sometimes God servants of the Faith, Sayed promises but does not fulfill it. The Mohammad Ahsan has the most ignorant perceive that He was not elite merit. He is Sayed too; he has sincere, even though at the done such works in the service of appropriate time the pledge or its faith that a person like me is equivalent is fulfilled. embarrassed. In old age he wrote Deliberate over my prior life. I several books in Hadhrat’s support. have never wanted to be Imam It is such a service, which is unique (leader). Maulvi Abdul Karim to him. After this is Maulvi became the Imam-u-Salat (Leader Mohammad Ali Sahib, who offers for Salat), and I considered myself such services that I cannot even relieved of an enormous obligation. conceive of. These people are all I am fully aware of my state and present. Amongst the people from my Lord is even more aware then outside are Sayed Haamid Shah myself. I do not desire pretension and Maulvi Ghulam Hussain and in the world. I am absolutely not several other respected ones. desirous of such things. If I have a This is a huge obligation; a critical desire, that is, that my Master is obligation; to carry it is the job of pleased with me. I offer prayers for an apostle. Because to him are this desire. I stayed in Qadian and such astounding promises of God, still stay and will stay here for this which become like a cane for back reason. I have spent many a day breaking sufferings. Ponder over worrying about our state after the hour we are currently facing. Hadhrat Sahib. For this reason I At this hour it is critical that men, kept on trying that Mian children and women are in unity. Mahmood’s education should reach For the sake of this unity, offer such a standard. At this time there Bai'at to any of these revered ones. are three men in Hadhrat Sahib’s I am with you. I am old myself, kindred. First, Mian Mahmood stay ill and do not feel well. Such a Ahmad; he is my brother as well as huge task is not easy. my son. I have special affiliations Hadhrat Sahib had four tasks: one, with him. As kindred, Mir Nasir his personal servitude Nawab has a dignified status for us (aboudiyyat); second, supporting WINTER 2008 AYESHA 33 family; third, hospitality; fourth, carry the burden of this servitude propagation of Islam, which was for one’s own self. How and by his real objective. We can be what means can one carry it for the relieved of one of the four tasks; other? Considering the difference that is his servitude (aboudiyyat), in natures, enormous resolve is which will remain with him. The required to be homogeneous. I services he offered in this world, he marvel about the undertakings of will continue them after death. Hadhrat Sahib; to begin with, Remaining are the three tasks; being sick, and then such enormous amongst them the task of burdens: prose, poetry, writing and propagation of Islam is very other important tasks. Here I am important and immensely difficult. about Hadhrat Sahib’s age; over Currently, besides atheism there there are affirmations every day are internal disputes as well. To and here my state is perilous. That abolish the disputes of the Jamaat is why it is stated: “… so that by (the Muslim Ummah), Allah His grace you became as Almighty has selected our Jamaat. brothers…” (Chapter 3, Verse 104) You perceive it easy, but for the This all depends on God’s one shouldering this burden it is benevolence. very hard. Hence, swearing in the I present a serious issue: such an name of Allah I say to select one of affliction spread in Arabia at the the patrons mentioned. I am ready time of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may to offer Bai'at along with you. Allah have mercy on him) that If you do want to render Bai'at to except in Mecca, Medina and me, then listen: Bai'at means to be Jawasa, an immense uproar and sold. Once Hadhrat Sahib hinted to transgression arose. Even people of me not to think about the Mecca became disobedient. But he homeland; after that all my honor was an extremely pious soul, who and entire contemplation became told them that in accepting Islam affiliated with him and I never they were all behind him; how thought about the homeland. So could they be the first to offering Bai'at is a tough apostatize? Hadhrat Ayesha undertaking. One relinquishes his Sadiqa (may Allah have mercy on freedom and eminence. This is the her) states that the load that fell on reason Allah named His man her father, had it fallen on anyone “abd” (servant/slave). It is hard to else, would have crushed them. 34 AYESHA WINTER 2008

And a party of twenty thousand then I carry this burden willingly was present in Medina; and as the or unwillingly. Those Ten Holy Prophet had commanded to Conditions of Bai’at are still in send an army, so he sent it. Here place. I add to these particularly: the status of the nation was this learning the Holy Qur’an, (bad). Then eventually God establishing the system of Zakat, manifested His omnipotence. The and providing the teachers and era of “… and He will surely, other matters that Allah puts in establish for them their my heart from time to time. Also, religion” (Chapter 3, Verse 104) theological teaching and education came. At this time, a similar in religious school will be according incident has taken place. I desire to my direction. I carry this burden that before being buried there is for the sake of Allah alone, Who one “Kalima” (confession) for all of has stated: “And let there always you. After the Holy Prophet (peace be among you a body of men who and blessings of Allah be on him), should invite to goodness at the time of Hadhrat Abu Bakr, …” (Chapter 3, Verse 105) the revered companions had to Remember all the virtues are in perform numerous noble unity; the one (Jamaat) who does endeavors. The very first important not have a leader is dead. (Al- task was that of compilation of the Hakm, Number 7, Volume 12, June Holy Qur’an. Now that it is 6, 1908) compiled in its current form, so After this speech by Hadhrat special attention should be paid to Maulvi Nuruddin Sahib, everyone act on it. stated unanimously, “We will obey Then Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may your commands; you are our Amir Allah have mercy on him) enforced (leader) and successor to our the system of Zakat. This is a Masih.” magnificent achievement. The Consequently, twelve hundred system of Zakat requires a high Ahmadis present took Bai'at at his level of obedience. Then there is blessed hand and hence ‘the second fostering of the family. Hence, manifestation’ was revealed. there are many similar tasks. Now, wherever your natures are inclined, you will have to obey my commands. If you agree with this, WINTER 2008 AYESHA 35

First Speech by Hadhrat Al- (peace and blessings of Allah be on Hajj Mirza Bashiruddin him) is such that in his sincere Mahmood Ahmad, Khalifatul enslavement a prophet can be born. Masih II (Delivered 14th March, This is my belief and I say this 1914) with absolute certainty. Then it is my belief that the Holy Qur’an is that beloved book which has been revealed to the Holy Prophet and it is the Seal of all the Books and the Seal of Sharia. Then it is my absolute belief that Hadhrat Promised Messiah (peace be on him) was the same prophet whose news was in Muslim; he was (www.alislam.org) the same Imam whose news was in Listen! Friends! It is my belief and Bukhari. I repeat that no part of absolute belief that there is One Sharia can be annulled now. Allah Almighty and He has no Follow the actions of the partners. Companions (may Allah have My Dear Ones, then it is my belief mercy on them; they were the that Hadhrat Muhammad (peace model of the prayers and perfect and blessings of Allah be on him) is moral training of the Holy Prophet the Prophet of Allah Almighty and (peace and blessings of Allah be on is the Seal of Prophets. I am him). certain that no one can come who The second unanimity that took can annul even a dot of the Sharia place after the Holy Prophet is this (law) bestowed by him. succession of the truthful and the My Dear Ones, that beloved Master guided Khilafat. Examine this of mine, Chief of all the Prophets diligently and study Islamic history has such supreme grandeur, that that the progress of Islam that took by entering into his enslavement place in the era of Khulafa-e- and after absolute obedience and Rashideen kept declining as faithfulness to him, one can Khilafat changed into mere achieve the status of the prophets. government. To the point, that this It is a truth that the grandeur and is the condition of Islam and holiness of Hadhrat Mohammad Muslims, that you observe 36 AYESHA WINTER 2008 currently. After thirteen hundred years, on the prototype of Prophethood and in accordance to the pledge of the Holy Prophet, Allah Almighty sent the Promised Messiah. And after his demise a similar succession of Khilafat-e-Rashida has commenced. May the status of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I, Maulana Nuruddin Sahib, be amongst the most exalted ones. May Allah shower millions of bounties and blessing on him. The It is narrated in not to ask way his heart was filled with the your servant to take on a job that adoration of the Holy Prophet he is unable to do. At this time you (peace and blessings of Allah be on have desired for me to be a servant, him) and the Promised Messiah therefore do not ask me do a task (peace be on him) infused his that I am unable to perform. I whole being; may Allah Almighty know that I am frail and sinful. grant him close proximity to the How can I claim that I would be same holy beings and beloved ones able to guide the world and spread in Paradise as well. He was the truthfulness and righteousness? first Khalifa of this succession; and We are few and the number of the we all took Bai'at at his hand with enemies of Islam is enormous. But this precept. Therefore as long as we have immense expectations this succession will persist, Islam from Allah Almighty’s grace and will continue to progress physically mercy and benevolence. As you and spiritually. At present you all have placed this burden on me, cried out that I should carry this listen: in order to fulfill this burden and you have expressed it responsibility, assist me; ask God by Bai'at, hence I deemed it for mercy and graciousness. And appropriate to present my tenet. for the sake of Allah Almighty’s I express to you most truthfully pleasure and submission, obey me. that I have a fear in my heart; and I am a human being, a weak I find myself to be extremely frail. human being. When I have WINTER 2008 AYESHA 37 shortcomings, you overlook them. grace will support us and our When you err, I swear by Allah combined prayers will succeed. And Almighty, that I will overlook and I have an immense trust in my forgive. And our mutual Ever Merciful Lord and I have an assignment is to progress this absolute belief that I will be system and give practical shape to victorious. the true aim and ambition of this system. So now that you have established a relationship with me, fulfill it with loyalty. With God’s grace you will discount mine and I will discount your omissions. You will have to obey and follow me in “Amar bil ma’roof” (injunction to good). And if God forbid, I say that God is not One, then I swear in the name of the same God Who has The day before yesterday, on control over all of our lives, Friday I told about a dream that I wahdahu laa shareeka lahu (Who fell ill and I felt pain in my thigh; is One and has no partners) and and I thought I had the plague; Laisa kamislahee shai’un “… there then I closed the door and became is nothing, whatever like unto worried about the future. I thought Him” (Chapter 42, Verse 12) then Allah Almighty had assured the absolutely do not follow such an Promised Messiah: “Inni ohaafizo injunction of mine. kulla mun fiddar” (I shall indeed If God forbid I tell you a defect in protect all, in your house); this the Prophethood, then do not obey. promise was fulfilled in his If I tell a defect in the Holy Qur’an, lifetime; maybe the promise would then I swear in the name of God, do not hold after the Messiah, as that not abide. Yes, I repeat and I blessed being is not with us! With repeat again that do not disobey this anxiety I realized that it was me in “Amar bil not a dream but wakefulness. My ma’roof” (injunction to good). If you eyes were open and I could see the act with obedience and loyalty and surroundings; I was able to see strengthen this pledge, then everything in the room. In this remember that Allah Almighty’s state I saw Allah Almighty as a 38 AYESHA WINTER 2008 white and very bright heavenly light. The light descended and then ascended; it had no beginning and no end. A hand emerged from this heavenly light, holding a white china bowl with milk in it that was fed to me. Immediately following that I felt better and no pain remained. I narrated this portion then, but did not tell the second I tell you again and I tell you again part; now I tell that part. When I and I tell you again: Now that you was fed from that bowl, suddenly have taken Bai'at and established my tongue uttered, “My Ummat an association with me after the (followers) will never go astray Promised Messiah (peace be on either.” I do not have an Ummat him); now in this association (followers); you are my brethren. manifest a model of faithfulness. But these words were in And remember me in your prayers accordance to the connection that and I will certainly remember you; the Promised Messiah (peace be on and I already do. I have never to him) has with the Holy Prophet this day prayed ever without (peace and blessings of Allah be on including the members of the him). The task that was initiated community in it. But from now on I by the Promised Messiah, at its will remember even more than appointed time, has been entrusted before. I have never felt passion to me. Hence offer prayers and about a prayer that did not include enhance associations and make an praying for the Ahmadi effort to come to Qadian and come community. Then listen! Never do again and again. I heard it from anything that is done by those who the Promised Messiah, and heard it breach their contact with Allah repeatedly, that whoever does not Almighty. These ought to be our come here again and again, it is prayers that we live as Muslims feared that his faith is defective. and die as Muslims, Ameen. (Al— Propagating Islam is our first Fazl Qadian, March 21, 1914, assignment. Strive collectively, so pages 2—3) the shower of Allah Almighty’s bounties and favors descends. WINTER 2008 AYESHA 39

First Speech by Hadhrat Sahibzada Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih III (Delivered 9th November, 1965) “This is a pledge that I have taken in front of you with a sincere heart; remembering Allah Almighty and with this affirmation that He is the Knower of the unseen and with a firm belief that the one who is him), despite that Allah Almighty deceitful is an accursed one. I will had bestowed him with numerous work for the propagation of Islam bounties and blessings, stated: “I to the best of my ability. And I will am like an earth worm my Dear, treat each one of you with not a human being”. If our beloved compassion and goodness. As you Imam addressed his God in these have placed a heavy responsibility words and declared himself as on me, therefore I expect that you “earth worm” in His court, then I will assist me with your prayers am no comparison even to the one and advice; may Allah Almighty calling himself “earth worm”. enable my inferior humble self to Simultaneously I thought though I do the works which are essential am nothing and I am like worthless for the propagation of Ahmadiyyat, dust, but if Allah desires He can the spread of Islam and the bestow luminance to dust as well. establishment of the Divine Unity. And He can infuse those abilities And bestowing His mercy may He and powers in the dust that no one descend a heavenly light on my can imagine. He can create such heart. And may He teach me what radiance in that dust that is not a man cannot learn on his own. found in gold or diamonds. I am very ignorant, I am incapable, Indeed, I do not have the words to I have no power and I have no express my shortcomings. knowledge. When my name was Therefore support me with your suggested, I trembled and I said to prayers. To the best of my ability I myself, “What is my merit?” Then will strive for the welfare of each simultaneously I remembered that one of you. We brethren can our beloved Imam Hadhrat disagree, but the disagreement Promised Messiah (peace be on should not cause division, 40 AYESHA WINTER 2008 dissention and dispersion in Jamaat. At the demise of our master Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah have mercy on him) every member of the family of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) pledged that: We will not let (www.alislam.org) dissention develop in the Jamaat and for it we will offer any sacrifice and you have elected me for this that we have to. It will never job; I am a very frail human being; happen that we will sacrifice the therefore it is obligatory for you to interest of the Jamaat for our assist me with prayers that Allah personal interest; instead we will Almighty enable me to fully keep the interest of the Jamaat a discharge this duty; and that there priority. will be no obstacle in the service of Allah Almighty granted huge faith and propagation of Islam; success to our Master Hadhrat instead by the grace of Allah Khalifatul Masih II, and the work Almighty, may this mission keep that Allah Almighty entrusted him progressing until Islam prevails with, he executed fully. Now it is over all false religions of the world. our duty to advance it and let it not You will find me sympathetic and weaken. your well-wisher; because that is Yesterday, a friend wished to how our master Hadhrat inquire in this regard; to which I Khalifatul Masih II trained us. I said, “I reassure you that no was young and now I have reached member of our family can sacrifice this age; we felt that Huzoor the Jamaat’s interest over his always wanted his children to be a personal gain. Every member of the source of goodness for the world family of the Promised Messiah and that no one would be hurt by (peace be on him) is for God, is for them. Huzoor expressed this desire the Promised Messiah, and is for in a couplet as follows: “Lord, may the Jamaat. There will not be any the eyes only see goodness.” weakness and dispute from us”. Then the mother that was So, now Allah Almighty has placed bestowed to me, that is Hadhrat this responsibility on my shoulders Ummul Momenin (may Allah have WINTER 2008 AYESHA 41 mercy on her), who trained me; no First Speech by Hadhrat one has been given a mother like Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmad, her after the Holy Wives (of the Khalifatul Masih IV (Delivered Holy Prophet-peace and blessings 10th June, 1982) of Allah be on him). She performed such training that not even the best psychologist of the world could replicate it. I remember that Hadhrat Ummul Momenin fostered some orphans (a brother and sister); she bathed and cleaned them herself and removed their lice. I remember the room as First address as Khalifa (www.alislam.org) well where the dining mat was “The Secretary Sahib has informed spread. Hadhrat Amma Jan (may me that when Hadhrat Khalifatul Allah have mercy on her) sat with Masih III (may Allah have mercy these children herself for the meal. on him) was elected, he addressed I do not know what I was thinking the members briefly and then took at that time, so I did not sit with Bai'at. May Allah Almighty bestow them. The result was that Hadhrat on him innumerable bounties; Amma Jan did not give me food make all his plans successful; all that day until the evening when I the righteous missions for which he ate after asking for it myself. laid foundations, may Allah There was a lesson in it: those the Almighty enable us all to complete world calls orphan and destitute, them for the purpose of His the servants of Allah Almighty pleasure only. understand that it is their I do not want to say anything responsibility to protect them and except that you should pray for become their guardians. (Al—Fazl, yourself and pray for me as well Rabwah, November 17, 1965, pages that: “… Our Lord, burden us not 2—3) with what we have not strength to bear; and efface our sins and grant us forgiveness and have mercy on us; Thou art our Master; so help us against the disbelieving people…” (Chapter 2, Verse 287) 42 AYESHA WINTER 2008

This responsibility is so formidable, the matters seen and unseen. My so immense and so agitating to the Lord watches to the depth of my heart that one recalls Hadhrat heart. If there are false excuses, He Umar’s (may Allah have mercy on will not accept them. If I make a him) sentence on his death bed, decision with sincerity and total near his last breath: “O Allah, if fidelity and keeping righteousness there is no reward for me, at least in mind, then it will reach His hold nothing against me.” court. Therefore my neck is freed from the weak ones, but has bowed in the court of the Most Powerful Being of the universe and has been "Swords can win placed in His hands. This is no territories but not hearts, ordinary burden; my whole being is forces can bend heads trembling with the thought of it, but not minds" that my Lord remains pleased with Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih me; keep me alive till I am capable IV of treading on the path of His ; and (may Allah have mercy on him) enable me so that not a moment lapses without thinking or acting on His pleasure; I would not even

This is accurate as to how God chooses the Khalifa; and I have always believed in it, and till death this will remain my belief by the grace of Allah Almighty. This is correct that no human effort comes into in it, and in this respect now as Khalifa, I am neither answerable to you nor to any member of the Jamaat. But this is no freedom as I am directly answerable in the court of my Lord. You can be ignorant of my mistakes; you do not have an eye on my heart; you are not aware of WINTER 2008 AYESHA 43 imagine it. May I protect First Address by Hadhrat everyone’s rights and establish Sahibzada Mirza Masroor justice as Islam demands it. Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V Because I understand that without (Delivered 22nd April, 2003) the establishment of justice, “To the members of the Community benevolence cannot be established; there is only one request: these and without the establishment of days emphasize on prayers, benevolence that heavenly society emphasize on prayers, emphasize cannot materialize, which has been on prayers. Pray a lot, pray a lot, named: “… bestowing like unto pray a lot. May Allah Almighty kindred.” (Chapter 16, Verse 91) bestow His succor and help and So everyone should pray. may this caravan of Ahmadiyyat Before I initiate Bai'at, I wish to remain moving towards its request Hadhrat Chaudhry advancement, Ameen.” (Al—Fazl Zafrullah Khan Sahib to come International, April 25, 2003) forward representing the companions, and he should place the first hand. I wish, and it is my heart’s desire, that the hand that touched the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) should be the first hand that is placed on my hand. I request Hadhrat Chaudhry Zafrullah Khan Sahib to come forward. After this, Bai'at will begin.” (Al—Fazl, Rabwah, 19th June, 1982)

(www.alislam.org)

International Bai’at with Huzoor (www.alislam.org) 44 AYESHA WINTER 2008

The Wives of the Khulafa of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) and Their Contributions Bushra Bashir, Rizwana Khokar, Amtul Mussawir Ahmad, Nikasha Ahmad

knowledge and virtues to her most T he job of the Khulafa is to eminent husband. The Holy strengthen the foundations of the Prophet (peace and blessings of works of the Prophets and to Allah be on him) stated: “Learn one advance the projects initiated by half of the faith from Ayesha.” them. If the persons affiliated with Following the same tradition, Allah the Khulafa do not cooperate with Almighty bestowed a wife such as them and become an obstacle to Hadhrat Nusrat Jehan (may Allah achieving their goals, then the be pleased with her) with the Khulafa would not be able to noblest qualities, to the Promised concentrate peacefully on the Messiah (peace be on him). The matters pertaining to the progress couple was granted a progeny that of the mission. If all the persons was very pious and bore glad around, individuals in the tidings; the epitome of this was household and most importantly, revealed in the radiant gem of a the wife of the Khalifa, does not person, Hadhrat Musleh Mauood offer full support then she will (may Allah be pleased with him). become a source of worry rather Other blessed children were than a source of peace for the heart Hadhrat , and mind. History is a witness Hadhrat Mirza Sharif Ahmad, that Allah Almighty bestows the Hadhrat Sayyeda Nawab Mubarika most supreme partners to the Begum, and Hadhrat Sayyeda chosen victorious ones. Hadhrat Nawab Amtul Hafeez Begum (may Khadija (may Allah be pleased Allah be pleased with all of them); with her) submitted all her wealth all nurtured in the cradle of and honor for the sake of her most Hadhrat Sayyeda Nusrat Jehan benevolent husband. Hadhrat and morally trained by her. They Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with were most exceptional beings and her) dedicated all her adoration, became role models for the entire WINTER 2008 AYESHA 45

Ahmadiyya Jamaat. Men and wedding ceremony held in women of the Jamaat attained the Ludhiana with his wife, Hadhrat highest level of guidance from Nusrat Jehan (may Allah be them. After the demise of the pleased with her). Hadhrat Amma Promised Messiah (peace be on Jee had the honor of being the first him), a succession of Khulafa was woman to take Bai'at at the hands established according to the of the Promised Messiah (peace be promise of Allah Almighty. Their on him). Hadhrat Amma Jee did wives have been a source of not go to school, but she acquired support and strength for the an education at home because her Khalifa of the time as well as an family was very learned and valued inspiration for women in the education greatly. Her native Jamaat everywhere. tongue was Farsi. For a busy person like Hadhrat Nuruddin The Respected Wife of Hadhrat (may Allah be pleased with him), Khalifatul Masih I—Hadhrat his pious wife became a source of Sughra Begum Sahiba peace for his heart and mind. Hadhrat Sughra Begum, known as Exceptional hospitality was her Hadhrat Amma Jee, was the wife greatest virtue. Even during the of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I days of Jalsa Salana (annual (may Allah be pleased with him). convention), when their home was The Promised Messiah (peace be on full of guests, it was her routine to him) wrote in a letter to Hadhrat serve meals and offer tea to all who Khalifatul Masih I regarding her came to visit. Hadhrat Chaudhry that she “by nature does good Muhammad Zafrullah Khan (may works and is pious and has many Allah be pleased with him) praiseworthy qualities within her. mentions this outstanding Pay special attention to her attribute of hers very affectionately education and upbringing and and how, at meeting times, she teach her yourself.” With this would adamantly and lovingly advice, the daughter of a revered serve food on the cot in the foyer. noble of Ludhiana named Hadhrat Another extraordinary quality of Sufi Ahmad Jaan, was betrothed to hers was fostering of the orphans. Hadhrat Nuruddin. Her marriage She not only was a source of was arranged by the Promised contentment for her husband out of Messiah who also attended the her piety and sincerity, but she 46 AYESHA WINTER 2008 also trained her children extremely Hadhrat Syeda Mahmooda well and inculcated a superior Begum Sahiba (Umme Nasir) sense of righteousness in them. She The daughter of Hadhrat Dr. had four sons and one daughter, Khalifa Rashiduddin, a companion Hadhrat Sayyeda Amatul Hai of the Promised Messiah, Syeda Begum, who was married to Mahmooda Begum Sahiba was the Hadhrat Musleh Mauood, first wife of Hadhrat Khalifatul Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be Masih II and the only wife whose pleased with him). marriage occurred in the lifetime of the Promised Messiah (peace be on The Pious Wives of Hadhrat him). She was honored by the fact Khalifatul Masih II that the Promised Messiah, himself, proposed the match, and years earlier had even written to Dr. Khalifa Rashiduddin hinting at the marriage. Not only was she the wife of a Khalifa and the daughter of a Sahabi, she also was to become the mother of a Khalifa—her eldest son, Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II with his wives in 1955 In addition, she was the maternal (Centenary Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya-2008) grandmother of Hadhrat Khalifatul Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Masih V through her daughter, Allah be pleased with him) was the Sayyeda Nasira Begum. head of a large and exemplary The home of Hadhrat Umme Nasir family. He married seven times, became like a teaching institute never having more than four wives where she used to teach the Holy at a time according to the Islamic Qur’an and give lectures on the injunction on marriage. His books of the Promised Messiah marriages brought many children (peace be on him). Hundred of girls who have lived long lives and been learned the Holy Qur’an from her. instrumental in the history of the She used to write articles for the Jamaat as well as contributing journal “Ahmadi Khatoon” as well. future generations of the family of She was blessed to receive training the Promised Messiah (peace be on from the Promised Messiah, him) to serve the Jamaat. himself that was further enhanced WINTER 2008 AYESHA 47 by Hadhrat Musleh Mauood (may give her entire allowance from Allah be pleased with him). Her Hadhrat Musleh Mauood to children were reared in an chanda, and she was one of the excellent manner and became first Moosis (member of Wasiyyat exemplary pillars of the scheme). She also served as Sadr community. (President) Lajna Imaillah from its Hadhrat Umme Nasir was founding to her death—a period of instrumental in the founding of 36 years. Al—Fazl newspaper which is now Hadhrat Musleh Mauood (may read by thousands of - Allah be pleased with him) speaking people around the world described her sacrifice this way: six days a week. An English spin- “Allah Almighty motivated my off, Al—Fazl International, goes wife’s heart in the same manner as out to thousands more. Through it, He motivated Hadhrat Khadija Ahmadis worldwide can read (may Allah be pleased with her) original content, excerpts from the heart to help the Holy Prophet writings and speeches of the (peace and blessings of Allah be on Promised Messiah and his him). Despite knowing that successors, and explanations of investing in a newspaper is like Hadith and the Holy Qur’an. The throwing money in a well, paper—especially in the period especially when the person starting before MTA—has been it was Mahmood, perhaps the most instrumental in distributing disapproved person of the time; she Jamaat news. In 1913, Hadhrat gave me two pieces of her jewelry to Musleh Mauood proposed starting sell to launch the newspaper. One a publication to bring unity to the was her own bracelet and the small Jamaat. There was no money second one was her childhood to fund such a publication. Syeda bracelet that she had saved for hers’ Mahmooda Begum offered two and my daughter Nasira Begum “qarre” or gold bangles so they sallmahallah ta’ala (may Allah could be sold for funds to start Al— Almighty keep her in security), to Fazl. The 475 rupees for the use. I immediately went to Lahore bangles, combined with some other with that jewelry and the bangles donations, led to the publication of were sold for four hundred and the long—running newspaper. seventy five rupees. This was the In addition, she would regularly initial investment for Al—Fazl. 48 AYESHA WINTER 2008

Al—Fazl, along with its name, will Sahiba later became mother to the keep my state of helplessness and late Mirza Naeem Ahmad and my wife’s sacrifice alive. How true Mirza Waseem Ahmad, who served is it that a woman is quiet worker! as Nazir-e-A’ala of Qadian until his Her example is that of a rose from death in 2007. which perfume is prepared. People How did the match occur? Sayyeda do remember the shop from where Aziza’s father had wanted Hadhrat they purchase the perfume but no Musleh Mauood to take his one thinks about the rose which, by daughter in marriage for some dying, creates the item of pleasure time, but he had been reluctant to for them. I wonder that if Allah ask, unsure of whether Huzoor Almighty did not create this would wish to take a second wife. resource for me, then what would I But when Hadhrat Musleh Mauood have done? And which door to serve married Sayyeda Amatul Hai, would have been opened for me?” Jamal Sahib decided to write to Huzoor. Hadhrat Sayyeda Aziza Begum At the same time, Hadhrat Musleh Sahiba (Umme Waseem) Mauood saw several dreams that Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may indicated he should marry Sayyeda Allah be pleased with him) Aziza Begum. Other people— emphasized that the Promised people who had no knowledge that Messiah (peace be on him) wished the proposal was even being that his followers become fluent in considered—also saw dreams that . He remarked, “One of the pointed in the same direction. So, best ways of doing this is to marry in 1926, she and Hadhrat Musleh women who speak Arabic so that Mauood were married. Their their children will have knowledge marriage lasted for 37 years, until of Arabic as well.” Sayyeda Aziza’s death in 1963. He made this remark on the As with all of wives of a Khalifa, occasion of his engagement to Sayyeda Aziza Begum took an Sayyeda Aziza Begum Sahiba, an active part in the life of the Arab raised in Jeddah, Saudi Jamaat, regularly attending Lajna Arabia by her father, Sate Abu meetings, and even at one point Bakr Yusuf Jamal, a wealthy organizing dars (commentary) businessman. A native speaker of sessions and other Jamaat Arabic, Sayyeda Aziza Begum gatherings. WINTER 2008 AYESHA 49

In addition, she placed great less fortunate. In her memory, emphasis on the importance of Huzoor established the Maryam understanding the Holy Qur’an. Shadi Fund, which helps young Amatul Aleem Khan, current Sadr women whose families cannot Lajna Imaillah, Pakistan, and the afford to provide them with clothes granddaughter of Sayyeda Aziza and accessories for their marriage. Begum Sahiba, relates that when This was an especially fitting she finished the Holy Qur’an at the tribute, since Sayyeda Maryam age of five, her grandmother Begum Sahiba had always taken advised her mother (Sayyeda the opportunity to provide needy Amtul Qaddoos Sahiba, wife of families with clothing and jewelry Hadhrat Mirza Waseem Ahmad) to for their daughters’ weddings. begin teaching her the translation Initially, Sayyeda Maryam Begum of the Qur’an. Sayyeda Amtul had been engaged to Sahibzada Qaddoos Sahiba responded that Mirza Mubarak Ahmad—one of the Amtul Aleem was too young, and Promised Messiah's youngest sons. that she would begin teaching her However, he died at the age of when she was older. But Hadhrat eight, and when Sayyeda Maryam Umme Waseem insisted that Begum was 17, Hadhrat Musleh Amtul Aleem begin learning the Mauood (may Allah be pleased translation, even at the tender age with him) married her. Though she of five. did not have much in the way of Sayyeda Aziza Begum passed away formal schooling, she was on December 5, 1963 in Rabwah. intelligent and quick—witted. Her many interests included horseback Hadhrat Sayyeda Maryam riding and shooting. She was fun— Tayyaba Sahiba (Umme Tahir) loving and always paid attention to In 2003, a few months before he children. Sahibzada Mirza passed away, Hadhrat Khalifatul Muzaffar Ahmad, the late head of Masih IV (may Allah have mercy the U.S. Jamaat, writes that she on him) spoke of his mother, was “a favorite person for all the Sayyeda Maryam Begum Sahiba, children to visit. She was most in a Friday sermon. He popular.” remembered her care, One of Sayyeda Maryam Begum's consideration and compassion for most outstanding traits was her others, especially those who were care for others. In a Friday sermon, 50 AYESHA WINTER 2008

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV Begum, she took over her Lajna relates, "She was very duties and fulfilled them compassionate to the poor admirably. Hadhrat Sayyeda especially, and she always taught Maryam Tayyaba Sahiba also me to be compassionate to the poor made service of the Jamaat her and those in need." Huzoor also way of life for the sake of her related that she liked to keep a few beloved respected husband. Her milking cows, and in the mornings, father along with his family was she would distribute the milk and bestowed the title of “the family of some butter to the needy who Paradise” by the Promised Messiah would line up outside her door. (peace be on him). Another incident also illustrates After her demise, Hadhrat Musleh her selflessness. After the birth of Mauood offered tribute to her in her first child, Sayyeda Maryam these beautiful words: “Maryam Begum became very ill. was a brave woman. Whenever a Nonetheless, she decided to delicate situation arose, I could accompany Hadhrat Musleh trust her with conviction; her Mauood on a trip. It was the month feminine fragility would disappear of Ramadhan, and many of at those times. There would be signs Huzoor's staff were not satisfied of resolve and determination on her with the sehri (morning meal) that face, and one looking at her would the accompanying cook had been say that there is no third goal in preparing. So, for the entire month front of this woman besides of Ramadhan, Sayyeda Maryam triumph or death; she will die but Begum woke up at 2:00 a.m. to would not retreat from the objective. prepare paraathe (bread) for the In times of need this beloved of entire staff, so that they would mine worked through the nights have an enjoyable sehri. with me and never complained She was equally dedicated to the about being tired. Merely words Jamaat. Hadhrat Musleh Mauood were enough to her that this is a writes: "Whenever she found out Jamaat project or there is a threat that there was Jamaat work to do, of dishonor or danger for the she tackled it with the vigor of a Jamaat and she would rise leaping lioness, forgetting both herself and like a lioness; she would forget her children in the process." And herself, she would forget eating and after the death of Sayyeda Sara drinking, she would forget her WINTER 2008 AYESHA 51 children and she would even forget dream he had. They had two me. The only thing she would daughters, Sahibzadi Amtul remember is that task. When that Rasheed Sahiba and Sahibzadi task was accomplished then it Amtul Qayyum Sahiba, wife of would be her and the hot water former U.S. Amir Sahibzada Mirza bottles.” Muzaffar Ahmad Sahib. But after giving birth to a son in 1924, she Hadhrat Sayyeda Amatul Hai passed away, having been married Sahiba for a little over ten years. After her Born in 1901, the daughter of death, Hadhrat Musleh Mauood Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I (may had this to say about her: "She had Allah be pleased with him), was both the desire and the talent to blessed by the fact that she had teach, and she was exceptionally met and known the Promised intelligent. She was one of those Messiah (peace be on him). fortunate people who attracted Hadhrat Sayyeda Amatul Hai others through the light of her Sahiba was also eager to gain personality." knowledge and learn the Qur'an One of the factors that inspired and attended the first Khalifa’s him to establish a dedicated and dars (commentary) regularly. In organized women's organization the beginning of his Khilafat, within the Jamaat was his wife, Hadhrat Musleh Mauood had no Sayyeda Amatul Hai Sahiba. Her intention of delivering dars to enthusiasm for Jamaat work was women. But he began giving dars instrumental in establishing Lajna of the Holy Qur’an to women Imaillah (women’s auxiliary). according to the will of his teacher Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV, in a and master; and he decided to biography of Hadhrat Musleh marry the one who so passionately Mauood, wrote, "In the history of urged him to teach women, his Ahmadi women, her name will objective being to make a role always be held in high esteem, and model for the Jamaat by her our hearts, filled with love, will religious training. She fulfilled his pray for her, because it was her expectations. extreme concern for welfare of In 1914, she married Hadhrat Ahmadi women that became the Musleh Mauood (may Allah be inspiration for the establishment of pleased with him) on the basis of a Lajna Imaillah." After the 52 AYESHA WINTER 2008 establishment of Lajna, she became Arabic, Sayyeda Sara Begum was General Secretary and put her skilled in handling her duties of energy in this direction. She would household and Jamaat as well as also summarize the Friday taking on an education. She sermons of Hadhrat Musleh learned the translation of the Holy Mauood (may Allah be pleased Qur’an, Sahih Bukhari, Arabic and with him) and distribute them to Farsi from her father and she had women. Moreover, she was significant knowledge of the books immersed in Jalsa duties, first of the Promised Messiah (peace be working with Hadhrat Amma Jaan on him). She was a great example on hospitality and later helping to for modern Ahmadi women. In organize the ladies' Jalsa Gah addition to having three children (ladies area of the convention). within a short space of time and One incident demonstrates the handling the various duties of a dedication that Sayyeda Amatul Khalifa's wife, she also studied full Hai had for the Jamaat and also time after she was married, illustrates the attitude of Hadhrat encouraged by Hadhrat Musleh Musleh Mauood. One day, as he Mauood to continue her education. came home, he found that she had First, she completed the Maulvi forgotten to instruct the cook on Faazil course—an advanced honors what to prepare for dinner that course in Arabic—and placed third day, and given that time was in Punjab University. She also running short, she had to serve a successfully passed her plain meal of daal (lentils). matriculation exams and attended Knowing that she had forgotten university for two years. Hadhrat because she was so busy with her Musleh Mauood married her with Lajna duties, Hadhrat Musleh the objective that the scheme of Mauood remarked, “Amatul Hai’s educating women, which was daal tastes better to me than interrupted by the death of anybody else’s palao or biryani (rice Sayyeda Amatul Hai Sahiba, could and meat).” be resumed. By all accounts, Sayyeda Sara Hadhrat Sayyeda Sara Begum Sahiba was a model student. Sahiba Master Muhammad Hussein Sahib, Born to an educated family from one of her teachers, declared, "I Bhaaglapur and fluent in Farsi and always noticed that she would lose WINTER 2008 AYESHA 53 herself in her studies—she was responsibility of Hadhrat Musleh almost like a machine (in her Mauood to some extent. When capacity to work)." Huzoor was in the process of Notable about Sayyeda Sara's writing Tafseer-e-Saghir (short dedication is that she desired that commentary of the Holy Qur’an), her education could benefit the his wife was the fortunate one to Jamaat and that she could pass her write the translation, side notes knowledge on to the women of and short commentary. For Lajna. Hadhrat Musleh Mauood Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II’s wrote: "In her final years, she other literary work she would strived for an education purely to frequently research books in the earn Allah's pleasure. She carried library and looked up references. this burden so that it would benefit She was a distinguished orator, the women of the Jamaat both and she delivered a brilliant speech spiritually and materially. And so, at the Jalsa Salana 1940 and this all the time between her birth and tradition continued until 1977 on her death was spent for the sake of various occasions. Huzoor others." conferred her with a great honor Having been married to Hadhrat and dedicated his renowned book, Khalifatul Masih II for only eight Sair-e-Roohani, to her. Her short years, she became ill and knowledge was very deep and passed away before completing her extensive already, but with university studies. Hadhrat Musleh Mauood’s instruction and adoration, it Hadhrat Sayyeda Maryam expanded further. She generously Siddiqa Sahiba (Choti Apa) donated her time and knowledge Hadhrat Sayyeda Maryam Siddiqa and advanced Ahmadi women to a Sahiba (may Allah be pleased with distinguished status educationally her), lovingly called Choti Apa and morally. She worked tirelessly (younger sister), was very to make Lajna Imaillah a intelligent. Besides attaining the respectable organization at the highest degree of theology, Adeeb, international level. She made she privately passed the Masters in numerous visits to Lajna Pakistan Arabic examination with chapters annually, leading to a distinction. remarkable awakening. She made She helped with the literary international visits that proved 54 AYESHA WINTER 2008 most useful for the education and always of “mehr”; that is a training of Lajna. She would relationship of love and adoration.” particularly exhort towards self As an ongoing blessing Huzoor, reformation in addition to moral gave 500,000 rupees to Jamaat training of children. Germany on her behalf. Hadhrat Mehr Apa dedicated her life in Hadhrat Sayyeda Bushra serving her esteemed husband and Begum Sahiba (Mehr Apa) rearing his most beloved children. Hadhrat Sayyeda Bushra Begum Sahiba was the daughter of Sayyed Respected Wives of Hadhrat Azizullah Shah (brother of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III Sayyeda Maryam Tayyaba Sahiba) and the granddaughter of Hadhrat Hadhrat Sayyeda Mansoora Sayyed Abdul Sattaar Sahib. Begum Sahiba Hadhrat Musleh Mauood was told in a vision that an angel said: “Call Mehr Apa that means a loving apa (elder sister).” Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) stated after her demise: “After my mother’s death Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II married her as a result of glad tidings bestowed by Allah Almighty and for the sake of us children. It was me and my three sisters, and he wanted a person of the family, that is my mother’s family, to look after us; according to the vision “Mehr Apa” that becomes Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III and Sayyeda Man- mehr (loving), it did not say mehr soora Begum in Gambia, 1970. (www.alislam.org) mother, rather stated “Mehr Apa”, Hadhrat Sayyeda Mansoora Begum and in reality our relationship with Sahiba was the daughter of her was that of apa (elder sister). I Hadhrat Sayyeda Nawab Mubarika can certainly say about myself that Begum Sahiba, daughter of the my relationship with her was Promised Messiah (peace be on WINTER 2008 AYESHA 55 him) and Hadhrat Nawab sacrifice her time to meet women Mohammad Ali Sahib. She had the who came to her for comfort and honor of being the granddaughter advice. During Huzoor’s trip to of the Promised Messiah and was Ghana, they were met by over raised with excellent standards. In 25,000 people, and half of them 1911, Hadhrat Nawab Mubarika were women. Unphased by the Begum, was expecting the birth of thousands of women, she shook her first child. In a dream, she saw hands and listened to them. She the Promised Messiah telling her, was also very conscientious about “You’re going to have a daughter. not revealing confidences. She Make sure she marries Mahmood’s fulfilled her marital responsibilities son.” In September of 1911, towards Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih Sayyeda Mansoora Begum Sahiba III (may Allah be pleased with him) was born. with extreme diligence, In 1934 the dream was fulfilled attentiveness and adoration. She when Sayyeda Mansoora Begum accompanied him on domestic and was married to Hadhrat Khalifatul overseas visits, and she remained a Masih III, the eldest son of source of physical and emotional Hadhrat Musleh Mauood. As support for him and hence Huzoor related in the magazine, participated in the progress of Misbah, she proved to be an Ahmadiyyat. excellent companion, ready and In what spare time she had, willing to share any and all Sayyeda Mansoora Begum was burdens. keen on languages, having During the chaos of the Partition in completed a course in Farsi after 1947, many Muslims fled to moving to Rabwah, and she was Qadian—some with just the clothes interested in reading English on their backs. Sayyeda Mansoora literature. Begum took out her wedding Sayyeda Mansoora Begum Sahiba clothes—including family died in December, 1981. heirlooms that had been handed down for generations and had been Hadhrat Tahira Siddiqa Sahiba embroidered with real gold—and After the demise of Sayyeda gave them away to the refugees Mansoora Begum Sahiba, Hadhrat who needed clothing. Khalifatul Masih III married She was especially willing to Sayyeda Tahira Sahiba, daughter 56 AYESHA WINTER 2008 of Majeed Ahmad Khan Sahib. As organizational capabilities in per the wishes of Hadhrat addition to writing and oratory Khalifatul Masih III, the members skills. She advanced Lajna of the Jamaat call her Apa Tahira Imaillah Rabwah to a lofty status Siddiqa. Their married life was both educationally and spiritually. short lived as Hadhrat Khalifatul She implemented Hadhrat Masih III passed away a few Khalifatul Masih IV’s tabligh months after their marriage. (preaching) proposals and other Sayyeda Apa Tahira Siddiqa far—reaching schemes for progress remains in Rabwah where she in Lajna Imaillah with great served the Jamaat for several years conscientiousness and hard work. as Sadr Lajna Rabwah. During her She inculcated a spirit of healthy tenure as Sadr, the Lajna Rabwah competition in women making offices were built. Under the them incorporate these schemes in orders of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih their practical lives. With the IV, she organized and ran a blessings of Allah, may Apa Tahira homeopathic clinic near the Lajna Siddiqa Sahiba continue her offices, serving the women of service to the Jamaat and continue Rabwah. At this time, Apa Tahira to serve as an inspiration to the Siddiqa Sahiba actively runs and Lajna of Pakistan. attends to patients in this clinic, using her medical training and Respected wife of Hadhrat knowledge of homeopathy to best Khalifatul Masih IV—Hadhrat serve the community. Sayyeda Asifa Begum Sahiba Known as a compassionate and caring doctor to her patients, Apa Tahira Siddiqa Sahiba is also very progressive and forward—thinking. She had the homeopathic clinic's records computerized so as to make the clinic more efficient. She also Hadhrat Sayyeda Asifa Begum with actively participates in all Lajna Khalifatul Masih IV (Al Nusrat 2004) events and activities. She is Hadhrat Sayyeda Asifa Begum endowed with most exceptional Sahiba was the daughter of Mirza qualities of both spiritual and Rasheed Ahmad Sahib. She was a secular knowledge. She possesses very distinguished lady in respect WINTER 2008 AYESHA 57 of her morals and outstanding that she never expressed anxiety. character. Hadhrat Khalifatul She never asked me and I did not Masih IV (may Allah have mercy have to explain to her again. By on him) stated the following after Allah’s grace understanding the her demise: “Despite a difference in situation, she kept her resolve with the daily living status and faith till the very end and did not disparity in mental and social turn to anyone besides Allah. conditions she spent time with great Towards the end this was the fortitude as a Waqaf-e-Zindigee (life situation that, rather than us devotee) abandoning her high life consoling her, she was consoling us. style. She never imposed burden She told me: ‘You should stop, do and never asked for anything that I not be this anguished and worried; was unable to provide… at the time do not be this grief stricken’…” of migration, abandoning her She preferred her respected household and everything else she husband over her person and had to leave for a foreign land; she enabled him to carry the burdens of then spent all the time with all the Ahmadis of the world to patience and willing acceptance.” comfort suffering humanity. The Her sister, Sabiha Begum Sahiba, Khalifa of the time is the support of wife of Mirza Munawar Ahmad every widow, is the father of every Sahib, wrote: “One of her qualities orphan and is the sustenance of was trust in Allah. Even during her every grieving person; without the last illness when we met, she did support of his wife and family, it not say anything that showed would be even more difficult to sentiments of anxiety or worry for bear this huge responsibility. the girls or Huzoor.” Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV Respected Wife of Hadhrat stated regarding the last illness: Khalifatul Masih V—Hadhrat “The illness was extreme and Sayyeda Amtul Sabooh Begum restlessness was intense. She kept Sahiba on asking me: ‘Tell me, what is the Hadhrat Sayyeda Amtul Sabooh illness? Whether I will get better or Begum Sahiba has the honor of not?’ being the granddaughter of After my explanation and teaching Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may her the manner to pray to Allah Allah be pleased with him) and Almighty, she became so peaceful Sayyed Hafiz Mahmoodullah Shah 58 AYESHA WINTER 2008

Sahib and the daughter of Sayyed is humility; whenever she meets an Daud Muzaffar Shah Sahib. She elderly lady or one of her school or provides the assistance of a faithful college teachers, she stands up to and pious wife behind the scenes welcome her. This is an expression for her husband’s tremendous of her magnanimity and sincerity tasks. She is a source of emotional that leaves a lasting impression on comfort. She is also a direct link those who meet her. between Huzoor (may Allah strengthen his hands) and the ladies of the Jamaat. Hadhrat Begum Sahiba gives special time to the ladies of Lajna Imaillah of each country during her visits with Huzoor; she is very much loved due to her elegance, affection and sincerity. She answers questions by the members of Lajna and Nasirat at various occasions, with love, affection and in the most commendable way. Another admirable quality of hers

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V and Hadhrat Say- yeda Amtul Sabooh (alislam.org and Centenary Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya-2008) WINTER 2008 AYESHA 59

Life Sketch of Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) Mubarika Sadiq

W hile reading about the life of our beloved Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III, Mirza Nasir Ahmad, I came across how Hadhrat Ummul Momineen (wife of the Promised Messiah known affectionately as Hadhrat Amma Jaan) had a major role in his upbringing, and how the noble traits she imparted became an integral part of his character and were reflected in him throughout his life. Having grown up during his Khilafat, I always admired his soft spoken demeanor, his kindness and affection, his humility and his love and understanding for all. The highlight of our annual Jalsa trips His birth was foretold by Allah, to Rabwah was our visits to Qasr-e- Himself. His father, Hadhrat Mirza Khilafat (official residence of the Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad Khalifa). “Love for all, hatred for (may Allah have mercy on him), none”, the phrase he made was told of the birth of a son in a universal, was a deep reflection of great prophecy, of which he wrote his personality, which was in a letter: “Allah has informed me, essentially molded by Hadhrat ‘I will give you such a son, who will Amma Jan in light of the teachings be a Nasir (Helper) of Religion and of the Promised Messiah (peace be will be ever ready to serve Islam’”. on him). His upbringing sets a Born on the 15th of November, great example for all Ahmadi 1909, Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad mothers in raising their children. proved to be just that. His mother, 60 AYESHA WINTER 2008

Sahibzadi Mahmooda Begum Hadhrat Musleh Mauood used to go Sahiba (Hadhrat Umme-Nasir) was for prayers through Amma Jan’s the daughter of a sincere friend of courtyard. At the sound of his the Promised Messiah (peace be on footsteps, Amma Jan would tell us, him), Hadhrat Dr. Khalifa ‘children, now go for prayer’ and we Rashiduddin Sahib (may Allah be would perform ablution and hurry pleased with him). for prayer. Bhai (Hadhrat Mirza Hadhrat Amma Jan says that Nasir Ahmad) would play at three days after the passing away specific times. Amma Jan’s of her youngest son, Hadhrat Mirza instructions were that the Maghrib Mubarak Ahmad at the age of six, prayers should be offered at Masjid she dreamt that he was walking Mubarak. If for some reason, Bhai with quick steps and holding a knew he would be late after prayer, baby in his arms. He placed the he would let her know beforehand”. baby in Amma Jan’s lap. It was a Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad boy, and he said, “He is in my himself used to say, “The habit of place”. This dream came true after saying salaam upon waking up was the birth of Hadhrat Mirza Nasir inculcated by Hadhrat Amma Jan. Ahmad. She would often lovingly When I started going to school, I call him “My Mubarak and my had to come straight home after Yahya”. From the Holy Qur’an, we school, say salaam and wash up. know that Hadhrat Yahya (peace When it was time for prayer, I be on him) was taught the word of would perform ablution and was God at a very young age. Hadhrat sent off to the Masjid to pray. After Mirza Nasir Ahmad (may Allah Asr, we were allowed to play, but have mercy on him) memorized the were told to be back as soon as the Holy Qur’an and thus attained the Maghrib Adhan was called. I was title of Hafiz by the age of thirteen. not allowed to go out after Maghrib, Hadhrat Amma Jan’s influence on except when we were a little older, his upbringing was noted by his we were allowed to go for important relatives as is evident from the Jamaat matters”. book “Seerat Hadhrat Amma Jan”. On another occasion he recollects, His cousin, Sahibzada Mirza Zafar “I distinctly remember that by the Ahmad writes about growing up Grace of Allah, we had a large with him, “Because Bait-ul- Haweli (home) in Darul Masih, Mubarak was only next door, Qadian, but during Jalsa Salana WINTER 2008 AYESHA 61

Hadhrat Amma Jan would have us Allah Hafiz-o-Nasir ho’ (Go, may sleep on the floor to accommodate Allah always be your Protecter and guests of Jalsa Salana, and we Helper).” would be very happy and we would He received his early education at enjoy it”. Such was the spirit of Madrassa Ahmadiyya and then at sacrifice and hospitality, which is Jamia Ahmadiyya, Qadian. He still present in our Jamaat today, received third position from Punjab and this spirit has been handed University in “Molvi Fazil”. At the down to us by these great models age of 24, he was married to that our parents followed. Sahibzadi Mansoora Begum, who Sahibzada Mirza Daud Ahmad, was the daughter of his aunt, another of his cousins says this of Hadhrat Nawab Mubarka Begum his childhood, “The first picture (may Allah be pleased with her). that I have of him is when he was This was the start of a long and in the care of Hadhrat Amma Jan. blissful married life. He was about 11 years old and very Soon after, Hadhrat Mirza Nasir good looking, fair of color, wearing Ahmad proceeded to England for clean and pure clothes, dressed in a higher studies. Hadhrat Khalifatul long coat, not too shy but not too Masih II (may Allah be pleased outgoing. Despite being so young, with him) blessed him with there was a dignity in him, a valuable guidance and advice listed refinement in his disposition. He in Tareekh-e-Ahmadiyyat. The was not influenced by wealth or depth of these ever inspiring poverty. He would respect the rights statements and the everlasting of big or small and acknowledge truths they hold even today, are everyone’s position”. still as effective, if we would only Sahibzada Mirza Muzzafar Ahmad, realize: who was his contemporary and a All knowledge is in the Qur’an cousin says of him, “Whenever Bhai and the key to the Qur’an is the Jaan went out of the home, he love of God. One who loves God is would ask permission of Hadhrat given the knowledge of the Qur’an. Amma Jan and the words that I am sending you to England Hadhrat Amma Jan used to give because the Holy Prophet (peace him permission still echo in my and blessings of Allah be on him) ears. She would always send him used to send his companions to with these words of prayer, ‘Jao Mecca before the victory of Mecca. I 62 AYESHA WINTER 2008 am sending you so that you land where culture and tradition understand the point of view of the vastly differed from his own. He West. You must find the depth of studied at the famous Oxford the poison which is destroying the University for four years. While in spirituality of mankind. England, he never once forgot the Do not think that you will get precious advice given to him by his something from there. Everything great father, and continued his available over there can be found pursuit of knowledge as well as here. I am sending you there so serving his religion. He started a that you may teach them publication ‘Al-Islam’ to bring something. about a positive change in the If you see any good quality in West. them, it should not overwhelm you, On his return from England, he because if it is not present among was appointed Professor at Jamia Muslims, it is not because it is not Ahmadiyya, and soon after he present in Islam, but, because became Principal and remained in Muslims have forgotten it. that position until he became This last advice is reflective of the Khalifa. He served as President of Hadith, “The word of wisdom is the Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. From lost property of a believer, so that 1954, he served as head of Majlis-e- wherever he finds it, he should take , when he light- it, because he is the one most heartedly remarked, “I have not entitled to it.” grown old. In fact Majlis-e- With these invaluable words of Ansarullah has become young”. In guidance, Hadhrat Mirza Nasir 1955, he was appointed Sadr Ahmad set sail to that faraway Anjuman Ahmadiyya Pakistan. On the 5th of November, 1965, after the death of Hadhrat Musleh-e- Mauood, he was chosen as the next Khalifa. During his Khilafat, many new and productive schemes were initiated, one of which is the Fazle Omar Foundation in memory of Hadhrat Musleh Mauood (may Allah be pleased with him) to promote causes which were started WINTER 2008 AYESHA 63

been functioning since then and serving those most needy. In October of 1980, he laid the foundation stone of Masjid Basharat in Spain, the first mosque to be built in that country after 750 years. He also launched the Waqfe Arzi Scheme thereby giving people the opportunity to serve the Jamaat for at least two weeks teaching the Holy Qur’an and in the process enhance themselves spiritually. There were countless other achievements. All of us have benefited tremendously from the prayers he asked us to recite, which were re-emphasized by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) and our beloved present Khalifa. Our beloved Huzoor passed away in 1982. Throughout his life he presented an excellent model of true devotion to God and His by him in fields of education and creation. May Allah keep the missionary work. institution of Khilafat a guidance In 1970, while he was in Gambia, for us and our future generations. Allah placed an intense desire in Ameen! his heart to help the poor and needy people of that area. The Nusrat Jehan Scheme was started in memory of Hadhrat Amma Jan, for accomplishing such humanitarian work in West Africa. Many schools and hospitals have 64 AYESHA WINTER 2008

The Beauty of Khilafat Adiyah Ullah

Kindred of Muhammad, the flag of unity.

Holy Qur’an the Beauty, spirit of piety.

Impregnable Muslims, truthfulness is their paradise.

La ialaha illalah, Al-Baqee the Everlasting.

Al-Mumin Guardian of Faith, the victory of Khilafat.

Faithfully love Islam, As-Salam the Peace.

Advent of Messiah Mahdi, Al-Mu’id the Restorer.

The brotherhood bond, the oath of allegiance.

WINTER 2008 AYESHA 65

Khalifatul Masih IV’s Advice to His Children Sahibzadi Attiyatul Habib Tooba

O n Eid, Huzoor (may Allah be pleased with him) would tell his daughters that they should remember those who were less fortunate. He would say, “The best gift is the one you give to someone without expecting anything in return.” Huzoor stressed that his daughters cycling back home from his farm were to speak the truth on every and he had his daughter, Sahibzadi occasion. One day his young Tooba, sitting behind him. On the daughter came up to him and way Tooba’s shoe fell off, but it was began to tell him that she had seen not until a little while later that a caterpillar on a tree. The Huzoor noticed. He told Tooba to caterpillar was going to its house pray “inna lillahe wa innailaehe and she had seen that the rajioon” (from Allah we come and caterpillar’s mother had come to to Him do we return) and that fetch the baby caterpillar. Huzoor maybe Allah would hear her stopped his daughter at this point prayer. An amazing thing and told her to tell him what really happened. As they reached near happened. He said that she should Rabwah a man came running not even make up such stories, as she would be lying. Huzoor always stressed to his daughters that Allah listened to children’s prayers. An incident happened with him and his youngest daughter that confirmed his point beautifully. Huzoor (may Allah be pleased with him) was Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV with his youngest daughter, Sahibzadi Tooba 66 AYESHA WINTER 2008 towards them. In his hand was happened to their mother, Begum Tooba’s shoe ad he came and gave Sahiba, and said that he had done it to Huzoor. Huzoor used to this because he wanted his recount this incident to his daughters to realize that all people daughters to show how wonderful are equal and that his servant girl Allah is. The miracle was not only was not inferior to his daughter. that Tooba’s shoe was found, but also that the man knew it had belonged to her! Once, one of Huzoor’s daughters was playing with a servant girl. While they were playing his daughter pushed the servant girl into an empty swimming pool. Huzoor saw the incident, and he Children pose for a picture with beloved Khalifatul called the other children who were Masih IV in Rabwah playing there as well. When he had When Huzoor used to take his called them all together, he ordered family to visit his farm he always the servant girl to push his own took sweets for the poor children daughter into the pool, which she who lived there, and he would give did. Later when they got home, the sweets to his daughters to Huzoor recounted what had distribute. The reason for this was so that his daughters would realize that there were children less fortunate then they. (reprinted from Al Nusrat June/July 2004)

WINTER 2008 AYESHA 67

Preaching Peace and Tolerance in the Face of Persecution Timesonline, Carla Power, June 14, 2008

and only 53 at the time, he admits that his nerves showed. “When you see the video, you will see me crying . . . If you realize the importance of your work, and your obligations, and that you’re going to be answerable to one God . . . that makes you so scared it’s unbelievable.” Allah gave him strength, he says. By the next morning the fear had subsided and he set to work from his London base, leading the estimated 70 million Ahmadiyya Muslims in more than 180 The leader of a pacific but countries. The challenge was huge, controversial branch of Islam not least because the sect, which explains why his sect continues celebrates the centenary of its to grow—Hadhrat Mirza founder’s death this year, is Masroor Ahmad: based in controversial. London, persecuted in Pakistan Founded in 1889 by an Indian On the day that Hadhrat Mirza Muslim, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Masroor Ahmad was made caliph Ahmad, the Ahmadiyya movement of the Ahmadiyya Muslims he was believes its founder to be the terrified. “That day made me very Messiah awaited not only by embarrassed,” he says, recalling Muslims, but by Christians, Jews the moment five years ago when and other faiths. Jesus survived the sect elected him Khalifa, leader the Crucifixion, Ahmadis believe, of the worldwide community. eventually dying in Kashmir. For Trained as an agricultural many mainstream Muslims, economist in his native Pakistan, Ahmadiyya belief contravenes the 68 AYESHA WINTER 2008

Prophet Muhammad’s status as the Office mandarin, greets such final prophet. Some go so far as to developments with equanimity. call them non-Muslims. “All the prophets were persecuted,” With controversy has come he points out, sitting in a persecution. In Pakistan, Ahmadis conservatory at the sect’s London are legally a non-Muslim minority, mosque, elegant in his customary which means blasphemy laws ban white turban and a dove-grey them from engaging in Muslim sherwani. “Other Muslims cannot practices, from using mosques and tolerate \ claim to be a prophet. attending Hajj to using the Muslim They see him as a reformer, but as greeting “Salaam”. to the claim of Prophethood, these mullahs are deadly against it. That is why we are being persecuted.” Persecution has not stopped the sect from growing — by hundreds of thousands of converts a year, claims His Holiness — most notably in Africa. The growth is in part the result of a growing An aerial view of Rabwah, Pakistan disillusionment with mainstream Worse than discrimination is the Islam. “Now \ know the nature of physical danger. In the town of these so-called religious leaders,” Rabwah, the Ahmadi he says. “They can no longer administrative centre in Pakistan, deceive the Muslim Ummah.” one mosque exhorts followers over The Khalifa’s emphasis on peace minaret loudspeakers to kill and tolerance stands in striking Ahmadis. In Indonesia, after a contrast to the firebrand radicals government-appointed panel that make the news pages. In a recommended banning the sect, recent Friday khutba in the marble hundreds of Muslims in western -and-carpeted elegance of the Java set fire to an Ahmadi mosque. Baitul Futuh Mosque, he speaks For a movement whose motto is the importance of the path of “Love for All, Hatred for None”, mercy, asking that Allah grant such venom should shock. But wisdom to those who might not Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, follow it. The audience — well- who has the calmness of a Foreign dressed men in suits and karakul WINTER 2008 AYESHA 69 caps, in turbans and bright African Ahmad says. “Without education, robes, in jeans, with the odd you cannot achieve. And you baseball cap worn backwards — is cannot have true knowledge of the reverent, listening, hushed, to his Creator, either.” Urdu, or the English translation on In Britain, the community has headphones. (The women listen produced a clutch of professionals. from a separate room, below.) From In Pakistan, despite a booth above the mosque, a sound discrimination, Ahmadi Muslims technician captures the recitation, have studded the top tiers of civil for broadcast on MTA, a satellite service and the Army. They are television station for the active in charity works—schools Ahmadiyya community. and wells for Africa, help for During the sermon, the only hint of disaster victims from Pakistan to danger comes from the young men New Orleans, and donations for in dark suits and flat Peshawari mainstream causes, from Save the caps, flanking the caliph and Children to the Great Ormond dotting the mosque. Since an Street Hospital. The essence of earlier caliph was stabbed during being an Ahmadi Muslim, their prayers in Pakistan, volunteers spiritual leader suggests, is have guarded the movement’s relatively simple. “It’s about leaders. “If I were to go back to honesty,” he says. “Loving peace. Pakistan, you would not see me Hard work. And being true to the any more,” His Holiness says with Creator.” a rueful smile. The mosque gives a sense of peace —and striking prosperity. Outside the mosque’s homoeopathic clinic —free to all—well-heeled Muslims mingle in a parking lot dotted with Mercedes. Ahmadi Muslims have done well, largely because the movement has emphasized education for both men and women. “The Koran tells us that every nation, every person, has goals to achieve,” Hadhrat Mirza Masroor 70 AYESHA WINTER 2008

Establishment of Khilafat as a Source of Spiritual Guidance for Mankind Dhiya Tahira Bakr

amendments. The first 10 F rom the time of Prophet amendments collectively are called Abraham (peace be upon him) until the Bill of Rights. They were today, man continues to stray so created specifically to spell out the far from God and His rights of individuals such as commandments that the signs are freedom of religion, speech, bearing blatant. We are still plagued with arms, and just trial for genocide, suicide, and homicide. We transgressions. In addition, have legalized homosexuality and America’s forefathers, George games of chance. There is still Washington and others, felt a need oppression, persecution and shirk to end troubling times and bring (idol- worshiping). All of this is a peace and order by forming a new contradiction to the purpose of national government. This man’s creation. We must be government was to be strong reminded of Surah Al-Infitar (82: enough to gain obedience at home 7—9): “Oh Man! What has made and respect abroad (International thee arrogant in relation to thy Information Programs. Noble Lord: The One who created u.s.info.state.gov. 2004). you and perfectly proportioned you However, despite man-made laws, and fashioned you with justice. it does not appear that we have This He did at every stage and in fully succeeded in maintaining and every form in which He sustaining order, justice or peace. compounded and fashioned you”. Allah is aware of man’s So what is our problem? What can weaknesses. He is All Knowing, we do? Compassionate, Merciful and Man attempts to solve problems of Gracious. Therefore, Allah created injustice and immorality through a system designed to guide man in laws. A good example is the conduct, justice and interactions. American Constitution. It was The system of Khilafat was written in 1787, and in 1789 it took established when Allah revealed to effect. The US Constitution has 27 the Holy Prophet Muhammad WINTER 2008 AYESHA 71

(peace and blessings of Allah be on We are that community, the him) Surah Al-Nisa, Verse 60: “O Ahmadi Muslims. The Promised ye who believe, obey Allah and His Messiah, created 10 conditions Messenger and those who are in unlike the 10 Bill of Rights, which authority among you. And if you were established to help man differ in anything refer it to Allah develop his inner self. Those who and His Messenger if you are believe, accept and practice these believers in Allah and the Last Day. conditions are called to take Bai’at That is best and most commendable (allegiance). The Promised Messiah in the end”. Are we experiencing (peace be on him) said, “To take the signs of the end, the latter Bai’at means handing over your life days: one disaster after the other to Almighty Allah.” (Conditions of i.e. earthquakes, tsunamis, Bai’at & Responsibilities of An hurricanes, wars and rumor of Ahmadi. Mirza Masroor Ahmad, war? The Holy Prophet 2004, pg. 4). The seventh condition Muhammad Mustafa (peace and of Bai’at states: That he/she shall blessings of Allah be on him) said, give up pride and vanity and shall “Verily, God will appoint for this pass all his/her life in humbleness, Ummah (community) in the cheerfulness, forbearance and beginning of every century those meekness (Conditions of Bai’at, who will restore for it, its faith” Lajna Imaillah USA, 2004). This is In 1889, 100 years after the the jihad: when man struggles to American Constitution, Hadhrat reform and then transform himself Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the so he becomes rightly guided in all Promised Messiah (may peace be affairs. upon him) formed a spiritual Every prophet and his successor, community. known as a Khalifa, attempts to protect man in his secular and spiritual affairs by serving as a conduit for Allah to teach man obedience to His divine commandments which, if followed, ensures him a clear path to a righteous and peaceful life in this world and the next. The structure A photo of the Promised Messiahas and some of his disciples of Khilafat is exampled by the 72 AYESHA WINTER 2008 following definition of order extrapolated from Random House dictionary: 1. It is a system of arrangement or classification of persons 2. It is an authoritative communication system to direct performance 3. It is a state of effective operation 4. It is a state of efficiency or neatness 5. It is a state of public peace through conformity to rules and laws Islam views “the ideal state as a universal federation or Hadhrat Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrullah Khan confederation of autonomous states, prayer. Our Khulafa, when associated together for upholding addressing us, tell us to seek the freedom of conscience, maintenance pleasure of Allah and change of peace and promotion of human ourselves. They further remind us welfare throughout the that we have accepted the world” (Islam: It’s Meaning For Promised Messiah, Hadhrat Mirza Modern Man. Muhammad Ghulam Ahmad (peace be on him), Zafrullah Khan, 1980 pg. 158). This who stated: “When we have is not different from man-made law gathered at a Jalsa Salana, make but complementary to it. However, the matters we hear part of our the goals of this Islamic state are lives.” executed by divine power and Islam has a perfect constitution. It intervention through the is the Holy Qur’an which contains institution of Khilafat under the revelations from Allah that provide direction of a Khalifa (Head) and direction on how to reform elected council. The first order of ourselves, live in peace and build a business is to bring about change nation fit to lead the world under in oneself by way of the first and the direction of a Khalifa. foremost intervention which is WINTER 2008 AYESHA 73

The fifth Khalifa recently reminded him), Abdul Latif refused. He us of the attribute, Al—Jabbar (the continued to proclaim his belief Subduer). When it is used for even while being dragged through Allah, it denotes One who fulfills the streets of Kabul by a rope the need of the people and reforms pierced through his nose, even them. However, when Al—Jabbar while being lowered alive in the is used for something other than ground from the waist down and Allah, it signifies the rebellious and then stoned to death (Ayesha those who break the law, the Magazine Vol. 37, Spring 2007 pg. haughty (Khutba, May 8, 2008). 29-31). These people use the Subduer to Man cannot create complete oppress. Take the life of Sahibzada submission to anything. The Abdul Latif (may Allah be pleased essence of our being is only truly with him): He one day read one of influenced by its maker. Man can create laws, set consequences for disobedience and a period of time to reform. But man cannot create the heart and spirit of man, his consciousness nor his ability and capacity for love. That is Allah’s doing and His decree. This brings us back to the first two chapters in the Holy Qur’an: Surah Al-Fatiha which tells us who is Master and what path to take. It is followed by Surah Al-Baqarah which delineates the laws regarding worship, matters of diet, Sahibzada Syed Abdul Latif (Shaheed) investment, inheritance, marriage, the writings of the Promised transgression, and others. Messiah and then believed in him Through Khilafat, Allah extends whole heartedly. So much so, that His power and calls man to order when Abdul Latif was asked by the and therefore to obedience and government of Afghanistan to discipline. We continue to be renounce his acceptance of the reminded of such things in Surah Promised Messiah (peace be on Al-Shams in which the human soul 74 AYESHA WINTER 2008 is compared to the universe, as it surrender his best weapon in a can attain a similar luster, order battlefield, salat must not be and peace. Surah Al-Shams, (91: 8- surrendered. It is the most excellent 11): “And by the soul and its’ weapon for a believer.” (Khutba, perfection; And, He (Allah) revealed February 15, 2008). Our to it (the soul) the ways of evil battlefields are the social ills that (Fujoor) and the ways of cause disintegration of the family righteousness (Taqwa); Man and increase promiscuity. Our indeed, prospers who purifies it (the battlefields are those evils that soul); And man is ruined who create a rescue mission for lost corrupts it.” souls. History reveals the truth and shows every Khalifa demonstrating sacrifices and the promotion of peace. During his Khilafat, Hadhrat Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) gave his wealth to family and the needy. He fought in various wars to subdue others against transgression but he refused to fight a revolt against him, led by fellow Muslims. This opened a path for the rebels to surround his house. While Hadhrat Uthman read the Holy Qur’an, the rebels assassinated him on June 17, 656 A.D. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V, Now it is time to bring to this world Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba awareness of the institution of Our current Khalifa (Hadhrat Khilafat. The first order of business Mirza Masroor Ahmad-may Allah is to bring about change in strengthen his hand) explains: ourselves by way of the first and “Prayer (Salat) is the primary foremost intervention which is source of purifying the self. Prayer prayer. must be safeguarded at all cost. Our mission is to rejuvenate the Like the soldier who would never teachings of Allah and bring WINTER 2008 AYESHA 75 mankind to recognize Allah in your life when external forces properly so we are rightly guided in which are likely to disturb your all our affairs. Look at our state of equilibrium, while community. We are black, white reacting to them, you must not and shades in between. Some of us forget that Allah is watching were Jewish, Hindu, Christian, you…, pg. 24 atheist or agnostic. Regardless of If you claim to be among those socioeconomic conditions, who fulfill the obligation of Ahmadiyyat has brought us Taqwa, true Islam and together in peace. From our submission to God is such that previous beliefs about God we have we collectively hold fast to the come to know that there is only one rope of Allah…, pg.125 God for us all. Under the guidance We Ahmadi Muslims are of Khilafat, Ahmadiyyat will celebrating 100 years of Khilafat, continue to bring mankind to the so our gift to humanity should be to recognition of God and His establish Khilafat as a source of worship. spiritual guidance for mankind. Today, our common resources such Rekindle faith and belief in God. as gasoline, food, health care are Broadcast the image of Khilafat becoming scarce, and even spiritual and let our Ahmadi community be nourishment seems unattainable: the model of peace personified. the world is crying out for change, order, justice and peace. Our cry must be in prayer for the help of Allah. Ahmadi Muslims believe that Khilafat is for the good of mankind. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) writes in The Gulf Crisis and The New World Order: …accept that one, who was sent by God. He has the ability to lead you… pg. 37. …fulfill the demands of Taqwa which means that at any time 76 AYESHA WINTER 2008

Muhammad the Liberator of Women Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad

I. The various aspects of the life of exception to the general rule, and the Holy Prophet (peace and freedom which is exceptional, can blessings of Allah be upon him) are hardly lead to the culture of true all so sublime, that in the matter of aspirations. choice, a writer on the subject soon The Holy Prophet (peace and finds himself baffled and selection blessings of Allah be upon him) had becomes very nearly impossible. In his advent about 1,350 years ago. consideration of present day needs, Before his time, no religion or however, I wish to take up that nation afforded to woman such side of the Holy Prophet’s life freedom as she could use by way of which concerns the way in which right. Of course in countries where he purged the world of that form of no law prevailed, she was free from utter slavery which had been for all all disabilities. Yet even this kind time the curse of humanity. I mean of freedom cannot be called true the slavery of women. freedom. It is rather described as Before the advent of the Holy license. True freedom is that which Prophet (peace and blessings of is reaped out of a state of Allah be upon him) women in all civilization and conformity to law. countries were in the position of The sort of freedom we get when slaves and chattels, and their we break the bounds of the law is slavery could not but have reacted not freedom at all because such adversely even on men; for sons of freedom does not generate any slaves cannot assimilate the spirit strength of character. of freedom. There is no doubt woman, either II. At the time of the Holy Prophet because of her beauty or because of (peace and blessings of Allah be her sterling character, has always upon him) and before, woman was been able, in individual cases, to placed in a condition in which she dominate over men, but freedom was not the owner of her property; thus obtained could not be termed her husband was regarded as the true freedom, for the simple reason owner of her property. She did not that it was not hers by way of have a share in the property of her right. It was only a matter of father. Nor could she inherit the WINTER 2008 AYESHA 77 property of her husband, though in considered to be within their some cases she had the right of rights. managing it during the husband’s A woman had no right over her lifetime. When married, she was children whether in her position of either assigned to her husband for dependence as wife, or in a position good as his property, and in no of independence of her husband. In circumstances could she be domestic affairs she had no separated from him; or in the privilege. Even in religion she had alternative, it was given to the no status. Of the abiding spiritual husband to divorce her but not blessings, she was to have no given to her to separate herself share. In consequence, husbands from the husband, however used to squander the property of afflicted she might have been. their wives and abandon them Should the husband desert her, without providing for their cease to discharge his obligations subsistence. She could not, even towards her or run away from her, out of her own property, give away, there was no law to protect her. It in charity, or help her relatives was obligatory on her to be except with the consent of her resigned to her lot, and work for a husband, and a husband who living both for herself and her looked with greed on the property children. The husband was of his wife could hardly give his entitled, out of bad temper, to beat consent in such a matter. his wife; she was not to raise a Of the property of her parents, to voice against it. Should the whom children are bound by a most husband die, the wife, in some deep and affectionate tie, woman countries, fell into the hands of her was deprived of all share. And yet husband’s relatives, who could then daughters have as much claim on marry her to whomsoever they their parents as have the sons. liked, either in charity or in return Parents who out of a sense of of some benefits received. In some justice, would give away during places, on the other hand, she was their lifetime some of their merely the property of her property to their daughters, husband. Some husbands would prepared only for strife in their sell their wives or lose them in families. It would not occur to the gambling and betting, and when sons that after the parent’s death they did so, they were all they (the sons) would inherit the 78 AYESHA WINTER 2008 whole of their property (and establishing the misconduct of therefore should not grudge their either party, as well as ill sisters receiving occasional gifts treatment on the part of the from their parents); all they husband. What was still worse was considered was that their sisters, that in cases in which it was for the time being were having impossible for a woman to live with more than they. her husband instead of complete Of the property, similarly, of her separation, she was only allowed to husband -- with whom a wife has live apart, a state of living which the relation of complete union -- itself is a form of torture, for in this woman was again, deprived way she was compelled to lead an altogether. Distant relatives of the empty, purposeless life. husband could each claim a share, In some cases it happened that but not the wife -- one, indeed, who while the husband could divorce was the possessor of his confidence, his wife whenever he liked, the a life-long partner of his and whose wife in no case could demand a labor and care must have so largely divorce. If the husband deserted contributed to his income. On the her, or abandoned the country other hand, when she managed all without providing for her, she was her husband’s property, she did not obliged to linger through life have any genuine right over any without the right to devote herself portion of it. While she could spend usefully to her country or out of the income of that property community. Married life, instead of she could not dispose any part of it. being a life of happiness, became In acts of charity, therefore, she for her a life of misery. Her was prevented from taking part in obligation it was, not only to the manner she liked. undertake the duties of her When the husband oppressed his husband and of herself but also to wife, she could not be separated wait for her husband. The duty of from him. In communities in which the husband, namely to find a separation was at all possible, it living for the household, became was on conditions under which self- hers, as also her own duty, the care respecting women preferred death and upbringing of her children to separation. For instance, a with mental discomfort on the one condition of separation was that hand, and material responsibilities proof should be furnished on the other. WINTER 2008 AYESHA 79

All this, in short, was tolerated in safeguarding the rights of women. the case of this poor, unprotected He proclaimed in the name of God creature. Women were beaten and that man and woman by virtue of considered the property of their their humanity, were the equal of husbands. When the husbands each other, and when they lived died, widows were forcefully together, just as man had certain married to the relatives of their rights over woman, so had woman husbands, or else sold for money. certain rights over man. Women In fact, husbands themselves sold could own property in the same away their wives. Indian princes way as men. A husband had no like the Panawas lost their wife right to use the property of his (there was one for many) in wife, as long as the wife, of her own gambling, and against the law of free will, did not let him have some the land, a noble princess like of it. To seize her property by force, Dropadi could not raise the or in a manner which made it slightest voice. doubtful whether her natural In the education or upbringing of shyness had not stood in the way of their children, the mothers were her refusal, was wrong. Whatever not consulted and they had no the husband of his own free will rights over their children. If the should give away to the wife, would father and mother separated, the be the property of the wife and the children were handed over to the husband would not be able to take father. Woman had nothing to do it back from her. She was to inherit with the household. Whenever the the property of her parents just as husband liked, he could drive her well as her brothers. Only out of the house, and she was considering that all the family condemned to wander about responsibilities fall on man, and homelessly. woman’s concern is her own self alone, her share was to be one half III. By the advent of the Holy of the share of man, that is, out of Prophet (peace and blessings of the property of their (deceased) Allah be upon him) all these parents. iniquities were wiped away, as it Similarly a mother was to have a were, with one stroke. He declared share in the property of her that God had particularly (deceased) son as well as the entrusted to him the task of father. Only according to differing 80 AYESHA WINTER 2008 circumstances and the nature of representing the husband and the her responsibilities in particular other the wife. If the committee cases, she was to have a share at should decide that the parties times equal to, and at times less should yet make an effort to live than that of the father. On the together, it would be worthwhile on death also of her husband she was their part to try to settle their to inherit, whether or not there differences in the way were any children, because she was recommended by the committee. not to be condemned to a state of Then if the understanding along dependence on others. this line should prove impossible, Her marriage (it was granted) is, the husband could divorce the wife, without doubt, a holy alliance, but in such a case he would have which, after man and woman have no right to the return of whatever cultivated mutual intimacy to the he might have (before divorce) extreme, it is very detestable to given away to her, including the break. However, it cannot be that, full value of mahr (marriage even after a frightful divergence of settlement). nature has been found between the If, on the other hand, the wife parties, or in spite of a religious, should seek separation, and not the physical, economic, social or mental husband, she should apply to the discrepancy between them, they Qazi (Judge), and if the Qazi is should be compelled, in the interest satisfied that there is no unfair of sheer alliance, to ruin their lives motive behind her application, he and kill the purpose of their should order her separation. Only existence. in such a case she will make over to When differences of this kind the husband such of his property as appear, and man and woman agree had been entrusted to her, as also that they cannot live together, they the value of mahr (marriage can (it was taught), by mutual settlement). Should the husband consent, revoke the alliance. If, fail to fulfill his marital obligations however, only the husband should or cease to speak to her, or should take this view, but not the wife, ask her to sleep apart, he should and if they fail to adjust not be able to go beyond a certain themselves to each other, their limit of time. If he persists for four affairs should be considered by a months in this kind of treatment, committee of two members, one he should be compelled either to WINTER 2008 AYESHA 81 reform himself or to divorce her. would have the right to marry Should he stop the allowances due again. Nobody can stop her from to the wife or go away from her and doing so. Nor can a widow be no longer take care of her, their compelled to live in a particular marriage should be regarded as place. Only for about four months null and void. (Three years have and ten days, she would live in her been assigned as the limit of the husband’s house, so that all those period of abandonment by Muslim conditions which can have a jurists). The wife would now be free bearing on her rights and on those to marry again. of her husband’s people, should The husband was always to be have time to manifest themselves. responsible for the maintenance of For a year after the death of her his wife and children. He was to husband a widow, whatever else is exercise only appropriate due to her, is to have in addition, discipline, but should this the use of her husband's house, so discipline ever take the form of that she should be able, out of what punishment, he should have proper has been left to her, to make witnesses and declare her guilt and arrangements for her residence. base his judgment on evidence. Should the husband find himself Punishment should not leave any not on good terms with his wife, he permanent ill effects behind. himself is to keep out of the house, A husband does not own his wife. not to ask his wife to go out of it, He cannot sell her, nor reduce her because the household is supposed to the office of domestic drudge. His to be the possession of the wife. In wife shares with him the amenities the upbringing of the children, of the household, and his treatment woman has her part. She is to be of her will have to correspond to consulted. the position to which he himself In the matter of children, her belongs. A treatment which is interest is not to be ignored in any below that which should belong to way. Wet nursing, general the status of the husband would be caretaking, are to depend on her wrong. advice. If husband and wife, On the death of her husband, his finding it impossible any more to people were to have no right over live together, should want to her. She would be free, and a separate from each other, the care suitable opportunity occurring, she of the small children should be 82 AYESHA WINTER 2008 entrusted to the mother. When of serfdom! Bringing freedom to they grow up, they should for mothers, he at the same time saved purpose of education, come back to their children from slavish the father. As long as the children sentiments, and provided for the live with their mother, germination and nourishment of maintenance would be provided for great ambition and high resolve! by the father. The father would However, the world did not value also pay for the time and labor the the teachings. What was indeed a mother would have to spend on boon, it branded as tyranny. account of the children. Divorce and separation it regarded Woman, in short, was to have an as strife, inheritance as ruining the independent status. All the family, independence of woman as spiritual rewards were to be open means of the disruption of domestic to her. She was to command the life. For thirteen hundred years, it highest excellences of life after went on ridiculing, in its blindness, death and even in this life she the things which this one man who could take part in the different could see, had communicated to departments of civil mankind for their good. It went on administration. In this regard she condemning his teachings as was to have the same consideration against human nature. Then came paid to her claims as that accorded the time when the exquisiteness of to man. the word of God (transmitted through the Holy Prophet) should IV. This is the teaching which the reveal itself. The very peoples who Holy Prophet (peace and blessings looked upon themselves as the of Allah be upon him) promulgated bearers of civilization, began to at a time when the standards of the obey the civilizing injunctions of world were altogether opposed to it. the Holy Prophet. Every one of Through these injunctions, he these peoples in turn, changed reclaimed women from the slavery their laws in increasing conformity which had been their lot for to the principles preached by the thousands of years, to which they Holy Prophet (on whom be peace). were forced in every land, and the The English Law which required yoke of which every religion had misconduct, ill treatment and put on their neck. One man, in one beating on the part of either party time, cut asunder all these chains as essential conditions of divorce, WINTER 2008 AYESHA 83 was changed in 1923. Misconduct insanity, unfair treatment and by itself was accepted by the new constant strife shall be sufficient law as a sufficient excuse for excuses for divorce or separation. divorce. In Western Australia, besides the New Zealand decided, in 1912, that laws outlined above, the marriage a wife who has been insane for of a pregnant woman has been seven years, should have her declared to be void. (Islam, too, marriage dissolved. In 1925, it holds the same view). further ruled that if either husband In the island of Cuba it was or wife should not discharge his or decided in 1918 that forcing into her marital obligations, they could misconduct, beating, using foul be allowed a divorce or separation. language, undergoing conviction, If three years elapse without one drunkenness, gambling habit, caring for the other, divorce was in failure to discharge obligations, order. A good imitation of Muslim refusing allowances, infectious jurists, of course, but made after disease, or mutual agreement, 1,300 years of attacks on Islam! shall be accepted as sufficient In the Australian State of conditions for divorce or Queensland, insanity of five years’ separation. duration was regarded as a Italy enacted in 1919 that a woman sufficient reason for divorce. In shall have rights over her property. Tasmania, a law was passed in She can spend out of it in charity or 1919 that misconduct, desertion for sell it as she likes (Up to this time, four years, drunkenness, in , she was not recognized indifference for three years, as the owner of her own property). imprisonment, beating, insanity, In Mexico, too, the above conditions should, one and all, be sufficient have been accepted as being conditions of divorce. In Victoria, sufficient for divorce. Besides, law was passed in 1923 that should mutual agreement has also been a husband fail to look after his wife accepted as sufficient. This law has for three years, be guilty of been passed in 1917. Portugal in misconduct, refuse allowances, or 1915, Norway in 1909, Sweden in ill-treat his wife, divorce would be 1920, and Switzerland in 1912, possible. Further, it was granted have passed laws by which divorce that imprisonment, beating, and separation have been made misconduct on the part of the wife, permissible. In Sweden, a father is 84 AYESHA WINTER 2008 compelled by law to provide, at her parents or her husband. least up to eighteen years, for the Similarly, in several other matters maintenance of every child of his. Islam continues to provide In the United States of America guidance to the world, though the although the law of the land world has not acknowledged such continues to maintain the right of a guidance. The time is not distant, father over his child, yet in practice however, when the world will the judges have begun to pay accept the guidance coming from regard to the susceptibilities of the Holy Prophet (peace and mothers, and a father is now even blessings of Allah be upon him) in compelled to pay for the children these matters as it has already (living with their mother). There done in others, and which the Holy are, of course many drawbacks in Prophet initiated on behalf of the their law. Even though, the man’s freedom of women will bring forth rights have been more strictly its fruits to the full. guarded, woman is being allowed to "Compared exercise right over the property. At to men, the same time, in many States it women has been passed that if the have shown husband should become a a most permanent invalid, his wife will marvelous have to provide for him. example of Women are now being granted the sacrifice. I right to vote, and avenues are believe that being opened by which they can the spirit come to have a voice in matters of women national concern. Yet all these have displayed, if the same spirit things are coming after full becomes operational in the men, thirteen hundred years have then our triumph will come a passed since the Holy Prophet century earlier. If the same zeal and (peace and blessings of Allah be frenzy that the women have upon him) promulgated his exhibited at this time originates in teachings. There are many things the men, then the day of our victory which yet await coming. In many will come very close." Hadhrat countries a woman has still no Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be share in the inheritance of either pleased with him) WINTER 2008 AYESHA 85

An Invitation on Occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad

1889—1989: One hundred years Community. He laid the basis for ago today, an amazing event took the unification of mankind in a place in an obscure and tiny hamlet unique manner. He resolved the (Qadian), in the province of the conflicts and paradoxes prevailing Punjab, India. It was an event in the religious world regarding the which was destined to change the advent of a global Reformer. course of history. The followers of all great religions- Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians and the followers of Confucius-all anxiously awaited the advent of a Promised Reformer, as predicted in their holy scriptures. The Jews expected the Messiah would rejuvenate Judaism; the Christians claimed that the second advent of Jesus would bring nigh the Kingdom of Heaven; the Muslims believed that the Messiah and Mahdi would join forces to bring about the final renaissance of Islam; the Hindus awaited the There appeared a religious leader coming of God Himself in the form specifically commissioned by God to of Krishna; and, the Buddhists lead mankind as the Promised were hopefully waiting for the Reformer of the latter days. His reincarnation of Buddha. name was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad How could God send different (1835-1908), the Founder of the Messengers simultaneously-each

Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim calling to the same God in his 86 AYESHA WINTER 2008 diverse way, inviting mankind unto this call with complete faith and divergent paths and conflicting devotion. There were many others ideologies? That was the perplexing who raised a storm of hostility, the question addressed by Mirza like of which has seldom been Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian under witnessed in the history of divine guidance and revelation. mankind. It was revealed to him that all the His followers prophecies regarding the advent of were various reformers were no doubt subjected to true. They, however, in fact implied extreme that only a single claimant would persecution. be raised who would combine in his They were person the qualities, role and deprived of spiritual powers of all the great religious world reformers whose advent had freedom and been promised. Indeed, he would be fundamental a soldier from God wearing the human rights. garb of the different prophets. He Even laws also proclaimed that the religion were enacted in some countries to chosen by Almighty God for the render them liable to severe universal and final manifestation punishment and prosecution for of His Unity was Islam. the mere act of professing and Thus, in accordance with the divine practicing their faith. Yet all this command, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad phenomenal opposition utterly claimed to be that global Reformer failed to arrest the progress of who was destined to be raised in Ahmadiyyat, which is marching Islam in complete subordination to forward even faster today than Prophet Muhammad-the last law- ever before. All the efforts of hostile bearing prophet-may peace fanatics, be they individuals, blessings of Allah be upon him. groups, or governments, have This is an astonishing claim. It was totally failed in their purported even more astonishing that this objective of exterminating solitary voice, raised from a small, Ahmadiyyat from the face of the unknown village, insignificant as it earth. seemed to the world at large, was God stood by His servant, Mirza heeded at all. Some responded to Ghulam Ahmad, fulfilled all His WINTER 2008 AYESHA 87 promise and, as prophesied in bondage of sin and strengthens his 1898, “caused his message to reach ties with his Creator. It is a the corners of the earth.” Today religion so simple, yet so highly Ahmadiyyat stands established in organized to meet the demands of 120 countries and the pace of its challenges of the changing world. growth is destined to engulf the Islam permits no exploitation-be it whole of mankind. God saved his social, political, economic or followers (Ahmadis), protected religious. The political philosophy them from all evil designs, and of Islam has no room for false or showered His innumerable deceptive diplomacy. It believes in blessings upon them. absolute morality and enjoins It is, therefore, to extol the name of justice and fairness to friends or Allah and sing His praises for His foes alike, in every sphere of innumerable bounties that Jamaat human interest. Ahmadiyya is celebrating the year Islam neither permits coercion for 1989 as the Thanksgiving the spread of its own message nor Centenary Year. gives license to other religions to do On this auspicious occasion, I most so. Indulgence in terrorism even in humbly and sincerely invite all my the name of the noblest objectives fellow human beings to study the is entirely incompatible with the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam teachings of Islam. seriously and to join its fold. It is the firm belief of the Jamaat I call upon God, who is All- Ahmadiyya that Islam is the Knowing and Ever-Present, as my panacea for all maladies and witness, that the message of ailments of the suffering humanity Ahmadiyyat is nothing but Truth: today. Islam teaches us that unless it is Islam in its pristine purity. man learns to live at peace with The salvation of mankind depends himself and his fellow human on accepting this religion of peace. beings he cannot live at peace with Islam is the religion which does God. away with all discrimination It is to this Islam that I invite between man and man, and mankind. demolishes all barriers of race, I am fully aware that in the eyes of color and creed which divide many cursory observers, humanity. Ahmadiyyat has not as yet Islam liberates man from the emerged as a potent force to bring 88 AYESHA WINTER 2008 about a global, moral and spiritual skeptical ear to what I say, revolution. wondering at the certitude and Yet our trust is in God. Weak and firmness of my faith in the glorious humble though we are, God has future of Ahmadiyyat. The weak graciously chosen us as His and oppressed proponents of instruments to usher in a new era Christianity, at the end of the first of global peace and unification of century of the Christian era, must mankind. have felt somewhat like I feel Listen to what the Promised today. They were looked down Messiah proclaimed towards the upon, jeered and mocked at by close of the last century, in the people of that age. Yet, I have no light of divine revelation received doubt whatsoever that a day will by him: dawn before the end of the next “The time is near when I should century when people of all that age attain a magnificent victory, will look back with no less an because in support of what I sate, amazement at the incertitude and there is another voice which speaks; disbelief of the people of today. and in support of my hand there is In the end, let me invite you once another hand which operates. Yet, again with all my heart to accept the world cannot perceive it, but I the call of the Promised Reformer. behold it. There is a heavenly spirit Herein shall you find peace and which speaks in me and grants a contentment of heart which can new life to every word and every only be acquired by submission to letter of mine. A commotion and the Will of God. upsurge has erupted in the heaven May Allah bless you all. which has caused this earthly body to stand up at God’s behest. Every such person who has not been denied forgiveness and salvation shall soon see for himself that I do not make these claims on my own. Can they be seeing which fail to recognize a man of truth? Can he be deemed alive who has no awareness of this Heavenly call?” It is likely that many will turn a WINTER 2008 AYESHA 89

Lajna Imaillah’s Pledge of Allegiance to the Institution of Khilafat Dr. Shanaz Butt

I affirm that I shall always be name of Allah – adhere to the truth ready to sacrifice my life, property, and fulfill your pledges strictly.” time and children for the cause of The Promised Messiah (peace be on the faith and the community. I him) has written, “The members of shall always adhere to the truth my Jamaat should not be pleased and shall always be prepared to with the mere verbal expression of make every sacrifice for the faith; they should act in complete perpetuation of the Ahmadiyya accordance with their pledge. If Khilafat (Insha Allah-God willing). you do not bring about a change in This is the pledge taken by your heart, then it will be correct to members of Lajna Imaillah-the say that there is no difference ladies’ auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya between you and others (who have Muslim community. How many of not joined the Jamaat).” us repeat the pledge like a parrot? We have gathered here today as a How many of us really pay body of Muslim women who owe attention to the meaning, the deep gratitude to our Holy Prophet promise, the oath and our loyalty (peace and blessings of Allah be on and commitment to the pledge? him) for changing the conditions of How many of us translate that women forever; as a daughter, as a verbal pledge into honorable wife, and as a mother. About 1500 actions? Allah reminds us in the years ago, women were provided Holy Qur’an: “And remember not only equal rights to men, but in Allah's favor upon you and the many cases, a higher status than covenant which He made with you, men in terms of treatment, respect when you said, 'We hear and we and dignity. The best compliment obey.' And fear Allah. Surely Allah that women could ever receive was knows well what is in your bestowed upon us by the Master minds.”(Chapter 5, Verse 8). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace Allah be on him) when he said:“Al – and blessings of Allah be on him) jannatu tahta aqdaamil said: “Make an oath only in the ummahaati—Paradise lies under 90 AYESHA WINTER 2008 the feet of mothers.” anything with Allah, and that they This Hadith places a high will not steal, and will not commit compliment as well as a high adultery, nor kill their children, nor responsibility on mothers in that bring forth a scandalous charge mothers have such a high status which they themselves have that if one serves a mother in a deliberately forged, nor disobey thee manner that is pleasing to Allah, in what is right, then accept their your service will become worthy of allegiance and ask Allah to forgive paradise. Mothers have the them. Verily, Allah is Most responsibility of training their Forgiving, Merciful. (Chapter 60, children to become worthy of Verse 13). paradise which should be found in It is interesting to note that 1500 their own personal examples. years ago, women were instructed However, this status does not come to avoid the same social ills and free. We have to earn this status. moral weaknesses that are not only Muslim women and particularly present today but are becoming Ahmadi women have a huge more and more prevalent in the responsibility to carry out before 21st century! we can claim the respect, dignity Thus, our pledge or oath of and status afforded to us by Allah allegiance to Khilafat has no and the Holy Prophet (peace and significance if we do not make blessings of Allah be on him). In every effort to reform ourselves and order to deserve these rights, it is reform others around us. Think essential that we show continuous about why Lajna Imaillah was improvement in our moral and organized. We are an auxiliary spiritual development. It is so established in 1922 by Hadhrat important for women to fulfill their Khalifatul Masih II, Hadhrat obligations that Allah gave specific Bashir-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad instructions regarding the (May Allah be pleased with him). conditions under which a women’s He believed that women play a Bai'at (oath of allegiance) could be very important role in society, in accepted. Allah says to the Holy the community and in the Prophet: “O Prophet! when upbringing of future generations of believing women come to thee, Muslims. It is only by the taking the oath of allegiance at thy reformation of women that we can hands that they will not associate hope for the reformation of a WINTER 2008 AYESHA 91 society and Huzoor said that Islam teachings of Islam. The Verse would definitely succeed if we are talks about believers, able to reform 50% of the accountability, striving, fear of population of women. Huzoor said Allah and our effort both in this to women in 1922, “be virtuous and world as well as in the next. Such your children will become a small Verse reveals such huge virtuous”. Therefore, Lajna responsibilities taking more than a Imaillah was established to remind lifetime to achieve. That is why it us of our high status and to make is of high urgency that Lajna take us mothers under whose feet our their pledge of allegiance very, very children find paradise. Lajna was seriously. not established to inspire each other to become competitive in our material ways. When we begin to compete with each other regarding what we wear, the size of our homes, or what car we drive, we are presenting a poor example to our children and fellow Lajna members. We need to guard Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV bicycling with his ourselves against this blind pride Urdu class in Holland (Al Nusrat-2004) that drives us to seek material In a sermon to Lajna Tanzania in superiority, and we need to 2005, Huzoor said that the status remember that this life is of a woman who trains her children temporary and that we are in this well is very high in the sight of world to prepare ourselves for the Allah. Huzoor said that it is next world. In this regard, the equivalent to giving up one’s life for Holy Qur’an says in Surah Al- the sake of Allah. By paying Hashar, Verse 19: “O ye who attention to the practice of Islamic believe! Be mindful of your duty to values, you will automatically Allah and let every soul look to instill the same in your children. what it sends forth for the morrow. Mothers need to train themselves And fear Allah, verily Allah is well in order to train their children. aware of what you do.” The younger generation will only This Verse points to several be attached to the Jamaat and to important aspects of the basic Khilafat, if they observe their 92 AYESHA WINTER 2008 parents doing likewise. example of an Ahmadiyyat Islam. Lajna Imaillah was established to On May 27, 2008, many of us had undertake this type of Jihad. the blessings of listening to When we recite the pledge, we Huzoor’s address and at the make a solemn promise to Allah, to conclusion of his speech, Ahmadis the Holy Prophet (peace and worldwide became one body and blessings of Allah be on him), to the one spirit as we stood up and Promised Messiah (peace be on recited the Khilafat Oath after him) and to our Khalifa (may Allah Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad strengthen his hand) that we will (may Allah strengthen his hand). protect Islam, we will make In this oath, we promised to spread sacrifices, we will raise good the message of Islam to the ends of children and we will continue to the earth. We promised to continue perpetuate Islam and Ahmadiyyat. to dedicate our lives at all times for Our Jihad is to raise a nation with the sake of Allah and the Holy high moral values, and create a Prophet, and we promised to make healthy society that provides a true every sacrifice that is needed to

A group of Lajna rejoicing upon Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V’s arrival in Africa (alislam.org) WINTER 2008 AYESHA 93 keep the flag of Islam flying high. are pledging to undertake a We also pledged that we will personal jihad for the sake of continue to make all efforts to Islam. This Jihad addresses all safeguard and strengthen the aspects of our lives; whether it is institution of Khilafat and we intellectual, social, material, moral would advise our children to or spiritual. No matter how remain bonded to Khilafat. We educated our Lajna members are, pledged to safeguard Khilafat-e- no matter what kind of job offers Ahmadiyya until this world ends, they receive, no matter what their so that Islam continues to flourish social status is, we must remember and spread on this earth, and the that our personal jihad begins from flag of the Holy Prophet inside – inside ourselves and inside Muhammad (peace and blessings of our homes. Allah be on him) flies higher than We know that making a verbal all the flags of the world. pledge and putting the pledge into Thus it is important for us to actual practice are not the same. realize that when we recite the However, it becomes easier when pledge, we are pledging to sacrifice we realize that what we consider to ourselves for the sake of Islam – we be a sacrifice is really a reward, a gift from Allah to all Ahmadi Muslims. Sometimes—no, most of the time-- we feel that the pressures of our daily life are so demanding that it is impossible to take out the extra time to learn about Islam and attend Lajna meetings. We feel that we are already sacrificing enough and cannot do more. We find a dozen reasons why we cannot attend Lajna meetings or why we cannot volunteer to help with Lajna activities or follow the directives of Khalifa-e-waqt. However, we should realize that the physical act Kenya Lajna Sadr at Nakuru New Mosque Site (www.alislam.org) of attending meetings and 94 AYESHA WINTER 2008 spending time with other Ahmadi was created solely for us and, it is women and children not only up to us to fulfill the goals and improves our own knowledge but objectives of this esteemed also provides us with lessons on auxiliary. Hadhrat Masih Mauood’s building relationships and dealing (peace be on him) also said, ‘do not with all kinds of people. It is in wear Islam as an outer robe, but these gatherings that you can practice its teachings and you will actually put your knowledge of be transformed’. It is only through Islam to practice and follow given the sacrifice of our capabilities, directives-- and, over the past two wealth and time in the service of years, Lajna has received several Islam that we can reach salvation. directives: Purdah, Salat, staying In the end, my dear sisters, let us quiet, learning the Khilafat reflect once again on the promise Centenary Celebration prayers, that the Lajna Pledge seeks from fasting, and Wasiyyat to name a each and every one of us. few. Those of you who have obeyed I bear witness that there is no God these directives will find that they but Allah, the One without any have improved and simplified your partner. And I bear witness that lives and you are finding it easier Muhammad (peace and blessings of to follow Islam and come closer to Allah be on him) is His servant and Allah through the guidance from His messenger. I affirm that I shall the institution of Khilafat. The always be ready to sacrifice my life, Lajna Pledge is a constant property, time and children for the reminder and further highlights cause of the faith and the the actions that true believers community. I shall always adhere must take to stay on the right path to the truth and shall always be through the use of their God given prepared to make every sacrifice for health, wealth and abilities. the perpetuation of the Ahmadiyya My dear sisters, we are blessed to Khilafat (Insha Allah). witness the beginning of the second Let us pray that Allah enable all century of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, members of Lajna Imaillah around and we are blessed to be called the world to hold tightly to the rope Ahmadi Muslims. We are blessed of Allah, to the rope of Ahmadiyyat to be given the opportunity to be a and to the institution of Khilafat, part of Lajna Imaillah- The Maid Insha Allah. Servants of Allah. Lajna Imaillah 96 AYESHA WINTER 2008